[thunderbear]

Well I broke down and went to my new famiy doc today. Waited 3 hours then got in and was only allowed to be seen mby a Nurse Practitioner
I told her how I had been feeling the past 3 days, how my panic attacks were constant and I could'nt eat or sleep because of them. How I could'nt even leave my house. And how they were making me physically sick. I told her how Zoloft caused me to have suicidal thoughts and all that. Well she gave me another SSRI. That's all she could give me because the doctor left for the day 15 minutes before. Then I get out to the truck, I'm bawling because I know how my next few days will be and my husband is mad at me because it took 3 hours and I did'nt get any help Well I was like "f" it I'll try this med (I'm getting desperate here) I get to the pharmacy to get my med and wait another 30 minutes to find that my insurance would'nt cover it. I hate this s**t!! I hate it! I have been trying for 6 years to get help and I cannot, for the life of me, get any from anyone!!!! Now my husband won't speak to me (like it's my effin fault) and I am still in the same shape I was this morning. I give up on doctors, psychs., nurses, hospitals, etc.. Why should I even try to get help? No one wants to help you. Around here if you go to the doctor because you are having panic attacks, they drug test you, ask you 50 questions then give you some thing that either (A) you can't take or (B) your insurance won't cover and you have'nt got the money for it. It's all a croc. All of it. i am not going to waste any more time on thse doctors and no more money on these meds because none of them work. None. It pisses me off sooo bad that a drug addict around here can go to the doctor and say "I'm having some stress" and the doc pulls out the prescription paper and gives them Valium or Xanax or some kind of benzo-whatever. Then they go and sell it or take it all in 3 days or trade it for crack. But I go in broke out in hives from my chest to my forhead crying and just a mess and I get a drug that is in the same class as one I cannot/will not take b/c of the thoughts. And my ins. won't cover.
I can't do this!! My head hurts from the stress, I can't eat b/c my nerves are so bad I am sick to my stomach and I have to suffer. This is B.S.

[Lost71]

((((((((thunderbear)))))))) ...I'm sorry you're going through this.

I wish I had some words of wisdom or could take it all away for you...but all I got today is moral support, hugs, and wishes that you will get the help you truly deserve soon, hun.

[Seabirdanne]

Originally Posted by thunderbear

That about says it all.

(((((((((((Thunderbear)))))))))))))

[Elysium]

Thunder.....

I'm sorry this is happening this way for you!!

Can you find a Psychiatrist or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner that specializes in Psycho-pharmacology? They are a lot better at these sorts of things....really!!! GP and GP NP's don't know a whole lot about psychotropics and will usually throw SSRI's at anyone that says they've been crying.

If you can get a person that specializes, I think you would have a different experience. If insurance doesn't cover it, could you save up some money or work a little extra to get money so you could go see someone?

I have been on three different SSRI's and each one has worked a little bit different for me. Prozac just increased my SI...but I was given that as a teen. Zoloft worked well for me for a couple years then just stopped working. Now I'm on Cymbalta, which is an SNRI, and it is working well for me.

There is, unfortunately, a lot of trial and error in finding the right med for each person.

I wish you luck...and I hope your hubby is feeling better too!!

[Maven]

I know how frustrating it is with meds and insurance. For the doctors, you come in for a few minutes, and then you go away, and a few weeks later, you're back there, and it's like, "That didn't work? Well, let's try this" or "Let's increase/decrease this and add that." You get so tired of all the suffering and being an experiment on top of it. And now, insurance companies are covering less, some won't give you brand-name when it's possible generic might not do you any good.

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by Elysium3006

Thunder.....

I'm sorry this is happening this way for you!!

Can you find a Psychiatrist or Mental Health Nurse Practitioner that specializes in Psycho-pharmacology? They are a lot better at these sorts of things....really!!! GP and GP NP's don't know a whole lot about psychotropics and will usually throw SSRI's at anyone that says they've been crying.

If you can get a person that specializes, I think you would have a different experience. If insurance doesn't cover it, could you save up some money or work a little extra to get money so you could go see someone?

I have been on three different SSRI's and each one has worked a little bit different for me. Prozac just increased my SI...but I was given that as a teen. Zoloft worked well for me for a couple years then just stopped working. Now I'm on Cymbalta, which is an SNRI, and it is working well for me.

There is, unfortunately, a lot of trial and error in finding the right med for each person.

I wish you luck...and I hope your hubby is feeling better too!!

Well I go to a psychatrist the 14th. I have just been having the worst days of crying and panic attacks for 4 days. I was trying to get something for the anxiety to hold me over till the 14. But she hands me the med and says this will take 3-5 weeks to take affect But what freaked me out the most wa she had to look in a little green psychatry handbook to figure out what to give me

[babyfairyfifi]

It appears that the UK and USA have different ways of approaching mental health.

It seems that in the States it is a case of 'throw a pill at it and it will go away'.

I find this very distressing. I'm not saying that the right medication at the right time may not enable a person in distress to be able to cope a little easier when the pain is too much to bear, but to see pharmacology as the be all and end all of healing pain and it's causes, is just really depressing in itself.

What happened to being heard and the human element?
I can't help feeling that if someone just sat down with Thunderbear and allowed her to vent her feelings as strong as they may be, in a safe space, and for her not to be devalued or belittled in the process, maybe, just maybe she may be able to start to see how to sort out her problems.
I really sense her feeling of frustration of not being heard in her post. I'm not entirely convinced that is just down to the medication issues...

I have a firm belief that each of us are the best person to be able to solve our own problems. We are all in the most unique position to be able to understand the unique tangle of stuff that we call our psyche. Being able to talk and explore it is what good therapy should be about, being allowed to detangle that confusing mess of feelings and behaviours that we all carry around in our heads.

Drugs allow us some respite from the pain. In my mind they should only be used as a holiday from dealing with it. Numbing pain doesn't make it go away for good.
Throwing chemicals at mental health issues is a short term solution in my book, not the final answer.

I do wish you peace and some respite Thunderbear. And strength. But I suspect you have hidden reserves .

Hugs.

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by babyfairyfifi

It appears that the UK and USA have different ways of approaching mental health.

It seems that in the States it is a case of 'throw a pill at it and it will go away'.

I find this very distressing. I'm not saying that the right medication at the right time may not enable a person in distress to be able to cope a little easier when the pain is too much to bear, but to see pharmacology as the be all and end all of healing pain and it's causes, is just really depressing in itself.

What happened to being heard and the human element?
I can't help feeling that if someone just sat down with Thunderbear and allowed her to vent her feelings as strong as they may be, in a safe space, and for her not to be devalued or belittled in the process, maybe, just maybe she may be able to start to see how to sort out her problems.
I really sense her feeling of frustration of not being heard in her post. I'm not entirely convinced that is just down to the medication issues...

I have a firm belief that each of us are the best person to be able to solve our own problems. We are all in the most unique position to be able to understand the unique tangle of stuff that we call our psyche. Being able to talk and explore it is what good therapy should be about, being allowed to detangle that confusing mess of feelings and behaviours that we all carry around in our heads.

Drugs allow us some respite from the pain. In my mind they should only be used as a holiday from dealing with it. Numbing pain doesn't make it go away for good.
Throwing chemicals at mental health issues is a short term solution in my book, not the final answer.

I do wish you peace and some respite Thunderbear. And strength. But I suspect you have hidden reserves .

Hugs.

Yeah they "threw" every type of pill at me 4 years ago. I was so numb fromt hem I could'nt even cry. I hated not feeling anything. I was just needing something to help me through these days. I'll go a week and be fine. But then it seems everything falls apart for about a week or two. This new psychiatrist also belives in CBT therapy in healing mental pain. I wish I could find someway of not needing any meds for my anxiety and depression and obsessive thoughts. That would be wonderful.. But they are so quick to throw a cover all pill at you and say "take this it will make it better" no actually it don't. Not long term anyway. They don't take the time to listen and I mean listen, to you. But thanks for your reply. What do you mean by hidden reserves?

[babyfairyfifi]

Originally Posted by thunderbear

Yeah they "threw" every type of pill at me 4 years ago. I was so numb fromt hem I could'nt even cry. I hated not feeling anything. I was just needing something to help me through these days. I'll go a week and be fine. But then it seems everything falls apart for about a week or two. This new psychiatrist also belives in CBT therapy in healing mental pain. I wish I could find someway of not needing any meds for my anxiety and depression and obsessive thoughts. That would be wonderful.. But they are so quick to throw a cover all pill at you and say "take this it will make it better" no actually it don't. Not long term anyway. They don't take the time to listen and I mean listen, to you. But thanks for your reply. What do you mean by hidden reserves?

All of us have inner strength, it is this that we draw on when we placed in situations of absolute crisis. The mere fact that you are posting up your feelings on this board, rather than internalising and letting your emotions fester inside , is a sign of your strength.
Many , many people do not have to courage to even accept that there is something wrong and tell someone else. Look at you, you are stronger than you think...
CBT is very useful in changing the way we think and therefore how be behave, but I'm not sure if it is great at dealing with long term issues, rather it puts you in a more positive mental state to allow you to be able to explore much deeper emotional pain without feeling totally out of control and anxious.
Seek out a good person- centred Rogerian therapist once you have had your short term CBT. I strongly believe personal growth comes from being heard and respected. Be aware that the person centred approach does take time and committment and the therapist /client relationship is all. It is vital to find the right therapist for you. One who values you on an equal level to himself/herself. It is not about advice or teaching you how, rather it is helping you to find your own inner answers to your unique problems in life, and to become aware of patterns and cycles that you may be exhibiting in response to unresolved emotional pain.

I'm happy to listen on messenger if you like. Sometimes all we need is for someone , anyone to hear us.

[jerrymichele]

((((((((((((((Thunderbear)))))))))))))))))))))

Stupid anxiety. Oh I just hate it, and feel your pain.

[thunderbear]

Originally Posted by babyfairyfifi

All of us have inner strength, it is this that we draw on when we placed in situations of absolute crisis. The mere fact that you are posting up your feelings on this board, rather than internalising and letting your emotions fester inside , is a sign of your strength.
Many , many people do not have to courage to even accept that there is something wrong and tell someone else. Look at you, you are stronger than you think...
CBT is very useful in changing the way we think and therefore how be behave, but I'm not sure if it is great at dealing with long term issues, rather it puts you in a more positive mental state to allow you to be able to explore much deeper emotional pain without feeling totally out of control and anxious.
Seek out a good person- centred Rogerian therapist once you have had your short term CBT. I strongly believe personal growth comes from being heard and respected. Be aware that the person centred approach does take time and committment and the therapist /client relationship is all. It is vital to find the right therapist for you. One who values you on an equal level to himself/herself. It is not about advice or teaching you how, rather it is helping you to find your own inner answers to your unique problems in life, and to become aware of patterns and cycles that you may be exhibiting in response to unresolved emotional pain.

I'm happy to listen on messenger if you like. Sometimes all we need is for someone , anyone to hear us.

Thank you

[Elysium]

Thunder....

Sorry...I didn't mean to imply that you should just get pills thrown at you. I actually am not a big fan of psychotropic meds...although I take them. I think they do have their benefits, but they really just treat the symptoms and don't get to the core of the anxiety.

Finding someone that can listen is very helpful. Someone that can assist you in finding your way would be good for you.

There are also some anxiety workbooks that you could get from a local book store...usually the larger retail stores carry them and they're not to expensive. They have a lot of good coping techniques and can teach a lot of good exercises on how to self soothe, etc. Next time your looking around the bookstore, you might want to check them out.

Yes...the little green psychiatry book. Seen it before!! This is what I mean when I say that the GP's don't know about this stuff. For most of them, the only reason they did their psych rotation in med school was because they had to, and most likely they didn't pay very much attention. The green book doesn't tell them much more than what the med is, it's side effects, what it interacts with and how long it takes to work. And that's really all they're required to know.

I'm glad you have an appt with a P-Doc. If the anxiety is just too much until then, don't hesitate to call your GP back and tell them you need something to treat the anxiety in the interim. If worse comes to worse, head to the nearest ER and let them know about your situation. They'd probably ask you a butt load of questions, but they would also probably set you up with a little bit of meds to help you through.

I am always here to listen as well...so if you ever need to talk, you can PM me!!

Take care....

[jerrymichele]

Originally Posted by Elysium3006

Thunder....

Sorry...I didn't mean to imply that you should just get pills thrown at you. I actually am not a big fan of psychotropic meds...although I take them. I think they do have their benefits, but they really just treat the symptoms and don't get to the core of the anxiety.

Finding someone that can listen is very helpful. Someone that can assist you in finding your way would be good for you.

There are also some anxiety workbooks that you could get from a local book store...usually the larger retail stores carry them and they're not to expensive. They have a lot of good coping techniques and can teach a lot of good exercises on how to self soothe, etc. Next time your looking around the bookstore, you might want to check them out.

Yes...the little green psychiatry book. Seen it before!! This is what I mean when I say that the GP's don't know about this stuff. For most of them, the only reason they did their psych rotation in med school was because they had to, and most likely they didn't pay very much attention. The green book doesn't tell them much more than what the med is, it's side effects, what it interacts with and how long it takes to work. And that's really all they're required to know.

I'm glad you have an appt with a P-Doc. If the anxiety is just too much until then, don't hesitate to call your GP back and tell them you need something to treat the anxiety in the interim. If worse comes to worse, head to the nearest ER and let them know about your situation. They'd probably ask you a butt load of questions, but they would also probably set you up with a little bit of meds to help you through.

I am always here to listen as well...so if you ever need to talk, you can PM me!!

Take care....

Thunderbear this good advice. I have nerve did the books, but I have been to the ER over this, and they will perscribe meds to you.

[Seabirdanne]

Originally Posted by babyfairyfifi

It appears that the UK and USA have different ways of approaching mental health.

It seems that in the States it is a case of 'throw a pill at it and it will go away'.

I find this very distressing. I'm not saying that the right medication at the right time may not enable a person in distress to be able to cope a little easier when the pain is too much to bear, but to see pharmacology as the be all and end all of healing pain and it's causes, is just really depressing in itself...

I do wish you peace and some respite Thunderbear. And strength. But I suspect you have hidden reserves .

Hugs.

Thank you for this. I, too, have a hard time with the emphasis on pills over lifestyle. I've dealt with major depression for decades, and I finally got off the medication runaround and try to deal with it through diet, exercise, reading and creativity. I've always been kind of a nerd, anyway, so the reading and whatnot comes naturally to me, but it is frustrating to scan this site day after day and see hardly a word about the value of a good diet (low on white sugar and caffeine, high on vegetables of all kinds), exercise, reading (yes, reading for self-help and for pleasure) and the elimination of unnecessary stress from the environment, which can be as simple (or difficult, I guess) as turning off the TV.

When I read some of these posts, I often sense huge personalities trapped in worlds that are too small for them somehow. I read somewhere that each individual is like a house with four rooms -- spiritual, mental, emotional and physical -- and that each room must be visited every day, if only to air it out. Taking pills while maintaining a physically unhealthy, mentally unfulfilling lifestyle is like fixing the roof on a house with broken walls.

Thunderbear, I hope you find the right medication soon. But I also hope that you focus on other aspects of your life that are under your own direct control that can be improved in ways big or small on a fairly regular basis -- because, I, too sense that you have hidden reserves.

[theotterone]

Originally Posted by babyfairyfifi

It appears that the UK and USA have different ways of approaching mental health.

It seems that in the States it is a case of 'throw a pill at it and it will go away'.

Since I am born and bread Minnesotan (yes, that is in the US), I take a little offense at that comment. It took me YEARS to find the doctor who I connected with best. It is Medical PRACTICE. Medications affect people different ways. Some work, some don't. It is a LONG PROCESS to find the right medication and dosage if that is the path you want to take. Behavioral Therapy would help too. But when you get to functional, the work and trip was worth it!

I have always believed I will be on medication until the day I die. My brain chemistry is too out of whack to not have some help. When medication works, it works. When it doesn't, you need to move on to something else. It is not to cure but ASSIST you to getting to the right state of mind.

Keep looking for professional help. The first 5 - 7 doctors I went through weren't a good match. I have been with my current doctor for nearly 10 years! THANK GOODNESS I FOUND HIM! He is personable and makes me a partner in my medication decisions, not just giving them to me and saying "take these, don't ask any questions". For the first time in my life my brain is quiet and I see clearer. Things are not as huge as they once were, but issues I can now analyze and deal with. Yes, the doctor is a big part of it. But you also have to push and work hard when all you want to do is curl up and if you don't wake, that would be ok. It's hard to put the hard work into it when you are feeling this way. Keep Trying! It is worth it! I have been where you are, and it SUCKS! But I can tell you the other side is bright, with a few showers or dark days, but overall, it is bright!

Hang in there!