Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
For the longest period of time now, I have had severe problems with my psychiatrist. They keep getting worse and worse. The only reason I never switched doctors is because of costs and insurance, but after this I am going to have to.
My doctor has absolutely no staff. This makes her a near impossibility to get ahold of. She swears up and down that she has called me back when I leave messages, but her number never shows up on my phone's missed calls list. Also, my husband works at home and is near the phone constantly so it is obvious that she does not receive calls. Also, I am quite certain that she does not answer her voice mail everyday.
Due to me working different hours every week, it is very difficult for me to schedule appointments, which obviously frustrates my doctor. I will be honest in saying that I often need to cancel and reschedule appointments. Perhaps this is what is making her angry?
Anyway, lately she has been forcing me to make monthly appointments with her. Although I almost always run out of medication, she refuses to write me up for an emergency refill.
This month, I had to cancel my appointment and reschedule due to work. I called 48 hours in advance to cancel. I then called her back to give her my weekly work schedule so that we could reschedule an appointment.
Not only did she not call back, but, like always, I only have one day left of Zoloft and tomorrow is Sunday. My husband and I went NUTS trying to reach her as usual. In the end, we ended up having to just go to her office to talk to her.
This is what we did. We simply handed her an envelope with last month's payment and gave her the number for calling in my prescription. She was PISSED and basically bit our heads off. She also argued that I did not call her back with my schedule (I did two days prior), claimed that me just walking in counted as an appointment, and that she shouldn't have to call WalMart but that we should be the ones calling them. She also very sarcastically when my husband asked if I will get my medication said, "I'll take care of it."
Two days later with numerous calls to WalMart and to her and no, my Zoloft has not been filled.
Am I in the wrong for not keeping up to date on appointments or is she in the wrong for refusing to give me my medication? I have been on SSRI's since I was 18 and have VERY bad reactions if I go off of my medicine for just one day.
Another question. Is it normal to go to a doctor for three or four years and have her NOT know your co-pay? Mind you, I get notices in the mail telling me that I owe so and so amount which I give her at the next appointment (the amount seems to vary oddly enough each time). Sometimes I have gone so far as to just give her thirty dollars knowing that I am giving her a bit extra money just to avoid getting a bill. I always say, just put the remainder towards my next visit. I know this is not happening.
My doctor has absolutely no staff. This makes her a near impossibility to get ahold of. She swears up and down that she has called me back when I leave messages, but her number never shows up on my phone's missed calls list. Also, my husband works at home and is near the phone constantly so it is obvious that she does not receive calls. Also, I am quite certain that she does not answer her voice mail everyday.
Due to me working different hours every week, it is very difficult for me to schedule appointments, which obviously frustrates my doctor. I will be honest in saying that I often need to cancel and reschedule appointments. Perhaps this is what is making her angry?
Anyway, lately she has been forcing me to make monthly appointments with her. Although I almost always run out of medication, she refuses to write me up for an emergency refill.
This month, I had to cancel my appointment and reschedule due to work. I called 48 hours in advance to cancel. I then called her back to give her my weekly work schedule so that we could reschedule an appointment.
Not only did she not call back, but, like always, I only have one day left of Zoloft and tomorrow is Sunday. My husband and I went NUTS trying to reach her as usual. In the end, we ended up having to just go to her office to talk to her.
This is what we did. We simply handed her an envelope with last month's payment and gave her the number for calling in my prescription. She was PISSED and basically bit our heads off. She also argued that I did not call her back with my schedule (I did two days prior), claimed that me just walking in counted as an appointment, and that she shouldn't have to call WalMart but that we should be the ones calling them. She also very sarcastically when my husband asked if I will get my medication said, "I'll take care of it."
Two days later with numerous calls to WalMart and to her and no, my Zoloft has not been filled.
Am I in the wrong for not keeping up to date on appointments or is she in the wrong for refusing to give me my medication? I have been on SSRI's since I was 18 and have VERY bad reactions if I go off of my medicine for just one day.
Another question. Is it normal to go to a doctor for three or four years and have her NOT know your co-pay? Mind you, I get notices in the mail telling me that I owe so and so amount which I give her at the next appointment (the amount seems to vary oddly enough each time). Sometimes I have gone so far as to just give her thirty dollars knowing that I am giving her a bit extra money just to avoid getting a bill. I always say, just put the remainder towards my next visit. I know this is not happening.
If you feel you need to stay with this particular doctor, could you ask for a frank talk with her, so that you can voice your concerns and ask her straight out if she feels you two are not a good match? She, as a psychiatrist, should want to know if you feel she is failing you.
I hope things work out for you with this doctor, as I'm sure you don't want to have to start over with someone new.
"I have been on SSRI's since I was 18 and have VERY bad reactions if I go off of my medicine for just one day."
If you say so .. but this is quite unusual.
I also have to write a letter to the proper authorities regarding my former psychiatrist.
Who are the proper authorities, I wonder?
shopping for a new doc is a pain but probably worth it in your case.
just as a comparison, my psychiatrist is always reachable by phone -downside is that he answers the phone during sessions (but is discreet). not everyone would accept this but it works for me and that is what matters. he also puts my refill requests in online while i am there. saves me a phone call. maybe doesn't work with all pharmacies ut does with mine. if i need a medicine adjustment or more meds because of an appointment change, i ust call. no problem.
my therapist i see more often but i frequently have had to reschedule appts because of work. again no problem.
you deserve to be treated better.
the therapist prefers to send a bill so i just wait to get the bill and then pay it.
Even if it costs a little more, get someone you like. Your requests and issues do not seem unusually difficult. If finances are an issue, you can call up a psychologist or psychiatrist, tell them your concerns and someone may be interested in adding a patient and be able to work out the issues.