[TicTacGo]

I went off my meds for a few days and needless to say, I starting feeling excited, increased goal-directed activity and very loud. The activities I was partaking in is not important. I was definitely slanting towards a more manic state.

So I started meds, as well as some Ativan (probably 3 mg) to come down. I did. I hit the deck and right now I am feeling agitated, yet sad. Impulsive, annoyed, morbid and I did give into some self harm tendencies.

I am seeing the doctor in a day and I'm nervous. I will need to tell her all this, explain that this has nothing to do with Concerta, as that worked okay for a few weeks.
It was purely that I was off meds, starting swerving to mania, and then took them, and completely crashed.

What do I do? What do I say? It is hours until the appointment and I just don't know what to do.

[KarenSue]

Hello TicTacGo,

I do not have any experience with your medications, so I'm of no help in that regard. However, I know how it feels to know the cause and effect of your individual actions, responses, and attempt to correct the situation while a doctor paid no heed. I know that conveying it to your physician will sometimes fall on deaf ears. (Don't know why, they are not inside our bodies...)

I would be honest with your doctor and say something much like you typed above, and be adamant if they do not listen to you to the extent that is appropriate. All doctors are different but I hope yours is one that will listen to you and not try to twist it to their own interpretation.

You write succinctly. Have you thought of typing notes to bring with you? I have heard some members say they do that and others that have their doctors sign a copy for them to keep and another copy to place in their files. I have not needed to do that but maybe others do in order to guide their treatments to the best possible for themselves. Just a thought.

Also, your post in this forum may not get much notice right away, so you might consider beginning another thread under another forum heading such as "General Mental Health", etc. that gets more face time here. I've had to do that. The new thread I started was entitled my medication name and merely provided a link to my thread in this forum with a brief explanation. A moderator can assist you if you need help. I usually ask Sabby, as I am accustomed to her, but any number of moderators or liaisons may help.

I hope all goes well and I must say, I adore your name! Good luck.

[*Laurie*]

I suggest that you be completely honest with your pdoc. No relationship, not even doctor/patient, thrives on dishonesty and in this case, you're the one on the losing end if your relationship with your pdoc isn't straight.

[TicTacGo]

Thank you, KarenSue

I will definitely be honest with her, as I have noticed, from previous experience with a pdoc, that being half-honest can take you down an undesirable path in one's treatment. I haven't been with this doctor for long, but she seems pretty accommodating thus far.

In terms of what I take, I will make sure that I am firm when I explain that the Concerta was totally okay for the 2 weeks prior to the off-meds commotion.

I will definitely consider typing notes out like I do here, perhaps even print out some of my posts. Sounds like a superb way to convey my thoughts and emotions.

Additionally, I'll consider re-posting in another heading, also speaking to a moderator.

Thank you to *Laurie* as well. I agree that honesty is always the most reward yielding way of going about it.