[clj2]

Hi again, I have another drug question....trying to get my ducks in a row before I see a psychiatrist.

I know when you go to a psychiatrist or any doctor and get medication for mental health, it can take a while to find the right drug. I need something to help with depression badly. I also have severe anxiety and panic so I'll see about that too. As I stated on here in another question, I don't want to be given an antidepressant that causes a lot of weight gain unless it's a last resort. Weight is a big struggle for me and I have to work to keep it off. When I'm really heavy it makes me feel really bad about myself

My question is, can you request to try a certain drug from a psychiatrist?? Or do you just do what they say?? I'm not good with doctors. I think I really want to try Celexa first (really like what I've read about it) and see how it does for me since my mom has had great success with it and it is apparently good with weight, she had to quit Paxil b/c of weight and it didn't help her anxiety anyway like it was supposed to, says she feels great on Celexa now and has lost a lot. I don't want to try the weight gain stuff like Paxil, Zoloft (I can't take that anyway, tried it, side effects) unless it's an absolute last resort.

Thank you!! Hope I made sense.

[NoLeafClover]

My doc just put me on paxil a few days ago, knowing it could cause weight gain but so far its actually decreased my appetite and cravings BIG TIME. But anyways because I gained weight on prozac(when most people loose weight on it),he said if my weight starts to go up from the Paxil he will switch me to Celexa. I'm on Xanax aswell for the anxiety. I only have those 3 options though because of my finances. If your insured though,there are many kinds to try. Tricyclic antidepressents help some people aswell but my doc says they tend to cause weight gain too. And i have to have something that tackles Depression,mood swings,OCD and anxiety. So I'm PRAYING Paxil works with no weight gain,because Celexa is mainly just for depression.

My psychiatrist discussed my options with me,but i basicaly told him he had to pick one off of the $4 walmart prescription sheet I had because i can't afford anything else. He was fine with that. The Xanax though really does help with Anxiety and Panic attacks,you just have to get used to it first because it makes you drowsy(its like a sedative,in the same catagory as valium). But that does pass once you get used to it.

[clj2]

Thanks Theresa! To be honest I had been researching so about different medications and side effects I hadn't even thought of the cost that is definitely a factor because even though we have insurance it's not great and everything my mom and dad take is from Walmart's $4 list (we are on a tight income now too). I'm going to be on my parents insurance while I'm in college so it'll be a while. Hopefully there's something on there I can take. When I would have to start buying my own medicine, etc soon cost is a big deal to me. I'll just ask the doc when I go what they have that's on WM's $4 list that doesn't cause weight gain and ask for that first. lol

I'm glad you have something to help you....like i said I need something for my anxiety and panic, I'll see what a psychiatrist says. Mine is very extreme a lot of times...just wondering if I am given something like it what is the cost usually for stuff like Xanax??? I didn't see it on Walmart's $4 list.

[NoLeafClover]

Well prozac in alot of people cause weight loss(except for me,but i was underweight at the time so i dunno),thats good for depression OCD,PMDD and Bulimia. Thats $4 depending on the dose. Xanax is not on the list but it is very inexpensive. I pay $13.00 a month for 3 pills a day (90pills)and its great for anxiety and panic like i said before. The generic name is apralozolam..or something like that. Make sure he writes the script for the generic.

So i would go,prozac first,then try celexa,the only other SSRi on there besides those two is paxil. But thats for you doc to decide. But xanax can be taken with both or alone for the anxiety aspect. if you go to walmart.com and go o the pharmacy page you can't print out the $4 list and take it with you. Thats what i did. Good luck :-)

[deliquesce]

hi clj,

a psychiatrist can make recommendations, but they can never actually make you swallow a pill . what i would personally do is bring up the weight gain concern and let your doctor decide what meds can help your main problems as well as avoid weight change. my doctor is very good at this - i've been on 13 meds and not one has made me increase weight - because he knows i'll stop them if i do gain weight. he also usually gives me a choice of maybe 2 or 3 that we could try, and lets me decide which one i would like to go with after i've done some research.

so whilst suggesting celexa can be good (it can lead to discussion about what has worked for your mum, why you are interested in it etc) i would encourage you to be open to your doctor's suggestions also. if he understands you worries about going on meds, then i am sure he will keep it in mind when making any recommendations .

Let your psychiatrist know your weight concerns. He'll consider that when choosing a med. Wellbutrin is one that is supposed to be weight neutral.

[phoenix47baby]

You can absolutely ask for a certain medication. Remember, you as the patient are paying the physician. So in turn, you are hiring them for their expertise. If you have heard good things about a certain med, tell them you would like to explore it and see what they say. They are the experts on medication and your condition but you have every right to suggest a med that you may have heard good things about. Also, you have the right to refuse medication that causes weight gain. You are in charge! Go girl! phoenix47

[clj2]

Thanks all!!!

I'm probably going to ask for the Celexa first since it is on the Walmart $4 list and isn't as prone to cause weight gain. If it doesn't help me I'll see about Prozac and Paxil. But I will deny the Paxil first especially because I don't want to run the risk of weight gain. I had an awful panic attack last night (the worst one ever) so I am going to have to ask for something like Xanax or something which is supposed to help. Can't keep having those.
Thanks again

[sunrise]

I think it is absolutely all right to suggest a med to your pdoc. You can also tell them the reasons that drug appeals to you. They may have more info on the drug to share with you that could change your mind. And they may have other suggestions as well.

I think Celexa is a good choice to propose. It is good for depression, helps with anxiety, is weight neutral, and is inexpensive. It could be the pdoc will not want to give you a second drug for anxiety until he/she sees how your anxiety reacts to the Celexa. It could be that the Celexa will manage both effectively.

Good luck.

[clj2]

Thanks....I will ask for Celexa and describe my symptoms and see if they decide to put me on anything else, so be it, or I will wait and see

One more question....I have 3 family members that can not take Prozac, it makes them ill....my mom was sick for 2 weeks from it and was about to go crazy, she didn't sleep for days and had awful tremors, I have a cousin that had the same thing but not as severe...should I mention that?? I would almost be afraid to take it.

[sunrise]

Originally Posted by clj2

should I mention that?? I would almost be afraid to take it.

Sure, mention it, especially if he suggests Prozac! I doubt he is going to insist on that SSRI if you are scared to take it and because of your family history, especially when there are other good SSRIs out there.

[ECHOES]

This is your treatment and you should feel free to voice your opinions and concerns about any part of it.

I can't speak for all psychiatrists or your psychiatrist, but the one I saw liked to prescribe a medication that had helped a family member. He though that it was likely that the med would work similarly. I think also if a patient has a high opinion of a med and has expectations that it will work well, that increases the possibility of success.
Similarly the psychiatrist will want to know about family members' reactions to dertain meds. It will be important for him to know this.

Sure, tell him you have read about Celexa and you would like to try it. He may have other suggestions, as he is a specialist in medications.

[phoenix47baby]

definitely mention to the doc that three family members were hyper-sensitive to Prozac. that is something they would want to know.