Disagreement with p-doc over Paxil

[Elwood]

My former p-doc started me on Paxil but was adamant that I stay at 30mg's or below per day and that never, under any circumstances was I to exceed 40mg. He moved out of state and my GP moved me up to 40mg. I finally got a new p-doc who at first said that I should really be on Wellbutrin instead. He proceded to whittle away at the Paxil dosage until it hit 20mg's or so, but then I slipped into a pretty good depression and he's been raising it ever since. New I'm up to 50mg and I really think Paxil is casuing as many problem as it solves. P-doc has completely abandoned the Wellbutrin theory and is now convinced that Paxil was right all along.

P-docs are very hard to come by in my area so I'm not sure switching docs is even possible or practical. I know better than to deliberately disobey p-doc but I gotta say, I really disagree with him on Paxil. At 50mg's it seems to only induce rapid cycling and deeper suicidal ideation.

I have to assume that some of y'all have been through disagrement with p-docs in the past. What should I do? Should I call for an earlier appointment and try again, even more insistently that this isn't working? Look for another doc? I'm at a loss a to what the best course of action is at this point.

[LunaRufina]

If you are rapid cycling and having suicidal ideation, that is a reason to call your doctor. You shouldn't sit on that and hope to wait it out. Call and tell him about what is going on with you. I would try to be seen earlier and see what your doctor can do for you to get some relief.

As far as disagreements go, make sure you are being very clear about your syjmptoms and what is happening. I don't know how you have discussed your situation with paxil before, but I would try it one more time before looking for another doctor. Your current doctor should be willing to talk with you about their choices and why they feel one medication would be better than another if you are uncomfortable about it. They should also be willing to listen to you and your concerns.

In the end though, if you feel your doctor doesn't listen to you and you don't get along wth them, you may need to find someone else. Balance out which is worse- staying and working through disagreements with this one or finding another one.