So I just came back from my weekly therapy session... Need advice. [x-post from /r/bipolar]
It was awful. I've been having issues with my pdoc for the past few months because of various things. Here's a list to make things easier for reading purposes:
- 1 - Does not respond to my concerns. This can be my heat tolerance issue with my current dose of Seroquel (50mg), weight gain from said Seroquel, questions about other medications reacting with Seroquel.
- 2 - Tells me that she does not have the time to compose a letter for a university I will be attending in the fall. I am trying to receive some accommodations at my future university, in case of an event where something happens. This was strongly encouraged through my academic adviser at community college.
- 3 - Does not explain to me what certain terms mean. According to my intake notes I am now Mood Disorder N.O.S., instead of my previous diagnosis with my older doctor- Which was Bipolar Type II with Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At the time my pdoc assured me that she wrote that I was previously diagnosed with said BP2. This doesn't bother as much for me, though in my notes it says that I was "self-described."
After talking to my therapist for a few weeks to a month, she brought in the supervisor at my clinic so I can voice my concerns. I thought that it was a good opportunity for me to do so. My therapist encouraged me to be honest, and don't hide anything. The response from the supervisor however made me feel that I should have kept my mouth closed.
Some things that the supervisor said:
- 1 - Regarding my questions about certain medications interacting with my psyche medications, my pdoc does not have time to answer my questions.
- 2 - I should not ask questions because my appointments with my pdoc are for maintenance purposes, only.
- 3 - It is assumed that "self-described" means that I was previously diagnosed. I was not told this previously from my pdoc. I responded that an explanation from the pdoc would have been sufficient for me to understand this term. Which leads to...
- 4 - Supervisor telling me that the clinic does not have time to explain things to me.
- 5 - Doctor's don't answer questions about the medication, or concerns.
- 6 - That I should be thankful for my pdoc to sign a form required for me to receive benefits (which I am, but also it's just signing a piece a paper in the long run) This is when the supervisor raised her voice and yelled at me, probably from frustration.
- 7 - Why did I leave my previous doctor if I say that my previous doctor was very informational when it comes to my concerns. (I replied with, because I have moved.)
- 8 - And finally, if I have been taking my medication regularly. (I have been, never missed an appointment.)
I'm not quite sure how I should feel about this situation. I do feel that I don't want to go back there anymore. Was I overreacting? Is it wrong for me to be concerned about my own health? I don't try to bombard my pdoc with questions that are pointless. I write them down ahead of time. Many of the concerns I have had been going on for more than a month.
I was given an option of changing my pdoc, but I won't be able to see him till after the 11th of July. I am also moving to another State in August. I have enough Seroquel till October or so.
It may be my craziness, but I also felt like I was not being heard a lot of the times. Common complaint, but it sure felt like it. Should I leave this clinic because I have enough medication? Should I keep seeing the same pdoc? Should I write a complaint? I'm not sure what I should do, and I feel like making a hasty decision without some input from others can be disastrous.
Thank you for reading all this mush. :)
Posted Jun 23, 2012, 11:55 PM UTC