Stupid doctor

I had my monthly appointment with my doc the other day and, of course, he asked if there were any changes since he took me off of Effexor. Well, there had been and I had called his office to let them know how things were going through the month. They never seem to be able to find this information or even seem to notice that I called when I get there for my appointment.

Anyhow, I tell him that I am feeling hateful, irritable, bitter feeling, and just all around feeling mean. I am “more so than usual” being a hermit and really finding flaws in people and finding reasons to dislike people and people get on my nerves so bad that I just can’t stand being around anyone.

I am even real irritable with my sons and my husband. My poor husband....

The good doc tells me that I need to see a counselor because I have some personal issues that I need to work on. That it is something in me from my past or somewhere that is making me feel these feelings.

Oh man, I was so mad at him. I am not a hateful person, nor do I feel like I described... normally.

He would not even consider a med evaluation or consider that the med change caused the mood change.

I had called his office several times because I thought I was losing my mind after the medication reduction and then removal. I felt so sad and upset. I started to plunge into this freaking pit of black that I am stuck in now and this doctor does not seem to relate that to the med change.

I admit, I could just be in a mood, but I am just not sure and thought he could shine some light on it. ARG He was so sure I had personal issues!

Billie

Well there are a lot of bad doctors out there and there are a lot of good ones. The one thing about all of this that I'm wondering about is: Are you being medicated sole on the basis of a general practitioner's limited knowledge and how you feel? Or is this a psychiatrist?

I'm not saying that a general practitioner doesn't know about things like BPD, but their day to day experience with it is usually VERY limited. I didn't expect my gen. pract. to know a thing about BPD... to his credit he knew a bit and since I've started going to him he's actually gone out of state to attend psych. conferences and workshops on it. But, they're not all like that. I still see a psych. doc. although we're down to emergencies and 3 times a year. I get levels checked 4 times a year and both of my doctors communicate with each other.

So, what kind of practice are you talking about? If he is a psych. doc. then you need to realize that they're people too.. sometimes people just don't click, sometimes people get into a field they really don't have the attention span or capability to handle properly. I've gone through TONS of doctors... If I don't like my doctor I'll find another... Hell, given how much I pay them they'd better damned well do everything the can to make me like them, and they'd sure as hell had better find 15 minutes to listen to me if there's a problem.

Billie, why were you taken off the Effexor in the first place? were you having problems with it? did your doctor give you a new medication? If he just changed you to be changing you, I would be changing doctors.

Carmen

The thing is my energy level is up, but my depression is still there and then there is the hateful moods that started after the removal of the Effexor. Now, it took a month to come off the Effexor and it has been a month since my last pill. I would think that I could see a difference (a good one) by now.

I have only had one psychiatrist before this one and I could not stand him, so I changed to this one. I don't like him either because he is not a warm person and he does not want to know anything personal about you (family, friends, events, etc...), but the only other doctor is over 150 miles away. I am already driving 2 1/2 hours away, through small to mid-sized towns, to see this one. I don't think I can afford to travel much farther to see a new one that may not be any different than this one.

Thanks for asking for more details. I am brain dead most of the time and should have mentioned more.

God bless

Billie

Carmen

I had the same effect when I was trying to get off of effexor xr a couple of months ago. I was horrible, I was mean and angery. I am still on the Effexor Xr along with the Carbatrol as well as Geodon. I also take Serquel, but I'm trying to stop using it as well as the Effexor Xr.

Geodon is also a really good mood stabalizer, maybe you could try that?

What I think is that you don't have the right meds in you. I'm not a doctor but I noticed in me that I don't need the Effexor as much as I did because I found other medicine that did took its place and did more.

If your doctor is not listening to you its not good at all. Either get him to listen or you really should find another one, as much of a pain as it can be.

I was at odds with everyone, too. I had irritation, but it was not all bipolar. There are issues which come up and we do need more help. The psychological issues with interfere with the bipolar seem to intensify the bp symptoms. After several years of working through the childhood, growing up, and then maintaining a healthy mind which had to learn to think differently, I no longer have the horrible rages I once experienced.

So, I guess, I'm saying your pdoc is probably right. Your post confirms it by the words you've chosen and the inappropriate name calling of professionals who are trying to help you.

Please, I'm only relating back to you what you have already said. I hope you can take this in the good grace in which it is offered.

God Bless,

MsBimbo