Ideally, MDs have a range of medicines they are comfortable with managing. I had a md...very good man...trying to manage three medicines that had an impact...lamictal, Effexor and adderall for adult ADD. The psychiatrist after she did her initial evaluation immediately changed things because of the risk of serotonin syndrome.

Because pharmaceuticals are so diverse and, like medicine, highly specialized, it’s unreasonable for a nonpsychiatrist to know how a multitude of psychiatric meds interact with each other and the body.

A GP who sees everything from physicals, lacerations, bowels and kidneys to tummy aches has neither the time nor inclination to dive into the enormity of specialties and the range of medicines affecting each specialty. I know a Nephrologist wouldn’t follow the complexities of Pulmonologists, Cardiologists obstetrics and none of the pediatrics or addiction.

It’s not that they shouldn’t be allowed but rather whose interests are truly being served. I get how a physician wants to help based on what you tell them. But they do so at their peril and yours in trying to help. I think patients want a one shop stop to fix everything and assume most docs can handle anything because they’re ‘the experts’.

It’s my guess that most doctors have their heart in the right place and want to help. Both sides must recognize their limits. Tory law, professional codes of conduct, best practices etc are supposed to help sort this out but the complexity of medicines and insulating effects of specialities hobbles the judgement I think. I’m not convinced the rights to write scripts should be taken away if for no other reason than practicality.

If you’re out of meds, traveling and no local specialist able to help or get a script, it can be bad.

First of all, I so appreciate all the replies to my statement & questions. Would love to coordinate my thoughts, but since my memory is fleeting I'll shoot off what comes to mind. In my state MD's have not been able to prescribe for years; however it's almost impossible to find a prescribing psychiatrist/or practioner -- thus my PCP has been monitoring me on a monthly basis. Having had an epiphany last night regarding my "ISSUES ( originating in childhood), I can tell you the previous 3 psychiatrists never delved into WHY I I felt deficient (other than my mom) because I presented so " normally." That's why I'm hoping for a nominal med to level my moods. Also, having been off effexor 6+ weeks my mind has more clarity, which is feeling nice. While I want to retreat , I'm too old to give up chunks of my life, and I work 2 days a week. Also teach teens 1 eve in my church; and in order to accomplish this last night I drank 1/2 bottle of white wine before class. So now I've forgotten my other points, but one plus is that my weird sense of humor has returned, which I enjoy. Also, my leg is healing & my hope is to return to gym soon (procrastination seems to have taken hold, though). Getting ready for MD app that. Will get back later with results of visit.