chrispatr...for depression, bipolar, and anxitey, but still feel depressed and have sevre
axitey, and very depressed, my doctow wont change my meds what do I do
Taking, lithium, lamotrigm clopnazepam?
- Posted:
- 26 Jan 2011 by chrispatrick
- Topics:
- depression, bipolar disorder, lithium
Details:
Added 26 Jan 2011:
what other medications can I take
Answers (9)
26 Jan 2011
Hi chrispatrick. Sorry to hear you're still very depressed. Are you in therapy? It's important to have therapy along with the medications. How long have you been taking this combination? It may take a while before you feel the maximum benefits. Why does your doctor not want to switch you? Did he say it takes more time? I know it's hard to be patient. But if you haven't been on these meds too long, maybe you should give it some more time. It could also help if you join in the community here and post some of your experiences. It may help some other people. It's a positive way to keep your mind off of the stresses in life and may lift your spirits too. Just an idea.
Best wishes and please repost :-)
chris
Psyched
LaurieShay27 Jan 2011
Dear chrispatrick,
Based on the information you have given in your further comments, 8 months of being on this medication combination is enough time to know whether it is working for you. It doesn't sound like it is. Unfortunately, it has been my experience that it may take several tries to find the right medication combination. "Talk" therapy is a critical part of getting better, too. If your doctor and therapist are not working with you, you can ceratinly seek other doctors/therapists that will meet your needs. You must be your own advocate and you know whether you are getting better or not. If insurance is dictating who you can see, then let them know you want to get a second opinion, that you are not getting better and the present doctor is not working for you. Having a doctor and therapist that you trust is extremely important to your recovery and I promise that it can get better.
Tonka8561
30 Jan 2011
Laurie Shay - this is the second post of yours I have read, and again you put things so logically and give such good advice.
Patrick - this is much better than my effort to help.
LaurieShay
30 Jan 2011
Thanks, Patrick. Remember all our efforts are important and critical to helping eachother. We are in this together :)
Laurie
smileyhappy27 Jan 2011
Hi Chris Patrick, If I was you, I would change doctor when I could. This doctor prescribing your meds should be assessing how the meds are working for you. Being depressed for 8 months without relief is not good care. Having meds that don't work will cause you to have a deeper depression in turn you will need stronger meds to get you out. I know I was in the hospital for 6 months with a major depression before they found a meds that worked for me. Please don't wait, get better help soon. Keep in touch o.k. I'm here for you. Lynne
30 Jan 2011
Hey - you didn't mention how long you were on these meds. If you are just starting out onn them, it takes 4-6 weeks for most meds to take effect (except for the clonadine - don't know how you spelt it - which will work right away but, I warn you... it is a Benzo and might just turn around and bite ya in the butt - the withdrawl from that addictive drug is NO fun at all - like w/d ever is).
In general, one would hope for a collaboration between the patient and the doctor, but it sounds like you have a dictator. If I were you, I would straighten my spine and 1. ask him/her what her rationale for keeping you on meds that do not seem to be working; 2. If answer to #1 doesn't do it for you, I would tell him/her that, and insist that the two of you come up with a new comblo; 3. If the dr. refuses, I would take my business to another psychiatrist (NOT a GP)..
Tonka8561
30 Jan 2011
Ah Ha! You got the Psychiatrist who is also rakin in the dough for playing therapist. Does he even have a second post graduate degree in some kind of psychotherapy? Doubt it. Are you with him for a full hour plus?
Now,, I just don't like him... 8 months- far too long if you are fairly symptomatic.
Truely, as Laurie Shay said, therapy is a very important part of recovery (or whatever you want to call it). If my therapist were available, I would see him two times a week, maybe three. But that reminds me, being manic, I have moved a gazillion times, and therefore have sampled the "therapy" offered by a lot of practitioners, and my opinion is that it is hard to find a good one, one who fits. Some people just go into it coz they themselves are kinda twisted. - have issues themselves. I do have a point - if you and the therapist do not "fit" after hangin' in for a good while - discuss it with them, but don't be afraid to change.
Cathleen18630 Jan 2011
hello Chrispatrick, I never understand doctors that won't work with a patient and change their meds. There is a lot out there you can still try. And being depressed myself, it's taken me several years to find a "cocktail", not just one single med. But my doctor is always very willing to change whenever I say. You need, in my humble opinion, another psychiatrist. And I know it's hard when you're depressed and anxious to just "get another doctor" cause you don't feel good. It can't hurt to change though since this one is not budging you have nothing to lose. keep us posted, cathleen
caringsonbj30 Jan 2011
I know this is hard I have a very good friend who deals with bipolar and anxiety sometimes it is a matter of taking time for the different medications to work, I know this must be hard for you but please try and continue to hang in there, stay in therapy (do you go to therapy)? and continue to see your doctor if this continnues let him know how you feel and maybe he can adjust them so that things will improve, but first try and give it a little more time, please keep us posted on here, we do care
Stacey Ha...23 Aug 2011
I would get rid of the lithium. Lamotrigine is basically the same thing except lithium causes weight gain. It makes you more depressed. Or at least it did on me. I take 400 mgs of Lamotrigine. 200 mgs in morning and 200 mgs at bedtime. Clonozapan 2 mgs at night and as needed in the day. 200 mgs of imipramine at night is an antidepressant. I also take 30 mgs adderall XR to keep me active. Talk to your psyc and tell him how you feel good or bad. Be honest. That's the most important. I am Bipolar 1 . Since 1988 Good Luck !
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Thank you for the advice, I have been on these meds for at least 8 months, my thearapist really does not give me advice or does not ask many questions it seems my visits are just for the meds are most thearapist like this
Not at all! Your therapy sessions should be helping you, not just giving you meds. Are you seeing a psychologist or just the psychiatrist who writes the prescriptions? If the doc who writes the meds isn't helping you, ask him to recommend a good therapist for you to talk to. It should be more fulfilling for you. Demand to see a new therapist, one who is willing to take the time to talk with you and help you find solutions to your depression. Don't give up hope. There are caring doctors and therapists out there. I hope you find someone very soon. You need a new outlook from someone else. Be proactive in your care and please, please don't accept the status quo. I wish you the best!
Hello, I am new to this site and joined for several reasons. Like all other's, commonality of lifestyle, dealing with severe depression, self educating and on-going research with these med.'s. And too, hopefully to give my spin on experience with taking these med for 20 plus years. How long have you been in therapy? on med... From past experience it is going to take at least 3 months to feel any real effect on any psycho-active drug, also the amount of support you receive from those closest to you is up most and last, reading and keeping journals so you can go back and review what has transpired and how you have handled situations, conflicts and everyday issues is extremely helpful, not to mention what you mix with these drugs as simple as asprin can have truly bad outcomes or interactions. As a recovering alcoholic still fighting this disease as well as my likness with pain med and sleep aid diaphenedrine I know all too well what a patient is faced with.