Posted by 49er on April 29, 2010, at 12:57:21
In reply to Saw a new psychiatrist today., posted by conundrum on April 27, 2010, at 19:43:51
> So I saw my new psychiatrist today. She seems pretty good, been practicing for about 40 years. She seemed to think I have a mood stability problem since I was always feeling good without many bad days on prozac. She said below hypomanic. In addition when I came off prozac I was into conspiracies and into things like numerology and astrology, which I had no interest in before, or now. All of those interests faded 5 years ago and I chalk it up to some kind of rebound in dopamine from being quashed by serotonin for so long, but who knows. Also another reason she mentioned mood stability is that she said I'm treatment resistant and people with mood stability are often treatment resistant to standard antidepressants.
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> Right off the bat in response to my short term memory problems she suggested get a test for Lyme's disease, she also mentioned neuropsychological testing which I don't really know much about but it sounds good. She said I shouldn't be having memory problems at 27. She also prescribed lamictal I guess since she suspects a possible mood stability disorder and it could help with that and also works as an antidepressant.
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> So far so good for a first visit. Also for once in a long time, I didn't read all the side effects for this drug. I figure if they come I'll know it. She warned me about the risk of Steven Johnson's Syndrome and so thats enough for me. Its nice not worrying about that stuff.Conundrum,
Speaking of short term memory problems, I forgot your history so please forgive me.
Did you have symptoms of bipolar disorder prior to being placed on Prozac? The reason I am asking is you have had the strange reactions you described as withdrawal symptoms from tapering off of prozac, particularly if you tapered too quickly. that dies not translate to manic depression or bipolar disorder. A diagnosis can't be made based on a med reaction.
Sorry, I don't mean to rain on your parade. I know how frustrating it is to find a good doctor. But those are red flags to me and I felt I had to say something.
On what basis is she saying to get a test for Lyme's disease? Do you have specific symptoms that point in that direction?
Regarding neuropsych testing, as one who has had it to diagnose a learning disability, what it will do is test particular memory areas to see where your problem is. But you may want to think if you have had this problem prior to being placed on psych meds.
If yes, then you might want to think about what you hope neuropsych testing can offer you such as an explanation of the problem and good compensatory mechanisms.
But if this problem started after you started psych meds, I am not sure if you would still want testing since you know what the cause of your problems are. It is expensive even if insurance covers some of it and is time consuming. You have to make that call.
Obviously, you have to evaluate what is best.
Good luck.
49er
poster:49er
thread:945331
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20100425/msgs/945576.html