u/ChicTurker

I have been dreading this day.

My pdoc has been WONDERFUL, and I've been seeing him for more than a decade. He was old enough to understand the seriousness of a rare adverse reaction I had when I was first diagnosed with Bipolar I and they were attempting to treat me. He preferred to try generic medications, and didn't throw the lastest new pill at his patients. He was also able to see that I had insight into my issues and wasn't intimidated or irritated about me knowing a lot about my disorder (having lived with it for 25 years).

He was rather Christian (his letterhead and resignation letter all showed his faith), but that doesn't bother me when it comes to medication maintenance. Religion really doesn't come up that often in a 15-minute appointment. If a faith-heavy clinic's medication maintenance program requires therapy at the same location, however, that is a different story (religion may come up quite a bit in therapy).

I'd prefer a doc who was at least 50. I realize going with an older doctor is how I got here, but hopefully I can get another decade out of the next one before they retire too.

My issue are Bipolar I, PTSD, severe anxiety (both free-floating anxiety and panic attacks). Thank the FSM I don't have ADHD (no offense to those who do, I just don't think my nervous system needs stimulants when it's already living up to the name "nervous system").

He really is a great doc and I will miss him dearly.

I don't know if my insurer will cover genetic tests to alter drug regimens, but I already take OTC Deplin and methylated B vitamins because of results from an AncestryDNA test (the real thing isn't covered by my insurance).