Yes, I have that letter partially done. I began it over last weekend. It's been a terrible busy week, but as of today, I should have some time to finish it up.
After communicating with the people on the psych board, that have "been there, done that" .. it was like a wake up call for me. I suspected that H's meds had something to do with his current situation, but was not positive and was a little afraid to suggest this to his doctor. I guess I'm feeling a lot more "armed" now, after hearing first hand accounts from these people and doing more (of my own) internet searches.
H's next appt. is not until June 27. Seems like eons to me!
Right before H's last three month appt. with his pdoc, I tried to "insist" that I accompany him. H would have no part of it. It turned into a huge fight. I am pretty sure that I won't be accompanying him to this next appt. either. Thus, the letter. This is what his doc told me to do .. type up a letter, stating my views on what is going on. Oh .. he told me that if I indicate in the letter that I want it kept confidential, (the fact that I wrote to him) he will not tell H about it.
So .. then, I'm guessing he will have to be "tricky" on what he says as far as the "why's and wherefores" if he will be suggesting med changes for him .. ?
Yes .. I actually just faxed it to the doctors office. JUST!!
The letter turned out to be 3 1/2 pages long. I attached a couple of documents that I got off of the internet, that supported what I was advocating.
The drug that my H is on is Mirapex. They have used this mostly for Parkinson's patients. More recently though, it is being prescribed for people that have trouble with Restless Leg Syndrome .. which is why my husband has been taking it.
Now I am just waiting .. almost holding my breath. I asked that H's dr. call me after he reads my letter so that I will get an idea of what he thinks about all I had to say. I am really .. truly believing that if he takes my H off of the Mirapex, it will improve our situation ten-fold.
Well .. I didn't hear from H's doc by the end of the day yesterday. I'm sure he is a very busy person .. so I will just wait to hear from him. As the appt. date moves closer, IF I don't hear from him, I will attempt to call him again.
On my previous post I mentioned that one of the prescriptions my H is on is Mirapex. That was not the only one that I wanted H's doc to consider changing. My H is on a high dose of Effexor XR. I believe that maybe this high dose anti-depressant is possibly taking some healthy anxiety (motivation) away.
Anyway, I just basically clued H's doc in as to what has "evolved" over the past 2 1/2 - 3 years (since H has been on these prescriptions) and what kind financial devastation we will be facing if my H can't get straightened out.
I worded everything in such a way .. so that hopefully this doc will sit up, take notice and do something.
Again .. thanks Sara, for your support and encouragement! I will be heading over to your thread later today!
No, I have not heard anything from husband's doc. This makes me a bit worried. I don't know "how" he has taken everything I presented to him in my letter.
The first few days after I wrote that letter I was pretty anxious, because I didn't hear from him. I have had to stop worrying and now have pretty much decided that I will just be "showing up" to H's appointment this coming Wednesday.
This is HUGE for me. I am the "confrontation avoidant" queen. I've just had enough .. AND I guess figure (at this point) that I have nothing to lose. (Or do I?)
I DO know my H will be livid with me ..
Over the weekend, I will be typing up all that I want/need to say at this appointment. Does anyone have ideas as to how I should/shouldn't put things, so that H won't feel so "attacked"?
Okay .. I just received a phone call from H's psych doc (the office) telling me that *I* should set up an appointment. There was some confusion here (on my part) 'cause initially when I spoke to H's p-doc, (and advocated that I make an appt. to talk with him) he told me to write "the letter". I did this and faxed that a week and a half ago.
So, I'm thinking .. that once this doc got the chance to actually read my letter, he decided that he does want to talk with me in person? When I called his office back, his secretary wasn't absolutely sure herself .. even after she looked at his notes. (The dr. left at noon today.)
Just by chance the doc had an appointment opening this Monday at 11. His secretary put me in that slot. I will call first thing Monday morning just to verify that IS what he, in fact, had in mind.
Sheesh .. now I am anxious about saying everything "right" at this meeting with H's doc. I certainly would like to come across as articulate and "knowing" what I'm talking about. I sure hope I don't get all tongue tied while talking with him.
Anyway, just a vent. Had to "tell" this to somebody!
now I am anxious about saying everything "right" at this meeting with H's doc. I certainly would like to come across as articulate and "knowing" what I'm talking about. I sure hope I don't get all tongue tied while talking with him. 