[sugahorse1]

Was just wondering- today I was at my pdoc for a normal check in, and I really tried to highlight to him how bad my anxiety was. That the stress was too much for me, and I wasn't coping.
Yes, all things considered, my meds are doing a good job to keep me more or less stable, but I'm still not coping.
So, off he sends me with a script. I don't feel I've been heard. I see my T tomorrow and will discuss it with her, but at what stage do I phone my pdoc back and say I really cannot cope?
I go back in a month

[Kymaro]

First I would make it through the T appointment. Sometimes medications are not the right thing for coping. Coping requires "skills" not medications. Most pdoc are only there for medication management. That is as far as their minds will go. "A pill to fix all". Good luck - hope all turns well. Be kind to yourself.

[onlymedid]

If you feel a month is too long and you really can't cope, I would call them back and say so. I am having the same dilemma with wondering if I should call mine sooner because I have to wait til next Friday to see him, but I think I need to see him sooner.

[Larfu]

Some symptoms can be managed internally, some can not. Meds only help alleviate the big symptoms really... the little day to day stuff is up to us. I can recommend ways to help you cope with the stress, or anxiety. I actually just wrote a blog post on this very issue.

Anyway, if your symptoms can be managed with meds, your pdoc will understand and know what to do... hopefully. If this is becoming a pattern though, it might be time to switch pdocs...

[CesarioRose]

I agree with Kymaro. Coping is a skill/learned trait. While meds can lesson how much you need to cope as meds will numb the feelings to a degree. But I think it's important to talk to T about it, and see if you two can't work out some stuff you can do when stuff gets overwhelming.

But if it's really just _TOO_MUCH_ then, give the Good Doctor a ring after seeing the T, and ask if a med adjustment is in order.

[yagalada]

If you're feeling like you might lose control, call crisis, but try to hang in there until you see your therapist. talk to them about your concerns, how to cope, ask to go over some skills like relaxation, distraction, opposite action, etc. you might want to try a cognitive behavioral therapy group, dialectical behavioral therapy skills class or something if thats offered in your area.

I don't have much faith in meds to help with my everyday functioning, but the meds can help to get to a place to start working on skills.

many pdocs just want to hear a list of symptoms and prescribe accordingly. depending on your resources, location and other forces outside your control you may have to stick with what you have and do the "real" work with the therapist. I'm lucky i have the prescriber I have, but our clinic is not taking anymore new clients as they are understaffed and overbooked as it is.

[unico]

I agree with talking with the therapist might be a good idea first, before calling the psychiatrist and seeing about medication adjustments. Medication helps me a lot, but I still have gone through very difficult periods where I really needed my therapist to depend on.

[abience]

Sugahorse,

I saw my T yesterday. I've been having a lot of problems with cognitive processing lately and my brain is stuffed with cotton balls. I am not supposed to see my pdoc till the end of the month but she is sending a note to my pdoc with her concerns to help me get in earlier. Maybe yours can do the same.

Good luck.
A

[Tsunamisurfer]

Originally Posted by sugahorse

...
So, off he sends me with a script. I don't feel I've been heard. ...

(((((Suga))))) This is such a frustrating and lonely experience!!!!! Abience makes an excellent point.
Hope it goes well with your T today.
TS

[sugahorse1]

Thanks everyone. Am trying to control the anxiety and stress myself, but it does get too much at times. Pdoc upped my night time Lamictin to 150mg, with 100mg on AM.
Hoping my T can help me with the day to day things. The major stress right now is circumstantial, and my main BP symptoms are under control. It's just crisis management I need help with

[madisgram]

many meds take a while to get to get to the therapeutic level as u know, suga. BUT i think your pdoc needed to pay better attention to your situation. i'm glad u're discussing this with your T. sometimes it's a life thing that needs to be addressed to assist you in coping with how u are feeling.
i had a similar situation around the first of the year. my T really helped me get thru it more than my pdoc. took 2 months for the depression to lift tho. very difficult time for me but i knew it couldn't last forever. know you work and that makes it doubly hard to function sapping your mental energy.
my previous T and pdoc said call them when i was having a hard time. you did that. i feel your pdoc could have tweaked your meds to help you get thru this episode or scheduled you in 2 weeks for followup.
know we are here for you and keep posting. it helps me a lot. take a ride on your horse too. it may lift your spirits for a few.