Problem with my psycologist
 

Hi, I was hoping someone maybe able to give me some advice. I was recently referred to a psyc for help with anxiety, depression and cognitive behaviour therapy. I have only had one appointment with him but I really don't want to go back to see him. I told him about my crps and how I have a low tolerance to medication and haven't found one that works. He said that as I have anxiety I proberly look for side effects. I informed him that in the past I have developed blisters in my mouth form endep and I was once given guinethadine which caused a anaphylactic shock, I had to carry a epipen with me for a few years. He still felt that my reactions were down to the fact I believed it would happen. I also discussed my insomnia which he informed was learnt behaviour. I sleep very well when the pain is mild and can't sleep when the pain is bad. Again I informed him of this it seemed to have fallen on deaf ears. He spent most of the time telling me about crps, most of his information was wrong on several times I corrected him which he didn't take to kindly too, I feel really uncomfortable about seeing him again. I wondered if anyone else has had problems like this and if anyone lives in perth Australia could they maybe recommended someone. Thanks

I don't have any recommendations on who you should see...but you need to not go back to this guy. If you don't click...he can't help you. If you don't trust him (and I don't think you should based on what you posted)...he can't help you. If he can't help you...then you shouldn't go back.

This goes for any doctor you see. Some doctors work out great for some patients and not for others. There is a chemistry there that is important and every patient has different needs both physically and emotionally that have to be met for a doctor to successfully treat them.

Take care.

What a complete jerk this guy is :mad: makes me so mad for you katiek - like you need some idiot with no idea patronising you and doing the 'it's all in your head' routine.....grrrr.......

I've seen several docs who claimed to know about CRPS but clearly didn't know it very well when it came right down to it. The problem is that it is a rare condition and few docs have the time we all do to really research it and learn about treatments etc. it's frustrating and scary though, you start to wonder who you can trust to treat you.

If you know he was wrong about you on so many levels, then ignore everything he said and find another psych who can help you deal with living with this, and not make you feel worse.

Good luck :)

Bram.

I had the head phsychatrist tell me the spread happened because I knew it could, told her I knew I could win the lottery so why hadn't I. Never saw her agian

:D Classic.....such stoooopid dumb doctors are the worst!

Why do they always have to turn it around and put it on US as the sufferers? Bit twisted and mean, at the very least. I had my first pain doc tell me that it was 'up to me' and 'I could beat this if I wanted to' - so of course when it carried on getting worse and spreading I felt it was my fault for not trying hard enough :rolleyes: I know a lot more now, and have a good pain doc who rolled her eyes when I told her, but those few words (repeated several times in my few consults with the woman) caused me a lot of distress. These type of docs are why we as the patient need to do the reading and learn as much about our condition as we can.

Bram.

Thanks for the replies. I spoke with my OT who said not go back to him. She is going to try and refeer me to the psyc at the hospital who understands that it isnt in my head. I was really fustrated after seeing the guy it just reminded me of all the times i had seen drs that rolled their eyes and didnt beleive me. I feel alot better knowing i wont se him again

next time one of these says something like that I would say it's in my head that you weren't good enough to be a real doctor so you became a witchdoctor

I'm glad your OT backed you up. That says a lot about your OT, a keeper I'd say. Finding the right counselor, therapist, etc. is about finding the person who can guide you to help yourself. Having people out there who shouldn't be practicing only makes finding the right caregiver for you a little harder. You have the right to reuse treatment from anyone who you feel is a threat to your receiving good care. A professional who's tarts out blaming and judging you, when they first meet you does not deserve to treat you and you don't need to feel ashamed or fearful about that, ever.

Hi Katie,

It's pretty sad when you don't feel comfortable saying what you think and finding acceptance/validation with a 'shrink'. :eek:

Finding the right mental health practitioner can be difficult, but well worth it in the end. Hopefully, the one your OT has recommended will work out better for you. Keep searching til you find someone that you click with.

Wait isn't a psychotherapist suppose to get inside your head and figure things out? Huh guess he's just a trumpt up military dr lol. I have seen many drs that say its all in my head. Well it kind of is seeing as the nerves in my knee and leg are sending false distress signals to my head lol. Except he is suppose to talk to you not patronize you about your condition. I am seriously thinking of talking to a psych through the military about whats going on because this 1 minute fine then breaking down because I hurt so bad and no one really knows what im going through. Even my awesome husband. Don't let one jerk (I would use another word but trying not to curse in writing or out loud cause of little ears lol) turn you off from getting answers and help. Take it from someone that has been doing this for almost 10 yrs. I have been fighting to get answers. I finally found some. Now to get more answers. Keep your head up and if he's an a... I mean jerk fart on him get someone that is better and DESERVES you as a patient.:hug:

Thanks for all the replies. I have had CRPS for around 25 years now but it has only been really bad for the last few years. I am glad I am not alone in having bad experiences with Dr's. I made me feel that I was the problem but after all of you guys great replies I can say it is not me it is the small minded idiot of a psyc. I see a psychiatrist my OT has referred me too, I have a lot of confidence in my OT so fingers crossed for this guy. Thanks again

I suggest you pirnt out these and take them along with you, insist they read them first
http://www.rsdhope.org/crps-symptoms.html
http://www.ozrsd.org/forum/kb.php?mode=article&k=4

bwahahahahaha !

Hi Katiek
 

People do not experience anaphylactic shock, or things like angio edema, just because they think it. This is a very serious thing that happens that can threaten a life. Go to another doctor that takes what you say seriously. These are NOT mental issues, but an alergic reaction. I too carry an Epi pen. You have to find a doctor that doesn't talk "down" to you. You deserve to be taken seriously. Docs like that make the situation worse. Hope you can find someone new to help you. We are here too at NT to listen anytime. Ginnie:grouphug:

I saw a psychologist at first when I got rsd and he was very kind and understanding. He said he knew of three people who had rsd. One whose died of a heart attack shortly after getting rsd, one died of cancer shortly after getting rsd and one who was in a nursing home completely bedridden after getting rsd. Though I liked the man, I was completely freaked out about his stories stopped seeing him. I started go a psychiatrist who could prescribe xanax and zoloft for me becuase my anxiety level skyrocketed after seeing the pscycologist. My psychiatrist is also very kind and understanding. He said he has only had a few patients with rsd and that even though he hasn't seen them get physcially better from rsd, he hasn't seen them get worse either. I like his stories better and the meds he prescribes help me deal with my rsd panic attacks and anxiety and depression. If you don't feel comfortable with your dr and he doesn't believe what you say is true and thinks the pain is just in your head, then I would go to someone else. I've had drs who thought my extreme pain to my broken wrist was in my head until they realized I had rsd and that the pain was all too real. I started seeing another dr after that too. I don't live in Australia, though I wish I could visit there sometime to see the koala bears, but you may be able to find another dr online and don't forget to check his healthgrades for patient reviews and medical history, i.e. any malpractice suits he may have had. I stay away from those. Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Find a new one!!!
 

You have the right to refuse to see that ..i hesitate to call him a person...again. Try and find someone who has actual experience in treating patients with CRPS.

He was absolutely WRONG in what he said. Try a print out some nifo for him by Dr. Hooshmand. He the WORLDS foremost expert in dealing with CRPS/RSD. I'm sorry, I know how hard it is in dealing with people who try and say it's "all in our heads". Yes it can be exacerbated by strees, but dealing with attitudes like that don;t make it less stressful! What an *****. I hope you get real help soon!

Hi Kevscar
 

:I-Agree::You-Rock::hit-safe: Shall we all Hit the lottery? Great post, made me smile. ginnie

I have an appointment with my new psych on Wednesday, so will report back. It is so frustrating at the moment dealing with the physical aspect is one thing, then the mental issues rear their head. My anxiety has been quite bad recently. I am currently on income protection and the company placed me under surveillance, this has caused major issues, whenever I leave the house I think I am being followed. Not a great feeling. I am hoping that the psyc might be able to help me out with this. Also I was wondering if anyone else has developed compulsions. I find myself doing things such as checking I locked the car or house 5 times. I do other strange things too, my husband said maybe it is because I am sort of in control of those things where as I have no control over my body at the moment. Has anyone experienced this

I have katie, it's not fun is it? Makes you feel like you're going mad... It's called OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) and its normally caused by anxiety/stress of some kind - which completely explains it I think, because CRPS just throws everything about your life into chaos and fear and worry. I had it for a while when my first child was born, and I learnt to control it for the most part, although every now and then I'll do something weird like straightening something so it faces a certain way. Strangely enough my number was 5 as well, which is a bit spooky ;).

I never saw anyone about it at the time, and I've never really mentioned it. My Experience of GPs led me to believe that they would probably label it as a mental disorder, flag it up on my records forever, and just prescribe anti-depressants, which I didn't want. I've worked through it myself by basically reasoning through it. Mine was very much based on fear, and I sort of thought that if I didn't do a certain thing an exact way, something bad would happen. Illogical, but very real and scary at the time... It takes a lot of courage to mention it, I think that's really brave :)

Personally, I found talking through some of my OCD past with a therapist really helpful. It helps if they can just talk about it calmly and not like it's a huge issue or problem. Doctors tend to frown, scribble and prescribe - talking it through was far more healing, and makes it seem less hopeless and like you have a choice. I'd mention it to your new psych and see how they are with it - if they take it calmly, dont judge or try to fix you, and you feel safe to explore it with them, then great. If they make you feel uncomfortable about it, or like you are odd, then ignore them and seek help elsewhere. If you have a good GP and you have a close relationship, then try them if you feel it is getting out of hand, controlling you too much or generally you can't see a way forward. There are helplines as well, and advice online (stick to trusted sites though). If I can be any help, or you just want to talk, PM me.

Good luck and take care of yourself.

Bram :hug:

Katiek,

You are right dealing with both the physical and mental aspects of this a major battle in and of itself!

Sounds like the insurance company is trying to find a way to wiggle out of paying your income protection policy.. weasels!! My only advice is to work closely with the physician who diagnosed your CRPS/RSD and follow his recommendations as much as possible. Work through conflicts regarding referrals and treatment recommendations with that physician so that you don't get labeled as a malingerer or someone who refuses any type of treatment. The psychologist you are seeing - do they specialize in 'pain psychology'? If not, I would ask to be referred to someone who is familiar with treating people with chronic pain or chronic medical conditions since that invariably changes the dynamic of therapy. Try not to worry about the surveillance as long as you are honest with your abilities and inabilities what they see, shouldn't be a problem.

Regarding the compulsions - have you been evaluated for PTSD? PTSD can occur after any type of major trauma including the trauma related to illness, injury etc., if you haven't already discussed this with your doctor it might be worth bringing up. Be sure to mention to each an every doctor or therapist you see about your symptoms no matter how insignificant they seem.

Try to relax..
Tessa

and/or... My disease is more real than your imaginary medical expertise! :mad:

So sorry you had to deal with such a moron Katiek!