Posted by Clarinette on November 29, 2004, at 8:56:54
In reply to Best choice SP med in the UK? MAOIs?, posted by jclint on November 22, 2004, at 8:13:43
Hello John, and thanks for the SP precision ( I ought to have guessed the doc diagnosed me as suffering from social phobia along with BPII1/2 and cylothymic ) .
I don't really know much about what you're taking as my drugs are all geared to bipolar. I take three mood regulaters; Lamictal which works against depression, Depakine which works against the highs which I'm phasing out, and Rivotril ahainst the highs. However, if all of this helps with the BP, maybe the SP will get better too!
I can relate to your questions about social drinking, I can remember being a twenty year old student (I'm now a 33 year old hôtesse de l'air! ) . Just this weekend I was at a family get together ( in-laws), where the wine never stops flowing. Well I just drank sparkling water and a small glass of champagne. Ok, I'm sure it's easier for me, it's not at all the same social situation. But I don't know these meds very well yet, and I'm a bit concerned about the interaction with alcohol. Step by step. Also, I'm a pretty heavy grass smoker, so I have that to consider too.
I agree that the british system is somewhat en retard, running behind the rest of the world, concerning mental health care at least. I live in France and benefit from treatment from the top specialists in Paris, paid for by the social security and my work health insurance. My sister lives in the uk. I have worked out that she is BPI, but the only diagnostic she as ever had was maniaco depressive, about 14 years ago! Her psychiatrist was so stupid that he encouraged her to come off lithium because she hadn't had a manic episode for 10 years! Eight months later, predictably, she had a manic episode that ended with her being arrested and sectioned. Five months after being out of hospital, she has an appointment in one months time to see if it is necessary to put her on a waiting list to see a psychologist!
In the mean time she is being treated by her GP, who has prescribed her antidepresseurs, without giving a moments thought to the fact that she's just come out of a manic episode, and anti depresseurs are reknown for inducing manic episodes ...
Anyway, all that ranting and raving ( sorry ) to say that I empathize with your probleme with the British health care systeme, it really is below the mark.
Best wishes, bises,
Clara
poster:Clarinette
thread:418891
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041128/msgs/421770.html