Lousy psychiatrist
Question:
Moreover, when you go back to your family doctor, hopefully he/she will have the humility to learn from your experiences in order to better serve other patients.
Response:
I have to complain even though I hate to. I have been on Effexor for about 4 months now at 150 mg. I had stopped taking it before and told him I wasn’t sure whether I would go back on it or not. I had side effects that I didn’t care for. Well I ran out over the weekend and had to call to see about a refill over the phone to the pharmacy. The S.O.B. said "not unless he makes an appointment". I can’t believe that!. He’s a great physician if you’re in his office, however when he’s not getting money then screw the patients I guess. Now, I’m sitting here feeling like you know what because Effexor has such a short half-life that SSRI discontinuation syndrome is already kickin’ in. I love HMO medicine.
Keep in mind that you do not need to go to a psychiatrist any longer to get a prescription for anti-depressants. Your family doctor can do it too, when I wanted to go back on Wellbutrin a few years after I had been on it for six months, my family doctor helped in every way possible. Over the phone. No office visit or copay, nothing. I merely gave them the name of my pharmacy. Now I am not recommending people skip visits to a psychiatrist in every case, but mine was similarly clueless a few years back, so I can relate. If you are new to anti-depressants, you should go to someone with experience, and a psychiatrist is your first sure bet. However, if you have been on a drug a while and know how your body reacts to it and just need a refill or need to go back on it, I see no reason to spend $90 merely for another visit to a pdoc. That is silly. In that case ask your family doctor. — BBJ
Response:
Chris, while I am not a doctor, I do have experience with Effoxor – second hand. And your doctor may or may not be being… just a pain. There ARE some prescription drugs where if you have not been IN the office within a certain time period, they cannot refill the Rx. Dave used to take several things for panic attacks, and many times the pharmacy had to tell him the doctor would NOT OK refill until he came into the office. So your Dr. might not be being the ogre, the system might be the problem. Also Effexor does need to be monitored, especially if you are taking other meds, or changing diet, from all I read about it. And as one of the very expensive drugs that has no (at least I have not seen one) generic alternative, many HMO’s and PPO’s are getting downright nasty about prescribing and frequency. Please make sure you do not ever go totally without. The ‘withdrawals’ can be nasty. I have had people tell me they had better ‘bad trips’ on THC in the 60’s! Tek – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have to complain even though I hate to. I have been on Effexor for about 4 months now at 150 mg. I had stopped taking it before and told him I wasn’t sure whether I would go back on it or not. I had side effects that I didn’t care for. Well I ran out over the weekend and had to call to see about a refill over the phone to the pharmacy. The S.O.B. said "not unless he makes an appointment". I can’t believe that!. He’s a great physician if you’re in his office, however when he’s not getting money then screw the patients I guess. Now, I’m sitting here feeling like you know what because Effexor has such a short half-life that SSRI discontinuation syndrome is already kickin’ in. I love HMO medicine. Chris
Response:
How typical, full of it as usual. Chris, try going to a Heat Therapst, they are very kind. *** Posted from RemarQ – http://www.remarq.com – Discussions Start Here
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Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have to complain even though I hate to. I have been on Effexor for about 4 months now at 150 mg. I had stopped taking it before and told him I wasn’t sure whether I would go back on it or not. I had side effects that I didn’t care for. Well I ran out over the weekend and had to call to see about a refill over the phone to the pharmacy. The S.O.B. said "not unless he makes an appointment". I can’t believe that!. He’s a great physician if you’re in his office, however when he’s not getting money then screw the patients I guess. Now, I’m sitting here feeling like you know what because Effexor has such a short half-life that SSRI discontinuation syndrome is already kickin’ in. I love HMO medicine. Chris
I have heard stories like yours so many times. Some clinic psychiatrists schedule appointments every three months and prescribe meds for a 2 month supply and refuse to call or write you refills until they see you again, but wont see you until after your meds run out. Some even reschedule appointments and you run out of meds that way too. Now I think they can not call them in because they are a controlled substance, but some won’t even let you pick up a script from their office. I suggest the next time you see the DR and get a script "make sure there is enough pills to last until way before your pills run out." Cathy Panic/anxiety Support Group, New Jersey http://geoworld.com/Hotsprings/Villa/9093/ http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia http://members.tripod.com/~PhobiaGroup/index.html http://members.bellatlantic.net/~cathyr/
Response:
I have to complain even though I hate to. I have been on Effexor for about 4 months now at 150 mg. I had stopped taking it before and told him I wasn’t sure whether I would go back on it or not. I had side effects that I didn’t care for. Well I ran out over the weekend and had to call to see about a refill over the phone to the pharmacy. The S.O.B. said "not unless he makes an appointment". I can’t believe that!. He’s a great physician if you’re in his office, however when he’s not getting money then screw the patients I guess. Now, I’m sitting here feeling like you know what because Effexor has such a short half-life that SSRI discontinuation syndrome is already kickin’ in. I love HMO medicine. Chris
Response:
Chris.. I do not think it is unreasonable for your doc,,or any doctor,,for that matter,,to expect you to return at regular intervals when you are on most any medicine… This has got NOTHING to do with HMO medicine…just good standard medical practice…My own doc (and I am a nurse) requires me to come in at 1-2 month intervals…these drugs we take can have all kinds of side effects,,,and their reactions,,efficacy etc need to be monitored.. This ALSO has a LOT to do with how ligitinous a society we have become!!! Health care professionals have a lot of responsibilities related to providing you with care…it doesn’t end with writing a script and sending you on your way…Documentation of appropriate follow up,,,etc is absolutely necessary.. Think you are being a bit hard on this guy!! Just my 2 cents rb Hawki…the nurse practitioner
