Depression and Weight IssuesHave you been diagnosed with depression, are possibly on depression medication, and find it affects your weight loss efforts? Post here for support!
I guess I do understand why my doctor wouldn't give me meds, I was just so frustrated by the fact that I was told she would and waited so long just for her to come in and be like "Nope, won't do it." I have never actually gone to a psychiatrist and talked about my problems, so maybe that would help. And since I do feel like I have deeper issues than JUST depression, it's probably a good thing to go to someone who will take the time to figure out what will be best for me. At this point, I am going through an "up" period, so I feel like I am coping better. I also started taking St. John's Wort (I got a tiny little bottle at Walmart!) so I'm not sure if that's helping any or just having a placebo effect so I feel a little better.
The doctor I went to originally was just a family doctor, but she's new to me since I have this insurance. Also, the OBGYN that I went to does not accept my insurance, so I would have to find a new one of those too so I'm not sure if they would prescribe anything for me, being that they don't know me either.
I'm hoping i can stay on an even keel until my appointment. The whole emergency room thing just terrifies me for some reason. At least I know I have an option if I feel desperate again, but for now, I'm just going to try to ride it out as long my appointment is scheduled.
I'm glad you're feeling a bit "up." I can't imagine how difficult it must be. You're crying out for help and being told you have to wait... and wait... and you do, and then you get to the dr and she essentially tells you, "Nope. You have to wait some more."
A psychiatrist will definitely be able to help you with meds, but isn't likely going to give you much in the way of listening/helping with problems. They generally just do med management, making sure you're at the right dose, on the right med, kind of thing. A licensed social worker, licensed practical counselor, or psychologist (and that's often iffy, as they oftentimes just do testing) would be the way to go for counseling.
You could also try your local mental health agency. They might not be able to get you in right away but they might have some names and numbers that would be willing to see you sooner.
I have major depression and have been saved through medication. I know your pain and feel for you.....really I do.
Dudesmom, oh my gosh I am sorry - that is so awful that you are trying so hard to get help and obstacles are being thrown at you!! hang in there always know that you can come here for support.
I really understand your frustration but if you can't get an appt. and supplements aren't an option either, go to the ER. As others have said, they cannot commit you against your will unless they feel you are a threat to yourself or others. I have a friend who has gone to the ER twice because of panic attacks and they have helped her. She also has financial issues and the ER has been more than willing to work with her on that end, so don't worry about the cost.
Right now, I am also upset with my doc. I have anxiety problems from time to time. This doc has always prescribed Xanax, which I only used rarely. The post 5 months or so the anxiety has been getting worse. Now I am dealing with a much larger issue that has causing me extreme stress. I called my doc who proceeded to tell me to practice my deep breathing and CBT. I'm all for cognitive therapy, but it's really not very helpful now and I don't think she's listening to me. Oh well, time to try and find someone new... Yuck!!
I'll also add my hat the the ring about going to the ER if you feel out of control. My stupid psych told me ( someone more likely to suffer from post partum depression) to go off my medication a week before my due date because of the baby. Without much time to wean off. I did and then got sick and had horrid panic attacks after the baby was born. I had to go to the ER for some immediate help. My experience was very positive. I didn't meet with a psych but a very knowledgeable ER doc took care of me.
Last edited by AmandaMamma; 10-26-2010 at 01:02 AM.
I would also add that most ER docs are somewhat knowledgable in depression and anxiety, as a TON of people present with a lot of odd symptoms that turn out to be stress related or anxiety related and they have to be able to tell the difference between a panic attack and a heart attack.
I've never gone myself, but in the height of my anxiety I used to post quite regularly on anxiety forums and most of the posters there were making monthly visits.
My only caution would be the cost, my insurance has penalty fees for ER visits that turn out not to be emergency (life threatening) situations and I pay a hefty co-pay to go there. But on the plus side, we also aren't expected to wait more than a week for a Dr's appointment. Can you call your insurance company and have them refer you to a psychiatrist? Perhaps you can find one that will take you sooner that way. I would explain to them the situation and ask for a list of names that are on their approved list. You might also need to get a pre-authorization for a mental health visit. All of my insurance plans in the past 10 years required this, but maybe I just have strict plans. Mental health is generally a seperate plan from your regular health plan, so if you've never saught this treatment, you might want to double check that.
I feel for you though...sending hugs and just keep posting and see if you talking about it can help. Sometimes just having someone to talk to about it helps.
Last edited by Wildflower; 10-28-2010 at 05:05 PM.
I know that where I live (Alabama) speciality doctors will not write scrips for meds. outside of their speciality. You have to see a general practitioner or general family medical doctor. I was reading online that it is common for people who take these meds to gain about 10 lbs. My husband is on Lexapro and has gained...but he also quit smoking and some is probably from that. I was on Zoloft last year but I was not dieting then so I was gaining anyway. I hope you feel better soon.This is really hard. Reach out and talk with a trusted friend or family member while your waiting to get the medicine you need. Sometimes it helps to talk and cry with someone.
[QUOTE=goal4agirl;3544629]I know that where I live (Alabama) speciality doctors will not write scrips for meds. outside of their speciality. You have to see a general practitioner or general family medical doctor. I was reading online that it is common for people who take these meds to gain about 10 lbs. My husband is on Lexapro and has gained...but he also quit smoking and some is probably from that. I was on Zoloft last year but I was not dieting then so I was gaining anyway. I hope you feel better soon.This is really hard. Reach out and talk with a trusted friend or family member while your waiting to get the medicine you need. Sometimes it helps to talk and cry with someone.
Just because I can't sit on my fingers... You do realize that psychotropics are outside of a general practitioner/family dr's specialty, right? They get very, very, very little training in psychopharmacology (not to mention the disorders that require treatment with psychotropics). (Same thing with diabetes, but that's not the topic of convo here ).
Just because I can't sit on my fingers... You do realize that psychotropics are outside of a general practitioner/family dr's specialty, right? They get very, very, very little training in psychopharmacology (not to mention the disorders that require treatment with psychotropics). (Same thing with diabetes, but that's not the topic of convo here ).
I just wanted to add that I had a really, really bad experience getting Paxil from a GP. I was referred from my allergist as I was having a lot of heart palpitations and I thought it was from my inhaler. The allergist was concerned and sent me over to a GP who referred my to a cardiologist and ran a ton of tests. Heart was fine, and it was determined to be anxiety.
The GP basically just gave me Paxil CR samples because that's what the drug rep had dropped off at the office. They weren't even the dose he thought I should start at, but when I pointed that out he said, we'll, we can try you at that dose then, it's what you would go up to.
I was soooooooooo sick on the Paxil, for someone who was 125 lbs I was on 37.5 mg. Which I believe to be very high. My weight shot up to 160 in a few months, and I could barely eat anything. I was so, so sick. I was sweating horribly and waking up at night soaking wet and chilled like I had a 104 fever. I was so nauseous, I couldn't keep food down, and yet I was gaining weight insanely. Because of the symptoms, I was taken off the Paxil cold turkey after a month. Which lead to horrid withdrawal for about another month (I was switched to Buspar, which didn't help). I continued to gain weight for several months after I was on the Paxil. Then one day it just stopped and I started losing...it was bizarre. I went up to my highest weight of 162 lbs and then I just started to drop back down slowly as I started to feel better.
Anyway, I am not trying to scare you. Everyone has different reactions and if it's worth anything, my anxiety was 100% gone while on the Paxil. The feeling like I had a severe flu was a million times worse though. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. My point is...anti depressants can have horrid effects on people, so make sure you see a psychiatrist and tread lightly. GPs treat colds and flus, they are not specialists in anything, let alone mental health.
always know that you can come here for support.
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