HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

first step...

Support Forums
>
Anxiety & Panic Disorders
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 5/16/2007 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I did it. I called my doctor and made an appointment for Tuesday to talk to her about going on anti-depressants. I felt like such an idiot, but now that part is over, I feel a little better.

Then comes the hard part... I'm already freaking out about the actual appointment.. She'll have a note there saying that I'm seeing her about anti-depressants, so she'll already know that part, but then will come the question of "why do you feel you need these?" I have a serious problem with not being able to voice my concerns and opinions. Every time I see my GI, I go in there thinking "Tell him about this and how sick you are and where it hurts and blah blah" and I get in there and end up saying "Oh, I'm feeling okay". I really downplay everything, and then after I leave, I'm kicking myself for not forcing myself to say something.

So I'm worried I won't be able to say my reasons why, or I'll leave out major things and she'll think I don't really need them or that I'm just making stuff up, and I know saying it all in a list is just going to sound so stupid and whiney and I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Can someone offer some advice or tell me about your experience telling your doc you wanted to try antidepressants/anti-anxiety meds?
Posted 5/16/2007 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
i always take either my hubby or my mom to start the speaking for me. but if thats not possible. a friend could help or write a note and put all in that and give the doctor it. to get the ball rolling. then he/she can ask questions or just jot down your major concerns and make sure you tell your doc those things. thats my advice. and good luck.

my doc. have always been very nice and kind and understanding when it comes to this. getting meds. and what not. you can do it. you made the call your strong. i hope i helped with something
Posted 5/16/2007 10:56 PM (GMT 0)

if you are evry nervous, tell doc as it often doesnt show

take a note and ask doc to read it

valium type meds make starting any antidepressant easier

Posted 5/17/2007 12:34 AM (GMT 0)
Write down everything you want to ask or the doctor or need to know. I saw a specialist yesterday and forgot to do that and of course walked away thinking I meant to mention or ask this, this and this.

I always take a note in when I see my pdoc though.
Posted 5/17/2007 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
I'd definitely write out your concerns, symptoms...everything. Do it carefully and deliberately. Leave nothing out and point out what's bothering you most. Tell her how much sleep you get and anything else that in your mind could be affecting your condition. The good thing is you have time to do this and drop it off BEFORE your appointment. Ask the nurses or the people at the desk to put it in your chart. Doctors usually read up on you before they come see you...I think that's why we're stuck waiting around in the examination room every time we go to the doctor.

Bring a copy with you in case the administrative staff accidentally puts it in the round file.
Posted 5/17/2007 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
hardspacecore - you're cracking me up! : )

You're doing what's called "fortune telling". Come on - admit it - you really have very little idea what's going to happen at your appointment. You've composed a disaster scenario in your mind and rehearsed it over and over - your agenda is to live ahead of time the worst possible outcome, so that no matter what happens, it can't be worse than what you've already imagined. BEEN THERE - DONE THAT. : )

It's ok to hope for a good experience! I'm only just starting to learn that...

You've gotten some good advice about writing everything down. You're on the cusp of a great adventure ... are you excited? There's a part of your brain that's been beaten into submission - it's about to get a taste of it's own...medicine...(pun intended). Or then again, your doc may take a route that doesn't involve medication. You go girl! You're demonstrating real, authentic courage! : )
Posted 5/17/2007 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
Hi there...Good to hear you are going for help. Nothing wrong with that..we all need help with something. I would suggest that you tell the doc you are not feeling well to start with, then go from there. I once was told that if I mention being depressed the doc would put me on anti-depressants right away. I feel we all suffer in this world and if you need some temporary help to get through then just tell the doc where it hurts and be honest and tell him everything. It costs alot for medical help and get your money's worth. Please let us know how things are going. I will pray for you.....Have faith, no fear... as God is always near, Anne
Posted 5/17/2007 2:27 PM (GMT 0)

Thanks everyone for your advice and support. If it weren't for this site, I probably wouldn't have made the call. I'm going to sit down this afternoon and try to compile a list of things that I would like her to know about. I'm actually just anxious now for it to be Tuesday so I can get it over with and get on the way to feeling better!

ChristianWithHope, you are definitely right, imagining worst case scenarios is something I do all the time. I'm even afraid to go outside by myself at night because I fear someone is hiding around the corner waiting to jump out at me! Haha. I guess it is better than being overly optimistic planning out a great scenario and having it go totally wrong though, right?

Posted 5/17/2007 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
I felt like I should share my list here, partly because I'm bored and partly because I'm not sure if it sounds okay or if maybe you thought I should make it shorter so she doesn't have to read so much? I guess I'm just nervous..

- Ongoing depression, greater than several months
- Feelings of hopelessness/worthlessness, very homesick, anonymous anxiety that I’m doing everything wrong and forgetting important things.
- Completely unmotivated, no desire to perform at work or home
- Severe anxiety relating to social situations, for example, being around other people outside of a work environment, going places alone (I feel like people see me and think I’m a loser for walking around by myself), approaching a sales person for assistance, to name a few.
Also, I haven’t made a single friend since I moved here a year ago because I don’t feel like I have anything in common with them or that they won’t want to talk to me because I’m boring and they won’t like me anyway so I am afraid to even attempt to start a conversation, not that I’d know where to begin. It makes me feel incomplete or like there’s something wrong with me because everyone should have a friend (aside from their significant other)
- Constant thoughts of “worst case scenarios” for everyday things, such as being afraid to go outside at night because there could be someone hiding around the corner waiting to jump out at me.
- Completely irrational jealousy problems where I know there’s nothing to worry about and I know I can trust my boyfriend but I can’t stop thinking “what if?” or “she’s more outgoing and interesting then me, he’s going to realize that it’s more fun to be with her and he’ll leave me for her” which upsets him and causes fights a lot.
- Crying for no reason or over little stupid things; very irritable.
- Insecurity over body image and especially because of weight gain from prednisone; I realize that I’m not overweight but when I look in the mirror that’s all I see and I feel bad for giving in to the prednisone cravings or eating at all. I guess I feel my boyfriend won’t be as attracted to me anymore if I gain weight, though he’s never made an indication of such feelings.
- Reverting to self-harming behavior; mostly just having a strong desire to do so but refraining because I don’t want anyone to see it and look down on me for it.
- Feeling like I am and will continue to be an emotional and financial burden on everyone in my life due to my health conditions and insecurity and this adds to guilt and depression.

That's what I've got so far...
Posted 5/17/2007 5:26 PM (GMT 0)
My heart goes out to you. I suffered with that for years and went through years of therapy which didn't address the biochemical causes of my symptoms.

My doctor was so supportive (took me a long time to find this gem!) The first thing she did when I approached her regarding my symptoms (which were very much like yours) was to give me a BAI and BDI test (Beck's Anxiety Index and Becks Depression Index). These are standard tests that any family doc can give; one has about 15 questions the other about 25, which gives a baseline as to your overall mental health. Certain scores will be self-indicating, and it is an easy way to track progress (or digress) of symptoms.

I went to a psychiatrist a few times, which was mandated back then by my insurance company, but since, my family doc has been managing the meds (which for the most part has been successful with the exception of my trying to get off of them unsupervised...but that's on another post).

You are on your way to a fuller life for taking this huge step.
Posted 5/17/2007 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
I looked up the Beck tests and here's what I scored:

31-40______Severe depression (score = 34)

Hmm..

I couldn't find the Anxiety one but I will ask her about that and see if she has one I could take if she wants me to.
Posted 5/17/2007 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
I had the same problem for years and years. I would make an appt. with the doc determined to discuss my depression and leave the office with a prescription for sleep medicine!! Kicking myself, internal dialouge sp? was so negative, I would cry all the way home. about a month ago I had the same appt. you have coming up and felt exactly the same way. You have received some great advice, writing stuff down ( something I didn't know to do) is a great idea!! For me just getting out of the door is the hardest part. The meds have helped me a great deal. I have never been more sure or determined to get this depression behind me!!! Your boyfreind needs to understand that your feelings right now are prolly being caused by the anxiety and depression. You are taking steps to get that under control and he should commend you for that. If I had been more proactive with getting treatment I would prolly be a happily married woman right now, not leaving alone with my two cats!! My most positive thoughts are going out to you,
Mary-Ellen
Posted 5/18/2007 7:31 PM (GMT 0)
Mary-Ellen,

I know exactly what you mean, I do that all the time. I even told myself "I will NOT go on prednisone again; even if the doctor suggests it, I won't let him talk me into it." Needless to say, I'm currently in the process of tapering off it again... I just wish I could be more assertive, especially when it comes to my health and well-being.

If you don't mind me asking, what meds are you on? I'm glad to hear they've helped you! After a lot of research I think I may go with Wellbutrin. I'm especially concerned about the weight gain and sexual side effects of a lot of the antidepressants, so Wellbutrin seems to be the best bet. Though all this talk of seizures and whatnot makes me a little nervous I must say.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply