Cornell hospital psych ward info anyone?

[Smile]

Hey fellow travelers,

I’ve recently started seeing a new psychiatrist who is so far phenomenal, the beat I’ve ever been to and I feel very lucky. He has suggested that I electively enter Cornell hospital psych ward in order to get all my mental and physical “Stuff“ sorted out. He thinks I’m on too many medications and that they’re being used as Band-Aids as opposed to getting to the heart of the matter (crazy, right? I’ve never heard a psychiatrist say I’m on too many meds ?).

His suggestion is that I enter through the psych ward to get my mental health and medications sorted out and then see any other doctors for my physical conditions such as an internist, physiatrist etc. I’m not sure yet if that means being moved from one department to another but that’s the basic idea… Which makes sense to me.

Although in the past the psych ward was my absolute biggest fear, for various reasons I am now actually very much looking forward to it. I know that Cornell is known to be one of the best hospitals (one of the reasons I’m for it), at least in New York but I don’t know about their psych ward. And in particular, how they are when going in electively.

Does anybody have experience with this hospital? Going in there electively?

Opinions on any of this in general is also much appreciated.

I would be so grateful for any information, personal experiences, etc. I’ve tried googling (a LOT) but I haven’t been able to find anything substantial. A wonderful human being on this site suggested I post this question on here and hopefully someone, or even better, a few people on here have had personal experience with this hospital and can help me with information so... fingers crossed?!!!

Also, if anyone has an idea of how to get patient reviews about Cornell, if you don’t know if you don’t have your own experiences, please please share.

Thank you so very much and I hope each and every one of you are having a good (make that great!) and healthy day/night... depending on where in the world you are :-)

 

[EveHarrington]

Can I ask what meds you are taking?

 

[Smile]

Can I ask what meds you are taking?

Ok... but why?

 

[EveHarrington]

Because I’m interested in knowing if you truly are on too many meds or if this doc just wants you on only one or two meds regardless of if you’re getting benefit from them.

 

[Sideways]

I’m interested in knowing if you truly are on too many meds or if this doc just wants you on only one or two meds

Probably a pdoc, who has actually consulted with the patient, is better placed to make this call than anyone here.

I think an opportunity to come off meds safely, in a place where they can potentially teach you other coping skills (that don’t screw with the body’s biochemistry) at the same time, is an awesome opportunity.

 

[EveHarrington]

Probably a pdoc, who has actually consulted with the patient, is better placed to make this call than anyone here.

I think an opportunity to come off meds safely, in a place where they can potentially teach you other coping skills (that don’t screw with the body’s biochemistry) at the same time, is an awesome opportunity.

Not necessarily.

If the OP says she’s only on a few meds? Or even up to five or six meds but they all do something differently? Then it IS something to question, especially if there is benefit being gained from such meds.

Not sure why you’re trying to police me?

There are more crappy psychiatrists in the USA than good ones. It’s good to question everything as it’s in your own best interest.

 

[Sideways]

Not sure why you’re trying to police me?

I gave an opinion. Don’t include me in your emotional BS.

 

[Smile]

Because I’m interested in knowing if you truly are on too many meds or if this doc just wants you on only one or two meds regardless of if you’re getting benefit from them.

Got it. And thank you for such a helpful question!
Percocet 10 mg 5x daily (just switched from oxycodone 15 mg 4x daily)
Klonopin 2 mg 3x daily (just lowered from 4x daily)
That’s all really in the “opioid” area. I am taking Prilosec and a much of vitamins but that’s it.

So what do u think?

Probably a pdoc, who has actually consulted with the patient, is better placed to make this call than anyone here.

I think an opportunity to come off meds safely, in a place where they can potentially teach you other coping skills (that don’t screw with the body’s biochemistry) at the same time, is an awesome opportunity.

I agree but I just had another appointment with him the other day and he doesn’t seem to think that it’s likely that the hospital will except me based on my insurance. He is still working towards that and I really hope that it works out but I just don’t know… I guess whatever happens will be for the best? ??‍

Not necessarily.

If the OP says she’s only on a few meds? Or even up to five or six meds but they all do something differently? Then it IS something to question, especially if there is benefit being gained from such meds.

Not sure why you’re trying to police me?

There are more crappy psychiatrists in the USA than good ones. It’s good to question everything as it’s in your own best interest.

I agree with you 100%. The more knowledge the better. Especially in the mental health area I find that being a knowledgeable patient is a lot safer for the patient themselves. And I appreciate you questioning it.

So far he’s been going above and beyond. He’s also been actively in communication with my GP (who was originally the one giving me all my medication) as well as the psychologist, who happens to be in his office so it’s easier because it’s all in house. Although I guess you can argue that if they’re from the same office they may have the same opinion but I’ll have to wait and see about that

I gave an opinion. Don’t include me in your emotional BS.

I greatly and truly appreciate both of your help and concern so I hope I‘m not causing any unnecessary issues

 

[FauxLiz]

@Smile the only psychiatric drug you are on is klonopin and other than over the counter meds you also take one opiate, what is your P-doc's reasoning for admission to a psych ward? Is he thinking you need to detox? I can assure you that I would jump up and down for joy if I was only on two prescription meds and surely wouldn't be considering a psych admit for those reasons especially if it is a general psych ward. Just my opinion take it or leave it but I take 4 different controlled meds, three of which are daily, 5 other meds that vary from anti-depressants to thyroid replacement to alzheimer's meds to assist with issues from a mini-stroke and lastly my final med is a once a month injectable for a chronic pain condition.

I would question your P-doc why he feels a psych admission is necessary as opposed to some other type of treatment.

 

[Sideways]

Am i reading it right that he’s aiming to potentially bring you off opiates altogether?

It would make sense to me that he’s keeping a question mark over your diagnosis is you’ve been on opiate meds for a while.

And if this hospital falls through, but he’s offering to support you through a treatment facility to come off your opiates (because there are alternatives), that would be huge, and absolutely something I’d go for.

Long term use of opiates it becomes very difficult to know how effective they are without detoxing, as well as skewing psych diagnosis (diagnosing a whole tonne of things becomes difficult when there’s an established opiate dependency - which isn’t anyone’s fault, it just comes with sustained use) and if detox is possible for you? That would have a whole tonne of benefits.

Detoxing from opiates isn’t really one you want to do at home if you can avoid it.

I think maybe there’s cultural issues coming through here. Because when it comes to medication, here at least it’s a case that any medication that you no longer need, or is no longer useful, is one medication too many. And the attitude to opiates I think is very different - they aren’t something you wanna be on unless it’s absolutely necessary, but coming off them once they’ve been prescribed? That’s a tough gig.

 

[Cypress]

Both Clonazepam and Oxycodone cause physical dependence so I can see why your doc wants to hospitalize you to try to wean. Klonopin, like all benzodiazepines can cause withdrawal seizures so definitely go slow with that one.

 

[Atticus]

Smile,

I have no suggestions, just my own experience for what it's worth. With the exception of my psychiatrist, all other providers (internist, neurologist) are under the same academic medical center. So I think it's a good idea for each physician to know about everything that's going on. Example: I lost 15lbs in 6 weeks; my internist checked my thyroid levels and basic metabolic panel. From this my neurologist concluded that my symptoms (including brain fog) weren't medically or neurologically based. Then my psychiatrist acted accordingly. In other words, best that all treating physicians know everything. Keeping it under one roof works best for me. My neurologist is my go-to guy -- a consummate pro -- and I make sure to run everything by him.