Hello to all my JSH / 1+U friends. I have an interesting dilemma that has been brewing for about 8 or 9 years, but have been unable to do anything about it at my ex-wife's request because it could potentially affect her and my step-daughters negatively. The time has just about come for me to begin my task at hand and I'm looking for both opinions and moral support from you if you are willing. I will try to be brief, but the situation is more complex than could ever be addressed here ! In a nutshell I was suffering from depression because my family was interfering in my marriage, but my ex wanted me to play nice and would not let me deal with the situation the way it needed to be dealt with. I ended up on antidepressants, which worsened my condition (just my luck that happy pills made me psychotic). Eventually several docs/shrinks later I ended up with the quack shrink from hell. He had me on 4-5 meds at a time in high doses and I ended up unemployed for 2 years, became catatonic frequently and also at times was violent/abusive with my family, which I have now lost. I became the antithesis of all that I have stood for for my entire life! My ex told the quack that the meds were causing my problems and to please stop them. On several occasions he laughed at her. He also told her he would have me committed to the state mental hospital (a very bad place to be in AZ) if she stopped giving them to me. After numerous medication changes I ended up on a combination of meds which allowed me to regain some logical thinking and eventually I realized what had happened and stopped taking the meds myself, albeit only after my divorce. Viola, I'm myself again, although in the time I was nutsy I lost both my family and my certification as a paramedic and had to find a new job. I now work at the local hospital in Globe and have made a whole bunch of new friends, which brings me to my current dilemma. I have grown very attached to several of the doctors here and because of that I sort of feel guilty about going after another doctor. Also I'm not sure how my employer will react to my desire to shut down the local mental health agency. I honestly believe they are doing a disservice to the local community though, so this is something I feel it is my duty to do. I have talked to several other patients there who are very displeased with them or feel they are actually being harmed by them. When I asked their medical director to review my case the answer they gave was a simple "no". My case worker actually told me "Why would we admit to doing anything wrong?". I was floored to say the least. There is still a lot of personal stuff going on with my stepdaughters, who I still think of as my own but am not allowed to see (another crazy story). Additionally, my ex lives in the same town (Prescott) as the girl from JSH/1+U I like. Even more bizarre is the fact that THE QUACK also comes from there and commutes to Globe. To make things even more screwed up my ex (also currently on JSH/1+U) has cancer and has initially been given a 50/50 chance of living. Her surgery is on Monday and we'll know more then. I am stressed out to the max to say the least, but I'm getting along pretty well for now. I guess I just wanna know I if am right in trying to go through with this at all once it will not affect my girls negatively. My moral dilemma then would be that I would also like opinions as to whether or not it is right to go to the media with my story if I can't find a lawyer who will take my case on a contingency basis (I have not the funds to pay for a lawyer for reasons that I won't go into here ). I know I would be doing it because it is the right thing to do to protect those who can't protect themselves (just look at what happened to me!), but I would be lying if I said I wouldn't feel at least a little bit of satisfaction and vengeance if I was successful. Anyway, the people of my community and AZ deserve better. This quack tried to run for the AZ State Senate a a while back. That should make him interesting to the papers. (I think the Phoenix New Times would maybe like to do a story like this, they love to stir the s**t.) I don't want someone who cannot accept his own gigantic mistakes making laws that will affect the entire state, you know what I'm saying? So there you go, what do all of you think? Any and all input will be appreciated. Your prayers for my ex would also be greatly appreciated.....

wow, i'm a slow reader, this could take a day or two.

I would start with the legal system. Find out what your rights are there first. If you go to the media first and they decide publish your information, the mental health folks may be able to come after you for slander or libel (I don't know the law and that is why I am saying you need to check with an attorney first).

It sounds like a really ugly situation and I am sorry for your loss of your family and all. Sometimes it is best to move on. I know doctors can be reported to the medical association if they have done wrong, but you need proof for that too.

Again, talk to an attorney and find out what their opinion is, maybe a couple of attorneys to see what they recommend.

I am sorry for your problems and will keep your ex in my prayers. Take care.

A portion of the Hippocrates Oath: "To avoid violating the morals of my community

To keep the good of the patient as the highest priority
and to make a habit of two things —to do good or to do no harm."

There are Doctors out there that have forgotten or just don't pay any attention to the oath that they took. And I believe it is people like you that need to stand up for others that are being mistreated by a Doctor or facility that does not live up to that oath. And I applaud your efforts for doing so.

ON THE OTHER HAND . . .

Please make sure that you have absolute evidence and/or proof that this took place. Taking on the Medical Association, or a part of, is a really big risk. You take a big risk on being ostracized by your community and could end up not being able to get any kind of employment in that field. Not to mention, some employers not even in that field won't hire a whistle-blower for fear that person might start an issue with their company.

Weigh out the pros and cons and always make sure that it will all be worth it in the end because this isn't something you can start and not finish. You will have to follow through with it all the way to the end.

Also, make sure that you are doing this for the right reasons and that you aren't doing this out of revenge. If that is the case, then you might as well not even go forward with it, because it will not mean anything if it is done for that reason.

I wish you all the luck in your endeavors and I hope you succeed. Your ex will be in my prayers as well.

....when it is ones turn we must fight the good fight....

I would definately talk to a few attorneys before I did anything else. What the Dr. did to you was wrong and it happens all over the country, unfortunately. I had a friend in Oregon who saw a Dr. who did something similar to her. That is the best advice I can give you.