Knowing When You Need A New Doctor

My psychiatrist's appointment did not go well again. There are a lot of problems that lead me to believe that I need to find a new one.

She tends to get very defensive if I disagree with something she says or tell her how my body reacts to medications I've been on for 6 years. She acts like she knows how my body works more than I do. In addition, she does not listen to my concerns or what I am saying. Her medication choices for me and the medication changes she's insisted I make really make me question her qualifications. I really don't like speaking negatively of others, but it really seems that I am not going to be able to work with this psychiatrist.

If you have a doctor whom you don't feel listens to your concerns or communicates with you about your conditions and medications, it may be time to find a new doctor. I found this article on-line the other night, and I thought it was very helpful and insightful, so I thought I'd share it with all of you. I hope you find it helpful as well.

10 Signs You Need a New Doctor

Wishing you pain-free days!

Feeling Anxious About Doctor's Appointment

I am feeling extremely anxious about my second appointment with a psychiatrist. My first appointment was absolutely horrible as this woman did not listen to or acknowledge anything that I was saying. I tried all of her horrible suggestions (I knew they were bad because I have a decent knowledge of psych meds) and proved that they were bad suggestions. I am very upset with her and the danger she put me in with my meds. She did cause me to experience Serotonin Syndrome for the third time in my life and honestly, I needed to visit an emergency room, but didn't want to burden my local friends with it. I am very upset and irritated and angry with this woman and I still have no idea how I will handle this situation later today.

I'm sure that many of you with chronic pain can relate to how I am feeling. I have heard story after story where doctors refuse to acknowledge and/or treat chronic pain. Thankfully, I have not had that experience with my chronic pain, but I have with other doctors. How do you handle a doctor who refuses to listen to you and acknowledge what you're saying?

Hello Again!

I haven't posted in here in a very long time. However, I recently joined a Fibromyalgia group/community on Facebook, and the women there have inspired me to start writing again. I will do my best to provide you with regular information, inspiration, resources, and personal experiences - all of which I hope will help you in your journey through life with chronic pain.

I am always open to feedback and suggestions, so if you have any, please feel free to leave me a comment!

Make a Promise, Pfizer Makes a Donation to Fibromyalgia

I found this link on the National Fibromyalgia Association website. All you have to do is check some boxes to make an online promise and Pfizer will make a donation. You don't have to provide any personal information.

http://www.fibrocenter.com/content/ make_a_promise_tools_and_resources.jsp

Do something good for yourself that can help others at the same time.

Pfizer is proud to support the fibromyalgia community. For each person who makes a promise online to take a more active role in the management of their fibromyagia, we will donate $1—up to $100,000 total, divided equally—to the following organizations involved in helping people with fibromyalgia:

The National Fibromyalgia Association

The American Chronic Pain Association

The American Pain Foundation

The National Pain Foundation

There's no cost to you. By making your promise, you'll be helping to make a difference.

Free Booklet on Fibromyalgia

I'm sorry it's been so long since I've posted. I've been so busy, but I will do my best to post more often.

I learned about this in a community I am a part of today, and I wanted to pass the information along. You can get a free booklet about Fibromyalgia either in PDF form or sent to you in the mail. Just visit:

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Fibromyalgia/default.asp

I hope you find it helpful!