HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

I am not crazy - Been put on Seroquel

Support Forums
>
Multiple Sclerosis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 3/22/2007 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Has anyone here ever been put on anti-psychotic medication during the process of diagnosis of MS??

I asked my doc if being extremely depressed (which I admittedly am), could elicit abnormal resullts in most of my tests so far. She said "no". So, then, why am I being put on antipsychotics???

The reason I am depressed is because I have felt so bad, for so long, with so little credence from family and physicians---well, I know many of you have experienced this. Are we to blame that MS takes so long to diagnose??  Why is it taken out on us? Why must we be made to feel that we are the ones doing something wrong?

I feel like a rape victim!!  Even after I have "proven" that there is something wrong, I am still made to feel like a hypochondriac!!

B2

Posted 3/22/2007 8:32 PM (GMT 0)

B2 said...
Has anyone here ever been put on anti-psychotic medication during the process of diagnosis of MS??

I asked my doc if being extremely depressed (which I admittedly am), could elicit abnormal resullts in most of my tests so far. She said "no". So, then, why am I being put on antipsychotics???

The reason I am depressed is because I have felt so bad, for so long, with so little credence from family and physicians---well, I know many of you have experienced this. Are we to blame that MS takes so long to diagnose??  Why is it taken out on us? Why must we be made to feel that we are the ones doing something wrong?

I feel like a rape victim!!  Even after I have "proven" that there is something wrong, I am still made to feel like a hypochondriac!!

B2

You should NOT be ashamed, or alarmed, that you've been put on an antidepressant.  Chronic illness, diagnosed or otherwise, can lead to all sorts of *chemical imbalances in the brain* -- which lead to depression.  And medications can treat that quite successfully, sometimes.  In addition, many of the antipsychotic meds have been found to be quite useful in treating neurologic pain.  I see you're in the diagnostic process with lots of ailments already identified, many of which can lead to chemical imbalances in the brain as well.  And you acknowledged to your doctor that you are depressed -- so she's offering you treatment for that, while the rest of it gets sorted out.  That's a GOOD thing. There is no blame given...you have an illness -- depression, and you've been given meds to treat it.  I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 3/22/2007 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
can I ask which one you have been put on. my neuro said that some anti-depressants help with MS symptoms. MS has been linked to depression..I am on wellbutrin. i think the main reason is when I first got my diagnosis I was so down in the dumps and now I really think it does help with my symptoms, it helps me sleep and relax. Please don't think that they think you are a hypochondriac. I totally know how that feels but maybe the doc is just looking out for you. I hope you start to feel better soon!!!
Posted 3/23/2007 1:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi B2,

 

    I hope you start to feel better soon and get further answers to what's going on with you.  I can understand what you are saying, taking so long that you feel like its all in your head.  Maybe it will help if you read through some of the posts here, there are many that feel that way as well.  Keep pushing on though, answers will find their way. 

 

    Some medications have other benefits than what they are typically prescribed for.  Do you have problems with sleep by any chance?  Seroquel will definately make you sleepy if you have insomnia issues and it can also help with depression too, kind of a two pronged effect.  Take care and I do hope it helps.

 

Kimber

Posted 3/23/2007 9:06 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you all for your responses.

TKelly - it was seroquel that I was put on. I have had lots of sleep problems and pain.

A rheumatologist actually had the audacity to write about me to my PCP that "her complaints certainly exceed her physical findings"!!  What an a**!! My punishment to him is a mere 10 minutes in my body--that should suffice to make him cry "uncle" in about 30 seconds. Why do physicians write such irrelevant and inane blather???

Anyway--I just got home from my EMG tests. The neuro said they were abnormal. She artfully dodged all of my questions as to what she thinks the problem is. I have an EEG and a spinal tap on Monday. I cried all the way home (1.5 hrs) and just can't stop crying. Why? I think it is because I can't relax and have confidence in these doctors who seem incapable of communicating with one another, incapable of communicating with me, incapable of communicating with their front office staff, etc. How are we supposed to be confident that, if the day ever does come that we get a diagnosis, that they haven't missed the mark by a mile???

I am just so depressed and upset right now. I hope none of you have been through this, but it would make me feel better to know you have.....

Thank you all for your answers.

B2

Posted 3/23/2007 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I totally know what you are feeling. I went through the same thing. One doc told me I was shaky b/c I smoked too much! When I finally got diagnosed I was home alone with my 6month old and the doc called and said you have MS and asked me to hold for a follow up appointment. Are you kidding me?! It is awful to feel so alone and the professionals you are looking to help you just make you feel worse. I hope you get some answers soon and I hope that those answers lead to some relief soon!!!
Posted 3/23/2007 9:16 PM (GMT 0)

Thank you, TKelly.

BTW, I do want to say that all my negative feelings about doctors do not apply to my PCP. She has been wonderful in every way. I really can't say a single negative thing about her. She is a good listener, communicator, and is very, very bright. She does not have an overblown ego which prevents her from saying "I don't know". I really respect and appreciate her for that.

If you ever meet anyone who claims they have all the answers, run away as fast as you can!!!

B2

"Don't wrestle with pigs; you get dirty, and they enjoy it"

Posted 3/23/2007 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Okay. This is the first time I have giggled in weeks, so I have to share it with those of you who need a smirk or a smile, and have been kind enough to lift my spirits...

So....do ya think the nimwit doc wrote that "my complaints certainly exceed my physical findings" because:

a) he was in a hurry to get to lunch

b) I look pretty good, so I can't possibly be sick, right?

c) when he asked if I could move my major joints, well.....I showed him that I can put my foot up and stick it behind my head (Hey--it's not very often that you get an opportunity to demonstrate this, so I couldn't help myself--when you are 47, you will take what you can get). I have always been extremely limber, and I've been doing Yoga for quite some time, so I've earned the ability to do that, K??  I mean, what'd he want me to do? Pretend something hurts when it doesn't???

Anyway, as I'm sitting here thinking about that, it does make me giggle just a bit......

B2

Posted 3/23/2007 10:14 PM (GMT 0)

Oh I totally know what you are feeling. I went through the same thing. One doc told me I was shaky b/c I smoked too much! When I finally got diagnosed I was home alone with my 6month old and the doc called and said you have MS and asked me to hold for a follow up appointment. Are you kidding me?! It is awful to feel so alone and the professionals you are looking to help you just make you feel worse. I hope you get some answers soon and I hope that those answers lead to some relief soon!!!

How utterly insensitive!! To tell someone over the phone like that, and then ask if you can hold??? I mean, do some of these people take a class in med school entitled "How to be Crass"??? Unbelievable!!!

Posted 3/24/2007 12:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hi B2,

 

   I gotta tell ya I don't think many rheumys see that type of yoga demonstration LOL.  Good for you!  I'm glad you found some humor in it, the way you put it, it is rather funny tongue It's frustrating sometimes, going to the doctor with complaints that really can't be "seen" by them.  It would be very nice if they had some machine to switch bodies so they can feel what we feel right?  It would make things so much easier and less stressful!  I have found though that with my own experience with doctors some respond better to effects of symptoms.  I used to say well I'm tired all the time, now I say well I'm so tired it prevents me from doing such and such and they are like OH!

 

   Yes some doctors are not so good at bedside manner, but I am glad you have a good relationship with your PCP :-) Please keep us posted on your progress and I wish you all my best.

 

Kimber

Posted 3/24/2007 1:14 AM (GMT 0)
Hey B2 and Tkelly

Wow!! U poor guys!! I"m sorry it's been such a bad week B2. I hope u'll feel better and take heart in knowing we're all here for u and care. It can be so frustrating and hurt so much to not be taken seriously by docs, but u know something's wrong so don't let them get to u. Keep pushing on and get some answers.

Theresa~ I"m so sorry...what a rat that doc was! So glad u are here with us now so we can let u know how important u are...far too important to be treated that way.
Posted 3/24/2007 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
B2 thanks for the giggle!!! I am glad your PCP is good. I have finally found a good neuro. I am completely content with. Ya know docs don't know everything....my husband an otherwise healthy 29 year old man had been having fevers of unkown origins for 2 months. I mean it went up to over 104 two days ago. We have seen every type of doc and done every test....including a bone marrow biopsy and on Monday a colonoscopy and endescopy. They have found NOTHING! I think the only reason they can't ignore him is b/c he actually has a symptom they can document (the fevers). It drives me nuts that you have to PROVE you are sick to get attention. I have gotten to the point that I have stopped being polite and just get to the point with docs. I have a note pad for me and my hubby that has every symptom, every medicine, every thing I think can be going on and every test I want them to try. The GI doc actually asked me if I was in the medical field! I am a sociologist but I feel like a doctor with all I have to arm myself with to get myself and my family the proper care. So I guess, my only advice, in a long winded round about way is to be your own advocate! Keep on pushing and make them shut up and listen! Make sure to vent all your frustrations so that you don't cause yourself anymore stress than necessary. I really think this board is a great tool for us to get out what we are feeling to people who understand..... I'm right there with you!!!
Posted 3/24/2007 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
I just wanted to tell you that i have been on seroquil for qiute a while now after being a lab rat for many other medications. I have bipolar disorder and i know this is not your diagnosis but i wanted to tell you that i have benifited greatly from the seroquil. I sleep better at night and i feel better mentally during the day. I mean you still feel depressed from time to time but overall i feel alot better. GOOD LUCK.

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply