My new Pdoc is not nice :(

[Raye]

So The pdoc who diagnosed me in April of this year had to leave his practice a few weeks ago and head back to NY
He was so compassionate, he listened to me and actually gave feedback and answered my questions so I could understand and he has been very, very helpful. My time spent with him was always 40 minutes to an hour.

So he referred me to his collegue and this guy is not very friendly.
I spent a total of 10 minutes talking to him, my former pdoc transferred my entire file over to him and he acted like he didn't know a thing about me. He even asked why I was there.

I had been out of the correct dose of meds since around June the 10th, making my temper flare and I was depressed and miserable, couldn't focus and cried alot.

He just looks at me and says, 'ok, what do you need?'

I shook my head at him in shame, told him I needed 60 mg of Straterra and 25 mg of Librium.

He did although ask how my focus was... when I told him it was terrible, he gave me a sample of abilify... Now I've tried every anti depressant on the market except this and prestique (sp?) and nothing's worked.

Has anyone ever tried a Straterra/abilify combo?

I'm supposed to go back in a week to let him know how the abilify is working. He gave me a 7 day supply.

Then wrote my scripts for Straterra and Librium and literally rushed me out of his office.

I am p*****.

[ginniebean]

Very very few psychiatrists would ever take 40 minutes to an hour per patient, it's just not done really. You're now getting the usual treatment.

His not knowing much about you is also not that surprising he may have taken over a hundred new patients from your old doc and that takes time to get to know.

[Amtram]

ginniebean, my experience has been a one-hour initial appointment with psychiatrists with half-hour followup visits, down to 15 if it's just prescription maintenance. I don't know if that's all over the US, or what, but it's been like that with every doc I've seen here.

[ginniebean]

I got the impression that this poster recieved a 40 minute to an hour visit each time. If this doc recently took over an entire caseload it might not be feasible for him/her to do so.

[crystal8080]

Sorry to hear you were rushed out of the office. Was he late? I find that doctors who take the time to shoot the sh** are often terribly late. They overbook too. My DH's dr is like that. You can be sitting there for a few hours in the waiting room. Great dr tho.

My dr keeps his appointments short, and is usually on time. He doesn't say much, but he's a great doctor. If Im blabbering on in his office, he'll listen silently then give a thoughtful look. He knows how to get me out in a non offensive way. But, he is a good doctor I always leave with what I need.

[Raye]

Crystal-

He wasn't late, in fact he was right on time. I guess I'm not so upset at the short time spent in his office, he just didn't give off any impression that he even cared....

My old pdoc was always late, at least 20 minutes to half an hour but it was worth it because of the time he spent listening and talking to his patients. there was a plaque on his wall voted 'most compassionate Dr.' in 2009. Now I know why.

I won't give up the new one yet- I'll just get my meds from him and continue counseling.

[Drewbacca]

My first psych gave me 15 min. on average. My current psych, a DO, gives me about 30-40 minutes on average (when necessary).

[Drewbacca]

I've been thinking about this, and I've had a thought worth sharing.
Perhaps many psychiatrists minimize their time and interaction with patients because they feel that building a relationship with a patient could compromise their integrity as a prescribing doctor. Their job is to help you find appropriate medication and dosage as well as to make sure you don't have any ill/dangerous side effects. I can see why a psych may limit time in order to maintain their objectivity while treating a patient. Ideally, there is a counselor or therapist available for providing adequate time to hear a patient out and they aren't in the same position as a psychiatrist. I'm just thinking, that being someone's prescribing doctor could be a really difficult scenario because you want to trust your patients, but too much trust could cause someone to lose a license. Just a thought, feedback is welcome.

[crystal8080]

Good point. It may depend on their training in medical school. I could see some doctors valuing objectivity over rapport.

I do know its not a requirement for a psychiatrist to offer therapy.

[artymom]

I think it is horrible that he hadn't taken 10 minutes to familiarize himself with your file. My Pdoc now is the kind that will always give me 30 minutes and checks hoe things are going with my CBT. But my last doc, who was my first ever Pdoc, was the 10 minute med check type. I think that is way more common to tell you the truth.

[lateralthinker]

Abilify is an anti-psychotic and a pretty heavy duty drug. My wife had similar experience with this and only took one or two before realizing how bad of a medications it is. She took it also for anxiety and depression; had similar experience in her appointment. Strattera is also a very potent medication that comes with side effects. I don't know anything about Librium, but you're on at least two medications that are infamous for their untoward effects. You won't know which ones are working, or which one are causing crazy side effects. At least you're going back in a week if it doesn't work out.

[Raye]

I don't have any side effects at all on Straterra- when on the correct dose. The abilify I've been on for 4 days and have had not one side effect, and like you say, I can't tell if it's working or not.