Posted by SusanG on May 16, 2002, at 17:19:35
This is part social, part med related so I decided to post this here. I could use advice on meds but mostly need to vent.
I had a conversation today with my pdoc that left me confused and frustrated. I had left a message for her saying, "Although I don't really want to, I need to go back on an AD. I have this prescription for Welbutrin but you mentioned a concern about seizures. I'm not sure if I really had febrile seizures as a child or if seizures are really only a concern at high doses. If I shouldn't take WB, what do you suggest, considering I have tried Paxil, Zoloft and Effexor and was unhappy with each, as we have discussed...."
Her response was (and I will summarize, but there was much repeating on both sides):
pdoc: Take WB at your own risk.
me: I am concerned about your concern about the seizure issue. Does what I described sound like seizures?
pdoc: If you've had seizures, you shouldn't take WB.
me: Yes, I understand and don't want to be foolish but I am hoping WB would work for me. I guess I need to find out if it is LIKELY that what I had were seizures, based on my account of what happened"
pdoc: No one can tell you that.
me: Aren't there typical symptoms?
pdoc: No, and no one would be able to say if you did or didn't have them...
me: Well, I think maybe I could do some research and find out what the risk is, etc. then decide. If not WB, what would you suggest I try?
pdoc: You need to decide about WB first.
me: Could you just tell me what you would recommend?
pdoc: AD's are all the same. They may target different parts of the brain but they all work the same. None is better than the others.
me: I understand it is somewhat individual. I didn't like Paxil, Zoloft, or Effexor for these reasons (blah, blah).
pdoc: Which of those do you want to try at a low dose?
me: None of them. I was unhappy with them. Since they are similar (I'm thinking SSRI's, etc.), shouldn't I try another type?
pdoc: They are all the same.
me: Uh....I thought there were different categories, SSRI's, etc....????
pdoc: No, no categories. They are all the same. So why don't you figure out which one you want and let me know.
me: I figured you are writing the prescription, maybe you would have a suggestion based on my having tried the others and having difficulty with weight gain and sexual side effects.
pdoc: There is no evidence that AD's cause weight gain. People gain weight for a lot of reasons.
me: Ok, well, what do you suggest I do?
pdoc: I feel you are resistant to taking medication.
me: I would prefer not to have to, but I called specifically because I think I need to get back on something.
pdoc: So, what one do you want?
me: Uh........(wishing my Babble friends were here beside me..) I understand this is a search process. Where do I start?
pdoc: Some people do well on Celexa.
me: ok........sigh
I know there is a ton of info here on meds but I get very lost when trying to read and understand all the different medications. I was hoping she would guide me. I have yet to get a "diagnosis" from this doctor; when pressed she said some depression, maybe some anxiety. Is it unreasonable for me to expect her to try to tailor this medication to my particular needs and my desire to avoid negative side effects (I know, I know, hard to do)? This is a somewhat small town and I don't have many options. She is also willing to discount her usual fee for me. Maybe you get what you pay for; maybe it is just me? Any thoughts?
poster:SusanG
thread:23868
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020509/msgs/23868.html