NewMedication

[Thunder101]

I suffer severe anxiety and depression and have been on anti-depressants for 5 years. Last week i got re-assessed and referred to a councillor (have to book an appointment) so i got weaned off my old meds for 5 days and put on a new med from the same company. So its now been a week tomorrow since being on them, i'm still getting head spins/flickers and my emotions have been insane.. Cried every night. Have had 2 big panic attacks and this morning a huge rage fit.. normally i cry and am sensitive but i dont have panic attacks more than once every few weeks and i never used to get angry. I also believe im on a higher dose with this new med. my next appointment is not for another 2 weeks. I will try book councillor in the mean time. But i just dont know whats happening to me .. Its horrible .. And scary )): i just need somewhere i can talk about this, i dont know. Since ive dealt with this for a long time i have coping mechanisms but this is hard mainly for the people around me ..

[topsy_]

Dear Thunder101

I'm so sorry you are going through this. I've had to go through some changeovers during the last 40 years, but none of them were done that quickly. I can only imagine how awful you must feel.

I think you need to see someone before the 2 weeks is up. Are you able to phone the doctor who made the changes? Was he/she a GP or psychiatrist? You need to tell someone. When you're feeling like this 2 weeks is a very long time.

Is there a community mental health team where you live? Or a hospital that is reasonably close? You could go to A&E & ask to speak with a mental health consultant/nurse. I'm not sure what state you are in but NSW has an 1800 number you can phone for help - 1800 011 511. Try looking in the phone book for services for mental health.

I hope you are able to find some help soon & that you will begin to feel better. I'll be thinking of you. Take care, Lyn.

[White_Rose]

Dear Thunder

Hello and welcome. Can you tell us why your doctor changed your medication? The way you wrote sounds as though the meds have been changed because you are going to see a counsellor. I think that's unlikely so I wonder why.

Just because it is from the same company makes no difference. Pharmaceutical companies make many drugs. I do think you need to make an urgent appointment with your GP and sort this out ASAP. Don't wait for two weeks. I have always been prescribed SSRI antidepressants and none of them have suited me. Suddenly my GP prescribed a Tricyclic drug, very old, and it works perfectly. Good for my mood and no side effects. I couldn't be happier.

See your GP and ask if there is another medication you can take. Also ask how long these side effects will last. What is your driving like? Ask about this because it may be a problem.

Mary

[Thunder101]

Hey

I seeked help and advice because i didn't know what my old medication did to help, since i had been on it for 5 years, i feel i just got used to it and it didn't do anything.

Okay yep i suppose its trail and error for what works. Maybe i'll research what im taking.

I did ask if i would get side effects weaning off the old ones and she said no i shouldnt but i did..

My gp is booked out this month and is away all of august. Im seeing another gp for another issue 3rd august.

So frustrating seeing heaps of random doctors, just want one who knows me and sticks with me.

And sadly i have lost my license until september .. Sad times. So driving is not an issue

thankyou for your recognition and response

em

[Thunder101]

Confused with replying, last reply was to mary

this reply to Lyn:

hey thankyou for acknowlegement, your very very kind. If you can see what i replied to mary, my gp is booked out this month and going away all of august. My next appointment is with a different gp 3rd august.

Its so annoying having to see all different gps, just want one who knows me and isnt forever booked out.

Yes im in NSW and there are mental health teams, would u think they could help? Is that 1800 number just for help in general, as i will be ringing my referred counsillor tomorrow to try meet her and see how it goes.

thankyou for your message

-Em

[topsy_]

Hello again Em,

It's lovely to hear back from you.

You are right about it being beyond frustrating not being able to be seen by your own GP when you need to be. My GP allocates a certain number of emergency appointments every day. He will also speak to me over the phone & depending how desperate I am, he'll fit me in somewhere. I know I'm blest to have him.

Mental health teams can & do definitely help. Sometimes you will find they have a better knowledge of psych meds than ordinary GPs who have no special interest in mental health (my GP's specialty is mental health). In my husband's case, a member of the mental health team rang his previous GP & "suggested" a psych drug that ended up helping so much.

I'll tell you honestly about my experience with the 1800 number. I've only rung once & the lady wasn't helpful. However my friend has rung on many occasions, especially when she has been having a panic attack, & she has been happy with them every time.

If you were to go to a hospital & explain what's happening, they usually call in someone from the community mental health team. But I'm in the country. I'm not sure if Sydney hospitals have permanent staff or not.

I hope you can get into see your counsellor quickly. She might have more ideas, or at least be able to go into bat for you.

You know I'm really impressed by your courage & determination to come on BB & try & seek out the help you need. Let's hope you'll be able to get help sooner rather than later.

Thinking of you, Lyn.

[Thunder101]

Hi Lyn

oh that sounds amazing, very lucky to have such a good gp connection.

Interesting, i may have to see if i can drop into the mental healthy centre as well as call the counsillor. Then they can suggest wether to get in with any gp for a fix or hospital. Thing with my local hospital is it usually takes hours and hours to be seen.

Okay yes everyone has different opinions and what works for them. Like last time i saw a counsillor i did not want to continue it at all. Hopefully this time is a better experience. I am considering calling the line.

Oh i'm just an open book about my personal issues but my partner lives in sydney 3 hours away (planning to move and meet in the middle) and my few friends will talk online but no one can really help if you know what i mean. Im over being told 'you're being stupid' 'you're overthinking' and to 'stop' i cant just stop! Haha. People who don't experience battles like these with your own mind don't understand.

Thanks for the friendly vibes

em

[Thunder101]

Something i just thought of while researching my medication. Im supposed to take an SSRI now and when i went to the chemist they asked if i wanted the cheaper one thats 'exactly the same'. So i have the cheaper one but it cant be found to be used much for depression and anxiety like the original SSRI is.

Is it possible im having trouble due to being on the cheaper one and that they may actually be different?

[White_Rose]

Hello again Thunder

It's a vexed question about look-alike pills. I was taking a SSRI but my GP was insistent I took the original medication not the cheaper version. She does not do this normally so I asked her why. Apparently the 'filler' stuff can be different although the main ingredient is the same. These other 'fillers' can make a difference I'm told. Ask the pharmacist to check the complete list of ingredients, not just the active agent.

Mary

[Thunder101]

Maybe i will go back to the chemist for the pharmacist opinion. Thankyou