I’m without a pdoc atm. I’m assigned a psychopharmacologist right now at my VA. I talk to her for the first time in a few days.
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Mine is great. Saw him years ago when he was first starting out and walked away smoking weed. Came back 5 years later with psychosis. He’s very good and it’s a good relationship. I listen to what he says about the meds and he listens to me.
I was dubious about starting zyprexa after reading horror stories here but I trusted him enough to change and that went well. Meanwhile I tried a lot of med changes and he backed me up. Sure most failed but he listens to what I say.
I get 15 minutes and it’s good. We talk about politics and cricket or the politics of cricket and he gets a gauge on how I’m thinking and we go from there every 6 weeks. You find a good one you hang on as long as you can.
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I wouldnt know. They have such a high turnover of staff - i see a different one every 6 months. They are all the same - too busy filling the records in without properly listening to you. Its just a box ticking exercise so they meet their targets.
To be frank - im using them, so i get the evidence thru for my benefits renewels when they crop up every 6 years.
They are as helpful as an ashtray on a motorbike.
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I don’t like mine at all. He’s lazy and always gives me bad advice
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I preferred my one before
I’ve had the new one a good 15 years and hex very stubborn and takes long time to gets things done
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My new “pdoc” is actually a pharmacist or really a psychopharmacologist. And no, I don’t like her because years ago, I was on oral Risperdal and it made me intractably constipated and she couldn’t stop laughing about it. Very rude and unprofessional.
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I’m going to make more emphases on my Intellectual disability on my next PIP renewal. I only got awarded 6 years with the SZA side and I’m on a CTO and been sectioned 13 times. Live in supported living etc. My housemate who I live with only has a mild Intellectual disability, no MH support. He gets less support hours then me and was awarded PIP for 10 years with light touch when it runs outs
My community nurse says he’s happy to write more about my Intellectual disability, how I lack capacity with finances. I also have it in a report that an Intellectual disability is a lifelong condition. Where I think any mental illness it has a chance to improve. I’m hoping for a 10 year award with light touch when renewed. Light touch means they send a form asking if anything has changed every 10 years and you don’t have to attend any more medicals to get benefits.
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My current psychiatrist treats me like an interesting plaything because I’m so unusual compared to her regular stable of SZs. I tend to get what I ask for, but I feel more like I’m a curio up on a shelf for display than a patient.
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My psychiatrist is going to decide in three months whether he should retire. I’m really going to miss him if he does. He’s been great. There’s a shortage in my city. He has nobody to replace him, because other doctors have no openings. 
My GP will have to prescribe me meds.
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I had a nurse practionsher but not sure who my new one is, probably the same. I’m in rural Iowa. No pdocs want to come here,
even at University visits, I asked them if they would. nope.
Rural living is pretty great, except lack of jobs.
I might try to get a job at this new assisted living place they are building on my block. never know.
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Sweetie - The maximum award they can give you is 6 years anyway. If your under a CTO you have a right to review as well.
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No the maximum for PIP is 10 years with light touch approach on renewal. With the CTO I’ve been on one continuously for 9 years and all my appeals have failed. I’m truthful with pdoc and tell him I will continue to refuse medication as I strongly believe I’m not mentally ill.
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Fair enough. Mines just done every 6. And been on DLA/PIP for over 20 years.
I mildly dislike them. I don’t hate them but I think they put in minimal effort and their responses are often very weak.
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