they want to stop my happiness

[Pounce]

My psychologist and doctor suspect I have bipolar. My current medication is just not working I still get depressed and have frequent suicidal thoughts. My doctor told me to stop taking one of my medications because I was getting too "high". But I wasn't crazy, just amazingly happy and confident, and people seemed to like me for a change. He's now given me a new med. I've investigated. It's an antipsychotic with a side effect list as long as my arm. I don't want it. It will take my happiness away. Why do they want to take my happiness away??? I'm just looking for a way to be rid of the depression without being rid of the happiness. Know of anything that helps?

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[CrashCoyote]

Hi Pounce,

Just about all medications have side effects. The question is always are they better or worse than the presenting problem.

I would always urge you to follow the advice of your medical professionals and it seems their views conflict.

Can I suggest you see the person that prescribed the medication you are currently on and discuss it with that person? Maybe also ask what they think of the proposed medication?

I'd be keen to hear how that goes.

Kind regards, John.

[geoff]

dear Pounce, I see that you have posted a few times before, which is good and whether it was seeking help for yourself or replying to other comments, I can't remember.

All medications will list any side-effects that you could possibly get, but not necessarily so, because everybody is different, and the trouble with medication is that if it seems to make you 'high' then it's working on false pretenses, just like alcohol or non prescription drugs do to us, because we are not behaving our normal way.

I do understand that at last you want to be happy and that's a reasonable request, but there's a problem here in that as this drug that your doctor prescribed to you, wears off, you then need another one to feel 'high' again, no different than having another drink, and if the tablet is your last one, then you are going to get upset by not having any more.

This is why your doctor wants to stop you taking it.

It's like a 'round robin' and would also be interested to see what your doctor says about it. Geoff.

[pipsy]

Dear Pounce.  I totally agree with everything Geoff has said.  Meds do have 'side effects'.  Your G.P is obviously concerned for you that is why he wants to take you off.  It will take a while to readjust to not taking it, be guided by your G.P on this.  One of the meds I was taking gave me 'Parkinsons' which was really scary.  The psych who prescribed it had done so for the wrong reasons (he admitted this).  If meds are not working, your G.P will pick up on it and will advise accordingly.  Please discuss any concerns with him, that is what he is there for.  Make sure he understands your concerns.  Even if you do have a 'high' after taking them, tell your G.P, 'highs' are as dangerous as 'lows'.  It may take a bit of 'guinea pig' treatment before your G.P finds something that works, work with him.  He knows what he's doing.

[Pounce]

 Hi John,

it was my doctor who prescribed the two ADs I was on, but when I went back to complain about one because it's making me fat and sleepy, he said to stop taking it. He then prescribed the anti-psychotic instead. I was a little hyperactive at the time, but no more than most extroverted people I think

[Pounce]

I don't think he knows what he's doing. I do have an appointment with a psychiatrist at the end of the month. I'll see what he says. If he agrees about the new medication maybe I'll take it, although I think it will ruin me

[pipsy]

Hi Pounce.  Sorry if I upset you about your G.P.  They are only guided by what you choose to tell him.  The 'highs' and 'lows' you experience can be serious side effects.  The meds will ruin you only if you do not discuss them with G.P/ psych.  As I said, sometimes we are 'guinea pigs' with meds.  Until the G.P is satisfied with your body's acceptance to the meds, he may have to keep readjusting the dose.  This is where you need to discuss any concerns you are having.  If you're that unsure, have you thought about getting a second opinion.  Try not to be guided by well meaning friends and relations who don't really understand your problems.  Don't 'experiment' meds/drugs without G.P approval.  The more you think you know, the more you find you don't know.  If you have to see your G.P often for the time being, so be it.  Patience is the key word.           

[Pounce]

Sorry, I'm not offended. Thank you for your advice. The thing is, I wanted to stop my other medication because it made me drowsy and hungry, and the new medication has the same side effects plus lots more. And treatment for bipolar is forever. I'd like to get a confirmed diagnosis before going down that path. Plus it's hard to consider meds now I'm happy happy happy!

[pipsy]

Hi Pounce.  Forgot to tell you.  When I was first taking meds for depression, I was advised I would get the 'munchies' too.   I also got 'sleepy', so I do know where you're coming from.  The meds took about 3 weeks to 'kick in', I was told this too.  I was wrongly diagnosed with Bipolar and that medication gave me 'Parkinsons'.  I don't have Bipolar.  As I said, patience is the key, it could take a while before you get a medication that will 'agree' with you.  I understand you may be scared about how you're feeling: i.e drowsy, hungry etc.  If that is 'side effects' these will pass after a couple of weeks.  If they don't talk to your G.P/specialist/adviser.  I still feel the 'happy, happy, happy' you're describing is another side effect.  It sounds like a 'high'.  I am worried about you.  How long have you been on these meds?  If you've been taking them longer than a couple of weeks, and you're still experiencing the problems you had when you first started, I can't help feeling the meds are not working.  Please, please, go back to your original adviser and talk to them.   Above all, please be honest with them. 

[Surrender]

Hi Pipsy

Thanks for this info.  I to was diagnosed with Bipolar about 12 years ago and was put on meds for this for about two years.  My new Dr had the good sense to send me to two other phsychiatrists for 2nd and 3rd opinions.  I didn't see both at the same time of couse.  Both phsychiatrists diagnosed me with severe anxiety and not Bipolar.  One of them actually smiled and said i had a great sense of humour, which made me feel good.  I am sorry that you got Parkinsons from the meds...should i be looking into this?