First Appointment, New PDoc

In two days I see a new pdoc. I waited about twenty months to get an appointment. I wasn't able to see the pdoc who had treated me for about 17 years since 2003, when he closed his practice. I was flying by the seat of my pants, literally, since 2003, until three weeks ago when I was seen at a Crisis Centre, in Crisis. I was diagnosed BiPolar II twenty or more years ago and have been on SSRI's like Paxil (cried non-stop, felt there was a screen between me and the world), and Sertilene which worked really well until it just stopped working in 2004. It was as if I was taking a placebo. Then Lexapro, didn't do anything. Noticed I was beginning to Rapid cycle around 2005. Now, please hear this, when I say "rapid cycling," I don't mean I get a manic high (that migt be fun until I crashed), but rather I go from deep intractable depression where I wake up feeling awful in the morning (Elephant sitting on my chest, awful), don't want to face the day at all, awful, and then when I push through this, I have responsibilities, after all, otherwise I wouldn't bother getting up, to irritable, nasty, miserable, anxiety ridden, grumpy, can't stand anybody, or anything, just leave me alone in my miserable skin, irritable. So, what should I ask about? I also have fibromyalgia, hypothyroid, and my liver won't stand up to the onslaught of near toxic doses of lithium, or Valporic acid. I experienced the Stephen Johnson syndrome, (weird rash) while briefly on Lamictal. Currently I take 100mg. of amyltrptilene at bedtime for Fibro, it helps a bit with sleep, but I still wake up 2, 3 times ea. night. I have had clonazapan around (GP) for help with the anxiety of daily living and to keep me asleep. It sometimes works. So, how to approach this opportunity to see a new pdoc, I've waited so long to see someone, just the idea of going is making me really anxious. Thank-you.

Hi Tyno

I can kind of relate. I am going to see a new pdoc on the 29th. He is very highly regarded, which is one reason it is so hard to get in. I guess that is one upside of my current situation. I was court ordered to have an evaluation done and this pdoc was the one that got me. I have high hopes he can help.

Good luck with your appt as well

John

Just me, again; Well, I did see the new pdoc, yesterday, but, apparently they had been trying to contact me to cancel as something else came up. They were't able to reach me as I'd moved since I was seen in Crisis, so they decided to move my appointment to a later time and when I finally saw him, he said it had to be short. Since I've been waiting 18 months to see a pdoc, this was rough. Anyway, I needed paperwork signed in order to qualify for assistance with my rent so I had to put that front and centre, otherwise I wouldn't have help to pay for new place, (old place was awful, wet, mouldy, etc.) Only problem was new pdoc didn't have time to hear me out and I almost felt like a bit of a freeloader asking for his support in getting help with the rent when he knew so little about me. It all felt really weird. Anyway, I suppose, having to bare your soul to a complete stranger is going to feel weird, no matter what.  hey, Capnin Hapnin, what was your experience like with the new doc? We're flying with just the old SSRI, for now. I will get to see him in 3 weeks. By then I'll know if there's anything else that we can do. I heard someone on this forum say they got a lot of energy from Zoloft. Hope I don't jump over the moon.

tyno,

I am sorry for your short appointment, hopefully the next one will be longer. Hand in there in the meantime, and don't hesitate to post here or call the Crisis hotline as needed. (((hugs)))

Olivia