[drunksunflower]

[warning: self-indulgent rant]

Well I kinda gave up and went and got more stupid celexa, now this is BIG for me cos i avoid drs at any cost (hence the threads asking for internet sites to buy stuff from etc).

So anyway, I managed to see dr i had once before for this and forgotten that I had (was over a year ago), so i didn't have to explain everything again. I am obviously a bit of a drama queen cos it was not as icky as i expected it to be

But ... he was very much like, 'Take however much makes you feel better, start on 20 and if you want to go up more in a few weeks' time that's fine, and even again if you feel like you need up to 40" (which I would never do cos that seems a hell of a lot to me).

My POINT is - I have never really had that experience before re dosage. He said cos I have had experience with that drug and I will know how much it takes to make me feel better then I can just play with it myself. Usually in my (I suppose limited) experience it's like, take x, don't take any different?

I think I like this better cos I feel more in control of it and I can take less if I want to too?!

I suppose I was just wondering if this is what other ppl get told too ... I was just surprised (in a good way I guess).

Anyway end of babble, interested in others' experiences as always

[Direction]

I just switched pdocs and for the clonazepam - he pretty much give me a window as oppose to a set amount - the Lamictal I'm still titrating up...

[drunksunflower]

So you think being given that 'window' is good?

[AlteredState01]

Absolutely!

I have been on many different drugs and many different dosage, and combinations as well. All have had varying degrees of good and bad side-effects.

After so many years taking meds, I became a little more pro-active in what I would and would not take, how much and for what symptoms.

Docs don't take the meds, you do. You are the only one who can determine if what you are taking and how much is helping or hindering you. Sometimes, it may take going off a drug to see its full potential as well (like vitamins, in a sense. You don't always automatically notice how much of a benefit it was for you until you stop). That was the case with my use of Prozac (fluoxetine).

Although I believe, for myself, it is more of a placebo effect than anything else, I continue to take a mininal dose of this particular med because I believe it helps in keeping my depression from spinning out of control, although it does not completely take care of my depression altogether. I refuse to take antipsychotics because of the dreadful side effects (it makes me gain weight like crazy!) although it does have better success overall. (I'm sooo vain, I know, but I just don't want to add another problem while trying to take care of the initial one).

With all the different meds out there, I just make my docs try a little harder in helping me find the right combo.

They have always been very good at allowing me to adjust up and down (within a certain range and time period) as I see fit, but I also take my medication everday. It is a rare occasion that I will miss more than a day at a time. This point is crucial as well. Consistancy is very important. I see so many people go off and on their meds and then wonder why they get so messed up. Most psych drugs are only useful when taken consistently - not necessarily forever - but consistent use is definitely required.

I am also fortunate in that I get a quick response to drug therapy; good or bad - usually within the first week or so. With some people, it takes alot longer.

Hope this helps.

AS