Question:
How do I get my psych. to realize the meds are hurting, not helping?
I went through heck getting off of Ativan, morophine, Effexor, and some other meds about six weeks ago. NOW, my psych wants me back on them. My mother-in-law died, and I am stressed, but wanting to try and deal with it without medications. I am actually doing so much better without them, handling stress quite well, happy without being over-wriggly, etc. She wants me on Ativan, 2mg 3x's day and if I did that, I would be a zombie! I didn't get the 'script filled, and dont need the med... but she was really mad that I quit taking it to begin with... and will be even more pissed if I tell her I haven't started it again. Gahh... what do you suggest? Thanks for all your help. :~) — Sharon M. B. (posted on June 26, 2003)
June 26, 2003
Some doctors realy make me angry. She's there to help you and listen to
you. Have you tried talking to her and letting you know how you feel? I
look at it this way. It's YOUR body and YOUR life. She can't make you do
anything you don't want to do. If you feel you can handel it without drugs,
then do so. Don't let her bully you into it. She is there to help you. If
she can't help you without trying to force you on drugs you don't want to
take, then find someone else. You could try telling her how they make you
feel, and see if she would suggest something softer like prozac or zoloft.
If she won't listen, then find another doctor that is willing to help you.
But, that's just my 2 cents. Good luck on what you decide....
— mellyhudel
June 26, 2003
Oh, yeah... I forgot to mention... My PCP is her brother-in-law and I
really like him. I also am still taking Wellbutrin, so I'm not entirely
without medicine! :~)
— Sharon M. B.
June 26, 2003
Did your PCP refer you to her? If he did then there are some serious
conflict of issues to discuss with your insurance.
I personally would fire ANY Doctor but especially a psychologist that
insisted on making you take a drug that IS WELL KNOWN to be addictive!
I took Ativan for several months but in a much smaller dose (.5 mg 3x day)
and I was VERY relaxed. I can't even imagine how out of it you would be
with 2mg.
Find another doc...
— SJP
June 26, 2003
It's your decision. I used to be a psych clinician as well as a grief
counselor and I know that as a therapist I wanted patients to feel all
their feelings (emotional healing can be quicker) BUT I didn't want them so
overwhelmed they couldn't function so I had to refer them for meds
sometimes. But THEN I didn't want them so zoned out, they couldn't feel
their feelings. Trying to achieve the balance is difficult but the number
one goal of therapy should always be to help people make these decisions on
their own and to support them in coming to the right decision. Sometimes
patients really don't know what is good for them but if the decision is
well thought out and they are making an effort to comply with their
therapies, more power to them to make decisions. Therapists and doctors
can help with guidance and support. Guidance yes but mandate no. Sounds
like you are making good decisions for you and if you're not a participant
in your own decisions about medication, you might want to switch doctors.
If not, talk to her about how you feel and that you'd like to have more say
in these things or at least get some explanation from her as to why she is
recommending what she is recommending.
— susanje
June 26, 2003
Uh...is this your BOSS or your DOCTOR? Who's working for whom here? Fire
her and move on. Good luck and God Bless!
— Kimberly L.
June 27, 2003
Go to another doctor. Get a second opinion. Realize that in psychology,
the whole purpose is to help the patient live a normal life...and some
times that requires medication and sometimes, it doesn't. A patient
deserves the chance to attempt life without pills and if you feel you are
dealing well with the stress without the medications, and no one else
around you daily seems to think you are acting strange (as sometimes we are
not the best judges of our own behaviors) then you should be free to try
life without drugs. Your doctor should respect your wishes and not force
you into doing something you don't want to do.
— Renee B.
June 27, 2003
I'm actually of a different mind on how to answer this one. I'm wondering
why the doctor is so insistent that you continue the Ativan? Did you ask?
Is there a history here that we are unaware of that leads the doctor down
this path? I think its admirable that you want to go thru the hard work
yourself without medications, however, there are also schizophrenics out
there who go off their meds because they don't want to take them and then
deteriorate rapidly. No, I'm not calling you schizo, just saying that
sometimes the docs have good reasons for why we should stay on certain
meds. A second opinion is always your option, as is your option to deal
with life without any medications.
— Cindy R.
June 27, 2003
Original Poster here: Thankfully, I am not a schitzophrenic (sp??). She
had me on Ativan for stress and being unable to deal with it. Now, off the
Ativan, my husband is so amazed at how well I am dealing with stress that
he doesn't want me back on the Ativan, either! I did tell her this and
asked her why she wanted me back on it so bad... and her reasoning was that
she didn't think I could deal with the stress of life yet. I just get so...
flustered that I can't get her to understand that I feel it is time for me
to deal! Thanks again, for all your help. I may just have to
"fire" her. Hugs!
— Sharon M. B.
June 27, 2003
Hey Sharon
Just my 2 cents for what it's worth. I don't know your diagnosis and I'm
not a psychiatrist, but here goes. Some patient truley have a chemical
embalance and require medications, other need it to get through everyday
stressors. So my first response would be do you need it for a chemical
embalance if so I would recommend taking what is prescribed but question
the dosage. If you truly don't need the meds then get a second opionion,
as far as you PCP and Psychiatrist being related are there any kickbacks
between the office's. If so hugh problem with that one.
— Jeana S.
June 27, 2003
As suggested get a second opinion first. Then if the answer is the same you
need to remember these doctors go to school for many years to be what they
are. I suffer from PTSD and Social Anxiety my doctor seems to think my
reliance on medication will disapate as I lose weight and gain a better
since of self worth. Remember all the doctoe has is your best intreast in
mind they do not get kick back form anyone for meds you take and if they do
there is a problem. I hope you got all the answers you needed and I hope
mine gave you help as well...
— D P.
June 28, 2003
You know your body. If you feel you are handling the issues well without
medication, there is simply no reason you have to be on medication.
However, if you really aren't handling it totally, then maybe you need a
lower amount to help you for a short time. The main point is, any md who
demands you take psychogenic drugs without listening to why you don't want
to take them, or want to try to handle things without them seems strange.
Especailly if just a low dose antidepressant to keep your serotonin levels
equalized would do all that you need. I have taken drugs that made me feel
like a zombie too and I won't take them again. So many psychogenic drugs
are either mentally/physically or physiologically addictive. I'm sure you
did have a time getting off those drugs and congratulations for doing so
well!! Maybe you need to see another psych md. One thing you didn't
answer in your questions is whether this is a Psychologist or a
Psychiatrist you are seeing. Remember a **psychologist** is NOT an md.
They are people who've had counseling training only, although they are
educated on basic medical issues like meds. A psychiatrist is an actual MD
who has specialized in the psych area, and he is much more knowledgeable
about meds, etc. Overall, I'd get a second opinion too about taking these
meds. REMEMBER, no medical professional can make you do anything you
don't want to do. If you feel strongly about this then don't back down!
Best of Luck on this issue.
— Karen M.
June 29, 2003
My Mom is going trough the same thing. She had a psych, that once made the
comment he was only the medicine man, to write prescriptions and go. Well
my mom changed doctors, and has a pretty good one now, but to get to the
point, my Mom knows her body, and sometimes she can go with out her
medication. You know how you feel, and if you can control yourself or
whatever without the medication, that's great. Don't let any doctor ever
tell you, you have to take some form of medication, if you feel objective
to it. Yeah they are your doctor, and they are supposed to know your
symptoms, but if your feeling better they should take that into
consideration, and not try to make you take the medicine. If anything they
should lower your dose and try to wean you off of it, if you are really
feeling better and don't need to use it.
— Saleen98
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