Who do I go to for meds?

[FM44]

To get this whole picture may take some explaining and I will try to keep it short. I was seeing my Rheumatologist for Fibromyalgia. When I became depressed I went to my PCP. She sent me to a psychiatrist who put me on Zoloft. Then I was sent to a psychologist for counseling. My Rheumy took me off Zoloft and had me try Celexa. He's thinking using it for serotonin levels. Now that the depression is worse I call his office and they say switch back to Zoloft. Which I think worked better before. I was told by a doctor HERE to go back to psychiatrist and get meds changed. The psychiatrist I had seen has retired and my PCP said she would give me the prescriptions. She doesn't understand depression and neither does my rhuemy. So what do I do? Do I tell my PCP to send me to another psychiatrist to monitor my meds? I may wait until Thursday when I see my psychologist. I haven't taken the Zoloft since they told me to switch. I just am sick of putting pills in my mouth. And what if I go on the Zoloft and they send me to a psychiatrist and my meds are changed again. I am going through withdrawl from the Celexa. I'm sorry if this sounds stupid but I am so confused I don't know what to do.

[Jeanette]

FM44,

That would be the best route to take :)  As I have learned, you have to be a "wise cautious consumer" so to speak.  Some people say thats horrible, but if you were to buy a car, you wouldn't buy one that doesn't work!!  Same as Psychologists and Psychiarists.  I know a lot about myh doctors before I go in to see them.  How long they have been practicing, specialties..... and so on.  For the simple fact that like many of us, I have seen so many different doctors that haven't helped, that I don't want to waste both their time and mine.  That may sound picky, but I am the one paying for the therapy.  Most that I have went to have been extreamly nice, but within 3 sessions, I can feel some sort of connection and to begin trust with them.  If you don't have these two, therapy may not go aswell as assumed.  I wish you luck, and be a "consumer"!!  It's your life, and only the best will help!!!  Take Care :)

Jeanette

[FM44]

I go to my psychologist tomorrow and will get her advice before I try another psychiatrist for my meds. I'll let you know how I make out. I am going for someone who has been around and has a good reputation.

[wildcat]

Jeanette,

You are absolutely right. It is hard enough spilling your guts to someone you don't know and then finally get to know them and build a sort of doctor-patient relationship and then while in the midlle of emotional upheaval and mental crisis you are forced to find another psychiatrist on your own. It's digusting the way the medical field works sometimes.

FM44- I too hope you find the right one for you and it is lomg lasting, not one of these run of the mill things. I hate having to repeat the same old **** over and over to so called psychiatrists while they just sit there and write it all down.

wildcat

[Jeanette]

HI!!

Carlo and Wildcat are both correct in my opinion.  It is horrible that you doctors are not working together to help you with the situation.  Even if they did not see esch other face to face, they could discuss your situation over the phone.  I know how frustrated you are, and it's horrible how many people are in our situation.  What I founfd the hardest was going to see my Psychologist for councelling, and my Psychiarist for prescriptions (but would also do some therapy) but both of their opinions and advice would clash and I was left even more upset and confused.  My psychologist also had retired which caused me stress of having to find someone else and tell the same story again.  This is horrible that I had to go and find someone else myself with no ones help.  I can honestly tell you that I went through 5 psychologists and 3 psychiarists before finding the right one.  I am praying that you find someone who will atleast be concrete in seeing them and/or going to help you throughout this whole ordeal.  Take Care :)
Jeanette

[wildcat]

Carlo,

I was not referring to you. Your post just so happened to go in before mine. I was referring to an earlier post by someone else.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Ask for a referral to a psychopharmacologist.  That is a psychiagtrist with special training in medications. Then use him or her to manage your medications.

[wildcat]

FM44,

I don't know who you want to believe but you are in a difficult situation because of the fibro. I also have Fibro although I think Lupus because I now have seizures.

I say you should go back on the zoloft which you said worked better and also ask you physician for pain killers for the Fibro, even if they are narcotics. Fibro is a permanent chonic illness and there is no reason to suffer pain just to avoid slightly addictive narcotics pain killers. You can even take Ultram which is non-narcotic and your doc will more likely give you that. Ultram works great for me.

I hope you realize people do care about you, you need to hear that once in a while even if it is only over a computer and you have never met me. But I care what happens to you. I try to help those that need it. The others I just ignore.

I hope you are feeling better. Start praying, it has really helped me. I was doubtful at first but I have found it works and grows as you continue everyday.

[Carlo Magno]

My experience with medical "doctors" has been quite disappointing.  There are some that are excellent at what they are supposed to do; i.e. determine what the problem is and, if possible, fix it.  But there are many more that only follow standard procedures without knowing what's really going on.

My advise is first to use your common sense and if in doubt ask questions and/or get a second opinion; it might be a good idea to write your questions down before your appoinments.  In your case, I think someone must coordinate the overall healing process since the different parties involved are not talking to each other. The coordinator may be your family doctor, yourself, or whoever you consider the most competent.  Also remember that in all this you are the customer - you are the boss.