Nervous about pdoc appointment - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

Bunnylover · 07-10-2009, 10:33 AM

So the last few months have been a real roller coaster, hypo-mania, depression, and now cymbalta withdraw and maybe staring another hypo-manic episode (can't tell, doesn't seem like it fully, but I am showing some signs, although it could be cymbalta withdrawal.)

Pdoc has been really, really pushing adding a traditional mood-stabilizer (I currently take only Lamictal and Seroquel), but at this point I am completely unwilling to consider taking that step. The hypo-manic episodes only happen about once a year, and aren't a huge problem usually, except this time when it ended in a major depressive episode. But I simply don't think the risks, side effects, and complications with my other, non-bipolar meds are worth it (all the options would mess with my BCP and migraine pain reliever).

I like my pdoc usually, but he's been annoying me lately (probably because when I'm hypo-manic the entire world annoys me), and I really like him because he's not been pushy about meds until lately.

So being a research person, I am taking my spreadsheet of the mood stabilizers, so I can remember the problems I have with each one, but I'm not sure if I'm being confrontatational unnecssarily, or not.

Anyway, if you read another one of my rambling, pointless posts, thanks--I really appreciate the many people here who care.

Kelly022 · 07-10-2009, 07:32 PM

Bunnylover, if your pdoc is typically not pushy but is strongly urging you to take a mood stabilizer, I would listen to him. It doesn't sound, from his track record, that he would medicate you unnecessarily or he would already have done that.

What's wrong with staying on Lamictal? Is it not doing as well as Lithium -- the first-line mood stabilizer most docs choose?

irishwriter · 07-11-2009, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunnylover

So the last few months have been a real roller coaster, hypo-mania, depression, and now cymbalta withdraw and maybe staring another hypo-manic episode (can't tell, doesn't seem like it fully, but I am showing some signs, although it could be cymbalta withdrawal.)

Pdoc has been really, really pushing adding a traditional mood-stabilizer (I currently take only Lamictal and Seroquel), but at this point I am completely unwilling to consider taking that step. The hypo-manic episodes only happen about once a year, and aren't a huge problem usually, except this time when it ended in a major depressive episode. But I simply don't think the risks, side effects, and complications with my other, non-bipolar meds are worth it (all the options would mess with my BCP and migraine pain reliever).

I like my pdoc usually, but he's been annoying me lately (probably because when I'm hypo-manic the entire world annoys me), and I really like him because he's not been pushy about meds until lately.

So being a research person, I am taking my spreadsheet of the mood stabilizers, so I can remember the problems I have with each one, but I'm not sure if I'm being confrontatational unnecssarily, or not.

Anyway, if you read another one of my rambling, pointless posts, thanks--I really appreciate the many people here who care.

hi bunnylover, it sounds like you have been through a really tough time. are you on the highest doses of seroquel and lamictal. if so this might be why pdoc wants to add on another mood stabiliser. if the whole world is annoying you, you are right it might be clouding your judgement about pdoc! if you have tried other mood stabilisers before it is a good idea (as you said) to write out what side effects you have had before and why you stopped them. you can be as confrontational as you want, it is your treatment and you need to do what is best for you. my pdoc's rule of thumb is 'do you need it? does it work? can you live with the side effects'. i hope your pdoc is understanding when you see him and that you both can work out a better treatment for you. sometimes it takes a long time to find the right combination of meds for each individual. (i have been trying for many years and still am not there yet!)

iw

CarenR · 07-11-2009, 02:01 PM

I know it is hard to take another medication but maybe your p-doc is right.

hugs, Caren
Bipolar1

Bunnylover · 07-11-2009, 06:03 PM

Well, he had completely forgotten about the mood stabilizer idea, so that wasn't an issue. Starting to wonder if he's asking an inappropriate amount of information about my sex life, sort of creeped me out, but then again I don't discuss that issue with anyone, including friends, and my husband thought the questions sounded reasonable from a medical professional, and to be fair I probably would have been find if my female, my age GP had asked them.

For now, since I seem to be more stable, so hopefully I'll make it the three months until my scheduled appointment and will be in a better frame of mind to evaluate the situation.

Thanks for the feedback.