[Heechee55]

I'm new to all this, just diagnosed BP cyclothymia a couple months ago. My pdoc is unavailable until November, my primary care is unavailable for 2 weeks, and I cannot get a therapist to see me until next week.

I think I am having a bad med reaction. I was recently put on Adivan and it was helping with anxiety and sleep, then I had a major depressed episode, then I just wanted to run. Now I just keep going back and forth between depression and hide/run.

[HALLIEBETH87]

Can you call your pdoc and tell them youre having a rough time? They might have some suggestions on how to get through or maybe they can get you in to see you.

[Heechee55]

I have tried calling a number of times in the last few days. Once I was to be transferred to the on call doc, but got disconnected. When I called back, switchboard would not put me through. I tried a couple more times, and they say they will call me back if one of the other docs can take me. I hadn't been called back. They say that if it's an emergency then go to the hospital. I'm past the time where it would have been considered an emergency, but I would still call it urgent. Waiting weeks isn't acceptable.

[Sprite22]

This sounds just like what I went through, I know how you feel. Call someone if you think it is the meds.

[Mountainbard]

Originally Posted by Heechee55

I have tried calling a number of times in the last few days. Once I was to be transferred to the on call doc, but got disconnected. When I called back, switchboard would not put me through. I tried a couple more times, and they say they will call me back if one of the other docs can take me. I hadn't been called back. They say that if it's an emergency then go to the hospital. I'm past the time where it would have been considered an emergency, but I would still call it urgent. Waiting weeks isn't acceptable.

Hi Heechee, and welcome to the forum.

Sounds like you're getting the grand runaround. The thing is, if it's a reaction to meds you have to see a physician, and they should know that. Don't worry about it being "past the time" because you're right-- it isn't acceptable. Go to the ER-- at least there you'll get seen.

Good luck. I know it's tough but you have to get out there and stand up for yourself on this one.

all the best,

Randy

[StayinAlive]

Hi Heechee. Sorry you're having this trouble. Sometimes my pdoc will call me back, or his nurse, if I leave a message for him. I know every doctor's office is different. It sounds like you may not need to *see* him right away, if only you could speak with him. I would try calling during normal hours and asking to leave a message for your pdoc regarding a med he prescribed. That has worked for me, but I know it is unnecessarily hard to get past the office staff sometimes. (Why is it so damned hard??!!)

Best of luck to you. Don't give up.

[LastQuestion]

Ativan has a half-life of 9-16 hours according to its wiki page. The depressive part could be the Ativan working, perhaps too high a dosage, and the return to fight or flight when it wears off. If you've been on it longer than two weeks it's possible you're experiencing interdose withdrawal symptoms or have developed a significan degree of tolerance, though dependance is more typical after four or more weeks of administration. It varies between individuals.

Personally I'm not a fan of benzos and would recommend any number of alternative solutions to them. I think they cause as many problems as they solve while predisposing people with mental illness to relapses once dependance has set in.

[Heechee55]

I finally got to be seen by a physician today, I managed to get a walk in appointment this morning. It wasn't with the pdoc, but it went well. She agreed with me that the Ativan could have caused my problems. I had already lowered my dosage but she said to taper off, take half for a few days, then half it again. I'm still waiting on my pdoc, but I feel better now having some Dr input.

I finally got an appointment with my pdoc, they called today and let me have someone's cancelation tomorrow. I still saw my primary care today because I'm afraid the pdoc with reschedule me again.

Thank you for the replies it has helped immensely to know I'm not alone. It has helped to give me hope to find others who get it. My family has tried to be supportive, but I just feel like I let them down.

[StayinAlive]

So glad you got to see a doc today and managed to get a pdoc appointment for tomorrow. Thanks for letting us know. Hang in there!

[Capriciousness]

You should be proud for taking taking care of yourself so well. That is so unacceptable. The same kind of thing happened to me with a pdoc. She is not my pdoc anymore. I have finally found one who is exceedingly available and gives me a complete plan of what to do when he is away.