Posted by CA 2 NJ on April 18, 2007, at 16:22:32
In reply to Re: ADVICE NEEDED: Best Antidepressant for Bipolar I? » CA 2 NJ, posted by polarbear206 on April 18, 2007, at 14:04:34
> > > Good advise polarbear and so glad you found a working combo. I've always been under the impression also that prozac is the most activating ad. Am I correct? Love Phillipa
> >
> > Thanks again for your kind response. I really appreciate it! :) And I also believe it is the most stimulating.
> >
> > Yes I agree with PolarBear all the way. Now I have a problem though... I'm totally Manic and Panicky as heck right now and have been since a while after taking my stupid Prozac. It's bad! :(
> >
> > I have called my Primary Care Physician's Office 3x already today trying to talk to someone to get me some Effexor until my next appointment with My Psychiatrist. And maybe something else to calm me down as I am extremely agitated and ANXIOUS!!!
> >
> > Also I called another Psychiatrist which is about 1/2 hour away from here to make an appointment, but the earliest I can get in is May 29. The Psychiatrist I am seeing now is an hour away and a crappy commute. Plus I don't feel he's any better than any other psychiatrist I've seen since I AM THE ONE who had to beg to get on a true mood stabilizer as the Geodon he prescribed didn't do it for me.
> >
> > Does anyone have any ideas? I am already taking 4mg of Xanax XR a day, 500 MG of Depakote (just started), 100mg of Seroquel and 3mg of Lunesta. I am no longer going to take the Prozac. I may give the Geodon another shot in the future but not while on Prozac!
> >
> > I thought it was the Geodon that was doing this to me, but I think it's the Prozac because the other times I have taken it I got all whacked out too and it lasts for a long time since it has such a long half-life. Ughhh.
> >
> > I am so desperate right now! I feel like crying but I'm too riled up to. Not sure why that is effecting it, but I can't cry! LOL It's weird.
> >
> > Also one more thing... could the Xanax XR actually be stimulating me a bit? Sometimes I feel like it does. Would Klonopin do that? I am willing to switch to anything just so I can feel better!
> >
> > If anyone has any answers for me, I beg you please to write me as I'm goin' crazy over here. I may page my Psychiatrist even though I have already done that a couple of times in the past week and 1/2. Help!
> >
> > Thanks everyone for your support. It means more than you'll ever know. :)
> >
> > Hugs,
> > CA 2 NJ
>
>
> Hi
>
> I forgot to mention that I have taken klonopin on and off for 18 years. Good drug! It is approved by the FDA for bipolar mania. However, do not use it as adjunctive therapy with your Depakote for long term. Use on a as needed basis. In your situation, it would benefit you better than the Xanax. Of course you can use it daily to get you over the hump, then just use when needed.
>
> Thanks for the kind words.
>
> Polarbear
>You are so very welcome. :) I just call 'em like I see 'em. Hee hee
Yes I actually wouldn't mind looking into weaning off the Xanax and onto Klonopin. It's funny you mention this because before I read your message, I was talking to My Fiance about this. LOL
As for switching to Effexor (or anything else), I called my Psychiatrist and he told me it's not the Prozac making me anxious/have insomnia/manic. And that he thinks I'm "JUST" anxious. I didn't like that as I was really freaking out and he seemed to make light of it. I feel only those who experience panic attacks and mixed states truly understand how horrible it is.
He also told me that I will have the same problem if I switch to Effexor and that will be of no help. Also he said that I should either up My dosage of Prozac (yeah right!) or go inpatient until I stabilize because there's been too many medication changes. Even though he gave me the choice of either Effexor or Prozac just 3 weeks ago... I dunno... Sounds like he's throwing in the towel already.
Well after that lovely conversation, I called My Primary Care Clinic where I see either the Nurse Practitioner or a Doctor. I spoke with the Nurse Practitioner and told her that I am in between Psychiatrists and that all I want is a prescription of Effexor XR 37.5mg to take once per day until I can see my New Psychiatrist.
Well she said she didn't feel comfortable prescribing to me because I am on so many meds, but that she feels I should talk to the Doctor. So she made me an appointment tomorrow at 11 AM. And knowing him, he probably will help me out. Hopefully.
Anyway all I know is I have had a hard time since being diagnosed with Bipolar (and Borderline PD.) I have actually been turned away by more than a few Doctors and Clinics because my condition is "too complex and difficult" to treat. That's a terrible feeling and scary because it makes me wonder if anyone will ever help me.
I hope I didn't make myself sound like I overreacted because I promise I really haven't. When a patient is in a Agitated/Anxious/Manic (or shall I say, mixed) state, I don't think their Psychiatrist should basically chew them out for not wanting to take what he said I should take even though it's causing such severe symptoms.
So anyway that's been my day so far. LOL How has everyone else's been? Hopfully better than mine! :) I'm just extremely grateful for My Doctor and Nurse Practitioner. Even if they don't give me a prescription. At least they didn't make light of my feelings and situation and took me seriously.
I have 1 question... Do any of you think I was wrong in not wanting to take something I know good and well is making me a nervous wreck even though My Psychiatrist disagrees? And do you think I am wrong in wanting to seek help elsewhere because he doesn't seem to "get" me?
Thanks again for your support and replies. I hope to hear back from some of you soon as I would like to know what you think of what transpired today.
Take good care and have a great day/night! :)
Hugs,
CA 2 NJP.S. And I do plan on going to my current Psychiatrist once more to get my medications for a month until my appointment with my new Doc. :)
poster:CA 2 NJ
thread:750957
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070413/msgs/751105.html