Posted by thinkingitover on July 29, 2008, at 13:32:36
Hello,
I am considering firing my PDOC and would like as many responses to get a variety of opinions.
My PDOC is nice, but I guess the best way describe him is unavailable and overextended. He is an HMO doc, so he does the best with the resources that he has... but as a result of his lack of time and availability, things are a mess, physically, side effect wise , etc...
For example, he only wants me to come in every 6 months, I am welcome to come in sooner, but really, there is nothing else to do. Appointments are rushed (about 10 minutes) and I am starting to become an annoyance to the office (in my opinion) as I have resorted to FAXING lists of my side effects to him to keep my records updated. I feel like I am "my own doctor", (and I am not qualified obviously). Another thing is side effects, I came into his office 5 years ago with OCD/anxiety, and depression. I weighed in at 150lbs, now after the treatments we've tried, I am a stocky 195 lbs. My blood sugar is high too. On the "bright" side, he told me I wear my weight "well." My brother (who is also seen by him) got fed up by all of this and went off the meds, except for Valium. He lost all the weight. This isn't an option for me. I have panic attacks that really flare up under stress.
I ahve to believe that there is a happy balance in workign with a PDOC and appropriate care to balance out everything. I feel really alone in all of this.
I take Zoloft, topamax (for the nightmares from the da*n Zoloft), and Valium. Where should I look for a good doctor? should I get a physical? Shouldn;t PDOCS work in teams with other docs? What should I look for in a good pdoc so I can keep an even keel, and also have good physical health?
poster:thinkingitover
thread:842848
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080727/msgs/842848.html