Uneasy about new meds/treatment

[masdo]

Hi,

I've been struggling with depression and anxiety for a while and recently decided to get help. I was put on medication to start with. The first week I was alright, just felt dizzy and had more trouble sleeping and headaches, but once I upped the dose at the start of the 2nd week I had a fever and was sick so I stopped taking them after it got worse when I took it the next day. When I went back to my GP he said it was strange and asked me some questions etc and planted the idea in my head that maybe I have bipolar or something more serious, because I said I have extreme mood swings and he said that may also be why I reacted to the meds. This has freaked me out and I'm quite scared to start my new depression/anxiety meds which he has put me on in the meantime, especially because I also have to get regular blood tests if I start these, and I have a phobia of needles. I'm seeing a psychologist for the first time next week and just not sure what I should do. I know I should speak to my Dr about it but I felt like I had to take the meds and if I don't I'll get worse and won't know either way what is wrong with me.

[romantic_thi3f]

Hi masdo,

Thanks for your post.

It sounds like you've been put on medication for depression and anxiety and the side effects from this new med has made your GP think that you might have Bipolar? Is that right? Do you have extreme mood swings usually?

I'm reallly curious about where your GP is coming from here; because sometimes different medications cause different reactions and that's normal. A diagnosis of Bipolar isn't and shouldn't be made solely on medication reactions; I've been on an anxiety medication which caused hallucinations; turns out it was a rare side effect. Medications can cause all sorts of changes in mood.

I think it's great that you're able to see a psychologist for the first time next week. Part of me is wondering holding off on taking the new medications until you've seen them. Yes, medications can help, but therapy can help too. There is always the possibility that the psychologist could help get you through without needing that medication.

Have you spoken to your GP about how you feel about the idea of Bipolar, or your needle phobia? I think the key of having a GP is communication and trust; having them understand how it's making you feel and trying to work together on this rather than a he said, she said. Whatever you decide to do (medication or not) is always your choice.

[geoff]

hello Masdo, it's always a worry when you're caught between of not knowing but needing, but if your doctor has suggested that you may have Bipolar, then maybe seeing a psychiatrist rather than a psychologist may give you a better diagnosis, then they could help you through with what type of medication would be more preferable. Geoff.

[masdo]

Hi romantic_thi3f,

Thanks for your reply. I'm going to see the psychologist soon and I've held off starting the new meds until I've spoken to them first. My GP did ask me if I'd been having extreme mood swings and if so how often and how long were the ups & downs so I don't think his opinion was based solely off my reaction to the meds. I will see how it goes and then make a decision and talk to my GP about it. Thanks for the advice, it helped a lot.

Hi Geoff,

Yes, that was also suggested as the next step after the psychologist. I'm open to it now and feel better about just finding out a solution no matter what. Thanks for your reply.