Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Support Group
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric disorder, more specifically, an anxiety disorder. OCD is manifested in a variety of forms, but is most commonly characterized by a subject's obsessive (repetitive, distressing, intrusive) thoughts and related compulsions (tasks or rituals) which attempt to neutralize the obsessions.
Hi,
I have been doing really well on gabapentin (Neurontin) for the past month. It doesn't help my OCD per se, but it helps relieve my anxiety and allows me to be calm so I don't panic It is the first thing to help me other than prozac in 20 years (prozac does not help my anxiety enough though).
The doctor who prescribed the gabapentin for me is the only doctor in this whole time to think outside the box and give me something other than antidepressants for my anxiety. Now we have a new insurance plan-- The company is better and our premiums are going to be $700 less per month (YAY!) but this doctor is not in network. I want to keep using him because he is the only one to figure out what would help me and I worry another doctor might not prescribe the gabapentin for me. The doctor I am seeing is actually at a sliding scale clinic , not a fancy psychiatric practice, so I don't think the fees are really that much, but I do know that some clinics will not let you self pay if you have insurance and that insurance isn't accepted by them, or that has been my experience in the past. I want to keep this doctor and am willing to pay out of pocket, but don't know how that works . Also, have you ever switched doctors and the new doctor kept prescribing your old meds? Every time I have had to switch to a new doctor, then new doctor uses me as a guinea pig and tries to prescribe the latest and "greatest" new antidepressant to me. They never work and make me feel terrible. Any advice appreciated. THank you.
I have been doing really well on gabapentin (Neurontin) for the past month. It doesn't help my OCD per se, but it helps relieve my anxiety and allows me to be calm so I don't panic It is the first thing to help me other than prozac in 20 years (prozac does not help my anxiety enough though).
The doctor who prescribed the gabapentin for me is the only doctor in this whole time to think outside the box and give me something other than antidepressants for my anxiety. Now we have a new insurance plan-- The company is better and our premiums are going to be $700 less per month (YAY!) but this doctor is not in network. I want to keep using him because he is the only one to figure out what would help me and I worry another doctor might not prescribe the gabapentin for me. The doctor I am seeing is actually at a sliding scale clinic , not a fancy psychiatric practice, so I don't think the fees are really that much, but I do know that some clinics will not let you self pay if you have insurance and that insurance isn't accepted by them, or that has been my experience in the past. I want to keep this doctor and am willing to pay out of pocket, but don't know how that works . Also, have you ever switched doctors and the new doctor kept prescribing your old meds? Every time I have had to switch to a new doctor, then new doctor uses me as a guinea pig and tries to prescribe the latest and "greatest" new antidepressant to me. They never work and make me feel terrible. Any advice appreciated. THank you.
By the way, I am glad to hear you've found something that works for you! And I agree - if something is working, why change it? Good luck.
"As the patient, you have the ultimate say in your healthcare. You're entitled to voice your opinions and concerns. The doctor can tell you what he or she thinks, but ultimately, it is up to you whether or not to take the advice."
WELL WRITTEN and I agree 100%! Pretty sharp for a 22 year old. I did not learn what you wrote until my mid to late 30's.
MDs and PHDs are nothing more than PAID advisors to us. They work for us, not the other way around. WE are our own best advocates.
@ChattDana: can you keep seeing your current "sliding scale" MD without telling them you have insurance?
If you cannot do that, just take some deep breaths and wait and see what the new MD will or will not do. If will not prescribe your med, go see another MD, PA or NP. I have seen sooooo many MDs, PHDs, PA's and NP's in my life.
Lastly, I know I wrote this recently somewhere but it was a psychiatrist that put me on clonazepam but after only 2 years at that med center, I switched to a Psych nurse (a Nurse Practitioner) at a psych counseling place and she has been writing the scripts for clonazepam ever since. I also had a Physician Assistant offer to write the scripts for clonazepam for me as well at a third med center. So yes, it is very possible for new medical people to offer to write the same med script for you.