Went to see pdoc today and it went well. Took along my trusty side kick, my son Richard, but handled most the conversation myself. I am bipolar, and not to say I haven't been seriously depressed in the summer, cause I have, but usually February does me in as an episode of major depression. I had asked dear doc for some Wellbutrin in Jan, because I could feel the depression coming on, but he only gave me the smallest possible dose and took me off after 3 weeks. I ended up in a very bad place, distress team, blah, blah. I asked to be transferred to a new doc, but he said I should wait a few months, which I accepted. Makes sense.
The thing of it is, is that he is really anti anti-depressants for anyone with bipolar. I confronted him about it and he said he had lots of patients on them, but about a minute later, he said he "hated" putting people on anti-ds. Turns out that he has had some bad experiences. I get the sense that he believes being depressed is safer than the havoc a manic episode can wreak. I pointed out that I have only a history of being hypomanic, not manic, and I am on 2 mood stabilizers that are supposed to protect against a manic episode. Upshot, I got a theraputic dose of Wellbutrin. (Also, Wellbutrin has the rep of being less likely to cause mania)
Kind of a long story, but just want to let people know to be informed and get involved with your care. Think CNN calls it the "empowered patient".
PS My son and I had a celebratory cigar in the car in the parking lot. Haven't even taken my first dose yet, and I feel better!!!!![
The thing of it is, is that he is really anti anti-depressants for anyone with bipolar. I confronted him about it and he said he had lots of patients on them, but about a minute later, he said he "hated" putting people on anti-ds. Turns out that he has had some bad experiences. I get the sense that he believes being depressed is safer than the havoc a manic episode can wreak. I pointed out that I have only a history of being hypomanic, not manic, and I am on 2 mood stabilizers that are supposed to protect against a manic episode. Upshot, I got a theraputic dose of Wellbutrin. (Also, Wellbutrin has the rep of being less likely to cause mania)
Kind of a long story, but just want to let people know to be informed and get involved with your care. Think CNN calls it the "empowered patient".
PS My son and I had a celebratory cigar in the car in the parking lot. Haven't even taken my first dose yet, and I feel better!!!!![
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