Are medication choices solely for the pdocs?

By Sienna Saturday, December 06, 2008

- A
- A
- A

I recently quit my lithium because the weight gain causes even more depression the the BP. Since then I have had severe paranoia that can be unbearable with very little sleep. I called my pdoc for help and he is never available only his nurse. She spoke so crass and just told me that my doctor will not help me anymore until I have started the lithium and had my levels checked. I have never caused any problems in their office, in fact, this is a new dr. that I have only seen one time and I was polite. I feel like a medical record number. Do they not know that I have feelings? I thought it was MY choice what medication to choose? I might, and I do mean might understand if I was a long time patient of his with issues of non-compliance. Has anyone else been treated as though they have no choices in their treatment? I already feel at my wits end with horrible thoughts of all the burdens I put on everyone in my family. Should I switch pdocs or is this normal?

I seriously lost control

Comments (11) | Add comment

Eric

12/ 6/08 5:07am

Yes it is your choice to take or not to take the medications but here is the clincher...this is a new doc, you are already showing non compliance with your medications and the result is having an effect on your mental status.

The correct way to do this is to get back on your medications, get the blood levels drawn and than speak with your pdoc about a possible medication change to help with the weight gain.

Personally you need to find a pdoc that you trust. The idea that you would know what medications were right for you is a little off the mark. Lithium is the drug of choice and is a proven med for bipolarism, that being said...there are also a number of other medications out there that this pdoc can switch you too if you ask.

He or she will do it slowly as not to have you spike in either directions as it is happening right now with suddenly stopping your meds.

So...get back on your medications and take them as directed and then ask for a change.

Sienna

12/ 9/08 3:02am

Thanks for your comment. I do see your point. I was just hoping for more from this new dr. I don't like being told how it is or else.

tabby

12/ 6/08 10:04am

It's all the same

Patient: "Pdoc doesn't want to see me though I no showed some appointments

Pdoc doesn't talk to me cause I quit my meds and now things are real bad

Pdoc won't give me the appointment slot I want cause I haven't paid my bill

Pdoc spoke to me rudely cause I quit my meds, no showed, and haven't paid my bill"

"Don't they know I'm in pain, don't they know I'm sick, why can't they be fair?"

Commentator: "Have you been fair to him/her & his/her other patients?"

Patient: "Well, I'm the patient, he/she is supposed to take care of me, and I don't care about them other patients."

Commentator: "Well, aren't we being the selfish one here?"

You are right. You have every right to not take your meds. You have every right to choose the meds you wish to take. You do.

The pdoc isn't there for your every beck and call because you decide to stop taking the meds and now your symptoms have intensified.

Yes, pdoc knows this is all too common amongst those with Bipolar and other mental illnesses. They know this but they also know that there is help if you just work with them and not against them.

By quitting your med, not consulting him/her first, then come running to him when things go awry wanting help, kinda isn't fair to him. He tried to help you, you chose not to take it and now you are suffering the consequences of not taking it and wanting him to help you again. He's had this over and over and wants to see those who comply with his suggestions or at the least... work with him and not against him.

Get back on the med (btw I'm on lithium too and get the weight gain but let me tell you there are far more drugs that put on the weight far more than lithium), get the blood draw, provide a lab report to him/her. Show the pdoc that you are a responsible person trying to make an effort.

Then if he/she will see you again... go in and say "Dr. I am not liking this med because of..... is there something else I can try or something I can do to not have this happen?" If he/she won't listen to you and insist on you continuing the said medication, then you have the right to consider seeking another who will listen.

Depending on the pdoc (cause like all humans, some are just bastards & bitches) - you'll get a lot better response and more respect working with him/her than against him/her.

Sienna

12/ 9/08 3:10am

Thanks for your comment....I forgot their (the pdocs) side of the story. They hear this all the time and I can only imagine how sick and tired of it they are. But, we have feelings too. I don't like being bossed by anyone. I just remember a couple of times for a few years when I didn't need meds. I liked it just to treat the episodes as they came....they are far too often now for me and it is hard to accept that I can't go without. I did go back on the lithium and get the lab results. I told myself to do it and just quit after he gets the results. I think that after all of these responses that I might continue on with it. (not sure yet) I noticed that I actually go to bed at night instead of staying up until morning.

12/ 6/08 4:57pm

I don't think you should quit seeing your doctor, you have only visited him once. have you been newly diagnosed? You are not just a medical record. What the nurse probally sees or hears is that someone bi-polar off their meds wanting to talk to their doctor. You should probally get back on your lithium. and get your levels checked. No doctors have sole power over what we take - but they know what we should take better than we do. We can always ask about meds and let them know how we think the meds are working for us. But we do need to let them have time to get to know us and it takes time to find out the right dose of the right meds.

Sienna

12/ 9/08 3:12am

Thanks for the advice :)

whyme

12/ 6/08 11:44pm

I to was taking lithium at one time and though I didn't have a weight gain issue i did have motor function issues. My pdoc said it would stop eventually, but mnths later was still having that those problems. It is going to take alot of will power to get thru this believe me I know, I am still going thru it. I think you have to change docs though, he is not treating you as an individual, just treating the disease. I had the same problem with mine. I would walk in talk to him, he only gave me about 5 minutes. It took longer to get to the office then to see him. Some pdocs unfortunately are like that. But keep trying, thats what everyone teels me as well. Now I am on lamictal, It is going to take more than that though. I also have real bad paranoia, and the other symptoms as well. But I am still going to try though. You are not a burden, you just need to be treated better(medically). Keep your head up.

whyme

12/ 6/08 11:55pm

You do need to try taking the meds again even though you have the weight gain, you can't go on with out any meds. Listen to eric and tabby they actually have helped me alot. Try to think about your family, and whats best for them and you. You should come first though. If the Pdoc refuses to listen to you (after showing somekind of compliance) Then seek help elsewhere. Keep your head up.

Sienna

12/ 9/08 3:13am

Thanks for the comment, and I don't think you were being hasty...I agree about the dr. just treating a disease and not a person with feelings. It happens far too often.

uk Bev

12/ 8/08 8:40am

i am back on lithium and over the last twenty years i too have stopped and started because of weight gain and other reasons, one thing i found and was told by my psychiatrist is the increase of a quicker relapse by stopping it . i am combating weight gain at the moment by sensible eating and excersise , before anyone says it , i know it isnt that easy i am at the moment getting quite well so i am able to do it its a start .some good news i have been on lithium in the past and not gained weight cant work that out.try again and when you feel more well and in control review it but please try not to stop and start ,as through experience you can suffer far more than putting a few pounds on x good luck

Sienna

12/ 9/08 3:18am

Thank you for sharing your history with Lithium. I took it 8 years ago and gained 40 pounds within a month or two. I stayed away from it ever since earlier this year. I was told that the extended release tablets would not cause weight gain. I actually didn't gain weight but it makes it close to impossible to lose weight. I have gone weeks without eating unhealthy and exersizing over an hour a day and NO weight loss whatsoever. I got frustrated and quit and lost 8 pounds. It is hard to make myself take it!

Are medication choices solely for the pdocs?

Ask a Question