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I've been diagnosed I agree w/diagnosis but.......
I've been diagnosed I agree w/diagnosis but...... Recommended meds just aren't helping. Some do but most just give me all the worst side effects! I'm def bipolar (more on the depressive side) but struggling &growing desperate
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Want to answer more questions in the Health & Fitness category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Mental health?
This information helps a bit. Other information I wish you would have supplies would be: How long has it been since you were diagnosed? How long have you been on your current medication? What have you discussed with your doctor concerning your medications and their effectiveness & side effects?
The reasons for these questions are that psychotropic drugs take time to work. They are not like antibiotic drugs that start working immediately and you start feeling better in a day or two. Psychotropic drugs take time to build up in your system. Some drugs potency have to be built up over the course of several weeks before they reach an effective level. While others have to be increased over the course of several weeks to reach proper potency.
As I said in my first answer to you; each of these drugs have side effects. Every individual will react differently to them. Some side effects are short term, meaning they will subside as your body grows accustomed to them.
Not having the other information I asked about the best answer I can give you is this. Go back to your psychiatrist now. Explain how you are feeling and how you feel about the drugs not working. Take someone with you who you will allow to listen to the doctor as he or she explains to you about the different medications you may be on.
You have the right to know have any and all information concerning your treatment. You are your best advocate to obtain this information. With some doctors you have to ask for this information as they don't volunteer it.
My suggestion to have someone with you such as mom or dad, a sister or brother or someone else you trust is simple. You're bipolar, depending if you are more manic or more euphoric will decide how you perceive what the doctor tells you. Don't get upset with what I just wrote, it is the devil of the beast of this type of illness. You will need someone to repeat what the doctor tells you later on and in the days that follow.
For instance the doctor might say that he or she may want to give this medicine more time and why. The doctor might also say that he or she does see some changes and that the medicine is working it just needs more time. This is why a friend or family member has to hear what the doctor said because depression alters how we perceive things. I know because I too have suffered from depression, the clinical type.
What is important are the side effect and how they are effecting you. Here again your illness may hamper what you tell your doctor so write them down and be detailed. Give this information to whoever accompanies you to the doctor so he or she can make sure you cover them all.
IF after you have seen you current doctor and he or she refuses to change your meds. Talk with the person who went with you to see the doctor. If he or she agrees that the doctor is not doing enough for you. Then you can and should seek a second opinion from a different psychiatrist. Your insurance company is obligated to pay for second opinions. Medicine is not an exact science, another doctor may have a different treatment plan that may work better for you.
What is most important with this type of illness is you be trusting and comfortable with those who are treating you. If you are not comfortable with your doctor or therapist recovery is made hampered.
While your sessions with your doctor and therapist are confidential. You can wave confidentiality at any time if you feel there is something you want a third party to hear, such as I have recommended concerning the medications.
Please; you have to advocate for yourself so don't be afraid to ask questions of your doctor or therapist. You can also appoint someone as your advocate who will allow your doctors and therapists to speak with them concerning your treatment.
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