[greysfan]

I'm just annoyed at how my appointment with the Psychiatrist went today. It's just all these things that build up. I thought she was finally warming up in our last two sessions. Anyway...we crash again!

She bought up the Lithium situation. I'm on Lamotrigine, but basically her trainee offered me Lithium at one point. Psychiatrist said she would never prescribe it, I ask why trainee was allowed to and got no response. Today, when I asked about other options instead of Lamotrigine, she told me Lithium would have only been an option had I not been suicidal and that's how I was when it was mentioned. I found this really disrespectful as trainee had pretty much forced it on me telling me that Psych had advised it...you go round in circles lol!

She also wouldn't listen to me about the sexuality thing. I told her I had been hypomanic, had slept with a female and that this was normal for me as I am gay, but am not promiscuous usually. Anyway, she kept going on about how I was confused as I mentioned wanting to sleep with a man before when hypomanic.

I just...

It's all these small things too. It doesn't help my mood when I go in there thinking ''I'll feel better talking about it'' to just feel worse.

Should I quit services? I feel like avoiding everyone in my care as GP has also annoyed me with her negligence - she gave me 56 tablets even though she knows I've been suicidal on more than one occasion in the past x

[BuggsBunny]

First, welcome to Psych Central.
Second, if it were me, I would not quit - it only makes things worse to be unmedicated and unsupervised. Is it possible to change doctors? It sounds like that would be a better option, especially if you are suicidal and getting inappropriate meds.

If it is not possible to change docs, then you have to take responsibility for making sure your docs don't prescribe too much - remind the md that 56 pills is too much for you, as you have the problem with being suicidal, or give the pills to someone you trust, who will only give you a non lethal amount at a time. Remind the pdoc that she said she wouldn't give you lithium, and flat out tell her she needs to find another option, if you can't take the lamotrigine. There are a lot of mood stabilizers on the market, not just those two. For example, I take trileptal. Tegretol is another, older, drug. I'm sure others can tell you some of the more recent mood stabilizers. A little trial and error, and you should be able to come up with one you like.

I know the pdocs like to be in control, so don't be aggressive with her, just assertive. And remember that you have to keep track of things if your docs aren't. But first, I'd just try changing docs.

[Clinte89]

If I where you I wouldnt quit rather I would look for new doctors. It seems from what you described that they dont pay attention very well and neglect to answer you. It seems like your Gp needs to be talked to at least. I wish you the best of luck and hope you either get your doctors to listen to you or you find new ones that are better either way good luck.

One question, are you against lithium or is it bad for you in other health ways? I was against it at first and my doc said it was my only option left so I said ok and it has been the best thing for me so Im just saying give it a chance. Starting on it sucks though I felt like I was high as all get out and delirious, dizzy that stuff but it went away fast.

[hamster-bamster]

Your p-doc said something unusual about Lithium when she said it is NOT prescribed to suicidal folks. Lithium in fact has an excellent record against suicidality and communities where municipal waters have, naturally, a higher level of Li suffer from fewer suicides. I have been on Lithium since 2009, I asked for it myself having read the famous book by Kay Jamison, and I am happy with it, despite manageable acne and manageable hypothyroidism.

Having heard such an odd opinion from her, I would look for care elsewhere, but definitely not drop out of care altogether. Good luck!

[rgb11]

I'm not bipolar. But I used to attend cognigitive behavioral therapy and now a support group.

Traditionally, I feel worse after a session of talk therapy the night that I leave. All sorts of feelings are brought out. However, I usually feel better the next day and it is a process, a process of learning new skills and behaviors. Sometimes there was no reason for me to feel bad. I have a habit of going for long drives after a therapy session as so many things have come out and up and need to be released.

I usually wake up the next day much better. Again, it's a process.

for you though, I'd consider a new doctor based on what you wrote.

[greysfan]

Hey,

Thanks all Someone is going to talk to my Care Coordinator and I'll be seeing her on Monday. I just don't think they realise how appointments alone can have an effect on a person's mental health. As for meds, I've pretty much been told I can't take Depakote as there might be a chance of pregnancy - don't get me started on this lol! and Olanzapine just turned me into a zombie. x

[Clinte89]

Well glad youve made the choice to stay with it. A tweak in doctors may be all you need.