NuttyJoe Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Not getting too into specifics, they basically want me to up one of my drugs, but I don't really want to because of some of the side effects. Has anyone ran into this before? If so, what did you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scatty Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Why not try it? You may get no side effects. I was afraid of lithium for the same reason. But I tried it and am happy with the results. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Do you already have these side effects and you are afraid they will worsen/become intolerable at a higher dose? Or are you worried about something that may (but may not) happen and hasn't happened yet? If these are existing side effects talk to your p-doc to see what you can do about them - meds to help or other medications that might be a better fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuttyJoe Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Do you already have these side effects and you are afraid they will worsen/become intolerable at a higher dose? Or are you worried about something that may (but may not) happen and hasn't happened yet? If these are existing side effects talk to your p-doc to see what you can do about them - meds to help or other medications that might be a better fit. Ya I'm having current side effects and I don't want to experience any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Have you talked to your p-doc about the side effects? What did he/she say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 Not getting too into specifics, they basically want me to up one of my drugs, but I don't really want to because of some of the side effects. Has anyone ran into this before? If so, what did you do? I would need a little more information to form an opinion. Is it the Zyprexa? My doctor wanted to lower one of my meds and I was strongly opposed. I wrote him a letter stating my position and concerns. At my next appointment we discussed it and adapted to the dosage I preferred. Putting my thoughts and concerns on paper help us both to evaluate. Those Psych appointments can be very short. I am happy with the outcome. My relationship is good with my doctor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NuttyJoe Posted July 21, 2010 Author Share Posted July 21, 2010 Have you talked to your p-doc about the side effects? What did he/she say? "you'll probably get used to it" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jarn Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 You need to communicate to them that isn't acceptable. You want to deal with the side effects, either by taking medications to help with them, or looking at other medications. I don't know what side effect you're talking about, BP Ladybug is right, it makes this conversation more difficult - but say you're experiencing akathisia. Your doctor is right, it COULD go away. (Mine has, cross fingers.) It also could not. Either way, you should not have to tolerate it when it occurs. There are medications you could take to stop the akathisia. In my scenario, you should ask your doctor about those meds. Whatever the side effect is, you need to communicate to your doctor that it's not acceptable. If they absolutely refuse to listen to your concerns, then I would look for another p-doc. But I would attempt to work with your current one first. If your communication with your p-doc is as detailed as your posts here, your p-doc may simply not have enough information to realize how this is affecting you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isis Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have had this problem occur several times, and mostly it has been able to be resolved, except for one time. Mostly I explain that i take my health seriously and while my stability is important, i cant maintain a good quality of life when i have side effects that i can't cope with. I also find it hard to remain adherent to a medication when It is unbearable. However there have been times when side effects have to be tolerated because the med is working and i can deal with them. It is really about which is more important and at some point, side effects do have a big impact on your health, your life, and your happiness. Mostly this has been taken ok by my doctors. The first psychiatrist i had didn't listen to me at all, and it was awful. However the pdoc i have had for the last few years is mostly reasonable and we can discuss options. More recently I trialled a drug that was given to me by a GP, and it worked really well, however my pdoc thinks it is experimental and won't prescribe it to me, or let my GP prescribe it to me (or he'll report him). Unfortunately i havent been able to resolve that one, so I now have a referral to a new psychiatrist. Your options are do nothing and live with it, talk to your pdoc about how important this is to you, or look for a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Vapourware Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I have to agree with the others that communication is important. You have to be specific to the doctor about what side effects you are getting from the drug, how it is impacting on you and how you are finding the side effects difficult to live with. I don't know how you've spoken to your doctor about the side effects but if it's just a comment about, "I don't like the side effects" then you're not going to get very far. It really might help us as well [to help you] if we could know what drug is causing the side effects, what the side effects are and how long you've been on the drug. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.