I've been on Ridolin for about a year now. Everything was fine. I went to all of my appointments, never canceled a single one. Three weeks ago my doctor decided that I needed to go to a psychologist ( the same one that diagnosed me with ADHD) and also have a psych evaluation done otherwise I could no longer have my prescription. When I went to go see the psychologist, he said he didn't understand why I was there and all my doctor would say is that he was concerned with the dosage. I also am filing for divorce from my husband of 23 years. I found out today that 'someone' told the doctor that I was having personality changes and everyone agrees that it was my soon-to-be-ex, even the psychologist. I was never told about any of this, I had to outright ask about it. I want to know if my doctor should have told me about the person saying I was having personality changes rather than assuming it was correct and ordering all this psych stuff.

J_9

I don't know where you are at, but typically the doctor should not discuss this info with you. If someone has concerns about you, whether they are well-founded or not, they have the right to contact your doctor. Your doctor, in turn, has a right to make sure that your physical and mental health is taken care of. It is a matter of "privelege" for him to keep the contact person confidential.

From what it sounds, please correct me if I am wrong, your husband may be out to "get" you, kind of like in many divorce cases, so he contacted the doctor. Whether the "condition" is real or not, it is up to the doctor to care for your well-being. So he referred you to what you call a psychologist to make sure your meds are okay for you. He should have referred you to a psychiatrist, cause psychologists do not deal in medication.

That said, once someone, anyone, reports to your doctor that they are concerned for your well-being the doctor must follow up.

nottoday

shouldnt my doctor have asked me about this instead of just taking his word for it i knew my doctor was concerned about the dosage and i asked him if mabey their was something else and he said no and he also knew my husband and i are divorcing,and it has to be wrong to threaten me with my meds all of a sudden without any couse.im in mn if that makes a differance

J_9

Ethically the doctor must keep it in confidence. Look at it this way. If there is a young child at school who complains of abuse to a teacher, the teacher is ethically and legally bound to contact the correct authorities.

This works the same with a doctor. He MUST keep his sources confidential. This was the subject of my Ethical and Legal class in nursing school just last week.

If the parents of the child who complains of abuse found out that the child accused, then the parents may abuse more so that the child will keep quiet. Do you see where I am going with this?

In the medical field all sources are to be kept confidential. It is a law called the HIPPA Act.

Just like the doctor cannot talk to anyone about your treatment or "illness," if you should have one, he cannot divulge any other info that is given to him.

nottoday

ok i understand the hippa act but now i dont trust my doctor it seems like if my ex told the police i was selling these and i was arrested and not told why thats how i feel about this 1st why was i being discussed at all.why after my doctor had just seen me seen nothing to even sugest i was having a problem all of a sudden decide i need help.im really angry for not letting me know why all of a sudden i needed a bunch of tests.if the topic was me i should have been informed maby not who said it but at least a chance to talk about it.and tell him to change meds if he was worried about the dosage.

J_9

You should have been provided with Informed Consent, which means that the doctor has to explain all of the procedures to you in detail and give you a chance to ask any question you wish.

It may be in your best interest to make another doctor appointment and calmly discuss your concerns.

nottoday

i am going to find a new docyor cuz now anything my ex says is going to affect this doctors treatments.i am now stopping my meds cuz being the way i was before the meds is alot better then jumping through a bunch of hoops becouse of something my ex said

J_9

Please find a new doc before stopping your meds. It is never a good idea to do this without doctor's guidance. Your meds may have serious side-effects.

Please take care of you and continue the meds until you get a new doc. Believe me, you do NOT want to go through withdrawals, which does happen to some people and you do not know if you are one of them until you try to go off.

nottoday

i did talk to a doc cuz i do get sick when i dont take them .just have to cut back a little at a time.

J_9

But why do you want to stop altogether? Maybe try a new med if it is needed.

I am glad you talked to a new doc, and yes, cut back slowly. Never stop ANY medication abruptly. It can cause withdrawals that can actually harm your health.