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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by brassy on March 16, 2013, at 22:03:25
Hi, all -- I'm not sure if this is my first post, as I've been depressed for 35 years and may have registered before at some point. But I've always been a lurker, and always taken comfort in your shared experiences. Now I am appealing for direct help.
I need a p-doc in Pittsburgh urgently, somebody who feels comfortable re: MAOIs. I've lived in P-burgh 6 months. Till now my long-time NY shrink has prescribed long-distance but my meds (Lamictal's the main one) cr*pp*d out and I'm at the highest possible dose. He's willing to consult with a new doc about my case (for hours if need be), but given my need for a new drug, I must find someone local.
Please -- if you have the urge to lecture about side effects or suggest an alternative med(s), resist it. Both I and my doctor believe a MAOI is what I need and we've tried everything else already apart from drugs under patent such as Ability which I could never afford (and are of questionable value anyway). There's no time to waste with trials of the unproven. Just like many of you, I've been through this enough to see the crash before it happens.
When I crash, I can't work (for eight years before moving here). I am afraid to leave the house. I don't want to shower or get out of bed. I let the dogs crap indoors. I refuse to see friends, answer the telephone or return emails. I have missed days from my job (no benefits -- I don't get paid). I'm bankrupt. No savings, no property, my 401k's gone, due to years of being unable to work.
My diagnosis? Haha. Major depressive disorder and extreme ad/hd, the rest is up for grabs. OCD, agorophobia, bipolar or bipolar spectrum or autism spectrum or whatever. Who cares? I've enjoyed extraordinary professional success alternating in equal measure with a complete inability to function. Years of talk and group and cognitive behavioir therapy have been fruitless. Yes, my adoptive family and my birth mother are crazier than I am, been hit with a greater than average number of life's misfortunes and due to intractible rashness, have jumped from man to man, nearly always the wrong ones. But people function in war zones and other conditions worse than mine. This is chemical. I had a brief taste of normality with the Lamictal and it was glorious. I almost wish I hadn't, the loss is so painful.
My apologies for going on so long and for the hectoring. I cannot vent to anyone in person and the extra 10mg of Aderall makes me crabby.
To get back on point: if you know a doctor familiar with MAOIs anywhere remotely near Pittsburgh (50 miles or more is fine), I'll be so very very grateful.
And again, please avoid any warnings. To ally your concerns, I don't take contraindicated pharmaceuticals or supplements. Due to a gut disorder, my diet already excludes every food that can interact MAOIs. My P-doc isn't ignorant -- he's consistently rated as one of the top 100 shrinks in the country -- and I'm not a dope. I had a long career as an investigative reporter and currently do medical research. I'm not a stranger to Pubmed.
Well. That's way more than enough. Thank you.
PS: I saw no forum guidelines forbidding this kind of request but if you have to spike this post, please don't do so without suggesting an alternative forum where I might go.
Posted by SLS on March 18, 2013, at 9:44:20
In reply to Urgent Need for Pittsburgh P-Doc who knows MAOIs, posted by brassy on March 16, 2013, at 22:03:25
You could try getting a referral from the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. David Kupfer has been a clinical researcher there for many years, and I'm sure he would feel comfortable prescribing MAOIs or would know someone else who does.
http://www.upmc.com/media/experts/pages/david-j-kupfer.aspx
- Scott
Posted by brassy on March 18, 2013, at 9:50:16
In reply to Re: Urgent Need for Pittsburgh P-Doc who knows MAOIs » brassy, posted by SLS on March 18, 2013, at 9:44:20
Scott, thank you so much! I may actually be able to get a referral to him from a UPMC shrink (the son-in-law of a friend) I'm getting on it right now. Is there a reason you think he'd do it, or is he just one of the doc's who doesn't prescribe by rote and looks at patient history? Again, thank you.
best, Amy
Posted by brassy on March 23, 2013, at 15:38:38
In reply to Re: Urgent Need for Pittsburgh P-Doc who knows MAOIs » SLS, posted by brassy on March 18, 2013, at 9:50:16
Dear Scott ,who directed me to a MAOI-friendly doc and anybody else who needs one in Pittsburgh:
Dr. Kupfer was a bust unfortunately, only does research. But after three 18 hour days of making phone calls, writing emails and faxing, I got three recs from an ex-colleague of his for docs tho might be MAOI friendly. One of them, Duane Spiker, was on sick leave, but he's seeing me his first day back and even waiving his consult fee.
Write his name down, guys, if you're living in the Burgh and want to try a MAOI.
Pittsburgh is hurting for psychopharmacolagists. The director of a group practice told me p-docs are so scarce 'it's like being King Midas.'
I couldn't get into a clinic! Western Psych doesn't have a waiting list. They said you're on your own, then gave me a crisis hotline number.
Docs who are known to be MAOI friendly? Fuggedaboutit. They're booked, doing research, retired or dead.
One last lead, if you're from Pittsburgh or Philly: Michael Thase, formerly of UPMC, was the best resource I found, producing three names in an hour and saying I could hit him up for more.
Thanks, Scott, and best of luck to anybody else who's doc-shopping.
Posted by SLS on March 24, 2013, at 7:14:43
In reply to MAOI-Friendly Pittsburgh doc if anybody needs one, posted by brassy on March 23, 2013, at 15:38:38
Good luck. I will be interested to know how things go with you.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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