[luckyswench143]

I have been on a combination of three different medication for bi-polar/depression disorder. Although I talk to my pschyiatrist and let him know I am still having the same issues and things are not getting better, he seems very reluctant to change my meds... any suggestions on a better way to get him to listen and maybe try something different?

[sugahorse1]

How long do you give the meds to work before suggesting you want to change? I suggest around 6 weeks for most anti-depressants.
If he won't adjust meds that are obviously not helping you, he isn't working with you and I'd look for a new pdoc

[Purple1952]

Originally Posted by sugahorse1

How long do you give the meds to work before suggesting you want to change? I suggest around 6 weeks for most anti-depressants.
If he won't adjust meds that are obviously not helping you, he isn't working with you and I'd look for a new pdoc

I'll second that.

[Benetduncan]

Originally Posted by Purple1952

I'll second that.

Thirded.

You never get the right cocktail on a first try... it's about finding the right combination for each person, even if they have the same condition, it's not always the same results on medication. So an open and adaptable pdoc is a must.

If he's not being that than get another one.

[SingDanceRunLife]

Yup. Definitely give it time unless the side effects are too harsh or negative.

For example, I lasted a mere 3 days on Effexor because it raised my anxiety, irritability and made me totally wired. Trazodone was awful from day 1. It made me puke, it made me stay up for hours not sleeping, it made me nauseous and gave me headaches and anxiety...the whole nine yards. A week in, I begged my pdoc to take me off it, but he made me stay on it for another week when he finally listened and said okay, we'll try something else.

Finding the right cocktail is really difficult. I'm still trying to find "the one" and I'm now over 2 years post-diagnosis! We've made lots of progress, but we aren't perfect yet.

[sewerrats]

Combo.s are hard its not only what meds but how much , then its finding the med that's messing up the rest and you need to change or raise or lower . A mood stabilizer is a good thing to get right first, you may still be depressed but not all over the place, then add antidepressant see if that works if not try a new one till you hit the target.