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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by utopizen on October 14, 2004, at 20:23:31
A lot of people here are posting they're not calling their docs while they aren't finding progress from their meds.
What I do is weekly leave a message with my doc (asking him to call back if necessary) and update him on how I'm doing. He then adjusts doses, adds meds, and such accordingly in-between appts. sometimes.
And two days before my appt., I leave a brief message explaining my main concerns, my progress, etc., so I don't forget anything when I see him at the appt. and he is also prepared to discuss my concerns with me.
Posted by zeugma on October 14, 2004, at 21:31:07
In reply to Tip: Call your doc when you don't notice progress, posted by utopizen on October 14, 2004, at 20:23:31
> A lot of people here are posting they're not calling their docs while they aren't finding progress from their meds.
>
> What I do is weekly leave a message with my doc (asking him to call back if necessary) and update him on how I'm doing. He then adjusts doses, adds meds, and such accordingly in-between appts. sometimes.
>
> And two days before my appt., I leave a brief message explaining my main concerns, my progress, etc., so I don't forget anything when I see him at the appt. and he is also prepared to discuss my concerns with me.This is very important advice. I called my pdoc today when I have noted zero improvement of my ADD on Ritalin, but an annoying tic that I do not wish to have for the rest of my life. It looks like it's Adderall or Dexedrine next. I would prefer Dexedrine as I've heard it's less likely to cause anxiety.
-z
Posted by jboud24 on October 15, 2004, at 11:39:24
In reply to Re: Tip: Call your doc when you don't notice progress » utopizen, posted by zeugma on October 14, 2004, at 21:31:07
I agree that this is good, often overlooked advice, at least for me. I often forget that I can call my doc when something isnt going too great. Often though I'll just say, "Well, I'll just bring it up next time I see him."
Justin
Posted by Racer on October 15, 2004, at 12:31:22
In reply to Tip: Call your doc when you don't notice progress, posted by utopizen on October 14, 2004, at 20:23:31
If you've got a doctor who is responsive to that sort of thing, or you have access to the doctor via telephone or voicemail, that's great advice. Some of us don't or haven't got that sort of access.
From July 2003 through August 2004, I was in crisis and uninsured. I got on the list to get treatment through the county in July, but nothing had happened by the time the crisis got to the point I attempted suicide in September. After being released by the hospital, I was finally seen in late September. From then until August, I did receive treatment -- but had no access to assistance of any sort between appointments. Side effects, no matter how severe, MIGHT get me a return call from an office clerk, often with no other response than, "Keep taking the medication as prescribed, and talk to the doctor about it at your appointment next month."
Again, if you have access to adequate health care and medication support, your advice is great, and it's well worth taking. For some people, though -- growing numbers, too, which we should all remember on the first Tuesday in November -- it's just not possible to act on it.
(But thank you, because it is a very, very good point, and I think it is overlooked quite often.)
Posted by Sebastian on October 15, 2004, at 19:00:32
In reply to Good advice -- IF... » utopizen, posted by Racer on October 15, 2004, at 12:31:22
Yes I like that advice. My doctor is semi good for that. If important, he calls back. Depends on how he felt about the mesage. He does say to call. but doesn't always return, and has been upset about calls during apointments, sarcasticly.
Posted by jane d on October 16, 2004, at 1:30:04
In reply to Good advice -- IF... » utopizen, posted by Racer on October 15, 2004, at 12:31:22
You're in any condition to notice anything at all. I find that the meds need to work at least a little before I care enough to complain that they don't work well enough. Or even notice.
But it is good advice which I will try to learn to take since even if I do notice I don't call.
And I'll remember to be grateful to have that option (at least for now). And never, never to accept any less out of apathy for as long as I have control of which doctor I see.
This is the end of the thread.
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