[linktrek]

I don't know if it is only my doctor but he is cold as ice. He put me through the rule out tests and told me that he had a gut feeling I have PD. I suffer from stiff sore and sometimes weak legs. I walk slow because they are stiff..Well anyway he put me on C/L and told me to come back. He asked me if the C/L is helping and I told him that I don't know. I told him that I had some good days, But I had good days without the C/L So he increased it. I got real depressed because of involuntary muscle movement side effects. I called his office to see would put the C/L back to the original dosage. But they won't let me until I see him on Nov 14. I just feel like he's left me hanging with no game plan and I have no idea of my status with the disease. Isn't the doctor supposed to be supportive?

[reverett123]

See if you can find another for a second opinion at a minimum. Doctors as a group can be jerks. GPs arebetter than neuros unless you get very lucky.

Originally Posted by linktrek

I don't know if it is only my doctor but he is cold as ice. He put me through the rule out tests and told me that he had a gut feeling I have PD. I suffer from stiff sore and sometimes weak legs. I walk slow because they are stiff..Well anyway he put me on C/L and told me to come back. He asked me if the C/L is helping and I told him that I don't know. I told him that I had some good days, But I had good days without the C/L So he increased it. I got real depressed because of involuntary muscle movement side effects. I called his office to see would put the C/L back to the original dosage. But they won't let me until I see him on Nov 14. I just feel like he's left me hanging with no game plan and I have no idea of my status with the disease. Isn't the doctor supposed to be supportive?

[soccertese]

Originally Posted by linktrek

I don't know if it is only my doctor but he is cold as ice. He put me through the rule out tests and told me that he had a gut feeling I have PD. I suffer from stiff sore and sometimes weak legs. I walk slow because they are stiff..Well anyway he put me on C/L and told me to come back. He asked me if the C/L is helping and I told him that I don't know. I told him that I had some good days, But I had good days without the C/L So he increased it. I got real depressed because of involuntary muscle movement side effects. I called his office to see would put the C/L back to the original dosage. But they won't let me until I see him on Nov 14. I just feel like he's left me hanging with no game plan and I have no idea of my status with the disease. Isn't the doctor supposed to be supportive?

you seem to be changing your story, first you have no side affects, now you do.
your're saying the involuntary movements just started today because the dr. increased your C/L dosage? what is the exact drug you are taking and what is the dosage? what color is the tablet? are you taking other drugs?
may i ask how old you are and if you are still working? do you live alone? seems you need someone you know to help you deal with doctors.

[linktrek]

Originally Posted by soccertese

you seem to be changing your story, first you have no side affects, now you do.
your're saying the involuntary movements just started today because the dr. increased your C/L dosage? what is the exact drug you are taking and what is the dosage? what color is the tablet? are you taking other drugs?
may i ask how old you are and if you are still working? do you live alone? seems you need someone to help you deal with doctors.

I think I mentioned that I have mood swings...bi-polar. The reason why I wanted to decrease the dosage is because I think the new dosage he put me on is making me depressed and I don't see any improvement. But no I have no muscle movement problems. Im just on 100/25 CL 2 2times a day.

I am disabled with my mood disorder. I am talking Focalin Effexor XR Geodon Lamictal Xanax. I am married with a great wife whom I' stressing out because of my pain and depression

[Tupelo3]

Originally Posted by linktrek

I don't know if it is only my doctor but he is cold as ice. He put me through the rule out tests and told me that he had a gut feeling I have PD. I suffer from stiff sore and sometimes weak legs. I walk slow because they are stiff..Well anyway he put me on C/L and told me to come back. He asked me if the C/L is helping and I told him that I don't know. I told him that I had some good days, But I had good days without the C/L So he increased it. I got real depressed because of involuntary muscle movement side effects. I called his office to see would put the C/L back to the original dosage. But they won't let me until I see him on Nov 14. I just feel like he's left me hanging with no game plan and I have no idea of my status with the disease. Isn't the doctor supposed to be supportive?

linktrek, this sounds very much like the first neuro I went to. Needless to say, I fired him immediately and never went back. Keep in mind, if you really do have PD (knowing that misdiagnosis is so common), you have a progressive illness that will be with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, having a doctor that's knowledgeable, that you can trust, that has compassion, and that you like, is crucial.

It sounds like you may have gone to a general neurologist. If so, then you may want to consider searching for a specialist, a Movement Disorder Specialist (MDS). They very often practice at a MDS center as part of a team, which may also be associated with a hospital, university, or both. Don't be afraid to meet with several, interview them and choose the one you like best.

My personal philosophy is that I view myself as a company. The business is my health. I have doctors on my team (MDS, internist, dermatologist, cardiologist, etc). There may be others on the team as well (caretaker, therapists, pharmacists, etc.). These doctors, and practitioners, all work for me. I interview them and then I hire them. If I don't like one, then I fire them and move on. Remember, as the CEO, you also have the responsibility of doing your own research also so that you can have intelligent conversations, ask appropriate questions, and understand the information the doctors provide. Unfortunately, in our society, many doctors, particularly the old timers, don't like this relationship. Some of them have the personality of a dead fish. For some reason, because they have an MD, they think they are the team leader. Ultimately, its my life and I want the best input I can get, but then I'll make the decisions (effectively, the CEOs job).

Fortunately for me, I have put together a great team. My MDS is wonderful. She has the best possible combination of world class knowledge, listening ability, and patience. When my wife and I go for my visits, she will sit and answer every question in full detail, with humor and compassion. There is no rush and my typical visit lasts for several hours. My advice to you is not to settle for less.

Good Luck

Gary

[soccertese]

hope your doctor and pharmacist knows everything you are taking and your medical conditions. my rule is take everything a "newbie" says with a grain of salt, you never know what might be left out, so i think the best thing you can do is state where you live so someone here might recommend a neuro. does disability limit who you can see?

[linktrek]

Originally Posted by soccertese

hope your doctor and pharmacist knows everything you are taking and your medical conditions. my rule is take everything a "newbie" says with a grain of salt, you never know what might be left out, so i think the best thing you can do is state where you live so someone here might recommend a neuro. does disability limit who you can see?

I did a lot of thinking and I am going to tell you The TRUTH. Until last night my emotions were doing fine. I had a positive attitude that the C/L was my friend. I am coping with my symptoms very well and keep the attitude that if I take the medicine I wont deteriorate so fast.
Then I went to drugs.com and looked up C/L side effects. Drugs.com is pretty reliable and the way they had it spelled out under common side effects of the facial movements and muscles movements was just a matter of time You might want to look up CL there and see what it says. So the CL that was my friend that was going to keep me from getting sicker turned into my worst nightmare. Then I came here distraught. I just figured this out.

Yes I need a new dr. But unless I can get my confidence back in CL it is going to haunt me for who knows how long.

[linktrek]

Ahhh What a greet time I had today I fired my neurologist. He raised my CL and it was making me depressed. I have bipolar and anxiety. The doctor just doubled my CL dosage an it was helping e feel depressed couldn't sleep. So I called the nurse to aske if I could cut it back to the original doses and she actually yelled at me an told me not to touch the dosage until the next appoiontment 11/14. I went to my GP and told him what happened and he is getting e someone knew. Now I might get a doctor with a better attitude and also the all important 2nd opinion. But it sure would feel good to have another Dr look and tell me what he thinks.. This is great! So I got to cut my med in half ... WHOOPIE

[bluedahlia]

Make sure your other meds are taken on time!