Need Advice

[I am .....]

So here's my dilemma. My T's', my (yet to meet) Psychiatrist and my Doctor all have different views on medication and which ones I should be taking. A few weeks back I was having an extremely difficult time, wasn't thinking straight and sleep deprived. I overdosed on sleeping pills not with the intention of not waking up but just really really really needed some blacked out sleep. No flashbacks or nightmares, nothing!

Anyway back to my problem. After that incident my doctor is unable to prescribe me any medication other than my pre-existing medications for non-related health issues. It is now to be left to the discretion of my new psychiatrist, whom I refused to see a) because he's male and b) because how many doctors does one person need.

This new psychiatrist corresponded with my Doctor and told her what medications he was happy for her to prescribe me (all of which I've been on before and not worked, which he would know if he bothered to even read my file). And my T who I do EMDR with has a list of prescriptions she would prefer I not be on during therapy with her ( most of which are on the list of medications the psychiatrist gave the ok for my doctor to prescribe).

I'm experiencing some really difficult times and feel that I could cope a lot better and actually be able to face the day if I were having good quality sleep. Theres a medication that I have been on before that has worked but is not on the pre-prescribed list of medications. I should mention here that I don't have access to any medications my husband and sister dispense it when needed.

Ok so after all this my dilemma is, do I go back to my doctor (who feels like her hands are tied) or do I go to a different doctor for another opinion and see what arises from that ??? I just really don't know how much longer I can continue on this path of sleep deprivation and therapy and life.... Something has to give.

 

[ChasingMyTail]

Is it possible to talk to your doctor again and see if there is anything more she can do - like speaking very clearly about the medications your therapist doesn't want you to take and the fact that the medication you were on before didn't work?

Maybe others will be more insightful as to what options you should try. I'm not good with things like this myself - it brings out the snarky, negative and brutally blunt person within me.

 

[rightkindofme]

Oof. That sounds rough. I don't know what to suggest. That kind of situation is why I normally just don't see doctors. :(

 

[I am .....]

Thanks @ChasingMyTail !
Personally I prefer brutally blunt:tup:

 

[Deleted member 1860]

First, your existing doctor. He is 100000% correct in not wanting to prescribe you psychiatric medications given that A) you overdosed on sleeping pills and B) he sees that this is outside of his area of expertise and knows you should go to a doctor who knows more about psychiatric medication. There is also a liability issue. If he knowingly prescribes you medication that you previously overdosed on and you do it again and die, he could lose his license. So there is no fault in what your current doctor is doing. Mine did the same, saying I needed to get my medications from a psychiatrist because she did not feel comfortable handling psychiatric medications for a PTSD patient.

Second, your new psychiatrist. Well, you kind of need him at this point because you need medication to help you function. If you don't like him, for whatever reason, find someone new. Taking the "how many doctors does one person need!?!?!" approach gets you nowhere. If you had a serious heart condition would you rely on your general practitioner? Nope! This is the same thing. PTSD is a serious disorder and you will get the best care in the hands of a psychiatrist who is trained to work with PTSD patients.

Finally, your therapist. You know you need sleep in order to stabilize, but she is gung-ho about pushing you forward into EMDR without medication? This is a recipe for disaster. If she is willing to do EMDR on you when you aren't even at the point of being able to sleep and you're so desperate to sleep that you're knocking yourself out with pills, you are NOT ready for EMDR. You need to stabilize to a certain degree before starting EMDR as this therapy has the potential to make things a lot worse before you get better. If you're not currently on a reasonably stable ground, things will only get worse, possibly much much worse.

Beware the therapist who tells you she won't treat you if you're on medication. These people think they're the most advanced, naturalistic thing going, but they have NO idea what its like to be in a free fall where you know you're gonna hit bottom if you don't get a little extra help with medication, when no coping skill in the world will help you because you've tried them all. My last therapist terminated with me because she was 100% anti-medication and I finally ended up going to my psychiatrist to get meds when I finally was to the point of seriously wanting to kill myself and actually did end up in the hospital after hurting myself----all because of the crap some "all medications are bad" therapist laid on me! *end of vent*

Time to find a new psychiatrist. Your current general practitioner has her hands tied, and you will get nowhere with her. If you do go back to her, I can pretty much guarantee that she will tell you that you need to get meds from a psychiatrist, and if you don't like the one you have, then to find a new one.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

To be brutally blunt as well, you are the patient and although I totally understand the professional stand-point on medications as you previously overdosed, be that intentional or otherwise.

YOU are the patient and best equipped when it comes to recognising that certain medications are not working and THEY should at least investigate better ways for your treatment with you at the centre as the patient.

Therapy combined with the correct medications is much better that the patient struggling with therapy when they can't focus for lack of restful sleep.

Be firm @I am ..... and most of all when seeing these professionals be blunt as to what you feel you should expect as the patient.

Laurie

 

[Justmehere]

Very tough situation. I would not place too much stock in the opinion of a doctor who indicates what meds (and thus what diagnosis he would give) without ever meeting you first!

Sounds like it could be an opportunity to find a psychiatrist that you would be more comfortable with - which may or may not include getting support you need from your therapist and skills to manage anxiety to confront your fear of men and begin to build a relationship so he can best understand what you need over the long haul.

 

[StellaBlue]

Beware the therapist who tells you she won't treat you if you're on medication.

This made me smile - a sardonic smile - but a smile non-the-less. I interviewed a trauma specialist (Somatic Experiencing) who refused to treat me unless I agreed to go on anti-depressants. When I tried to explain that I wasn't currently depressed, just overwhelmed and anxious, she insisted that SE would be too destabilizing without an anti-depressant on board. I was kind of curious what psychiatrist would prescribe an anti-depressant prophylactically, but not curious enough to actually schedule a visit.

 

[I am .....]

Thank you everyone for your comments and advice!
@Solara - my Doctor is great at her job and has been my GP for nearing a decade and wouldn't have it any other way. I actually do happen to have a heart condition which requires a pacemaker/defibrillator a my doctor is more than qualified to monitor my condition. You said "PTSD is a serious disorder and you will get the best care in the hands of a psychiatrist who is trained to work with PTSD patients". I don't know how well trained he is but he called my actions "a childish cry for help". I don't have time to waste on someone that ignorant.
My therapist is not against all medications just certain meds. She has nothing against most sleeping pills. So you can see my dilemma. I can and have used sleeping pills which have worked in the recent past but due to my misuse of them i have broken my GP's trust and I don't know what the reasoning behind the psychiatrists medication choices are but I can't bring myself to find out. I just need sleep, if I'm rested I can deal with what comes my way during the day but can't deal with what is thrown my way 24/7.

@laurie71 - thank you for your bluntness. I'm not struggling with the therapy per se more the in between sessions:grumpy:.

@Justmehere - my new psychiatrist I have previously met once when I was in hospital before he was appointed my new psychiatrist, he was assisting my previous psychiatrist. He called my actions "a childish cry for help" Without knowing any of my story of the details. I found him to be quite arrogant and to be frank I think he just loved the sound of his own voice. My previous psychiatrist was lovely but she has moved on. I live in a remote area so I have no other choices when it comes to psychiatrists :(.

 

[Deleted member 20280]

@I am ..... just wondering what self soothing/grounding Techniques you use in between sessions..... Laurie

 

[franciemarnie]

When I unintentionally overdosed for the same reasons, I went to another doctor (the one I had wanted nothing to do with me), told him the truth and what he did was give me the prescription I needed but only one week's worth every week. It was a pain and cost more, but he wasn't worried about me unintentionally overdosing.

I hope you can find another way to get good deep sleep though naturally. For me, that's always a work in progress.

 

[Ocean5]

This new psychiatrist corresponded with my Doctor and told her what medications he was happy for her to prescribe me (all of which I've been on before and not worked, which he would know if he bothered to even read my file).

Wow! Without current visit to assess situation.

Remote area:
Can you contact one by phone, then maybe monthly, or every other month go?

Not sure how your country works, in parts of U.S. doctors can send prescriptions electronically to pharmacy. Skype Video or phone consult maybe??

Existing Doctor and giving out prescription...
I had a prescription with refills left from US. After moving to another country existing Doctor there would not (or could not to be fair) give me prescription. At same time doc told, "I could not stop taking this medicine" because of the withdrawals I would have. Told I had to see psychiatrists for that type of medicine (benzo.)