Just a bit of unsolicited advice...

As a person who has dealt with depression since a teenager (and I'm now 33), I have been around the block a few times with different AD's.  Until recently, I just talked to my family doc/GP/PCP about changing meds and such when my symptoms would start to get out of hand.  I have been in counseling for the last couple of months, and I was talking to my counselor about the fact that I was thinking I may need to change my meds again, and she suggested I see a Psychiatrist for any future AD management.  It was a huge "DUH," moment for me when she said that.  Most of our PCP's are trained in a broad range of things, and lucky is the person who finds a PCP who actually knows the in's and out's of AD's.  Even rarer is the MD who knows AD's and WLS.  In my first visit with the Psychiatrist, we went over my history and symptomology, and she seemed to get a very good understanding of what was going on with me.  Rather then needing to change my meds completely, I needed to add a med that worked on a different set of brain chemicals.  She was very clear in explaining why she wanted to do what she wanted to do with my meds.  I've been through cycles like this one before, and never in my life has a PCP recommended taking a combination of drugs to hit all the chemicals that were out of whack.  I am so much better now for adding this other drug.   So here's my unsolicited advice.  Go to a psychiatrist to get your mental health meds fixed and monitored.  They know this stuff.  Remember, Psychiatrists are medical doctors with additional, extensive, training in mental health.  it's kind of like picking the surgeon to do your WLS.  You wouldn't go to the general surgeon who does emergency appendectomies, you go to the one that specializes and knows their stuff.  I don't want to say the name of the place I went to on an open forum, but if you want to know the name and location of the business, PM me and I will tell you.  I understand that it can be difficult to get a timely appointment at many psychiatrists offices, but this group got me in in under a week, and I feel extremely confident in their competence. 

I TOTALLY agree. My PCP managed my meds for about 6 or 7 years and it finally got to the point where it was beyond what he was able to help me with.  i initially went to the Psychiatrist for meds management and ended up having therapy with her too.  I didn't even know I needed it, but boy did I ever.  I am lucky in that she's an internal medicine specialist too so is familiar with the rearranged insides of someone who has gone through WLS and understands how that affects medication absorption.  Great advice Christi, there is nothing worse than going through everything weight loss surgery throws at you and have your meds all out of wack on top of it

I just want us all to be happy!  Life itself is crazy enough, and sometimes hard enough, but when you throw in brain chemicals that have gone awry, it just makes things uneccessarily worse.  It doesn't make sense for us to struggle like we do sometimes, especially when their are experts at our fingertips.

  

I agree 100%

I totally agree with you.  I am now on three depression meds.  It was a psychiatrist who set up the combination.  I am still counseling with a psycologist as needed.  With her help and the anti-depression meds I am doing well now.  Well enough to take on the responsibility of the possible custody of my youngest (almost 3 years) grandchild (hope to know something about the custody issue on Wednesday of this week.)   Maddie

Jeepers Maddie, you have had some interesting life experiences.  Good luck with your grandchild. 

Thank you for the wish of good luck.  If you believe in prayer, I sure would appreciate some regarding the Wednesday hearing.   Maddie

I can do that.

Hearing was this morning.  The judge issued temporary custody to me while he thinks about if a guardian ad-litem needs to be assigned.  From what he said in court, he seemed to lean toward not assigning a guardian ad-litem.  The only reason the guardian, of the father of my grandson, was requesting  a guardian ad-litem be assigned was due to my age.  The judge asked me my age.  I told him and he laughed and said he was the same age.  The father's guardian is willing to sign the permanent custody papers if I get a letter from my doctor saying I am in good enough health to take care of my grandson and a letter regarding my mental health.  I see a psycologist on a regular basis so I went to her.  I had the letter within 15 minutes.  I hope to get the doctor letter tomorrow.  So would still appreciate continued prayer that all will work out within the next couple of days. Maddie

Sounds like things are working out for you.  Glad to hear it!  I hope everything gets settled very soon.