OT-vent- my psychiatrist and other stuff
OK, this is mostly about me, but it's also about the issue of informed consent, which I think is important to all of us.
Apparently doctors don't see it that way though.
Yesterday I saw my psychiatrist. He made some minor changes to me meds, which I feel certain are not going to make any difference. But, even though I've been dealing with this for 22 years and tried more than 30 difference drugs, the doctor that's known me for seven years and seen me on far less than 30 drugs knows much better than I do what will work for me. I know nothing. My opinion is not relevant.
One med that I've been on, he increased slightly. That will do nothing.
He prescribed a new drug, one I actually haven't tried before though I've tried related drugs without good success, and of course did not bother to tell me anything about any side effects of it. So I go home and look it up and a "common" side effect is nightmares. Oh yeah, doesn't that sound like a good thing to prescribe for someone with PTSD? Without even mentioning it or asking the patient if they'd like to try it despite the risk?
I was also explaining to him about the severity of my memory problems since having ECT, even though the last treatment was at least a month ago. He seemed puzzled by that and asked where I had the ECT done. He doesn't do that himself and they don't do it at the dinky little hospital in my town, which is fine because I wouldn't go there anyway because this hospital sucks.
He and I discussed ECT before I had it, of course, and he agreed it was a good idea to try it. But he did not make any recommendations about what doctor to go to or where to get it done. He left it up to me and my partner to make a bunch of phone calls and set everything up ourselves with no assistance from him or his office.
So I told him where I had it done and he said "Hmm. I t hink they use very high voltage there. Memory problems are usually minimal. This is not normal."
Well, for heaven's sake! You know how I research things and ask questions. I did quite a bit of reading about ECT before having it but did not read anything about different voltages. When I met with the doc that did it, I asked him how many sessions he recommended, if he recommended unilateral or bilateral ECT and why, asked about the risk of memory problems and other side effects... but I did not ask about voltage. It never occurred to me.
Why didn't my psychiatrist mention it when he and I discussed ECT? Why didn't he tell me, some doctors or hospitals use higher voltage than others, and the higher voltage might cause more memory problems, blah blah blah?
I ask questions. I do my research. But isn't it my doctor's job to inform me of things? Why is it my job to learn EVERYTHING on my own? I did not go to med school. Yet it seems I need a medical degree in order to do an adequate job looking after my own health.
And now I am stuck with memory problems that may or may not go away.
Apparently doctors don't see it that way though.
Yesterday I saw my psychiatrist. He made some minor changes to me meds, which I feel certain are not going to make any difference. But, even though I've been dealing with this for 22 years and tried more than 30 difference drugs, the doctor that's known me for seven years and seen me on far less than 30 drugs knows much better than I do what will work for me. I know nothing. My opinion is not relevant.
One med that I've been on, he increased slightly. That will do nothing.
He prescribed a new drug, one I actually haven't tried before though I've tried related drugs without good success, and of course did not bother to tell me anything about any side effects of it. So I go home and look it up and a "common" side effect is nightmares. Oh yeah, doesn't that sound like a good thing to prescribe for someone with PTSD? Without even mentioning it or asking the patient if they'd like to try it despite the risk?
I was also explaining to him about the severity of my memory problems since having ECT, even though the last treatment was at least a month ago. He seemed puzzled by that and asked where I had the ECT done. He doesn't do that himself and they don't do it at the dinky little hospital in my town, which is fine because I wouldn't go there anyway because this hospital sucks.
He and I discussed ECT before I had it, of course, and he agreed it was a good idea to try it. But he did not make any recommendations about what doctor to go to or where to get it done. He left it up to me and my partner to make a bunch of phone calls and set everything up ourselves with no assistance from him or his office.
So I told him where I had it done and he said "Hmm. I t hink they use very high voltage there. Memory problems are usually minimal. This is not normal."
Well, for heaven's sake! You know how I research things and ask questions. I did quite a bit of reading about ECT before having it but did not read anything about different voltages. When I met with the doc that did it, I asked him how many sessions he recommended, if he recommended unilateral or bilateral ECT and why, asked about the risk of memory problems and other side effects... but I did not ask about voltage. It never occurred to me.
Why didn't my psychiatrist mention it when he and I discussed ECT? Why didn't he tell me, some doctors or hospitals use higher voltage than others, and the higher voltage might cause more memory problems, blah blah blah?
I ask questions. I do my research. But isn't it my doctor's job to inform me of things? Why is it my job to learn EVERYTHING on my own? I did not go to med school. Yet it seems I need a medical degree in order to do an adequate job looking after my own health.
And now I am stuck with memory problems that may or may not go away.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Wow it really stinks that he did not mention the issue of voltage to you. I would think that would be REALLY important to know... and HE is the psychiatrist, for heaven's sake! I am also surprised (saddened) that he did not assist you in finding someone to do the ECT. Kind of an important decision... anda little more complicated than finding a dentist!
I'm also really sorry that he did not talk to you about the potential issue of nightmares with the new drug. Unfortunately, it seems pretty common for physicians not to consider things like that... and while it's probably NOT a problem for most of their patients, it can be a serious problem for those with PTSD!
Hang in there, Kelly.
Lora
I'm also really sorry that he did not talk to you about the potential issue of nightmares with the new drug. Unfortunately, it seems pretty common for physicians not to consider things like that... and while it's probably NOT a problem for most of their patients, it can be a serious problem for those with PTSD!
Hang in there, Kelly.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
It never occurred to me that they might use different voltages. I guess I just assumed it was all the same, kind of like so many of us assume all calcium is the same until someone tells us different, which our dieticians should do but so often don't.
Of course it's more complicated than finding a dentist. I had the ECT at a major university hospital, so you would think it would be a good, safe place to do it.
I'm actually not surprised, though I think it's negligent, that he didn't discuss the nightmare issue. I was prescribed a similar med many years ago by a different doctor who also failed to tell me it might cause nightmares, and it did in fact cause HORRIBLE nightmares and I was so angry at that doc. But this was my PCP at the time that prescribed it, and although she knew I had PTSD and should have still known better, it's not quite the same as a psychiatrist doing it.
Right now I'm torn about whether or not to even try this new med.
Of course it's more complicated than finding a dentist. I had the ECT at a major university hospital, so you would think it would be a good, safe place to do it.
I'm actually not surprised, though I think it's negligent, that he didn't discuss the nightmare issue. I was prescribed a similar med many years ago by a different doctor who also failed to tell me it might cause nightmares, and it did in fact cause HORRIBLE nightmares and I was so angry at that doc. But this was my PCP at the time that prescribed it, and although she knew I had PTSD and should have still known better, it's not quite the same as a psychiatrist doing it.
Right now I'm torn about whether or not to even try this new med.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
I don't think I would try it. I would call the Doc's office and say something like "after reasearching the side effects of Nightmares in Medication X and remembering my previous history of nightmares with medication Y (in the same class) And considering my diagnosis of PTSD, I have deliberatly choosen NOT to take Medication X. I hope you can help me to find a better choice of medication for my issues when i see you next time."
I am not surprised that he did not mention the different voltages for ECT. you say he does not do it, so he may not be as up-to-date on it as he wants you to think he is. Makeing comments after the fact can help him seem to have knowledge that he does not actually have.
I am not surprised that he did not mention the different voltages for ECT. you say he does not do it, so he may not be as up-to-date on it as he wants you to think he is. Makeing comments after the fact can help him seem to have knowledge that he does not actually have.
Anna
RNY 10/14/08 LBL 6/14/11 135 pounds lost, after bounceback regain. And I am OK with that. It enabled me to have double hip double knee replacements in the 9 month periond between Oct 2011 and June 2012.
I'm really sorry that you seem to be suffering so much lately. Just a couple of things to think about... Your depression increasing may actually be making your memory worse. However, memory loss is actually commonly reported with ECT patients and it's not necessarily related to the voltage used. Meaning that you might still have had this effect at a low dose. Very frustrating but, I have had patients who swear by it. Also, you may want to talk with your provider about your med situation since I think that if we all went by the side effects listed we would never take anything. I know it's a risk for you with your history but I imagine that your depression continuing uncontrolled is even more dangerous, no? Either way, I wish you luck and hope that you find some peace.
Depression does sometimes interfere with my memory but it's never been like this before. It's been things like, forgetting where I parked my car when I go to the grocery store. But this is like, forgetting how to get to the grocery store, even though it's just five minutes from my house and I've been shopping there regularly for about seven years.
I was told short term memory loss was common with ECT would go away after a few weeks of stopping treatments. I did have short term memory loss and my short term memory is pretty much back to normal.
But I had to have my partner tell me how to get to my psychiatrist's office yesterday, even though it's also about five minutes from my house and I've been seeing him there regularly for about seven years. I forgot my neighbor's name, although I know him well. I forgot how to cook this chili dish that I've been making for several years and did not used to need to look at a recipe. I forgot that my cat had cancer and had to have surgery for it and then had a few months of chemotherapy. My sister mentioned it on the phone and I was totally confused about what she was talking about. I forgot where I keep my checkbook and spent about an hour searching my house for it so I could pay a bill, even though I've kept it in the same spot for a couple years now.
That's not the kind of memory loss I've had before due to depression, not the kind of memory loss I was told was common with ECT, and my psychiatrist says it's not normal.
I know all drugs have side effects and if we worried about them all, we'd never so much as take a Tylenol. But like, if you had a bad heart, you wouldn't be eager to take a drug that had a possible side effect of heart problems. PTSD and nightmares may not be that serious, and it may not seem very serious at all, but it really is.
I was told short term memory loss was common with ECT would go away after a few weeks of stopping treatments. I did have short term memory loss and my short term memory is pretty much back to normal.
But I had to have my partner tell me how to get to my psychiatrist's office yesterday, even though it's also about five minutes from my house and I've been seeing him there regularly for about seven years. I forgot my neighbor's name, although I know him well. I forgot how to cook this chili dish that I've been making for several years and did not used to need to look at a recipe. I forgot that my cat had cancer and had to have surgery for it and then had a few months of chemotherapy. My sister mentioned it on the phone and I was totally confused about what she was talking about. I forgot where I keep my checkbook and spent about an hour searching my house for it so I could pay a bill, even though I've kept it in the same spot for a couple years now.
That's not the kind of memory loss I've had before due to depression, not the kind of memory loss I was told was common with ECT, and my psychiatrist says it's not normal.
I know all drugs have side effects and if we worried about them all, we'd never so much as take a Tylenol. But like, if you had a bad heart, you wouldn't be eager to take a drug that had a possible side effect of heart problems. PTSD and nightmares may not be that serious, and it may not seem very serious at all, but it really is.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Kelly, so sorry that you are going thru this. I am going thru pretty much the same thing but without the PTSD aspect (but SAD instead), and I have pretty much just given up on meds ever being able to help me after 40 years of trying everything out there. No way to live and I won't even attempt romantic relationships because of it, which is a pretty lonely existence.
Some good suggestions above, I like Redbedhead's ideas, as well (but know that when you are feeling like this, following thru on it is another story, takes too much gumption and energy that we just don't have).
Just thought I'd throw out there something: My mother used to have HORRIBLE reactions to many meds (for both mental and physical issues) so whenever she was prescribed anything new that she had never tried B4, she would have the pharmacist give her just a few pills, maybe 3-5 days worth. And she would test it out by taking 1/4 of a pill the first day and again the second day, if no adverse reaction, would increase to 1/2 the next two days, etc., etc. Now obviously, at the lower doses the meds are probably not going to do much in the way of helping her but that's okay as her goal at this stage was to make sure she would be able to handle any side effects. I do the same with any new class of meds that I am unfamiliar with.
Just on the off chance that this new med 'might' just hold some small chemical difference that might help. And boy do I hear you as far as, dr's not listening to you, after all THEY are the MD's, not you, just so frustrating isn't it!!!!
Hope you start feeling better.
Best,
d
Some good suggestions above, I like Redbedhead's ideas, as well (but know that when you are feeling like this, following thru on it is another story, takes too much gumption and energy that we just don't have).
Just thought I'd throw out there something: My mother used to have HORRIBLE reactions to many meds (for both mental and physical issues) so whenever she was prescribed anything new that she had never tried B4, she would have the pharmacist give her just a few pills, maybe 3-5 days worth. And she would test it out by taking 1/4 of a pill the first day and again the second day, if no adverse reaction, would increase to 1/2 the next two days, etc., etc. Now obviously, at the lower doses the meds are probably not going to do much in the way of helping her but that's okay as her goal at this stage was to make sure she would be able to handle any side effects. I do the same with any new class of meds that I am unfamiliar with.
Just on the off chance that this new med 'might' just hold some small chemical difference that might help. And boy do I hear you as far as, dr's not listening to you, after all THEY are the MD's, not you, just so frustrating isn't it!!!!
Hope you start feeling better.
Best,
d
I did try just half the dose of the new med last night, and it sure did knock me out. All night and half of today. But no nightmares, so far.
I really have no faith in meds helping either. For some reason many people seem to think I'm being unreasonably pessimistic in thinking that but it seems a logical conclusion to me. After trying more than 30 drugs, it seems logical to me.
I really have no faith in meds helping either. For some reason many people seem to think I'm being unreasonably pessimistic in thinking that but it seems a logical conclusion to me. After trying more than 30 drugs, it seems logical to me.
Kelly
Please note: I AM NOT A DOCTOR. If you want medical advice, talk to your doctor. Whatever I post, there is probably some surgeon or other health care provider somewhere that disagrees with me. If you want to know what your surgeon thinks, then ask him or her. Check out my blog.
Most Active
Recent Topics