I am glad that you made a decision.
He will want to know your current meds, you can share the fact that you are very medication sensitive and what you have tried in the past and what has not worked for you, if you wish.
bizi

What the new guy needs to know
 

Hi Mari,

I think the things you need to tell the new guy, to be thorough, are:

• current medication list
• current therapeutic needs
• reason for pdoc change (insurance dropped old pdoc)
• medication history and sensitivities

I think it is very important to advise him you have shown a conspicuous dose-sensitivity to many - but not all - drugs.

Thinking about it, I don't see that you need to mention the Trileptal pdoc. If he is informed of your bad experience with Tegretol, he is very, very unlikely to prescribe Trileptal.

As far as medication history, I might make a med list for him, or two lists - to separate drugs you can tolerate from those you don't. It would be good to list dosages taken wherever you can, but this is especially valuable in the cases where you respond (positively or negatively) to baby doses.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that this guy works out well for you. :hug::hug::hug:

waves

Hi, Bizi and Waves,


Which bottles of meds do I bring him?

The ones dated Jun 5 from the old pdoc?
or
The ones dated July 1 from recent pdoc?

M

Argh. If the June 5th ones were for 30 days (i.e. they are empty), I guess you'd have to show the newer ones and tell him you saw someone to get refills.

Do you really have to bring pill bottles? Can you bring records from the old pdoc instead - or have them sent? I can't remember if old pdoc had already sent records to your mdoc... if not, it might be a good idea to request that. Even better, if he or mdoc will do it, would be to get a copy for yourself. You have a legal right to the records, but pdocs are often reticent...

Anyway, if you do have to bring up the Trileptal-doc, I wouldn't worry. You are still in find-a-doctor mode. It is more than reasonable to cross someone off who gives you 4 minutes for a first visit. The phone problems and gross office are also significant but you don't need to defend your choice, beat for beat. If asked, I might mention the 4 minute visit and say I was generally "not satisfied" with the way the practice was run.

waves

records from old pdoc
 

Hi,

Several weeks ago, I called old poc's office to ask I could get my records to the new pdoc.
I was told that they would email me me a release form to sign. Then I was to fax it back.
Actually, I do not remember the details. I know that I was supposed to get a release form in the mail and I did not.
I will call them Tuesday after I wake up --- but his office staff is not answering full days now. (Maybe he works half days some days of the week.)

Anyway, I could
~call old pdoc's office again and
~also call the the new guy's office to ask their procedure.

I will have to request that the records include recent medications . . .. I know this because I recently went through this crap with the internist. She wanted EVERYTHING from my pdoc and his office was reluctant to send it. They called to check with me because apparently they usually send a very short form that says very little.
Even after the internist got the whole ten-year file, she was disappointed because he wrote scant notes. Perhaps nothing more that the medications -- which is exactly what I need anyway.

There is a slight chance that hubby "lost" the mail from old pdoc --- he handles all my mail, but I checked with him daily about my mail and I had none from pdoc.

Mari

HI,


I could ask mdoc's office to send the file to new pdoc. Somehow that seems complicated.

I will make two phone calls first (old pdoc and next pdoc) to find out about procedure.


It might not matter much at all and I know that I am spending too much time on this.

This is part of being a patient and part of being a pdoc -- people come and go. People do lose MDs due to insurance changes and it can take more than one visit to settle in with the right professional.
I feel like I need to settle this very soon. On August 8 when we return to work I will need to already have a decent med plan. That's it. I will be done messing around with this until May.
M

Hi Mari,

If dealing with records is too hard, just bring the new pill bottles. You don't have to offer information about changing pdocs - you can field questions. You can be brief so as to get down to the important stuff ASAP.

Full records could be done as a follow up, maybe after you have seen the guy and feel it will work out. Old pdoc might have less of a problem sending full records to another psychiatrist than to a GP.

I understand about wanting this put to bed before you start work again. Do what works best for you.

waves

I couldn't sleep. Or rather I messed up my sleep again by going past a few windows.

I am tired. I have to trust the next pdoc. He can get the records himself after he meets me. He probably has efficient enough office staff.

I'lll bring the meds in from old pdoc (I saved a handful of pills in each bottle) because I like the way he wrote the Klonopin 'scripts -- 75 pills per month. Two and a half of 1.00 mgs each day.

New pdoc wrote the script differently and I am not happy --
1 bottle: 30 pills per month 2.0
2nd bottle: 30 pills per month 0.5

There is a difference and I am not eloquent right now to explain why it matters.

Mari

Mari

I personally don't think you need to mention the trileptal. Other than
to say you had a trial of it. But had a reaction, if asked then tell
what you reaction was.

This way its more of a trial and then you are done.

I would take the bottles from the doctor you were using most of the time.

I think the new doctor will understand.

Donna:hug::grouphug:

You have a good plan!
 

I hope you get sleep tonight/day.

Yes. One thing at a time.

Sounds like a plan.

FWIW, I see a couple of significant differences between the old/new script formats. First, the 75 x 1 mg script allows full flexibility for divided doses, in minimum fractions of 0.5 mg; 2 mg pills don't offer that flexibility. Second, the 1 mg script is easier than the "combo" script" because there is only one bottle and 1 strength of pills to keep track of.

I wish you the very best with this pdoc! :hug::hug:

waves