What to do next???

10 years ago, I had 5-6 panic attacks a day. Now, I haven't had a panic attack in over a year. I even went off of medication 2 years ago. Last year I went back on a low dosage since I can feel the anxiety rising again.

I'm just a bit fustrated since everything seems so inconsistent. I switched psychiatrists because he wasn't on the insurance's list. Then I find out in January I was severely anemic and could have been for over a year. To top it all off, my oldest son was recently diagnosed with ADHD and I'm thinking I probably am too. Sooooooo... I'm stuck. What now?

I mean, I don't know how to proceed. My psychiatrist has me on a plan to quit meds when I see him in two weeks. (I only see him once every 3 months.) I read anemia affects anxiety. Also anxiety is commonly a comorbid condition with ADHD. What gets treated first? How?

I don't like my current psychiatrist... he's very introverted and quiet. He seems to let me decide what I want to do with treatment. For the most part it's great but I hate the 4 different approaches... I'm paying him to give me the best treatment possible... I don't want choices. IDK... maybe I do.

Has anyone on here had to deal with other conditions on top of anxiety? What did your doctor recommend as a course of treatment?


The anemia is slight now... probably due to poor diet.

[cj29]

Ok, you definitely have a lot on your plate right now and I commend you for taking a proactive approach in dealing with this. You talk about how you are not happy with your psychiatrist, and in my opinion, that can be a great hinderance to any progress in dealing with any challanging situation.  It is good to take charge of much of your treatment, but a good therapist is extremely important in figuring out how to proceed.  My advice; if you are not comfortable, go find one that will listen and is more proactive in your treatment options.  I know it can be frustrating, but once you find a good match, it is amazing how fast progress can be made.  

[JSGeare]

A prominent feature of your story is that you see your shrink only every 3 months. To completely address your issues, a course of therapy in which you see the psychiatrist on a weekly or bi-weekly basis would be a good idea. Anxiety often "travels with" other conditions either as a side-effect of the condition or due to independent causes -but figuring out your specific situation will take some fact-finding and evaluation. See your shrink as soon as you can to plot out the appropriate medical and therapeutic strategies -this "every 3 months" deal just won't cut it, in my opinion.

Please keep us in the loop. By the way, why not complete your membership filling out some more profile data -so we have a better idea about who you are.

[nursegirl6572]

I agree with cj and JS.  You need a more intense trreatment plan at this point.  When you were doing a bit better, every 3 months was prolly more than sufficient. Now? Prolly not so much.

I also agree that if you are not comfortable with your psychiatrist, it may be time to change.  I know the idea of that is always a tad scary...as you feel this doc knows you and your history...but making the switch is actually not that bad.  You can being a new doc up to speed very quickly.....as well as they will have your records from your current doc.  Just something to consider...as I think not having the "right" doctor could impede your progress and goals.


Anemia most definitely will cause anxiety...along with a host of other symptoms...like feeling like someone is sucking the life out of you daily.  I'm glad you're getting that resolved.  Fixing that will help you tremendously.  

You need a clear and concise diagnosis and treatment plan.  Having a concurrent diagnosis (or two) with anxiety disorders is fairly common....the conditions sort of feed off each other.  What will most likely happen is...after you receive an accurate diagnosis...you and your doc/therapist will determine which condition is causing the bulk of your symptoms.  Some of these dual-diagnosis can be dealt with with one medication...that will sort of "cover" both issues.  Sometimes, you will need more than one med to find that balance between the conditions.  One good thing...and a common approach is to try to treat one condition....and when that treatment begins to work...usually the piggybacked disorder will improve as well.  It just depends on your symptoms....and what will be determined to be the bigger issue for you.

Take that first step..if you aren't comfy switching docs at the moment...at least get in to see your current MD promptly and discuss all of these issues and formulate a plan.  I don't know if you weren't feeling as badly when the decision was made to cut the meds...but that is something you may really want to ponder.  If you are on something that has been working for you....you may want to not rock the boat just yet until you work out these other issues and figure out if you're dealing with more than one disorder.  Prepare for your appt...writing down your questions and concerns...and your history...what has worked, hasn't worked in the past...and what your goals are.  If you havent been involved in psychotherapy (talk therapy)..now would be a great time to add that to your treatment options.

Also....let us know what's what....and use this forum as a great source of support.  We all learn from one another.  People with anxiety disorders almost always become experts in their own right...b/c the need to learn is huge...as well as that "relief" feeling one gets when we realize that so many people are in the same nervous boat.

Hang in there....things will get better for you.....with some time and dedication to treatment.

[justTess]

I guess I'm not sure what to do first and everything seems to be overlapping.  There are two things I need to take care of

anxiety
anemia

My family doctor is treating the anemia where I currently show just low iron but not low blood count.

My anxiety is being treated by a new psychiatrist I saw briefly in February.

My OB/GYN is sort of treating my anemia... she wants to know if I want to go on birth control which may help with loosing too much blood monthly.

I'm curious to know if I'm ADHD... this would answer a lot of other issues I've learned to live with.

My family doctor wants to know if my OB/GYN is going to treat the anemia... she says she thinks the Family doctor should be primary since I don't show any significant abnormalities.

I'm not sure I want to go on birth controls because of anxiety issues.

OK.. so the question I'm trying to answer is... what do I do next.

As I procrastinate.... it gets more complicated because this summer, my insurance from my employment is going to change carriers again.


My anxiety isn't too bothersom... just gets me edgy if I hear screeching tires.  

Can one doctor treat everything?  That would definitely be a lot easier than seeing three different ones.  I'm almost certain the answer is no since my anxiety is considered a SMI.  Do doctors consult with one another or... is it up to me.

I'm perplexed. :S