[drunksunflower]

I'd just like any opinions/advice on this if anyone has the time ... bit of a long story sorry

Today I went to a new doctor cos I have just come back from overseas and am living in a different city. I think I am more confused than before I went to see him!!

I got very stressed finishing my thesis last june-july, and got given prozac. I went overseas after that and while I was working in the UK they sort of lost their efficacy and I got *really* icky even though I didn't really have too many current stresses. The doctor I saw there increased the prozac to 40mg/day (from 20). They made me feel crap - really bad stomach etc. So after about five weeks I decided to cut it back down to one. It REALLY helped my mood at 40mg, but I hated wanting to puke all the time! The 20mg helped a bit but then i couldn't be bothered with it and kinda stopped (over two weeks, 1 every second day). But I have been getting some wickedly down moods and crying irrationally, which is what happened before I got in a really bad state last time (while i was overseas). So i don't want it to happen again, even though i'm not that keen on the idea of taking medication.

So I went to see this new doctor today as I had finished the prozac, and he firstly said well, you've finished the course, you don't need any more. I sort of said i wasn't feeling that wonderful and he said oh, so you DO need something. I dunno if he was taking me too seriously at that point? Although that could have been my interpretation at the time ... I mean, they must see people wanting stuff all the time who they think don't need them? So he kept asking me whether I got anxious, and saying that people who also have anxiety do well on Aropax (which I think is Paxil for most of you). I don't get anxiety, but he said that a few times, and it seemed as if he wanted me to say I had it ... I have a psyc degree (although my thesis wasn't in abnormal psyc) so I do know the criteria of different disorders, roughly.

He suggested Citalopram, which I know is fairly widely prescribed in the UK also - I'm not sure about the US?

He also asked me quite randomly whether I had any 'male trouble'. And whether I was pregnant - even though I'd just told him I had been the same contraceptive for years and had no problems with it. I know they have to ask certain questions, but it was a little bit off at that stage.

Anyway, the two options I have is to stay off the pills and hope that it sorts itself out, because my mood might be low due to coming off the Prozac? Or try the new one, which would mean i would have to go back to doctor in two weeks, which i really really really don't wanna do. Has anyone tried not taking medication after say six months and waited a wee while before they decide if they need it or not? The doctor did say I came off properly by taking one on alternate days for two weeks. Or is it perhaps better to take the medication as i sort of have symptoms again?

sorry i'm sure loads of people write threads like these, I'm just interested in what someone else would do in my situation.

thankies.

[drunksunflower]

ooops - sorry.

i didn't see the drug forum above.

could a mod delete this thread please?

thankies!

[kimmydawn]

welcome sunflower

the only thing about waiting to start the paxil is...it's going to take a bit of time to work well...10 days to 2 wks i've heard. that's a long time to continue feeling bad if you don't have to. i think basically you know how you can deal with it and for how long. i do know i've heard many good things about paxil and was on it myself. it worked for me and i had no problems coming off of it, but every body is different.

personally, what i'd do is try it. if i'd been feeling bad for that long, i wouldn't wait to try it. i'd go ahead and start taking it. make sure to follow instructions going on it to minimize any side affects. obviously, this isn't medical advice..it's just personal opinion on what i think i would do if i were in the same situation.

i think maybe the dr was doing some psychology on you when he said, "oh, you DO need something". you went off on your own, thinking maybe you didn't need it and went down on your own...so maybe it was his way of having you to realize that you do need ot take something right now. does that make any sense? hehe. i know what i want to say, but don't know if i put the words down right.

i really wish you well with this and let us know how it's going ok?

kd

[sqrlb8]

Hi drunksunflower, your situation is a familiar one to me, this is where I find the whole key i think. I was on citalopram for just over three years, and now take no meds. What precipitated the meds in the first place for me was a two weeks long episode of unstoppable crying.

It's amazing that you get to have a freakin, degree in psyc, as that should be an immeasurably valuable asset to you as you expand your understanding of your self as other than how you feel. At least, that is how I've come to regard the special kind of attention I find that enables me to survive with out the meds.

For me it came down to the fact that the benefits of the meds truly were outweighed by the host of side effects and out right ill effects of them. Having tried many of their drugs in addition to the citalopram, I can only reccomend one of them and that is (i'll spell this wrong) olanzopine. I works immediately to halt the crisis, or breaking point of many kinds of brain clutter. It works with in an hour to restore even the most frantic or depserate of mental states to one of calm reason. I try to only use it in time of need as it causes weight gain and god knows what else if you stay on it.

Another prong of my attack, so to speak, is to develop a longer and longer list of right brained things that I like to do. Drawing, music, painting, writing, those things all are right brain activities and engaging in them bathes the brain in endorphines and feel good chems. Sometimes that is enough to maintain function.

There just doesn't seem to be a med that does enough without problems of its own, and neither does there seem to be a single idea to make an "ultimate" difference. But I do find, that being as vigilant as possible over a number of things, I can live a better life without the pills.

Happy to compare notes with you on this any time.

peace

[elmarko]

i was on citalopram for several months, and i was constantly tired, was eating less, had no motivation and was generally out of contact with the 'norma;' me, BUT i did feel a bit happier. didnt have any ucky side affects like feelin sick or owt.

i came off that after a few months cos i was just sick of having no energy, i just decided one day that enough is enough and stopped taking them, so wrong but i got away with it. that was from 40mg a day for the past few months!

after that i told my doctor i dont want to try another med, ,i would rather see a therapist... that lasted all of 3 appointments and i cancelled that cos i didnt feel like i could trust her. since then a year has passed, and i have stayed off meds, , and had no contact with my doctor (except for an ear infection lol) and have been better than before the course of meds, but still have some rough times.

anyhow theres my input for ya... wether or not its helpful is another matter but i tried

[cms39]

Maybe the doc said "oh you do need it" to kind of see what your reaction would be.

Also, they usually ask about possible pregnancy because some medications can be harmful for a baby.

I'm sorry my concentration isn't great today, but that's what I got from it.

[drunksunflower]

oh thank you - you are all so luffley to take the time to reply!

I never, ever wanted to take pills for this, and because i have a psyc background i know heaps about CBT etc anyway - guess it doesn't work so much on yourself ... but a friend made me go and do something when i was at the stage where i probably wouldn't have finished my thesis as i couldn't concentrate and i was crying all the time and over reacting at anything anyone said to me about ANYTHING (i wasn't a particularly nice person to be around).

i was happy on 20mg prozac, i didn't get many side effects (wasn't complaining about the weight loss hehe) and when i kinda crashed overseas and the increased dose made me feel terrible although it worked for my mood - as someone said the side effects were def not worth it.

the only reason i am trying the citilopram is cos i dont want to get to that stage again. i suppose i thought that he might be able to tell me the likelihood of getting worse or staying the same if i stayed off medication, but i guess it is different for everyone.

the dr i saw also seemed to think you can go on and off the medications relatively quickly, even aropax (paxil). that's different to a lot of the reading i've done and friends i've known who have hell problems gettin off it ...

it's wicked interesting to read what you have to say

[Mahali]

drunksunflower,
I wonder if you should see a different Doctor for a second opinion. It does not seem to me that you have a lot of faith in this one and trust is important. There are many different types of medications and to my knowledge some work better than others for different people.

If you decide to go without the meds. It is certainly your choice but do be cautious. Symptoms creep up and at times we are unaware. Could you speak to your friend about your desicion and ask them to help monitor your moods. I hope you have some support through this.

Take care and if you need to talk more please do.

Kim

[drunksunflower]

place ... i was thinking about that but i really really really hate going through the whole explaining thing - i might go back in a few weeks as he said to and see what happens then - if he is still not fantastic then i will take your advice

i just found it hard to figure out what his opinion was, whether he thought i was just being a wuss wanting drugs for it, he didn't ask me anything much about symptoms but yet asked if i was having man trouble ... so i dunno really.

is there any way to prevent weight gain on this stuff? that'sanother thing i have been wondering, i don't want to get fatter!

thanks again sooo much.

xx

[Mahali]

drunksunflower,
He just sounded kind of ...I don't know....hinky I guess to me. Weight gain is a side effect of many drugs but I don't think Paxil is too bad compared to some of the others. You should ask. There are some out now that I think do not have that particular side effect.

If one were "drug seeking" to get a buzz I do not believe anyone would seek paxil. So I doubt he thought this unless he just is..uhmmm...not as knowledgable about these things as he should be.? lol

I assume this was not a psychiatrist? Maybe that could be an option. I would rather, if it were me, explain things over than to be misdiagnosed but I really do understand your reluctance at having to go over it again. It can be hard enough the first time.

Whatever your choice, feel free to seek support and ask questions here.

Also, do not be reluctant to ask the doctor questions. It is his job and you are paying him for it. if he does not take time to answer then definately get a new Dr.

Let us know how it turns out and if you need support we are here.

take care ,

place

[drunksunflower]

place,

maybe he just thought i was being a hypochondriac or summin. i had a really nice doctor in the UK who was sooo understanding, and cos I know a few things about the pharm side of the drugs (just from uni ) she didn't patronise me at all.

no not a psychiatrist.

thanks you've been wicked - i am seriously considering your suggestion of seeing someone else - i have actually been to that medical practice before, but the dr i had seen the first time (who originally gave me prozac and was really nice and understanding about it) was still on xmas holiday. it was good cos he had my history etc, but i kinda wish i'd waited.

i just both put on and lose weight quite quickly due to my body type and it's noticeable cos i am very hour glass proportioned. i always feel better about myself when i am skinnier so i don't really wanna put on too much!

[drunksunflower]

place -

yep ... i just thought maybe he thought i was a bit of a hypochondriac. i mean also cos i've studied psyc and i do know a lil about it - maybe he saw it as self diagnosing.

the first doctor i went to was great (at the same medical practice but she was on holiday this week - i soo wish i'd waited to see someone now) she didn't patronise me at all because i know a bit of the pharma cology etc.

i am really reconsidering now and thinking about taking your advice, although i may just wait n see how this one goes - if it works well i'll know and hopefully won't have to see doctor too much ...

the weight thing, i tend to gain and lose weight very easily cos of my body shape/type, and that's the only reason i am worried - i always feel better when i'm thinner of course i don't need to lose any just don't want to gain any either. any tricks anyone knows?

thank you again for chatting like this.

[drunksunflower]

oh GOD!!!!

i thought it hadn't posted the first time so rewrote it ...

my connection is a wee bit dodge ...

duh dumb blonde (and i'm not even blonde ...)

[Rebound]

I feel I should point out that, at least according to the sources I have checked out recently, therapy alone, or in combination with medication has been shown to be more effective than medication alone. I have not seen this mentioned anywhere on this site to date (and of course you can't believe everything you read, but it is interesting, nevertheless). I can sympathize with your desire not to hit rock bottom again. I believe I am currently trying to fend off such an outcome right now. I only suggest a second look at sqrlb8's advice. I very much dislike what the medications I have taken have done to me and am doing all I can to avoid them. Whether or not this is a good idea, I don't know. I also found there seemed to be a period of clearing a drug out of my system once I had stopped taking it. The feeling was vague, but there definitely seemed to be some sort of shift in my brain when it was all gone. I dunno, contrary to the events you have described, I am really starting to think I am a true hypochondriac. I hope not, but I've started to wonder.

OT:
Incidentally, sqrlb8, I don't think it is coincidental that I have been listening to an awful lot of loud music lately. I hadn't thought of it in the particular way you mentioned but I see your reasoning and it appears to be an effective strategy for me so far, so thank you for verbalizing it for me.

[drunksunflower]

I agree therapy has its place, and some people really benefit greatly from it

I have a fairly good grasp of a lot of the CBT principles from studying/teaching it (I have a phd in psyc and while it's in criminal justice i have studied some abnormal and taught it to undergrads). I don't think right now I need that, I just need to feel more stable in order to use what I know

Good luck with your own stuff

[cms39]

If he was not a psychiatrist, it is likely he does not understand these problems. My sister went to a family doctor for Prozac, then a new one came to the office so she saw him and he YELLED at her "You don't have any problems. You're young; you're healthy" Shame, shame, etc. From then on, she went to see the very nice psychiatrist I see.