Posted by jealibeanz on July 17, 2006, at 20:53:58
In reply to getting a good psychiatrist, posted by nickguy on July 17, 2006, at 17:49:58
I've never brought up alternatives with my doc. I don't know where he usually goes after SSRI's/SNRI's/Wellbutrin are not tolerated/beneficial. For all I know, he does have some other AD that he uses when all else fails. But I just don't know how he handles such cases. I'm afraid to ask due to fear of rejection.
Again, bringing up the topic of depression is hard, but it's even more difficult when you're unsure he can do much for you. (after all, even if he were willing to prescribe every med under the sun, I don't know one will work.) If say, I'd had luck with Zoloft in the past with him, and were going through depression again, I'd have no problem saying ummm I think I may need to go back on Zoloft. But that's not my situation. I have lists of drugs I don't want, and they of course, are the meds he'd prefer to use.
Actually, I feel I have a better chance of getting a different medication from him than from anyone else in the world, especially anyone I have easy access to. I've seen so many close minded docs. He is not one of them. He's very caring and compassionate.
Even if he is listening to me thinking "this girl's crazy, can't be helped by meds, and wayyy too drug-seeking" (like others have basically either said blatantly to my face, or partially said and the other part implied...) he doesn't show it. I feel important to him (medically and personally), even though his visits are short, as the practice is extreeemely overbooked. He has listened to ideas in the past.
The one thing he turned down years ago was Topamax, to offset the SSRI weight gain, no big deal. He said they weren't sure that the potential benefits outweighed the risk for major side effects. That's a respectable decision, as I think I was really stretching it to propose the idea.
I asked him for the combo of Klonopin + Adderall (got that idea from this forum). Back then, I had nooo clue what a benzo was, let alone had enough knowledge to understand why it may work and why a stimulant also may help social anxiety/general anxiety (wasn't experiencing a depressive episode at the time).
He isn't afraid of prescribing medications. I'm on Lunesta right now, and have been since last fall. Many docs wouldn't even let Lunesta go that long, for fear of dependence, but at least it's a lower scheduled drug. Quality of life is enhanced when one sleeps. Thank god he and his PA recognize that. I don't like the idea of taking sleeping meds, but not sleeping is just not an option!
He's giving me daily Xanax right now for an indefinite time period. Actually, he just increased the dosage today after I left a message with his nurse asking him to consider the idea. He never spoke to me, just did it. He never scheduled a recheck, just told me to call from college and he'll write it every month. Right now he realizes that the Xanax is helping me get through a major stepping stone in life. Ideally, he and I agreed I'd be able to stop, but that's not in consideration right now.
So, that's pretty gutsy for a family practitioner! I think he also trusts *me* and would not do so for everyone who walks into his office, or else he'd be in some trouble with the DEA.
But, he is willing to help me out. I just wish I could read his mind to know what he'd say if I brought up the depression and opposition toward all reuptake inhibitors. Next time I see him, in August, it's for a physical, so I will have him working at a slower pace with more attention. I also just can't find the words... It's hard when you already feel volunerable.
poster:jealibeanz
thread:666496
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060717/msgs/667869.html