[catrip1024]

Almost three months ago, my meds (which had been working great for months) seemed to just stop working at all. I had a massive depressive episode. Since then, I have been working with my dr to try and find the right mix of meds again. It's been two weeks on this or two weeks on that and I actually went two weeks with nothing except my lithium. I know the mix of meds is different for everyone, but it's just so frustrating! And the things she's prescribing me seem to not be standard for bipolar. The latest is Neurontin. I just want to feel right again!! I don't know how much longer I can take this. Does anyone have any suggestions for what I should say to her? I just want straight forward treatment with proven meds, not all these trial and error meds. Should I say something? What do I say? How do I say it so it doesn't come across like I think I know more than her?

Help!

cat

[blueoctober]

Is your doctor a Psychiatrist? If she's not I would suggest asking for a referral to see a Psychiatrist. Did you ask to go off the meds after 2 weeks? It just doesn't seem to be very long to see if a med was working. I would talk to her about your concerns. Based on her response you will know if she's the right doctor for you. Prior to doing this I would get on a waiting list to see another Psychiatrist (Ideally someone that specializes in mood disorders.) As far as how to do it I would suggest writing out what you want to say and then practice it before your appointment.

I had to google Neurontin because I had never heard of it; I would suggest doing some research on it. Not that wikipedia is the best resource, but this is what was written there:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabapentin

[wing]

Two weeks isn't long enough for a trial of medication. I've never heard of Neurontin being used for BP and I was a psych nurse for 4 years. You need a specialist (psychiatrist) and some patience to find the right combo. I have had great results with lamotrigine plus an antidepressant when I start slipping into that mode.

I would just say what you said here, that you are more comfortable sticking to meds that are tried with proven results for bipolar. That drug you got isn't and that would raise a flag for me.

When I get any new drug, first thing I do is google it. It's my health and body and I want to be an active participant in my care. Also Dr's don't always tell you all the side effects, drug interactions, and warning symptoms. I got lithium toxicity from not being informed that ibuprofen and other anti-inflamitories can raise your lithium levels. So now I always check everything. Two weeks does not seem long enough to know if it's working to me either.

I'm trying to get a new pdoc right now and my medications are not working. It is hard for me, like you to talk to my doc about these things. But it is your mental health so it's worth running the risk of offending her.

[catrip1024]

Thanks for the advice! My doctor is a psychiatrist and I have have always liked her and trusted her. That is one reason I was kind of torn. I think I am going to request going back to the meds I was on before, maybe at a slightly higher dosage. I need to work on other areas of my life (like my diet and exercise) and not depend so heavily on the meds.

[Direction]

Originally Posted by catrip1024

Almost three months ago, my meds (which had been working great for months) seemed to just stop working at all. I had a massive depressive episode.

I guess I've got a bunch of questions...How long were you taking the meds before they stopped working? During that time had you been cycling through depression and mania at a lower extremes then this most recent depressive episode? What stressors were in your life 3 months ago? Did you stop any of the typical things you do to keep things stable?

[dragonfly2]

A little eye-opener for you about Neurontin and bipolar disorder:

http://bipolar.about.com/cs/neuronti...ontin_suit.htm

I was on it about 10 years ago and it did absolutely nothing for my moods. As much as I liked my former psych nurse, it became apparent that she really didn't know what she was doing, so I changed providers. I've had pdocs not worth the paper their diplomas were written on. If you are losing faith in this pdoc, it may be time to find a new one.

Just my 2 cents.