Maggie'sMom
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 7,840
Sorry this is so long...
Background: DD began seeing a psychologist in the fall of 2007 at age 4yo for behavior problems. We worked with the psychologist for over a year on behavioral modification and non-pharmaceutical interventions before we finally decided that there was a chemical/biological base to her problems. We went through a lot of testing and eventually received a diagnosis of bipolar. For many reasons, I am comfortable with the diagnosis.
We've been working with a psychiatrist in the same practice since March of 2009. I really do like this woman. She's doesn't jump to prescribe just anything and everything. She starts out doses low and builds them up slowly. She interacts well with both me and DD. But after some initial success on one medication, DD has continued to struggle. We've altered dosages, added in second medications, and are now completely switching from one med to another. From all my research on pediatric bipolar disorder, it is very difficult to obtain stability for extended periods of time. Between the growth of the child changing the dosages needed and just the complexity of the disorder, a lot of trial and error in prescribing meds is common.
My boss had recommended a pediatric psychiatrist that he said made all the difference for his son. I'm not clear on what his son's ultimate diagnosis was, but I know they struggled quite a bit through school. This psychiatrist is very well-know and highly regarded. Her name has come up from a couple other people I know as well. When we were first going through the diagnosis process, I had called this psychiatrist and tried to get an appointment. They took a lot of information and said they would put me on a call-back list because they didn't have new patient spots available. Well, more than a year went by and I never heard from them. Since DD had initially responded well to the first medication, the importance of getting into this other psychiatrist diminished and I didn't follow up. Then when DD started struggling again, I didn't call because I was just so overwhelmed with everything that was right in front of me. Dealing with switching psychiatrists was just too much. Plus I wanted to stay with our current psychiatrist.
But as DD continued to struggle through med changes, I decided to call the other psychiatrist back and see where we were on the wait list to get in. Well, the person I spoke to on the phone was very rude. She accused me of lying about having called before, said they had no record of my request to get a new patient appointment, and treated me like I was trying to pull one over on her to jump ahead of other people. She finally agreed to give me an appointment for the end of October. Here's the rub: She said they were too busy to provide second opinions and I could only get an appointment if I committed to switching DD's care to them. I'm not convinced I really want to switch doctors, but I want to consult with this one to see if she has a different take on what we should do. If I like what she has to say, I would switch. This person who took my phone call practically had me in tears she was so rude to me. Now I'm really not feeling like switching to this practice because I'm afraid that's how we might be treated all the time. Every single person I've encountered at our current practice is so compassionate and polite.
So I want to cancel this new appointment I've made, but if I do, I think I won't be able to call back and get them to give me another at sometime in the future if I should change my mind and decide that we really do need to switch doctors. I'm worried I will do my DD a disservice by not switching, but at the same time, I don't know that this other psychiatrist could help us any more than our current one. And I don't want to burn any bridges with the current doctor because I really believe she is on top of things.
I just can't decide what to do. Has anyone decided to switch doctors even when you like the first one you had? Does the recommendation from someone that this new doctor is the only person who was able to help their child trump my experience with a doctor who has helped DD, but maybe not to the degree I would have liked?
Background: DD began seeing a psychologist in the fall of 2007 at age 4yo for behavior problems. We worked with the psychologist for over a year on behavioral modification and non-pharmaceutical interventions before we finally decided that there was a chemical/biological base to her problems. We went through a lot of testing and eventually received a diagnosis of bipolar. For many reasons, I am comfortable with the diagnosis.
We've been working with a psychiatrist in the same practice since March of 2009. I really do like this woman. She's doesn't jump to prescribe just anything and everything. She starts out doses low and builds them up slowly. She interacts well with both me and DD. But after some initial success on one medication, DD has continued to struggle. We've altered dosages, added in second medications, and are now completely switching from one med to another. From all my research on pediatric bipolar disorder, it is very difficult to obtain stability for extended periods of time. Between the growth of the child changing the dosages needed and just the complexity of the disorder, a lot of trial and error in prescribing meds is common.
My boss had recommended a pediatric psychiatrist that he said made all the difference for his son. I'm not clear on what his son's ultimate diagnosis was, but I know they struggled quite a bit through school. This psychiatrist is very well-know and highly regarded. Her name has come up from a couple other people I know as well. When we were first going through the diagnosis process, I had called this psychiatrist and tried to get an appointment. They took a lot of information and said they would put me on a call-back list because they didn't have new patient spots available. Well, more than a year went by and I never heard from them. Since DD had initially responded well to the first medication, the importance of getting into this other psychiatrist diminished and I didn't follow up. Then when DD started struggling again, I didn't call because I was just so overwhelmed with everything that was right in front of me. Dealing with switching psychiatrists was just too much. Plus I wanted to stay with our current psychiatrist.
But as DD continued to struggle through med changes, I decided to call the other psychiatrist back and see where we were on the wait list to get in. Well, the person I spoke to on the phone was very rude. She accused me of lying about having called before, said they had no record of my request to get a new patient appointment, and treated me like I was trying to pull one over on her to jump ahead of other people. She finally agreed to give me an appointment for the end of October. Here's the rub: She said they were too busy to provide second opinions and I could only get an appointment if I committed to switching DD's care to them. I'm not convinced I really want to switch doctors, but I want to consult with this one to see if she has a different take on what we should do. If I like what she has to say, I would switch. This person who took my phone call practically had me in tears she was so rude to me. Now I'm really not feeling like switching to this practice because I'm afraid that's how we might be treated all the time. Every single person I've encountered at our current practice is so compassionate and polite.
So I want to cancel this new appointment I've made, but if I do, I think I won't be able to call back and get them to give me another at sometime in the future if I should change my mind and decide that we really do need to switch doctors. I'm worried I will do my DD a disservice by not switching, but at the same time, I don't know that this other psychiatrist could help us any more than our current one. And I don't want to burn any bridges with the current doctor because I really believe she is on top of things.
I just can't decide what to do. Has anyone decided to switch doctors even when you like the first one you had? Does the recommendation from someone that this new doctor is the only person who was able to help their child trump my experience with a doctor who has helped DD, but maybe not to the degree I would have liked?
So sorry that person at the office was so rude,you would think they would be a little nicer considering they belong to an office that deals with children.I personally would go to the other Dr. for a 2nd opinion ,if you dont you will always wonder what if.Just remember everything that you do is t make your childs life better,we tried out a few Drs. until we found one that was right for DS 8. Good luck and hopefully your DD will get the best care that is right for her.
