Posted by garnet71 on March 26, 2009, at 18:57:10
In reply to Re: Going downhill again - what to do? » garnet71, posted by 10derHeart on March 26, 2009, at 14:23:59
10derheart,
You'll have to tell me about Strattera. My first impression of it (for someone who has never tried it) is that its similar to Effexor, which is one of those drugs I think is poison.lol. I know it helps people, but I have an intuitive adverse opinion of it I can't shake off. Five years of good effects from one drug is pretty amazing--good for you.
The RN told me to take the 10 mg twice a day. I told her I was going to cut it into pieces to try it; probably in fourths. I'm going to call around the pharmacies for prices, then get 1/2 the script filled tomorrow and see. I'm scared to take anything in a new 'class'. I was terrified to take Zoloft when I never took an antidepressant before. Years ago--even though I got to a point where I had non-stop crying all day and night, and even at my PCP's office for that initial viist, she still had to coerce me, really talk me into taking the AD. I don't take OTCs except aspirin-I have took Advil at work before when had to borrow. It's sort of a phobia I guess. You can see my stupid post above about a headache. I like home remedies best.
She said dextro was 'worse' than Adderall-whatever that means. Maybe addictive is what she meant. I think if the PDoc was there, she could have checked with him-I think it had to do with her comfort level in prescribing it to me-I could just sense it. She is one of those very, very nice nurturing people-I have a hard time being as assertive as I normally would with people like that. If it was the doctor, who is more of the alpha male type, I could have been more argumentive, assertive, persistent--and even intimidating to those types. I think if the nurse asked him, and if he wanted to talk to me about it to see why i felt that way, I have a feeling there wouldn't be a need to argue in the first place. He's a very good listener and an astute observor; very decisive but reasons first. He's one of those types of professionals who actually thinks/weighs decisions in a rational way rather than jump to conclusions or stereotypes, from what I can sense about him. I know what you mean by the condescending (was it plantar fascitis?lol). That type of attitude just motivates me to be more articulate/well-spoken and focused in my coversation or argument. I guess I'm used to being on the defense w/authority figures.
The problem with the org. is once you get your initial script and evaluation, there is no visit with the doctor for a year. I think a patient should be stabilized before seeing the nurse for follow ups. I just don't want to take a chance going anywere else, and I really like them. I wasted money on the last two PDocs-it costs at least $150 for initial evaluation.
Now that I have no health insurance, I can go wherever I want but don't want to go from doc to doc, paying each one $150 (which I can't anyway) to find a good one. The one before last was absolutely rediculous. He started me on Prozac which gave me really strange nerve-based side effects, so I couldn't stay with it, no problem there, that wasn't his fault/it happens. Then Zoloft-I went back after 6 weeks and told him it was making me miserable and depressed and unmotivated. The guy said to me--what do you want me to do? I said-I don't know, that's why I came to you. He had no answer. So I said fine, prescribe me Wellbutrin. Another 6 weeks go by-I'm back in his office. I first questioned the generic WB vs. the brand, and asked about the coating and inert ingredients--and he snickered at me. I told him I could hardly get out of bed, the meds are making me more depressed, I'm on the verge of failing school and losing my job and can't tolerate these meds. He said--you are dumping all your problems on me, but offered no alternative. I said I absolutely cannot continue with these drugs, but since I did not do any legwork to learn about drugs prior to this time, I had no clue what to ask for. Finally he said if you are not happy with your treatment here, feel free to go somewhere else. Well of course I did. I never, ever saw another person in his office any time I was there, and when I would be scheduling an appt., I always go the exact time/date I asked for the first time. lol. Now I see why. So I ended up quitting them all; felt better for a couple weeks, then started getting panic attacks.
I really want, for once in my life, a decisive, assertive, authoritive, and confident doctor to tell me what I need to take, instead of the other way around. I'm sick of being in charge all the time. I really want to leave it up to someone else, someone competent and experienced. This merry-go-round is getting tiring.
Sorry about the extra rant there-it seems you have a mysterious invite-a-rant aura about you. lol.
poster:garnet71
thread:886947
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090322/msgs/887133.html