Need Advice

[Cherie762]

Hi all glad to find this site. I had two "break downs" in 2009 one Nov and one Dec spent 1 and 1/2 weeks in "behavioral unit" both times.
I am seeing a well known psych. now..the psychiatrist I saw both times in hospital reccomened him/.in hospital was tested and spoke w her every day..I am for sure suffering from anxiety dissorder as well as depression.  also my "axis IV" is severe..( when your emotionally/verbally abused for years) and one day just crack.

I need a diagnosis this is getting hard to not know exactly whats wrong w me..and the highly recommended psychologist I am seeing now has changed meds 2 times since I have seen hi,,,my stupid insurance only allows 10 visits per year to psychologist /or psychiatrist (combined) I only have 6 visits left so I have d/c d the talk therapy..I really need to get the meds right..I will only have insurance for limited time as my divorce will be final around April/ May..

I am currently taking Wellbutrin ( has no effect for anxiety right?) Lamictal..which is wonderful helps me from constant worry and racing thoughts..and Deserol ( another anti depressant ) at bedtime its supposed to also induce sleep.
Problem I have horrid scary nightmares on this med..wake up feeling not rested.

Dr said next time if not better would change morning med..I just want to get it right..I know the correct meds can help most any mental illness to be much improved. and get quality of life back.

I have had depression and anxiety since age 18  so dont think its just cause of divorce..not living w husband has brought more peace to my life. but of course divorce the legal part is stressful

I have read and read...Dr says maybe I may be bi-polar type 2..along w the anxiety depression which I guess is part of bi-polar 2...so why am I not on seroquel (sp?)

also I have been on xanax ( prescribed by family dr) for years since I was early twentys I am 48 now) ..many people in hospital was on Klonopin  is this a good med? my xanax helps but dr seems to want me off it as its addicting..I dont care if I am addicted to it...least of my problems..I know I depend on it..works and helps me/..

Also after divorce I will have no insurance..there are clinics around here that use sliding scales and if current psych. writes me a letter they will give psyc meds..gotta find help for the meds though  they are expensive w insurance can not immagine with out insurabce

I am needing advice onmeds that work for my symptoms and advice on how to get meds when my insurance is gone..( I know your not drs..just advice from personal experiences or knowledge please)

maybe too many questions..ty

Cherie

[Jaquta]

For me, probably four years for the correct diagnosis.
I think that you should focus more on the symptoms than the diagnosis.  It is more helpful to work on things that you can change (which may or may not ultimately change the diagnosis).
Having said that the doctor should have some idea as to what the diagnosis is.

My feeling is that you put too much emphasis on medication.  Medication at best will only manage symptoms.  (And create others.)

Depending on the dose of xanax you may need a detox program to help withdraw off that.  That's a long time to be on an addictive med.
I think klonopin is alright but I think being free of meds is best.

If it were me I would start by coming off all the meds (under medical supervision) and then taking it from there.  I would most definitely be looking into psychotherapy.  It's a tough situation to be in when you can't afford adequate support.
If you have specific questions you need answered you should take them to the mental health expert forum.  The doctor there is good.  He may be able to help direct you.

[Cherie762]

You dont need to tell me what you dx is..but how long since you experienced symptoms and sought help did it take to get a correct diagnosis and in turn to get correct meds..I am really hoping this psyc gets my dx and meds right in the next 6 visits..the department of social services offers help but only when income is very low..mine will be after divorce its not now

so I am gonna ask psychiatrist on last visits to give me as many refills a legal just to cover my butt till I find help there is a medical sliding scale clinic nearby..I heard they will continue psych meds if note on letterhead is given to gp.

just worried if things dont go as planned I will wind up back in hospital and I dont want to be in that dark state of depression again.

[innerchild09]

First of all welcome here. And it is tough not having insurance believe me. I went through it myself. Maybe you can try getting on some state plan or a government insurance. I don't know what they offer there so I don't know for sure. Anyway sliding fee scales help. Oh and see if the meds have generic brands because that cuts on expences. I'm on klonopin but I take the generic which is the same thing but is called Chlonazapam. It helps me with my anxiety. I can't say how it works for others because medicin works different for each person, but it helps me and it's not that expencive compared to some other meds. Maybe there are other health programs that could help with meds. Anyway I got my insurance through the state I'm living in. So anyway I hope that helps give you some ideas what to do. I'm sure some of the meds arent as expencive as others. Name brands are always expensive. And it's ok to ask questions. Sometimes we need help and answers.