What do I want from a new meds person?

I see a new meds person tomorrow. My T asked me today what I wanted from new meds NP. What do I want? What should I want?

I know while lithium is good for keeping me from Sui depression, it is making me sleep too much, and think too slow. People are noticing. Not to mention the horrific tremor that propranolol isn't really helping. Of course my old meds person prescribed tiny doses.... I end up feeling depressed but not swinging.I don't know what to do. Propranolol has depression as a side effect!

My sleep is all over the place. While I sleep a lot, it's not restorative. I wake up a lot and feel like a vampire sucked out all my blood when I do get up for the day. Lunesta sometimes helps sometimes not.

I also want another child someday. What changes would I need to make based upon real evidence, not just "that could be dangerous" crap that is fed to too many people.

I would love to try lamictal again but it would be a very long titration up to a good dose.

I dunno. Maybe this is the best it gets.

I also love lithium coz of the anti sui effect. I'm also on abilify and lamotrigine and zoloft... it took a lot of messing around to get to that combo, but definitely better than when I was on lithium alone...

I know what you mean about lithium. The tremor to me is so stigmatizing and a constant reminder of my disease and the meds I must take to treat it. But nothing has ever been shown to be equal to lithium (I believe) and nothing has been shown to be better (I know) than lithium at preventing mania. What a horrible choice we have to make!

Flip - I'm in that quandry right now - what do I actually expect from my pdoc - and is that reasonable...?
I think I want my Lamictin upped to 200mg, and my Wellbutrin to a full tablet - 150mg

It took about a month, but getting off of ambien was helpful to me getting actual sleep, not just the passing out for two hrs around 2am that I was experiencing. I didnt have a solid 8 hrs or anything but the sleep I get is restorative.

In the past, buspar and inderol helped me settle down at night. buspar is a mild anti-depressant, maybe that would help too?

I admit I am scared of anti depressants ever since I took Zoloft and was rapidly becoming more and more manic. In two weeks I went from sui depression to not being able to get wet in the shower because of the pacing. My normal hypomanias never get that bad without anti D.

The tremor really messes with my job. I put IV catheters into infants as small as 14 ounces at birth. I take blood from the same infants using tiny butterfly needles. I need to be able to do this without shaking. It would also help to not drop small objects like pens, feeding supplies, etc. I actually had a nursing student that was following me for the day guess I was on Lithium from the particular tremor! (Her dad was bipo and took Lithium for 30 yrs). I don't need more coworkers guessing I'm nuts.

I guess I will tell new person what I told you guys and see what happens.
Thanks for the support- It helps to have friends in the same boat!

When dealing with a new perscriber it is helpful to know what works and what doesnt for you. Open a dialog, and be an active participent in the process. What you want is relief with the absolute minimum of unwanted side effects.

Do not be afraid to speak your mind, a good doctor will encourage your active role. I am luckey because my perscriber takes my thoughts seriously. He even asks me what I want to do and has empowered me as a key player in my treatment. Afterall, it is our lives that are at stake and who know you better than you .

Good luck; I wish you the best.

I know how you feel - try doing DNA extractions with shaking hands I had to get a colleague to load my plates for me... the worst is the weird looks you get from the 16 year old check out chicks when you can't get the money out coz your hands are shaking so hard... I was also doing locums as a vet to pay for my studies - surgery was fun!

WHOOHOOO! we are reducing my lithium dose. New Meds Lady says my level is way too high and my tremor is quite severe. She sees why that tremor and the sedation are really getting me down. We are going to get to where I am doing a lot better.

Going to start Abilify. New Meds Lady thinks my mood set point is still too low. There is room for improvement.

She gave me a new prescription for lunesta. I really feel like she wants to help me!

YESYESYES I am glad my friend wanted to share her meds lady with meeeee

Yea, Amazonmom!!! Nice to find someone you really like and wants to help! Hope your meds adjustments go well!

Yay - sounds great! Glad you're happy and hoping you can get the right med combo!

Great news! I am glad to hear that you are getting along well with the new meds person.

congrats on a good visit!