[Mamabug1981]

Finally have my intake with the psychiatrist tomorrow (Tuesday). Part of me is relieved it's finally here and that I've held in there long enough to make it to the appointment. The rest of me is a flurry of other emotions. Worry that he'll be the type to just tell me what to do and not discuss it with me. Terrified he'll put me on lithium (that med just scares me for some reason). Fear I'm worse than I think and he'll immediately want me to go inpatient. Paranoid he'll just tell me I'm making it all up and to just go away. A little anxious over not knowing exactly what to expect when I walk in. But also happy that I can finally get on my way to a solid diagnosis of my issues and pleased to be starting a treatment plan.

And of course I can't sleep cause my thoughts are racing over all of it, and I still need to print off some of my posts from here to show him.

[DelusionsDaily]

Good luck with your appointment! Hope it goes really well for you.

I'm glad you're finally getting some professional advice. If it's any consolation to you, i've always found my appointments to be anti-climactic. Psychiatrists don't want a lot of detail. They've always co-operated with my concerns re medication. But they're chemists -- they're not counsellors. That's a Hollywood myth. Talk therapy has to be gotten elsewhere. Best of luck!

[Victoria'smom]

Intake was long for me. My first time seeing him was an hour. He had my intake already so we just talked about my treatment options, Dx and made deals. It was painless. Intake for my husband and son were just a bunch of yes or no questions. Mine was a bit more complicated because I was hypo manic and he wanted to get all the information he could from me.

You can say no to any medication and ask for different options but try not to let fear over rule your recovery. Try to get a therapist they can help you through the rough spots of this illness.

[lilypup]

Try to stay calm. You can always take a list of questions in with you. That might be a bit of a test to see if he is willing to listen. I always take my husband with me as I find I get better treatment that way, but I know some ppl like to go alone.

[Love&Toil]

Hope it goes well for you.

[Mamabug1981]

Stupid !#%$)^^%&$# red tape! Insurance issues, and he at first refused to see me today because my insurance is still screwed up, even though I agreed to cash pay and the billing office approved me to make payments. It wasn't until the nurse (who was super nice) delivered the news that he wouldn't see me and I ended up fully triggering and doubled over sobbing, telling them I was afraid I'd end up in the hospital manic if I didn't get some help, the nurse and the billing lady, as well as their insurance coordinator (who has spent weeks now trying to help me get things fixed) I think strong armed him into agreeing to see me. Then he seemed mad at me through the whole interview. Said I was sharp and smart and overanalytical, that I need to learn to disassociate from my thoughts more. Oh, and apparently half my problems would be solved by getting more sleep. Well no kidding? I dunno. He did ease up towards the end of the appointment. I have a follow-up with him in a couple of weeks, really hope the insurance is sorted by then because if they try to deny me care again my next question is going to be what their psych ward of choice is cause that's my next stop.

He did admit I seem to be in a hypomanic state right now. He wants to bring my Geodon up to therapeutic levels as fast as he safely can, and raised it from 80 mg to 120mg. He's leaving the Celexa 20mg in place for now, as a safety net for the depression end until we get the Geodon up to therapeutic levels. And with much flair and warnings and conditions on it, he gave me Ativan 1mg prn for anxiety and insomnia. He warned it would knock me out cold in about 15 minutes... Hour and a half later I'm still wide awake, though my mind is the quietest it's been in a long time. I'd forgotten what this quiet state felt like.

He made me sign a narcotics contract before he'd give me the script, which I had to take a paper script to the pharmacy myself, I guess they can't just call this type in. He gave me 14 tablets, sees me again in 2 and a half weeks, and expects me to still have some left over when I see him again. I'm even to bring in the bottle to show him how much I have left. Plus the usual "I will not refill this if you lose it" speech.

He was pleased that I brought the print outs of my posts for him to review, and asked me to continue doing so. So that was one plus.

[newtothis31]

That is awful. Thank goodness for the nurse & billing lady. Is there a family member or a trusted love one who can help you navigate the insurance? It might not hurt to give the office a weekly update on your insurance status to prevent it from happening again- but at the same time- it does have serious potential to increase stress.

Ativan, unfortunately, can be highly addictive. That's good that your p-doc is looking out for you & that you understand the seriousness of it.

For getting more sleep- are there certain rituals that you can do? Although my hair hates me for it- I've always benefited from taking a steamy shower later at night. It does help my body relax. Another area that may help with the sleeping is trying to get more exercise. Much easier said than done.

[Mamabug1981]

Originally Posted by newtothis31

That is awful. Thank goodness for the nurse & billing lady. Is there a family member or a trusted love one who can help you navigate the insurance? It might not hurt to give the office a weekly update on your insurance status to prevent it from happening again- but at the same time- it does have serious potential to increase stress.

Ativan, unfortunately, can be highly addictive. That's good that your p-doc is looking out for you & that you understand the seriousness of it.

The office insurance coordinator has been working for weeks trying to help me get it sorted. We're hoping it'll be figured before my next appointment. This hypo just has me feeling like I'm going crazy, and I've been having mild depression symptoms on top of it. I can officially say mixed sucks!

I tried the Ativan the other night, it made me groggy for a day and a half! I can't function like that. I'll use it again if I need it, but I really need something I can use during the day. BuSpar or something. I'll probably surrender whatever I have left of the Ativan at my next appointment and ask for something else if it does that to me again. I have to be able to take care of my kids, and attend my classes once school starts back up again.

Also dealing with being dizzy and nauseous from the increase in Geodon again, so that's not helping either. Really hoping that goes away again SOON!

[lilypup]

Geodon was a tough drug for me to go up on. Hope it is easier for you.