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confronting the doctor that damaged you


julianfrancois

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let me preface this by saying this post is more about any iatrogenic illness rather than just psychotropic withdrawal.

as the months go by, I find myself fluctuating between acceptance and complete frustration and misery with my condition. sometimes it develops into full blown hate and aggression to the PA who prescribed me accutane to be specific. i feel less anger towards my psychiatrists i think because they understood how much mental unrest i was experiencing originally with OCD and subsequently with the withdrawal from meds. if anything its a manageable frustration that motivates me to become an activist for less reliance on meds. but I knew the potential adverse effects that accutane had. I did all my research but I was so ready for an excuse to take it and get rid of my bad skin once and for all. that PA prayed on my vulnerability and swore there would be no consequences despite my concerns. Im starting to realize that at some point I absolutely have to confront her to let her know what my life has become because of her negligence for the sake of her future patients and some closure in my life. however, I find the idea of the confrontation to be very harrowing borderline traumatic. this was a pivotal time in my life and her response symbolizes the cost by which I lost control of it. will she own up, be empathetic, and take the appropriate amount of responsibility, or will she blame it completely on me relying on her medical "expertise" to divert blame from her practice and the drug? will her response elicit forgiveness in me, or will it further my disdain and regret? this almost feels like a duty of mine. I cannot die without getting my revenge in a sense. I respect my existence too much to let the damage just be done so to speak. I feel a deep need to do this in order to make peace with the damage that I unintentionally caused myself. I feel so much anger about it.

 

any experiences in confronting doctors out there about personal damages? similar thought processes? stories?

love to read them.

zoloft 200mg, cold turkey w/d depression

wellbutrin, only took for two weeks because of side effects

effexor, 225 mg, cold turkey, w/d depression, anxiety

lexapro 20mg, tapered, side effects, weak muscles, fasciculations, brain fog, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, mild tremors

abilify, took one dose, temporary akathisia, and myclonic jerk

compazine 10mg iv, intense anxiety, intense fasciculation, prolonged acute akathisia, depersonalization, dulled processing

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I cannot pick just one doctor.  Do I pick the one that ripped out this organ?  Or that one?  What about the one who did a sloppy job and took out everything when he could've left some very important things behind?  What about the first one that put me on psych drugs?  The second? The third?  The fourth?  The fifteenth?  (I don't know how many really there were who threw psych drugs my way).  Or do I just go after the one who gave me the lithium, that seemed to break the camel's back?

 

I'm still working with that one, and my attitude is:  I will SHOW her that I didn't need it, by getting better.  I think that's the best thing I can do - and it gives me hope, if I can do it, maybe others can do it, and maybe she can learn how to help us, as she is learning my protocol as I go through it.

 

I'm "below therapeutic dose" now, most docs would just say quit at this point.  But I'm going to taper until the bitter (or happy) ending, and show her 1 - that it can be done, and 2 - the drug is worse than the problem.

 

Then there's the one who put me on statins.  Next time I see her, I will be telling her that the statins and the PPI were as responsible for my suicidal ideation as any "bipolar disorder" stuff.  And that I will never take a statin again, because suicide is more dangerous than cholesterol.  And I'm TERRIFIED of that meeting.  It may be the last time I see her.  Depending on how she responds.  Or reacts (more likely)

 

But you're right - I think they do need to know.  And in a psycho-babble kind of way, closure can feel good.  But sometimes it's not appropriate.  If there is trauma, anxiety, deliberate harm done - I'd be more than willing to walk away before going back to that doc.  Then, maybe, a letter is a better idea?  Make it short and sweet, so they will read it all, and maybe it will plant a seed that they might understand later, even if they cannot understand it now.

"Easy, easy - just go easy and you'll finish." - Hawaiian Kapuna

 

Holding is hard work, holding is a blessing. Give your brain time to heal before you try again.

 

My suggestions are not medical advice, you are in charge of your own medical choices.

 

A lifetime of being prescribed antidepressants that caused problems (30 years in total). At age 35 flipped to "bipolar," but was not diagnosed for 5 years. Started my journey in Midwest United States. Crossed the Pacific for love and hope; currently living in Australia.   CT Seroquel 25 mg some time in 2013.   Tapered Reboxetine 4 mg Oct 2013 to Sept 2014 = GONE (3 years on Reboxetine).     Tapered Lithium 900 to 475 MG (alternating with the SNRI) Jan 2014 - Nov 2014, tapered Lithium 475 mg Jan 2015 -  Feb 2016 = GONE (10 years  on Lithium).  Many mistakes in dry cutting dosages were made.


The tedious thread (my intro):  JanCarol ☼ Reboxetine first, then Lithium

The happy thread (my success story):  JanCarol - Undiagnosed  Off all bipolar drugs

My own blog:  https://shamanexplorations.com/shamans-blog/

 

 

I have been psych drug FREE since 1 Feb 2016!

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you're right. I suppose a lot of people who suffer from PAWS  have a few bones to pick with a few doctors and picking one maybe pointless, but I like that you want to show the doctor who has damaged you with meds that you don't need them to function; that you can recover without them. it's that gnawing desire to fix the system and its fucked up ways. to prove that their methods are flawed. lead by example. 

 

but it sounds to me like you share the same fears in confronting the doctor who gave you statins. I dont think I would ever be able to discuss in person with that PA who gave me accutane. in person arguments are no longer my strong suit. my mind is too flustered and fogged to articulate myself appropriately and the anxiety of her reaction and response would only worsen it. I have to write a letter in order to collect my thoughts and avoid any possible argumentative defeat or trauma. I also worry about any unseen violence that might occur. the rage I feel reminds me of that of beatrix kiddo's from kill bill. and Im not trying to fillet everyone in that dermatology office. it's definitely best to write a letter. 

zoloft 200mg, cold turkey w/d depression

wellbutrin, only took for two weeks because of side effects

effexor, 225 mg, cold turkey, w/d depression, anxiety

lexapro 20mg, tapered, side effects, weak muscles, fasciculations, brain fog, nerve pain, fibromyalgia, anxiety, mild tremors

abilify, took one dose, temporary akathisia, and myclonic jerk

compazine 10mg iv, intense anxiety, intense fasciculation, prolonged acute akathisia, depersonalization, dulled processing

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A few weeks ago I wrote the gp who didn't tell me my creatinine level was elevated. I wrote via the "patient portal" that this was why I left his practice, yadda, yadda. I am surprised how much closure it gave me. But it's a much less emotional issue than the pdoc's...still thinking about that.

1st round Prozac 1989/90, clear depression symptoms. 2nd round Prozac started 1999 when admitted to dr. I was tired. Prozac pooped out, switch to Cymbalta 3/2006. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder due to mania 6/2006--then I was taken abruptly off Cymbalta and didn't know I had SSRI withdrawal. Lots of meds for my intractable "bipolar" symptoms.

Zyprexa started about 9/06, mostly 5mg. Tapered 4/12 through12/29/12

Wellbutrin. XL 300 mg started 1/07, tapered 1/18/13 through 7/8/13

Oxazepam mostly continuously since 6/06, 30mg since 12/12, tapered 1.17.14 through 8.26.15

11/06 Lithium 600mg twice daily, 2.2.14 400mg TID DIY liquid, 2.12.14 1150mg, 3.2.14 1100mg, 3.18.14 1075mg, 4/14 updose to 1100mg, 6.1.14 900 mg capsules 7.8.14 810mg, 8.17.14 725mg, 8.24.24 700mg...10.22.14 487.5mg, 3.9.15 475mg, 4.1.15 462.5mg 4.21.15 450mg 8.11.15 375mg, 11.28.15 362.5mg, back to 375mg four days later, 3.4.16 updose to 475 (too much going on to risk trouble)

9/4/13 Toprol-XL 25mg daily for sudden hypertension, tapered 11.12.13 through 5.3.14, last 10 days or so switched to atenolol

7.4.14 Started Walsh Protocol

56 years old

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Hey julianfracois, I'm a post accutane sufferer too. All my problems with depression, anxiety, learning difficulties, loss of ability to feel, love, derelization, sexual problems, that all started after Accutane. 8 years ago. Psych meds just finished the job and left me totally ruined. Sometimes I think it's good that I don't have a gun, sometimes I just want to shot the derm that gave me this poison. I don't have such feelings towards p-docs, they're just stupid jerks. If you want to talk, feel free to pm me, take care

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I can't even think about the glib idiot who didn't take a proper history and find out my mania began had begun in Effexor WD, who kept me on drugs after I had a seizure in her office, who didn't recognize my akathisia, and who didn't warn me about Chantix (unbidden wishes to kill myself for a few days) or Lithium (gained 60 lbs.) $350 for a MISSED appointment, too.

I don't want to talk to her. I'd rather rent a billboard.

2009: Cancer hospital said I had adjustment disorder because I thought they were doing it wrong. Their headshrinker prescribed Effexor, and my life set on a new course. I didn't know what was ahead, like a passenger on Disneyland's Matterhorn, smiling and waving as it climbs...clink, clink, clink.

2010: Post surgical accidental Effexor discontinuation by nurses, masked by intravenous Dilaudid. (The car is balanced at the top of the track.) I get home, pop a Vicodin, and ...

Whooosh...down, down, down, down, down...goes the trajectory of my life, up goes my mood and tendency to think everything is a good idea.
2012: After the bipolar jig was up, now a walking bag of unrelated symptoms, I went crazy on Daytrana (the Ritalin skin patch by Noven), because ADHD was a perfect fit for a bag of unrelated symptoms. I was prescribed Effexor for the nervousness of it, and things got neurological. An EEG showed enough activity to warrant an epilepsy diagnosis rather than non-epileptic ("psychogenic") seizures.

:o 2013-2014: Quit everything and got worse. I probably went through DAWS: dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome. I drank to not feel, but I felt a lot: dread, fear, regret, grief: an utter sense of total loss of everything worth breathing about, for almost two years.

I was not suicidal but I wanted to be dead, at least dead to the experience of my own brain and body.

2015: I  began to recover after adding virgin coconut oil and organic grass-fed fed butter to a cup of instant coffee in the morning.

I did it hoping for mental acuity and better memory. After ten days of that, I was much better, mood-wise. Approximately neutral.

And, I experienced drowsiness. I could sleep. Not exactly happy, I did 30 days on Wellbutrin, because it had done me no harm in the past. 

I don't have the DAWS mood or state of mind. It never feel like doing anything if it means standing up.

In fact, I don't especially like moving. I'm a brain with a beanbag body.   :unsure:

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I am with you on this for sure.

 

I've had MANY pdocs and some had great 'bedside manner', some were truly empathetic, some though out of the box, but then there's the rest of them.  My current pdoc is someone who does more harm than good.  Yes, she sees me for next to nothing because of my current financial situation.  That is generosity for sure.  But if she's harming me I think the net effect is pretty bad.  

 

My requirements are fairly straight forward: look at me when I speak, stop completing forms related to other patients while in my presence, show that you know the first thing about my history, etc.  She does none of this basically.

 

So, when I said I want off AD's (after 20 years) she said this is worth a try as she's not seen any improvement while on any of them.  But, when she told me I will be back on the AD's eventually I asked why she thought that.  Because everyone does she replied.  So you are saying you've never had a patient discontinue AD's and find other ways to cope…NEVER she said.  

 

I want to tell her (write her?) to tell her she needs to retire and while she's spending her new found free time she should consider the damage done and maybe find a way to help in some way. I know she'll write me off as unappreciative, insensitive, acting out, etc. I don't care, I just think the madness needs to stop.

 

WW

1992 - began with prozac and tried SO MANY others that I have little recollection of dosages and taper/withdrawal details.  It's all a blur!

Here's my recent history:

12/08 - current 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin (as needed…sporadic)

12/14 - 20mg Paxil 

02/15 - 10mg Paxil, 20mg Celexa     

04/15 -  d/c Paxil, 10mg Celexa

5/15   - 5mg Celexa   

Currently - 0mg Celexa, 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin

Pros/Cons:

Pro - I am off Ads for first time in 20 years, yea!

Con - I am going through hell, boo!  

 

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This is a very timely topic for me, as I'm considering confronting my current doc regarding the ways he views me. I realize in many respects, he is the lightning rod for lousy treatment by several of the docs I've had since I lived here...who have seriously been the worst I've ever seen in my life. But this guy has become a big thorn in my side.

 

A few years ago, I was doing fine emotionally, but experiencing a lot of muscle pain. I went to see him and without asking a single question of how I was doing, announced I was depressed and tried to send me to a psych. When I came home and read her reviews, I called back and declined the referral. I started seeing a naturopath instead, who was able to help a lot with pain and fatigue. Thank god I never took that referral..who knows what I might have ended up on??

 

I already posted this on my thread..but just last week, I went to see him and told him everything I'm doing. Healthy diet, exercise 6 days a week, meditation, significant weight loss (very much needed), how I walked nearly every day through the winter, working in my garden, etc. I told him I no longer suffer from depression, feel infinitely better in every respect being off meds (no use telling him about wd I figure) He grabs his prescription pad and says to me, "what about mood, you seem down today". I was too flummoxed to respond at the time and came away furious. This has been an ongoing issue, where he seems to only be able to see me from one viewpoint, which is wrong. Is it because I'm a quieter person who doesn't jump up and down? Of course if I did that, I'd no doubt be seen as bipolar. I hate, just hate, that doctors and psychs feel the need to medicate every single emotion...and only certain ones or ways of being are deemed acceptable.

 

But I'm also thinking of the doc who first put me on AD in 2005. At that point, I'd recently developed pretty severe arthritis in my neck and was feeling low about not being able to do physical things I normally could. I'd also been having more sleep issues, and was feeling exhausted all the time. It turned out that part was due to sleep apnea, not depression, as he thought. His response to me was "all women are tired". He has since moved to another province, but a letter is always possible.

 

I suspect in both these situations, my concerns will be dismissed by the docs in question. It will be easier for them to see me as a mentally screwed up person, pat themselves on the back..and go on doing what they've always done...which is to play god and seriously mess people up. AD nearly took my life, first through wanting to commit suicide on an almost continual basis..and then, gaining a ton of weight and developing multiple additional health issues. Yes, pharma is responsible..and so are the docs who are pill pushers, without a conscience.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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Freespirit,

 

Glad you finally got off the remeron.  I remember my year of remeron..

 

Your story regarding your doctor is very similar to mine (and thousands/million of others').  They are 'one trick ponies' in that they really only have one comeback for almost any situation.  They do what they do.  I have to believe these docs know they are sheisters but can't afford to look in the mirror.  It's my goal to hold a mirror up to them.  

 

It's now about 20-30 years after prozac was introduced to the world.  We know so much more now (thanks largely to the internet).  It's time to question the bs.  It's also time the doctors question pharma and the profession.  If that means making 50% less revenue, so be it.  

 

WW

1992 - began with prozac and tried SO MANY others that I have little recollection of dosages and taper/withdrawal details.  It's all a blur!

Here's my recent history:

12/08 - current 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin (as needed…sporadic)

12/14 - 20mg Paxil 

02/15 - 10mg Paxil, 20mg Celexa     

04/15 -  d/c Paxil, 10mg Celexa

5/15   - 5mg Celexa   

Currently - 0mg Celexa, 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin

Pros/Cons:

Pro - I am off Ads for first time in 20 years, yea!

Con - I am going through hell, boo!  

 

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At this point, right this minute, I'm feeling good. BUT this thread really got me thinking about my doctor now, and those in my past. I decided on my own to go off Effexor and to try to get off Wellbutrin in the future. My blood pressure and cholesterol were both getting higher and higher. And I was having bouts of rage that were really scary to me and to my family.

 

I've been fat my whole adult life and never had BP or cholesterol issues until I was on the Effexor/Wellbutrin combo. But my doctor blames it all on my weight. So i'm off Effexor, surviving crazy withdrawal crap, still teaching and still being a reasonably good parent, and I go see her. She basically said, well you will probably have to go back on it. AAARRRGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

She asked how I'm feeling and I told her I have more energy than before, I'm sleeping better than I have in years, my BP is lower (still high, but a big improvement). I have surges of grief about once a day that are unpredictable but are over within about three to five minutes. She said, "Can you live with that?" 

 

I just felt totally unsupported and like she has no clue what is going on. And feel like she just wants me to shut up and take my pills. I'm guessing she did not mean to seem that way, but it's how it felt.

 

I'm proud of myself. I've had a heck of a year--adjusted to my daughter (who is my friend and source of stability) leaving for college, finalized the adoption of our seven year old foster child, kept my son in high school and getting passing grades when he really didn't care, taught special education with very few absences, and took a 30 week series of college classes required for my job, AND got myself off of one of my antidepressants. I'm freakin' amazing. If I cry five minutes a day, big deal!!!!

 

So, this may be partially related to this whole thread, and partially a rant at the whole stupid situation. Thanks for listening. Reading people's posts on here really helps me when I feel like I'm ready to fall apart. 

 

Cyrosp

Anti-depressant free as of October 2015

therapy/counseling including EMDR January 2016-February 2017

---

Took Wellbutrin only after several years of Effexor plus Wellbutrin.
discontinued Effexor on 4/25/15 against doctor's orders.
Experienced brain zaps, dizziness, and insomnia. Super woman energy. Major grief and rages.
----
Started antidepressants about 20 years ago. Have been on celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin.
Really want to get off meds but don't know if I can. Not much support for this goal from physician or family.

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Cyrosp,

 

Sounds like you are 'doing it'. You're toughing it out and living, congrats.

 

WW

1992 - began with prozac and tried SO MANY others that I have little recollection of dosages and taper/withdrawal details.  It's all a blur!

Here's my recent history:

12/08 - current 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin (as needed…sporadic)

12/14 - 20mg Paxil 

02/15 - 10mg Paxil, 20mg Celexa     

04/15 -  d/c Paxil, 10mg Celexa

5/15   - 5mg Celexa   

Currently - 0mg Celexa, 10mg Ambien, .5mg Klonopin

Pros/Cons:

Pro - I am off Ads for first time in 20 years, yea!

Con - I am going through hell, boo!  

 

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Cyrosp,

 

Sounds like you are 'doing it'. You're toughing it out and living, congrats.

 

WW

THANKS. Also I'm fully aware that everyone here is doing something amazing in surviving these meds and the efforts to get off of them. Everyone's challenge is so different, plus the challenges can change from day to day, or minute to minute at times. Have to share that yesterday I was so down. Managed work but started crying as soon as I was in the car. My seven year old asked me what was wrong, and I toid her, "I just need to cry." She's great. She said ok and left it at that. I felt better in an hour or so, but it felt like forever. 

Hang in there, folks. We can do this.

Anti-depressant free as of October 2015

therapy/counseling including EMDR January 2016-February 2017

---

Took Wellbutrin only after several years of Effexor plus Wellbutrin.
discontinued Effexor on 4/25/15 against doctor's orders.
Experienced brain zaps, dizziness, and insomnia. Super woman energy. Major grief and rages.
----
Started antidepressants about 20 years ago. Have been on celexa, Zoloft, Effexor, Wellbutrin.
Really want to get off meds but don't know if I can. Not much support for this goal from physician or family.

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If we lived in an alternate universe where 

A) money did not exist

B) power between humans and value was = 

C) the idea of science was to advance all of humanity

D) there were no such thing as lawyers judges courts and no need for them

 

Then in that case I would like to speak to a few of my doctors and I would like them to speak to me to offer advice after they had all talked to each other to sort out how I got here and how best to bring me back to health.  In such a world it would make sense for all to speak openly to each other.  

 

Tell me if I am wrong but at this point I have a adversarial relationship with doctors as none know my entire story and none care to hear it I acknowledge this ... they pretend to want to know but it is truly too long and complex and I lose them early on I know this too.  They don't have the facts of the situation from the drug side and they don't want them... they want only to do the job they were trained to do the way they were trained to do it... in those parameters we will never fit... never have an = decent conversation tho it may appear that way. 

 

After you have been hurt by one drug and more drugs make you worse leading to hypersensitivity to many drugs and many reactions the doctors office becomes a place of anxiety... as I try to present my case for not wanting to take a treatment based on previous drug reactions... I don't know how many I am up to at this point in the area of 10-15 drug reactions many to common drugs where reactions are stated to be rare.  When one drug a doc can give can change who you are and have you not be aware of it... and they won't acknowledge it.. where does that leave any doc patient relationship.. BROKEN that is where... going only when I have to and knowing the power they have to harm.. has often be greater than the power they have to heal... fear is sure a part of seeing any doctor.  

 

The only things that allows me to be able to see any doc at any time is the law that I can refuse treatment... should that all change I think I would just skip the doc office altogether... I have been thru the trying to understand and talk this over with docs they can't say much as they have to think of being sued... where does that leave us. I would rather not talk then to force them to tell me a bunch of lies and make a new dx about how crazy I am because I think there is such a thing as withdrawal :).. nope not how I want to spend the day.

 

This leaves post marketing in trouble and the way science learns in trouble too as no results are found about these drugs no honest ones cause you can't tell that doc the truth he will lock you up and force drug you or give you yet another dx based on the dsm had that lots wrong dx... so pharma comes here to learn .

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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Yeah, it sure would be nice of docs talked to each other to sort out patient issues and bring them back to life.   That is the real coordinated care that is needed and not the BS mental health care that has been integrated into PCP's offices.

 

You nailed it about the doctor's place being a source of anxiety when you have had horrible reactions to meds and the issue of harm becomes greater than the power to heal.   That is exactly how I feel and I have nowhere near the amount of troubles you have had.   I feel like that weird patient even from the research I have done, many people are quite sensitive to meds.

 

God, I hate the bleeping lies too and like you would rather not ask questions that I know will lead to them.   And like you, I am very guarded in which I disclose out of fear of being labeled with an MI.

 

If we lived in an alternate universe where 

A) money did not exist

B) power between humans and value was = 

C) the idea of science was to advance all of humanity

D) there were no such thing as lawyers judges courts and no need for them

 

Then in that case I would like to speak to a few of my doctors and I would like them to speak to me to offer advice after they had all talked to each other to sort out how I got here and how best to bring me back to health.  In such a world it would make sense for all to speak openly to each other.  

 

Tell me if I am wrong but at this point I have a adversarial relationship with doctors as none know my entire story and none care to hear it I acknowledge this ... they pretend to want to know but it is truly too long and complex and I lose them early on I know this too.  They don't have the facts of the situation from the drug side and they don't want them... they want only to do the job they were trained to do the way they were trained to do it... in those parameters we will never fit... never have an = decent conversation tho it may appear that way. 

 

After you have been hurt by one drug and more drugs make you worse leading to hypersensitivity to many drugs and many reactions the doctors office becomes a place of anxiety... as I try to present my case for not wanting to take a treatment based on previous drug reactions... I don't know how many I am up to at this point in the area of 10-15 drug reactions many to common drugs where reactions are stated to be rare.  When one drug a doc can give can change who you are and have you not be aware of it... and they won't acknowledge it.. where does that leave any doc patient relationship.. BROKEN that is where... going only when I have to and knowing the power they have to harm.. has often be greater than the power they have to heal... fear is sure a part of seeing any doctor.  

 

The only things that allows me to be able to see any doc at any time is the law that I can refuse treatment... should that all change I think I would just skip the doc office altogether... I have been thru the trying to understand and talk this over with docs they can't say much as they have to think of being sued... where does that leave us. I would rather not talk then to force them to tell me a bunch of lies and make a new dx about how crazy I am because I think there is such a thing as withdrawal :).. nope not how I want to spend the day.

 

This leaves post marketing in trouble and the way science learns in trouble too as no results are found about these drugs no honest ones cause you can't tell that doc the truth he will lock you up and force drug you or give you yet another dx based on the dsm had that lots wrong dx... so pharma comes here to learn .

Drug cocktail 1995 - 2010
Started taper of Adderall, Wellbutrin XL, Remeron, and Doxepin in 2006
Finished taper on June 10, 2010

Temazepam on a PRN basis approximately twice a month - 2014 to 2016

Beginning in 2017 - Consumption increased to about two times per week

April 2017 - Increased to taking it full time for insomnia

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I haven't been through a fraction of what you have btdt, but definitely share your anxiety about seeing a doctor. For me, it isn't just about the drugs that have damaged me, but more about what I feel is a betrayal of trust. I start getting more and more miserable as the day approaches to see a doctor, or even in having a blood test. Unfortunately, this feeling sometimes carries over into seeing health professionals who have nothing to do with these issues...and they are dentists or docs that have treated me only with care and respect. I can feel my edge when I go into the office and spend a lot of time trying to talk myself down.

 

I can't even remember right now what drug it was...but I was put on something and had massive side effects. When I went in and told the doc, I was told "that isn't even possible". I tried to explain I've always been sensitive to medications...but the doc looked at me like I had 2 heads. I've met so many people who share this sensitivity, but each of us is treated as though we are unique in that regard and therefore, from another planet.

 

It's probably way too much to ask, but I'd like to find a doc that isn't an automatic pill pusher..and someone I don't find overly offensive. I wish I could delete from my medical history that I ever took AD...so I could be seen for who I am, and not just a depressed person.

Remeron for depression. Started at 7.5 mg. in 2005. Gradual increases over 8 years, up to 45 mg. in 2012.Began tapering in June 2013. Went from 45 to 30 mg in the first 3-4 months. Held for a couple of months.Started tapering by 3.75 mg every month or 2, with some longer holding periods. Eventually went down to 3.75 mg. about April 2014. Stopped taking Remeron August 2014. Developed issues with histamine a week after stopping--symptoms reduced through diet and a few supplements. Currently having issues with a few foods. Most of the histamine intolerance has resolved or is at least, in remission.

Current Medications:

Current Supplements: Cannabis (CBD and THC), Vitamin C, D, Quercetin, CoQ10, Tart Cherry, Probiotic, Phytoplankton oil, magnesium, Methyl B. What has helped me most: spending time in nature, qi gong, exercise, healthy diet, meditation, IV vitamins, homeopathy, massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, music, and cuddling my cats..

My introduction: http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/8459-mirtazapine-withdrawal-freespirit/#entry144282

Please note: I am not a therapist or medical practitioner. Any suggestions offered come solely from my personal experience in recovering from childhood trauma, therapy, and AD use. Please seek appropriate care for yourself.

 

“After a cruel childhood, one must reinvent oneself. Then re-imagine the world.”
Mary Oliver
 

 

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I haven't been through a fraction of what you have btdt, but definitely share your anxiety about seeing a doctor. For me, it isn't just about the drugs that have damaged me, but more about what I feel is a betrayal of trust. I start getting more and more miserable as the day approaches to see a doctor, or even in having a blood test. Unfortunately, this feeling sometimes carries over into seeing health professionals who have nothing to do with these issues...and they are dentists or docs that have treated me only with care and respect. I can feel my edge when I go into the office and spend a lot of time trying to talk myself down.

 

I can't even remember right now what drug it was...but I was put on something and had massive side effects. When I went in and told the doc, I was told "that isn't even possible". I tried to explain I've always been sensitive to medications...but the doc looked at me like I had 2 heads. I've met so many people who share this sensitivity, but each of us is treated as though we are unique in that regard and therefore, from another planet.

 

It's probably way too much to ask, but I'd like to find a doc that isn't an automatic pill pusher..and someone I don't find overly offensive. I wish I could delete from my medical history that I ever took AD...so I could be seen for who I am, and not just a depressed person.

I had a reaction to lidocaine before that we thought it was the epinephrine in the freezing... so that is two at the dentist.. I could not walk a straight line for 3 months had to see an eye specialist have a brain scan blah blah blah... 

I was told the reaction was impossible too.. I still had it.  A year later a test to see if I had developed an allergy to lidocaine showed i did not tho I had a sever pain in my head right after the pin prick... so I am left vulnerable to future dental reactions ... tho I do not have lidocaine I had marcaine suddenly withing 20 min had  shoulder pain next day kidney pain back to the hosp.. they did not know what it was maybe an infection... lol 

 

Post lidocaine reaction study for allergy doc stated it was her opinion I had a transient ischemic attack ... just at the same time I was given a lidocaine injection... 

 

I thought this unlikely but they can say anything they want.. and they do. I do not feel it was a TIA I feel it was a drug reaction and because she did not take the head pain I had seriously I am still left open for more reactions. That in fact pisses me off. 

Jacked up to see doctors you bet the dentist is like walking the plank at this point I avoid him as much as possible. Does he get it no he doesn't thinks me mad I am sure...lol 

I think he is mad I think the system is mad but nobody cares what I think.

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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The entire idea of psych patients not thinking right and having an off perspective of everything plays right into this entire story... organic illness of the mind taught doctors things in history that they built a professional life on. 

 

Enter those of us who did not have organic illness who were given prozac for pain had a reaction continued to be drugged to stay out of wd... it does not matter the dentist or any other doc is not interested in any of that or wd.. they only see... psych dx and that is it... lumped into the crazy pile they have golf to get to... and a life and yes I am just jealous I don't have one you bet you sweet ass I am jealous. 

 

We are all in the same pot .. any psych dx mixes us with murders ect... less then second class less liable to tell the truth or know what the truth is. 

WARNING THIS WILL BE LONG
Had a car accident in 85
Codeine was the pain med when I was release from hosp continuous use till 89
Given PROZAC by a specialist to help with nerve pain in my leg 89-90 not sure which year
Was not told a thing about it being a psych med thought it was a pain killer no info about psych side effects I went nuts had hallucinations. As I had a head injury and was diagnosed with a concussion in 85 I was sent to a head injury clinic in 1990 five years after the accident. I don't think they knew I had been on prozac I did not think it a big deal and never did finish the bottle of pills. I had tests of course lots of them. Was put into a pain clinic and given amitriptyline which stopped the withdrawal but had many side effects. But I could sleep something I had not done in a very long time the pain lessened. My mother got cancer in 94 they switched my meds to Zoloft to help deal with this pressure as I was her main care giver she died in 96. I stopped zoloft in 96 had withdrawal was put on paxil went nutty quit it ct put on resperidol quit it ct had withdrawal was put on Effexor... 2years later celexa was added 20mg then increased to 40mg huge personality change went wild. Did too fast taper off Celexa 05 as I felt unwell for a long time prior... quit Effexor 150mg ct 07 found ****** 8 months into withdrawal learned some things was banned from there in 08 have kept learning since. there is really not enough room here to put my history but I have a lot of opinions about a lot of things especially any of the drugs mentioned above.
One thing I would like to add here is this tidbit ALL OPIATES INCREASE SEROTONIN it is not a huge jump to being in chronic pain to being put on an ssri/snri and opiates will affect your antidepressants and your thinking.

As I do not update much I will put my quit date Nov. 17 2007 I quit Effexor cold turkey. 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/1096-introducing-myself-btdt/

There is a crack in everything ..That's how the light gets in :)

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