[pirilin]

Pdoc #1:
I have been on 200 mg of Lamotrigine for years without side effects.
Also Trazodone 100-150 mg and Xanax around 1 mg.
But now, I'm deeply depressed.
Pdoc's #1 way to rid me of my depression, is Adderall.
I take 2.5 mg when I really need to get out of the house,
but I can't stand the crashes.
Pdoc #2:
Lithium 900 mg. No Xanax, no Adderall and no Lamotrigine.
I'm taking the Lithium, I'm also taking the Lamotrigine @ 150 mg now.
Don't know if she's going to like that. This is a semi-government place.
Hence the non benzo policy. I feel she will put me in SSRIs which I don't want.

I moved to a different town 200 miles away from Pdoc #1.
but I can make an appointment any time I want.

Pdoc #2 is in this town, but will only see me once every 3 months.
From what I read, I need to have blood tests for Lithium more frequently.
My last test was a few days ago @ 600 mg when ramping up.

I'm totally lost about this situation and going thru the motions, which may not be in my best interest. What do you think?.
Please, don't hesitate to give me your input. I may or may not do what you opine, so you have anything to worry about.

This is very very important to me. It's my sanity and the little future I may have left. Thank you for reading.

[TryingToMoveForward]

While I have been on meds for a while, I honestly don't know much about them or what the best one's on the market are. Maybe its blind to put absolute faith in a psychiatrist and do minimal research. Is there any way to see the local Pdoc more frequently? There have to be other psychiatrists in your area, or the surrounding area. Maybe some who will see you a bit more frequently than that. When they start you out on medication, they see you more often, but once you're stable they see you less often.

This does sound like a complicated situation, but driving 200 miles to see a psychiatrist is very expensive and time consuming. Maybe try to find someone closer.

[pirilin]

You took the time to analize the situation and I thank you.

In a perfect world this new Pdoc will see me more often,
would give me more blood tests and prescribe Xanax.
I don't know how I'm going to sleep without it.

Looking for a new Pdoc is also an option.
Althought every doctor has his own book it seems.
They should be put on the meds they prescribe.

I agree keeping Pdoc #1 is not practical.
Besides I don't want to take Adderall. His only solution for my depression.

I have an appointment with this new doctor next week and will try
to figure out my particular situation.
The Lithium is working to a point, so I like it.
Only I would like more blood tests.

Thanks again for your reply-

[LacunaCoiler]

What I've read when looking into adderall for my ADHD everything said it was good for treating treatment-resistant depression WHILE accompanied with an SSRI. However, it is not the standard for normal depression because: of its' addiction potential, antidepressant effect fades quickly, dependency, not intended for depression and not formally approved by the FDA to treat depression, quickly build up a tolerance, worsening depression during withdrawal.

[pirilin]

Thanks for your reply.

This doctor has prescribed me the Adderall since the beginning.
I only got a couple of prescriptions and never like it.
The crash is horrible. Anything above 2.5 mg is a killer for me.
Still have from the old prescriptions and was foolish enough
to get the 20 mg ER he last prescribed. Took 1 pill. Wasted 40 bucks.

On the other hand, he doesn't want me on antidepressants
because I can go manic. Go figure.

[Victoria'smom]

What about a low dose of abilify or lutuda (SP) for depression. I myself stay away from the drugs that have blood test requirements.

[Ocean Swimmer]

I had a Pdoc who thought ok. Uppers and downers.

Adderal and Valium. I was also on Norco for some extensive surgeries.
When I tapered off everything I got so black mania I was awake but almost comotose. Took 5 ip's to get me to at least a position where I can take care of myself again.

Go to bathroom. Bathe. Eat. Sleep.

Some like huh?

One highlight,I swam in the ocean for an hour today.

[Ocean Swimmer]

That's some Life.

[pirilin]

Miguel'smom: I frankly don't like the blood tests either.
I feel the Lithium is doing some good and it's the nature of the beast.
I'm more affraid of going toxic and not know it.

Ocean Swimmer: I wish I could tolerate Adderall. It gives me energy.
But only for 3 or 4 hrs. After that is either redosing or suffering really bad.
If I could take it non stop I would. But how I'm I going to sleep.
I'm glad you are feeling better. And swimming!!!.

[Victoria'smom]

What about going to the #2 Dr and go to the regular dr1x a month for blood tests?

[Hashi/bipolar mom]

Originally Posted by pirilin

Pdoc #1:
I have been on 200 mg of Lamotrigine for years without side effects.
Also Trazodone 100-150 mg and Xanax around 1 mg.
But now, I'm deeply depressed.
Pdoc's #1 way to rid me of my depression, is Adderall.
I take 2.5 mg when I really need to get out of the house,
but I can't stand the crashes.
Pdoc #2:
Lithium 900 mg. No Xanax, no Adderall and no Lamotrigine.
I'm taking the Lithium, I'm also taking the Lamotrigine @ 150 mg now.
Don't know if she's going to like that. This is a semi-government place.
Hence the non benzo policy. I feel she will put me in SSRIs which I don't want.

I moved to a different town 200 miles away from Pdoc #1.
but I can make an appointment any time I want.

Pdoc #2 is in this town, but will only see me once every 3 months.
From what I read, I need to have blood tests for Lithium more frequently.
My last test was a few days ago @ 600 mg when ramping up.

I'm totally lost about this situation and going thru the motions, which may not be in my best interest. What do you think?.
Please, don't hesitate to give me your input. I may or may not do what you opine, so you have anything to worry about.

This is very very important to me. It's my sanity and the little future I may have left. Thank you for reading.

You don't want to go without the regular blood tests for Lithium! There are a few people on this board that have become toxic and ended up in the hospital! I'm really surprised that pdoc #2 does not realize that. They could be held liable! Can you talk to this pdoc and see if they will give you lab forms filled out for every month? My pdoc did that for me. I have never heard of a doctor giving Adderall for depression! What!? SSRI's can cause mania, but I don't know if all of them do. I was on Cymbalta prior to my dx this past June, and they immediately yanked due to it causing mania. Hopefully you can find a new pdoc!

[SingDanceRunLife]

You don't have to see your pdoc to get bloodwork done. Just ask for a standing order. When I was on Depakote I had a standing order for bloodwork so I went and had that done more often than I saw my pdoc because all I had to do was walk in to the lab with my ID and I'd be in and out in 20 minutes (wait time included).

[pirilin]

This is Great Advise. I'll ask this new Pdoc for the forms or the standing order.
I want to get tested often. Specially at my age (66). Thank you all!!!.

[SingDanceRunLife]

There's no reason the pdoc should say no. That way you're both covered. You can even have the results of the bloodwork sent directly to him so if there's a problem with it he'll know right away.

[pirilin]

The info has been great!. I know what needs to be done now. Thank you all!!!.