Posted by Susan J on October 4, 2003, at 14:45:11
In reply to Re: New Question for Larry -- Paxil, posted by Searchlight on October 4, 2003, at 14:33:44
>> I am a bulldog about conquering my depression, and I won't let any doc get uppity or wishy-washy with me about my treatment. I think I am the one ultimately saving my own life here with my insistence on the right med.
<<That's great! I was so gone in depression when I finally got up off the sofa to seek help I was desperate for whatever they'd prescribe or recommend. I jumped right into therapy and drugs, even though I don't really want to be on drugs. I don't like the feeling of dependency, that if you take my Wellbutrin away, I'm going to sink into incredible pain....But if that's what it takes, I'll do it. I just don't want to be improperly medicated or overmedicated.
>> These meds are serious, serious drugs and I wish more docs would pay proper and crucial attention to what they are doing to their patients. I truly believe a psychopharmacologist should be required as part of treatment when seeing a psychiatrist for meds
<<That's really interesting. I saw your other post on a psychopharmacologist. I didn't really know what it was (other than what it looks like), and have never heard of them. But it truly is so difficult to navigate through the health care world even if you are *extremely intelligent* (which I'm not) or *very knowledgable* (which I'm trying to become) about health care issues.For instance, my doc told me because of my *specific* symptoms of depression, I had a problem with seratonin reuptake and therefore prescribed an SSRI. Does a lack of a specific neurotransmitter really manifest itself in different *symptoms* of depression? What does each neurotransmitter do, what's it effect on the body? I haven't been able to satisfactorily answer these questions for myself. Why does Wellbutrin, which works on norephinephrine, work much better for me? And why didn't my doc know that by my symptoms? Too many questions....
And good luck to you, too. Have you found a drug or drug combo that seems to work for you? That's my next great fear, that I'll have to get into drug combinations, keep tweaking dosages and combos, and how long will it take to feel better? It took a whole year of my life to figure out that Paxil wasn't *it* for me. Thankfully, WB is working for me right now.....Take care,
Susan
poster:Susan J
thread:265532
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031004/msgs/265557.html