Lynne,
Thank you so much for the helpful reminder that everyone responds differently to medications and also for reinforcing the importance of having a doctor who is responsive. My comments are lengthy, I hope that's okay, I just think my experience is relevant.
I invariably find myself starting to worry and question whether I am on the right meds, taking the right amount, or on the right combination when someone says, "I hear that x is bad, y is great, and z causes mania, etc.. I think that we really need to be very sensitive about what we say to our fellow bipolars, esp. when it comes to medicationss. We are all different with different chemical compositions. What works for one person may not work for another. Now whenever I get rocked by such comments, I just quietly ignore it; I tell myself, this is working for me at this moment, and if I feel otherwise, I will tell my doctor.
I also swtched psychiatrists six months after my first psychotic episode and diagnosis of bd. This guy was my doctor in the psych ward, and I felt obligated to continue seeing him after I was released. I was so fragile. But the truth was that he made me feel very uncomfortable. He was vague and didn't explain anything. He said all sorts of weird stuff, like just make love. Yep. Alarm. Alarm.
Anyway, It took me weeks and many sleepless nights to muster up the courage to change doctors. In the end, I just cancelled my appts, and finally left a message that I had a new provider It was so unbelievably hard to do. I am now very happy with my current doctor, who works for me.
So, my lesson to all is trust your instincts: If you do not think the meds are working, then tell your doctor, that is what s/he is being paid to do. That is his or her job. And if you do not like your doctor, change. It can make all the difference, and we need all the help we can to manage this illness!
Polarimbi
www.polarimbi.blogspot.com
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