About Layla Yeganeh Expertise I have researched and studied medicine, pharmacy, psychology and biology in college, through medical journals and research studies, I also have personal knowledge of the side effects, interactions and uses of many drugs for: antidepressants, alternative depression treatments, sleep aids, ADD, ADHD, psychiatric meds, weight loss, fibro, thyroid (Armour) versus synthetic, endocrinology, HRT, natural homeopathic drug interactions, toxicology, steroids, blood pressure, anxiety, birth control pills, Migraines, headaches, pain medications, TMJ, antibiotics, sinus and otolaryngoloy medications, as well as Immune therapy and allergy treatments, and many more. I would like to extend my knowledge and exerience to you, and offer advice so please don't hesitate to ask if you have a question. Every question is important, and no question is too difficult.
Question I've recently seen a new psychiatrist. He is ten years in practice but all those
years were at an institution. He just started private practice like three days
ago. He keeps saying I have hypomania and that I need Seroquel or Geodon
for this "Bipolar 2" disorder. When I took Seroquel, it knocked me out for 8
hours straight, then I woke up and took it again and became sick, severe
headache, problem urinating, and parts of my body spasmed and then went
numb. He now wants me to take Geodon. I have more problems with LACK of
energy than too much, but he insists I need some kind of tranquilizers. I
decided to ditch him and go back to Welbutrin at 150 mg and then start on
Lamictal. I also figured if I get too much energy at night, then I can take a
mild sleep pill that wears off without side effects. Welbutrin does make me
laugh a lot and hyper, but not if I'm taking a decent amount of a mood
stabilizer. No real side effects to Welbutrin. I'm worried about if Unisom will
interact with my other pills and if I've even made a good decision to not take
the tranquilizer-type pills. Can you give me your opinion on all this?
Answer Hi Lauren,
I have to agree with you there. I think there seems to be a high percentage of psychiatrists who dx bipolar a lot more than it actually exists. Many are set in their ways, such as my ex was a psychiatrist, and he said that almost everyone had bipolar, ohh brother!
Anyway, obviously these Geodon and Seroquel are too heavy weight for you, and as you stated, it was good to ditch the psychiatrits, I hope you find a good one that can actually listen, and treat you as an individual rather than a one size fits all.
For what you take it depends on your symptoms which would lead to a diagnosis, if Lamictal is working for you than that is great, stay on it, if it isn't and you want to readjust your wellbutrin that is okay too.
I wouldn't worry about Unisom, but also, its showing me that you need it to stay awake? if so that is not good.
Please get a better doctor, in the meantime I hope you can find a balance of meds that works for you, and always support with a daily vitamin such as Centrum, if you already don't.
Crazymeds.com is a good website for bipolar disorders (if thats actually what you have ;)
take care, I believe that you are strong and smart and you can advocate for youself, tell the new doctor what you told me here and you should be able to handle youself quite well, and get the treatment and understanding you deserve, thats why we pay doctors.
