Facing the Psychiatrist

Against the recommendations of my psychiatrist, I stopped taking most of my medications two weeks ago. My plan was to just disappear and never follow-up with him, but at the behest of my [very worried] psychologist, I'm going to face him tomorrow afternoon.

Needless to say, I'm a little anxious.

There were a lot of reasons that I decided to greatly reduce my heavy medication regimen on my own, one of which was frustration with my psychiatrist and a resulting sense of rebellion. (Please... no lectures... I am completely aware that discontinuing my meds has the potential to hurt no one but me.)

Fortunately, I've actually felt somewhat better since stopping the abilify and trileptal and decreasing the doses of the other meds I take. I have more energy, better focus, less desire to nap constantly... basically it seems that the medications were actually causing all of the problems that he kept prescribing new things to try to fix.

I'm not sure how the psychiatrist will react to me telling him that (although I can assume that he won't be positive or supportive...), or what he'll want me to do. I imagine that I'm destined for the lecture of a lifetime. If he tells me to go back on the trileptal and abilify, I want to put my foot down and say "no." ...but I can be a wimp when faced with authority figures... I'm generally not very good at standing up for myself, you know?

I wish I didn't have to go see him, but it's probably the right thing to do. I need to have someone I can call upon in case I go off the deep end. I'm just hoping that he doesn't get angry enough to fire me as a patient, because then I'll be in serious, dangerous limbo.

Keep your fingers crossed for me that things go okay...

holding thumbs. Have faith in yr decision and explain it to him. His ultimate goal is to have you feel better, and if you feel better on less tablets and are still stable, his goal has also been reached. Let us know how it goes

Have you considered taking someone with you to the appointment? There is a strong peer movement happening across the country and I'm not sure about your area but you may want to try your county Mental Health Association or local Mental Health Department and ask them for the number of the agency of your local Peer Services Agency. There, they might have Peer Advocates that should/could be able to go to your appointment and advocate for and with you for what you want and need in your medication regime. If the meds were to much, then your PDoc needs to be aware of that. He is a partner in your treatment. Ultimately, you control the steering wheel, he just navigates...

Good luck tomorrow, I hope all goes well

My pharmacology profs in nursing school were two men who served on many FDA approval committees and were professors of pharmacy. They said 99 percent of their clinical work was fixing polypharmaceutical messes made by doctors.

They hammered it into our heads that you don't fix problems with drugs by adding more drugs. Sometimes the only way to fix a problem with medications of any type is to wipe the slate clean and start over.

Sometimes docs won't listen, and we wipe the slate clean for them.

GOOD LUCK and I will be a pocket rider for you if you want it.

I learned this in DBT today. Maybe it would help you?

http://www.dbtselfhelp.com/html/ie_handout_8.html

Only you know how you feel and if you feel better without the meds, stick to your guns with your p-doc. I would get someone to go with me. Just make sure that the person is on your side about the meds. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

I'm not good at standing up for myself either, Medicated. Great idea from colbel (didn't even know such a thing existed -- very good to know!)
Remember too: He works for you.

Well, I am a fellow rebel with a cause, and have decided my own medication regiment. However, I am never successful and just seem to wander off of the reservation. So, the rebel in me still advocates doing what the psychiatrist prescribes and venting myself during my 15 minute monthly update.

Appointment is in 30 minutes... I'm starting to get palpitations.

*HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF.*

He didn't just take it well... he took it astoundingly well.

When I told him I stopped taking half of my medications, he didn't even blink an eye. As though it was nothing out of the ordinary, he simply asked, "which ones?"

Here I was, preparing myself for the lecture of a lifetime, and he acted like it was no big deal... AT ALL.

When I told him that I had feared a greater reaction from him, all he said was that he didn't agree with me, but that it was my body and my choice... he also cautioned me that sometimes it can take months before the effects of a medication wear off, so it might be a while before I notice any symptoms. I told him I'm okay with that... and I guess we'll find out. He didn't have much to say when I suggested that the medications were actually causing the symptoms we kept trying to treat. He kind of just ignored that comment and let it go.

He politely asked if I needed any refills on the medications I'm still taking (Wellbutrin and BuSpar), made sure that I have an appointment with someone in Utah (I'm moving in three weeks), and requested that I check in with him one more time before I move. Sure thing, doc.

I am SOOOOO relieved. He was calm, polite, and very level-headed about it all. I couldn't have imagined a better response (except for him congratulating me or something, but we ALL know that that would never happen!). Now I should tell my psychologist so that he can stop worrying about his liability...

I am glad it went well.

I am glad it went well.

Congratulations for having the courage to keep the appointment despite being so anxious. It must have been so tempting to call it off! Good for you. I'm glad it turned out so much better than you expected. Best regards...

YEA, Medicated!!!!!!!!!!!!!