choosing a pdr. - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

gracetoo71 · 10-19-2004, 05:59 AM

i know it is time for me to take the next step and visit a pdr. my reg. dr. is not helping me and doesn't seem to know what she is doing. after taking three differ meds (zoloft, effexor, wellbutrin) and explaining to her that my irriatability has worstened, my sex drive is extreamly high, and i don't seem to need much sleep she gave me another pill, lexapro. my frustration led me to the net and looking at the boards. my side effects are considered manic, yet she has not tried any meds to help this manic behavior. the wellbutrin severly worstened manic, the effexor worked wonders for my panic, anxiety, and depression, but the manic was there. i haven't taken lexapro long enough to feel the effects yet, but hope it doesn't lead to more manic. i am worried one day i will give into these thoughts and desires that i wouldn't have if i was stable or manic.
anyone have advice on chooding a pdr? i am still not comfortable with the idea, but know i must do something before i make another life changing decision that i may regret while in this mood. i am not comfortable asking my reg. dr that i am currently seeing for a pdr. good stories, bad stories, anything you have to offer that might help me choose a pdr, or ease my discomfort about seeking a "shrink". how much does it help in seeing a pdr? i am so

. thank you for putting up with me

best wishes to you and take care.

mjss · 10-19-2004, 07:01 AM

So your doc is convinced the symptoms are manic? If that is the case, then it might be a good idea to try an anti-seizure med like lamictal. This mood stabilizer can work well with an antidepressant. Many people think if a bipolar is treated only with an antidepressant, manic behavior might emerge. I've heard recently that an antidepressant and a benzodiazapine such as klonopin can be effective. Good luck!

mjss · 10-19-2004, 07:10 AM

Gracetoo71-About the psychiatrist appointment. This will be the person that will prescribe medication if you choose to take them. To get treated properly, you need to be brutely honest about your symptoms. Ask him/her for advice along with telling them your ideas. Take it slow if you can. You need to tell your story and what your views of medication are. Hopefully between the two of you, you will find a mix that will be effective for you. If you have time, you might want to get information about adjunct treatments, such as behavioral therapy. I wish you the best!

reesie · 10-19-2004, 08:43 AM

gracetoo71,

I too have recently (about a month and a half ago) gone down this path (entirely at my primary docs insistance not her ineffectivity) and I am glad I did. My brain has calmed down, I don't do major decorative projects that turn out to be disasters (you should see my backyard, almost beyond redemption) But I think you will see with proper treatment that everything that bothers you now will lessen in severity and life will become bite sized again and managable. I know seeing a pdoc has a social stigma but don't be intimidated by it. Pdoc is a door to wellness. Your first time there you will spend at 30 minutes answering questions and telling your story so be VERY honest, everything counts. They usually have a diagnosis in 5 minutes and an initial drug therapy 2. Subsequent visits are about 15 mintues with you reporting your progress and them adjusting you meds. That is about it. But you do have to keep up with negative side effects and call them in as they happen. I suggest keeping a mood diary. I had to do this cause my memory is crap and its a great way to track progress. I agree with mjss, also seek behavior therapy (that's a psychologist or counselor). It's a two step process, meds can help your symptoms but we still need to learn to live with ourselves, our disorder, and our decisions from our disorder.

I was seeing a therapist before I saw a pdoc so he gave me pdoc reccomendations. But ultimately I ended up seeing the first pdoc (who happened to be on the list) in the area who could get me in first (everyone else had a 3-5 month wait list).

Good luck.

BrianKosh · 10-20-2004, 05:11 AM

i take it pdr is not physicians desk reference. medicine is trial an error, psychology issues are worse.. the psychitrist or psychologist will question u, past and present, if internal medicine is ruled out, as in hormones, thyroid, and whatever.. does it run in the family, then they look upstairs.. if you don't spill all that is going on.. no one else can help u either.. i've been through SSRI's, they have to be the worse drugs on the and the market..

It is still not known at this time what causes depression or the BPD.

Wellburtin can be used to treat BPD, but that doesn't mean it will work for you.. even after u take it for 3 months, and the dosage is at 600mg..

zoloft is famous for agitation and irratibilty.

I left seeng a psychiatrist as my last resort, I felt I was hanging by a thread and ready to let go.. There are lots of other meds out there, they just have to find one that works best for u..

Having your sex drive being rather high could be a lot of things, however it is mentioned as a sign u may have BPD.. if one moment u are

and the next crying your eyes, out,... it's time to see a head doctor psychologist are the ones who truely study the mind, psychiatrist are the ones who are referred to as shrinks.. psychiatry and the treatment of the mind seems to STILL Be a taboo and looked down upon issue.. but the body needs to be treated as a whole, top to bottom, and insurance should not be allowed to separate the two.. psychiatrist are the MD's.. I am BP1 and on lamictal..
the thoughts of suicide are gone.. but what works for me, doesn't mean it will work for you..

good luck

Quote:

Originally Posted by gracetoo71

i know it is time for me to take the next step and visit a pdr. my reg. dr. is not helping me and doesn't seem to know what she is doing. after taking three differ meds (zoloft, effexor, wellbutrin) and explaining to her that my irriatability has worstened, my sex drive is extreamly high, and i don't seem to need much sleep she gave me another pill, lexapro. my frustration led me to the net and looking at the boards. my side effects are considered manic, yet she has not tried any meds to help this manic behavior. the wellbutrin severly worstened manic, the effexor worked wonders for my panic, anxiety, and depression, but the manic was there. i haven't taken lexapro long enough to feel the effects yet, but hope it doesn't lead to more manic. i am worried one day i will give into these thoughts and desires that i wouldn't have if i was stable or manic.
anyone have advice on chooding a pdr? i am still not comfortable with the idea, but know i must do something before i make another life changing decision that i may regret while in this mood. i am not comfortable asking my reg. dr that i am currently seeing for a pdr. good stories, bad stories, anything you have to offer that might help me choose a pdr, or ease my discomfort about seeking a "shrink". how much does it help in seeing a pdr? i am so

. thank you for putting up with me

best wishes to you and take care.