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Default May 28, 2019 at 05:52 PM
  #1
I brought up this topic in a thread on the bipolar forum. If you take psychotropic medications prescribed by someone other than a general practitioner (GP), do you regularly see a GP? By "regularly" I mean, at least once per year for an annual physical.

My GP has played an important part in my overall well-being. As great as my psychiatrist is as an MD and as a specialist for mental health issues, I still believe that my GP has a better knowledge of physical issues that my psychiatrist may miss or unintentionally ignore.

When I was on Geodon, it was my GP who would order the occasional EKG to check my heart. [Geodon is known to cause heart issues.]

When I had hyperprolactinemia because of the antipsychotic Invega, it was actually my gynecologist that ordered an MRI which found a pituitary microadenoma.

I believe my GP is the most qualified to handle my beta blocker and thyroid hormone replacement prescribing, even though bipolar medications or even mental illness itself can be causes for the need for these medications.

I can't emphasize more how important it is to keep a GP up-to-date on your psych medications and any other medications you take.

Occasionally, people blame any or all physical issues on psych medication side effects. Sometimes it may not be the case. Sometimes, the issues are unrelated to psych meds. During a time when psychiatrists may see patients for 5 to 15 mins max, the need for a GP is important.

How often does your psychiatrist take your blood pressure, listen to your heart, order blood tests beyond ones specific to a psych medication?

I don't care how old you are (teenager to elderly). I still recommend regular/annual GP appointments or GP appointments as a second opinion to physical issues.
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Default May 28, 2019 at 07:06 PM
  #2
i second this emotion.

-if- someone needs ongoing psych drug treatment, a general practitioner is most definitely needed, to do blood work and keep tabs on the individual's overall health. plus...with a psychiatrist shortage all over the place, sometimes the GP can step in and prescribe until a new psychiatrist enters the picture, in cases where insurance changes, a psychiatrist moves or retires, etc.

-excellent post-
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Default May 28, 2019 at 07:27 PM
  #3
I see my GP for non related psych issues every six months

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Default May 28, 2019 at 08:48 PM
  #4
Certainly. We still need a GP to try to maintain our physical health!
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Default May 29, 2019 at 05:55 AM
  #5
I have to see a nurse every 6 months for blood tests and an ECG (info obviously gets sent to GP) and my GP also reviews my medications once every 12 months. I also see my GP for any other concerns as and when required.
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Default May 29, 2019 at 08:07 AM
  #6
I used to go to my GP minimally once per year for a physical, and then whenever I had a specific health concern.

I now see her monthly to get my B-12 shot, and we work whatever test followups I have in with those appointments.

It's my psychiatrist who actually monitors my heart and liver function with quarterly ECG's and blood tests.

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On psych meds? Do you regularly see your GP?
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Default May 29, 2019 at 12:52 PM
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Yeah I see a GP at least once a year for a physical/check up, I agree that it's important

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Default May 29, 2019 at 03:47 PM
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Yes, I regularly see all my doctors- psychiatrist, endocrinologist, and GP.
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Default Jun 02, 2019 at 03:29 PM
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I recently got rid of Medicaid and am now able to get much better mental health care and physical health care. I switched everything and now all my doctors and my therapist are part of one great hospital system. They have plenty of psychiatric services along with a number of medical hospitals and GP’s and specialists. So all my doctors and my therapist can communicate easily with each other. My therapist was even asking me about medication my GP had prescribed because she could see what he prescribes on my online file. It’s very convient having everyone in one place. I see my GP regularly. I haven’t gotten an EKG in years though and I’ve been on Geodon for 12 years.

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Default Jun 03, 2019 at 01:45 AM
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I go every 3 months for a check up because of a few medical conditions and my rheumatologist has me do blood work every 6 weeks to ensure my liver and kidneys are healthy.

I miss my younger years where I was just healthy and only needed medical attention if I got bronchitis or sinus infection.

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Default Jun 11, 2019 at 07:21 PM
  #11
I never go to a GP for the fact that I'm on meds. OK, I go once a year because I have a chronic illness, but I kind of slip a lot with that so it is more like 18 months between. Very rarely have they made an EKG. They draw blood related to my illness, but some is basic blood work also.

When I was first treated for depression I didn't have any tests. They just assumed I was healthy. These days they often do a thyroid test and I think it is good that they do that. But part from that they don't really do much blood work, sometimes they do basic, so that is good at least, then things like different anemias can be ruled out.

It was very different from when I was on Ritalin. Then I had to do bloodwork every year and also an EKG, and at the start I had to test my blood pressure every month. They also took note of my weight. It is the only med where I had physical followup.

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Default Jun 12, 2019 at 06:45 AM
  #12
My GP gives me a ring weekly at the moment despite me seeing a community mental health team regularly. When my mental health is more stable she will still see me every couple of months to check how things are going. I do feel like it really helps feeling like she actually cares about how I'm doing.
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Default Jun 12, 2019 at 06:48 AM
  #13
Yes, I see my MD every 3 or 4 mos and other doctors when they want me to see them. I agree it's important to see them.

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Default Jun 12, 2019 at 07:51 AM
  #14
Yes on psych meds and others. I see my pdoc fornightly. I see my GP every three months and he is very thorough with any testing that I might need done across the board. I get my eyes checked every 6 months due to possible side effects from the psych meds and because of my genetic history.
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