Meds Question

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-10-2003
Meds Question
5
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 11:14am

I know none of us are doctors, but we do have a lot of experience with meds, so I thought I'd throw this out for your input:

Lately, my main trigger in life has been my Pdoc and my questions about meds.

After Hurricane Katrina, I had a few really bad days (just completely overloaded with the images, the destruction and worrying about friends and co-workers in the area)

I happened to have a Pdoc appointment near the end of that week. When he asked how I was doing, I tried to explain and he (in my opinion) went overboard with meds. Doubled my Lamictal, added Abilfy and Klonopin.

I haven't had any prescriptions filled yet, one because I have to pay for prescriptions out of pocket (and the three prescriptions he gave me cost over $1000!) and two I had enough Lamictal from my last prescription to continue taking 200 mgs. a day AND I've felt fine ever since...

I guess my question is, do you question your Pdoc's decisions? Do you feel like you should absolutely follow everything they say? My goal is to take just enough meds to be stable and happy... I don't want to be on three different drugs if one (at a reasonable dosage) will do just fine.

I have another Pdoc appt in October and I am dreading telling him that I did not follow his advice... What would you do?

Catherine

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2005
In reply to: cattwomannc
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 11:25am

Well this is also due to how much they cost...who in their right mind has that much money to fill prescriptions?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
In reply to: cattwomannc
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 11:54am

Catherine,


I'm very outspoken about my meds with my pdoc and my current one is very accepting of my input and really works with me.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
In reply to: cattwomannc
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 1:30pm

I second what Marci said...

I too am VERY open to my pdocs...but it comes with practice! It is, after all, OUR brains, our bodies, our money! I am quick to refuse meds...and I am quick to ask for meds...but I didn't always use to be that way...it took a lot of trial and error and education.

Pdocs, GOOD pdocs should work WITH you.

Ask for SAMPLES! Seriously!!!!! I've asked for them numerous times and I have insurances. That's why they are there!

Hugs and Love,

Keli

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-06-2004
In reply to: cattwomannc
Mon, 09-19-2005 - 9:37pm

I do a lot of suggesting with my pdoc. If I don't like something I'll bring it up. My pdoc thankfully doesn't go overboard on meds, although I still feel like I'm taking too much, just because I'm sick of meds all together.


Just my two cents.


Amanda

co-cl of the Get Organized board

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iVillage Member
Registered: 08-27-2003
In reply to: cattwomannc
Tue, 09-20-2005 - 10:31am

I agree with the others. If you're not comfortable taking all those meds, talk to your pdoc and tell him so. I'm kind of going through that now because I feel like I'm taking too many meds, but on the other hand I'm feeling so good in for the first time in years and no mood swings lately, so maybe it's worth it. If I start to feel like a zombie though, I will definitely tell my pdoc. If you have trouble expressing your feelings to him, try writing things down and take your notes to your next appointment. I've had to do that several times in the past, because during the week I'd have all kinds of breakthroughs on what I was feeling or something new would occur to me, but by the time I got to the doc, I'd forgotten everything and I wasn't able to get across what I was feeling. Also, definitely ask for samples. I can't believe your tdoc didn't give you samples when trying new meds. My pdoc is always giving me tons of samples when I start new meds. He says there's no point in paying for them if they're not going to work. In fact, he even gave me samples of Effexor when I was trying to wean off it, even though I still had some refills left on my prescription. Good luck!!

Stephanie