Question:
I’m relatively new to this NG, and everyone here has been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful. I’m now appealing for further advice…. Just as a summary, I experienced my first PA about a month ago, when my husband took me to the emergency room because I thought it was a heart attack. The MD there did all the usual tests and concluded it was a panic attack. When he found out what medications I was taking, he mentioned that 50 mg of Zoloft was a "low dose", so on my own I starting doubling it, and have had very satisfactory results. (Only one major PA since then.) In the meantime, I’ve appealed to my regular doctor for a prescription for either Ativan or something similar. Well, to be more accurate, I’ve had my husband call the doctor’s office to ask them to fax a prescription for something like that to Merck, which is where we get our Rx’s from, for insurance purposes. My doctor (a rheumaltologist and intern, and my primary -and only- MD, because I have lupus) told my husband "well, I might put her on Ativan instead of Zoloft, or something similar, but I’d have to see her first." So, my question is, when I go in to see him, what do I say? If I’m totally lucid, and not in the throes of a PA, how do I tell him what’s wrong and what meds I need? Also, from what I’ve read on these boards, a lot of folks benefit from a combo of Zoloft and Ativan (or Xanax, or whatever). I don’t necessarily want to substitute one for the other. In other news, I took an online test which clearly showed I have OCD tendancies. This was no big surprise, as my husband has long joked about my little "idiosyncracies" such as always wiping off my pens before I use them, never throwing away anything, always returning pens, whatever, to their original packaging, no matter how ratty it is…..etc etc. How do I explain to the MD that I think I have obsessive/compulsive disorder? Most MDs (and I think mine is included here) frown upon patients diagnosing themselves. I want him to take me seriously, and make the necessary recommendations (psych MD?) and authorize whatever prescriptions are warranted. I just worry because I’ve been seeing him for 10 years…he’s an older man, and, despite my diagnosis for lupus, his oft-mentioned cure for my ills was to "find a husand." (Which I eventually did, but not as a medical remedy.) My appointment is in two weeks, so any input for a fist-time visit for PA would be much appreciated! Thanks for listening {{{{everybody}}}}! -Susan
Response:
I’m relatively new to this NG, and everyone here has been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful. I’m now appealing for further advice….
hi Susan, Just as a summary, I experienced my first PA about a month ago, when my husband took me to the emergency room because I thought it was a heart attack. The MD there did all the usual tests and concluded it was a panic attack. When he found out what medications I was taking, he mentioned that 50 mg of Zoloft was a "low dose", so on my own I starting doubling it, and have had very satisfactory results. (Only one major PA since then.)
Great it is working…It is best if you up your dose with the the docs Knowledge..Just incase you need assistance with side effects ect.. In the meantime, I’ve appealed to my regular doctor for a prescription for either Ativan or something similar. Well, to be more accurate, I’ve had my husband call the doctor’s office to ask them to fax a prescription for something like that to Merck, which is where we get our Rx’s from, for insurance purposes. My doctor (a rheumaltologist and intern, and my primary -and only- MD, because I have lupus) told my husband "well, I might put her on Ativan instead of Zoloft, or something similar, but I’d have to see her first."
That is reasonable. So, my question is, when I go in to see him, what do I say? If I’m totally lucid, and not in the throes of a PA, how do I tell him what’s wrong and what meds I need? Also, from what I’ve read on these boards, a lot of folks benefit from a combo of Zoloft and Ativan (or Xanax, or whatever). I don’t necessarily want to substitute one for the other.
Please tell your doc everything that you have questions about or want adressing.Leave no stone unturned. He will be better equipted to help you that way.It is your well being only you can raise the issues and be upfront about your own thoughts. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -In other news, I took an online test which clearly showed I have OCD tendancies. This was no big surprise, as my husband has long joked about my little "idiosyncracies" such as always wiping off my pens before I use them, never throwing away anything, always returning pens, whatever, to their original packaging, no matter how ratty it is…..etc etc. How do I explain to the MD that I think I have obsessive/compulsive disorder? Most MDs (and I think mine is included here) frown upon patients diagnosing themselves. I want him to take me seriously, and make the necessary recommendations (psych MD?) and authorize whatever prescriptions are warranted.
So be it if you have diagnosed yourself..It needs adressing even if he frowns.This is about you not him.You are right you do need the right direction..So give your doc.all the help you can. I just worry because I’ve been seeing him for 10 years…he’s an older man, and, despite my diagnosis for lupus, his oft-mentioned cure for my ills was to "find a husand." (Which I eventually did, but not as a medical remedy.)
lol sorry but atleast it worked out. My appointment is in two weeks, so any input for a fist-time visit for PA would be much appreciated!
Write down questions and stuff for your doc as you think of them so you wont forget when you get there. Everything that is bothering you is important enough to bring up. Goodluck Charla – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Thanks for listening {{{{everybody}}}}! -Susan
Response:
S I just worry because I’ve been seeing him for 10 years…he’s S an older man, and, despite my diagnosis for lupus, his S oft-mentioned cure for my ills was to "find a husand." (Which I S eventually did, but not as a medical remedy.) Find another one. If that’s not an option for now, why don’t you just print out your mail to us? It was clear enough. Or, anyway, write everything down you want so say, so you can’t forget. Good luck! Love, T. — |Fidonet: Timon 2:280/1126.36
Response:
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m relatively new to this NG, and everyone here has been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful. I’m now appealing for further advice…. Just as a summary, I experienced my first PA about a month ago, when my husband took me to the emergency room because I thought it was a heart attack. The MD there did all the usual tests and concluded it was a panic attack. When he found out what medications I was taking, he mentioned that 50 mg of Zoloft was a "low dose", so on my own I starting doubling it, and have had very satisfactory results. (Only one major PA since then.) In the meantime, I’ve appealed to my regular doctor for a prescription for either Ativan or something similar. Well, to be more accurate, I’ve had my husband call the doctor’s office to ask them to fax a prescription for something like that to Merck, which is where we get our Rx’s from, for insurance purposes. My doctor (a rheumaltologist and intern, and my primary -and only- MD, because I have lupus) told my husband "well, I might put her on Ativan instead of Zoloft, or something similar, but I’d have to see her first." So, my question is, when I go in to see him, what do I say? If I’m totally lucid, and not in the throes of a PA, how do I tell him what’s wrong and what meds I need? Also, from what I’ve read on these boards, a lot of folks benefit from a combo of Zoloft and Ativan (or Xanax, or whatever). I don’t necessarily want to substitute one for the other. In other news, I took an online test which clearly showed I have OCD tendancies. This was no big surprise, as my husband has long joked about my little "idiosyncracies" such as always wiping off my pens before I use them, never throwing away anything, always returning pens, whatever, to their original packaging, no matter how ratty it is…..etc etc. How do I explain to the MD that I think I have obsessive/compulsive disorder? Most MDs (and I think mine is included here) frown upon patients diagnosing themselves. I want him to take me seriously, and make the necessary recommendations (psych MD?) and authorize whatever prescriptions are warranted. I just worry because I’ve been seeing him for 10 years…he’s an older man, and, despite my diagnosis for lupus, his oft-mentioned cure for my ills was to "find a husand." (Which I eventually did, but not as a medical remedy.) My appointment is in two weeks, so any input for a fist-time visit for PA would be much appreciated! Thanks for listening {{{{everybody}}}}! -Susan Hi Susan, Why not just tell him everything that you just told us. You need to tell him about your ER visit where you were told that you had a PA. Tell him about the recent outing you had where you suffered a PA and felt like you were going to pass out. Then throw in the OCD things<G. What I suggest you do now, is write down everything that you want to tell him or ask him. Sometimes when you are
This is very good advice, last week I ahd to get an insurance review of my disorder and during the course of a week I wrote down every symptom to tell my doctor. I had her keep the copy in her file for future reference. Cathy P.H.O.B.I.A. Off line Panic/anxiety support group, NJ http://community.nj.com/cc/phobia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – anxious at a doctors visit, you forget to mention certain things. Then all you would need to do is read what you wrote to remind you of what you wanted to with the questions and answers and show him. I don`t see how that would prevent you from getting proper meds. That is just my opinion, someone may point out the downside to doing this. If he makes a remark about you diagnosing yourself, just explain that you were educating yourself on anxiety disorders. There is nothing wrong in being educated about your disorder. Take care and good luck. Jackie
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m relatively new to this NG, and everyone here has been overwhelmingly supportive and helpful. I’m now appealing for further advice…. Just as a summary, I experienced my first PA about a month ago, when my husband took me to the emergency room because I thought it was a heart attack. The MD there did all the usual tests and concluded it was a panic attack. When he found out what medications I was taking, he mentioned that 50 mg of Zoloft was a "low dose", so on my own I starting doubling it, and have had very satisfactory results. (Only one major PA since then.) In the meantime, I’ve appealed to my regular doctor for a prescription for either Ativan or something similar. Well, to be more accurate, I’ve had my husband call the doctor’s office to ask them to fax a prescription for something like that to Merck, which is where we get our Rx’s from, for insurance purposes. My doctor (a rheumaltologist and intern, and my primary -and only- MD, because I have lupus) told my husband "well, I might put her on Ativan instead of Zoloft, or something similar, but I’d have to see her first." So, my question is, when I go in to see him, what do I say? If I’m totally lucid, and not in the throes of a PA, how do I tell him what’s wrong and what meds I need? Also, from what I’ve read on these boards, a lot of folks benefit from a combo of Zoloft and Ativan (or Xanax, or whatever). I don’t necessarily want to substitute one for the other. In other news, I took an online test which clearly showed I have OCD tendancies. This was no big surprise, as my husband has long joked about my little "idiosyncracies" such as always wiping off my pens before I use them, never throwing away anything, always returning pens, whatever, to their original packaging, no matter how ratty it is…..etc etc. How do I explain to the MD that I think I have obsessive/compulsive disorder? Most MDs (and I think mine is included here) frown upon patients diagnosing themselves. I want him to take me seriously, and make the necessary recommendations (psych MD?) and authorize whatever prescriptions are warranted. I just worry because I’ve been seeing him for 10 years…he’s an older man, and, despite my diagnosis for lupus, his oft-mentioned cure for my ills was to "find a husand." (Which I eventually did, but not as a medical remedy.) My appointment is in two weeks, so any input for a fist-time visit for PA would be much appreciated! Thanks for listening {{{{everybody}}}}! -Susan
Hi Susan, Why not just tell him everything that you just told us. You need to tell him about your ER visit where you were told that you had a PA. Tell him about the recent outing you had where you suffered a PA and felt like you were going to pass out. Then throw in the OCD things<G. What I suggest you do now, is write down everything that you want to tell him or ask him. Sometimes when you are anxious at a doctors visit, you forget to mention certain things. Then all you would need to do is read what you wrote to remind you of what you wanted to questions and answers and show him. I don`t see how that would prevent you from getting proper meds. That is just my opinion, someone may point out the downside to doing this. If he makes a remark about you diagnosing yourself, just explain that you were educating yourself on anxiety disorders. There is nothing wrong in being educated about your disorder. Take care and good luck. Jackie
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