probably best not to take me at face value as I am tanked... but I learnt a long time ago that I don't just take my shirnk's recommendations... I do enough of my research to know what I want to *tell him* and I encourage him to listen.. its my life after all

From the sound of it yoiu may need to find a new pdoc. That's not uncommon. But talk to your doc and explain just what you wrote about weight concerns, then tell them that you'll move on since you're feeling ignored. By the way, weight gain isn't a universal thing. Some do and some don't, not that this eases your situation.

Well what I did was tell him I just wasn't taking them. There are so many meds out there that don't cause as much weight gain, or they cause it initially and then it tapers off.

My pdoc keeps insisting he wants me on Zyprexa. I gained close to 30 pounds in 2 /12 months. That was it for me, when he wanted to increase it I absolutely said NO. I even went so far as to tell him NOPE not taking it anymore. I mean when I gain that much weight I get even more depressed so what good is a med if it's side effects are making you severely depressed due to the weight gain.

The bad thing is that the majority of anti-psychotic medications carry that as a side effect. But some not as severe as others. Do your research first, that way you can say, "instead of this med how about this one?"

I do that a lot with my pdoc. I know what meds are out there, what their side effects are and if I think I can handle the effects or not. I am very adamant in my mental health care, I'm crazy enough without having some doctor give me meds that aren't going to help. You know yourself best, so do some research and then get with pdoc and tell him your feelings and thoughts.

Otherwise, do as I have done too...find a new pdoc. I have been through so many because most of the old ones are like cattle herders, move em in-move em out. No time to chit chat about how you're doing, there's money to be made, write the script, nod your head like you are listening and then get them outta there for the next $90 dollars to come in.

Stand up for yourself, after all you are paying them to provide a service, if they are not providing it then FIRE THEM and find a new one.

Best of Luck,
Let us know how it turns out.
Kimmers

I agree with Kimmers,

Im fairly new to taking medications again but its important to educate yourself on medications and have a dr that listens. If you decide to look for a new dr, read reviews on them through your insurance and/or other sites.

Hope things get better.

Seems that you and your doc just don't see things quite eye-to-eye.

Remember - YOU are the "Boss", he is a paid professional adviser. He is your EMPLOYEE.YOU hired HIM. You can fire him, too. Go shopping. Find one who listens and with whom you 'click'. Hire new doc first, and then fire the old one. You needn't even TELL him he's fired. When you stop making appointments with old doc, He'll understand, and there are likely plenty of others he does "click" with, and if not, he will either change his ways or go bust for losing patients.

for the record, I was in the "guinea pig" phase for years b4 I found a combo of meds that works for me, and had no unacceptable side effects. I am lucky to have quickly found a doctor I get along with - I look forward to my visits (I don't call them 'appointments' because they are more like visiting a friend who happens to be more educated in his field than myself). And when one med wasn't working, or had unacceptable side effects for me, I just told him "These side effects are unacceptable" or "This med just doesn't seem to be working, or not working well enough" and he would prescribe another.

I have been thru many pdocs and many meds. When I found the one I have now, about 2 1/2 yrs ago, the first thing I said to him is that I will research every med he "suggests" before agreeing to go on it and that all other things he tells me about my illness will be researched and then we can make another appt and discuss things. He totally was on the same page with me and said he wished more patients were this way.

I learned to do this the hard way. Before i just alwasy took the scripts and did what they said. I mean after all I was new to this and thought "well they are the doc so they know"...WRONG...I have become in charge of my illness. I still cycle, I still have the thoughts in my head, the voices etc. But I emplement what I have learned, do the coping skills and if it is bad, first I see my therapist (13 yrs same one), then call the pdoc.

The last time I went into the hospital, the first time in just over 5 yrs, before i was going atleast twice a year. I called the therapist and the pdoc and told them this is what is going on and I need to go. The only place available at the time has "traveling docs" and they like to just push meds and more meds. My pdoc made sure I knew I had the right to refuse them.

Do research until you just can't do it anymore and the next day start over. and Yes I agree find a new pdoc.

Good luck!