First time on meds...

[ioa]

Hello everyone, I don't normally post much, much more of a reader than a poster but I just need some input.

I've never been on any medication until now and I'm just a bit confused.

I'm living abroad and have recently been having lots of anxiety trouble, panic attacks and sleeping problems. My psych back home knew I probably had some kind of anxiety disorder but didn't want to put me on anything because she wouldn't be able to monitor me here.

So... I went to a psych yesterday and spoke to her in English (she spoke fairly well but it was clear she was a little out of practice and doesn't deal with non-natives much). She didn't give me a clear diagnosis but gave me four meds:

Depakote (500 mg/day)
Lendorin - not legal back in my country but is a good sleeping pill
Xanax and propranolol - for my attacks, as needed

I looked these up online and... I don't really know what to think. Why am I on depakote if I only have anxiety? Isn't that a little overkill?

I'd appreciate anyone's comments, thoughts, experiences on these drugs. I go see her again in a week and I'd like to discuss things.

Thanks so much.

[Mrs Sam]

Four different meds does sound like quite a large number for your first time on meds especially considering you seem to have quite specific problems (anxiety).

Did she explain why she wanted to try you on each med? I would suggest if possible to go and get a second opinion before starting all of these tablets as it does seem like quite extreme measures.

I havent been on any of these meds specifically but i do know there are some good meds out there for anxiety.

[ioa]

Thanks for the advice.

She said the Depakote is a mood stabilizer. I did mention that I sometimes will go from being in an OK, functioning mood to severely depressed (like from normal to crying) without much notice. Because her English isn't perfect, she may have mistook those symptoms for bipolar? I read some stuff on the internet and that is mainly what the drug is used for. I don't really know that much about bipolar disorder, so I can't tell if I am a candidate. I can tell that I've never really experienced anything that resembles "mania" or "hypomania."

I do have mood swings but I don't think they're nearly in that extreme range. I don't know... As I said, this is my first time so I'm just trying to see what's normal. I guess I should mention I'm living in Japan, so psychiatry is slightly different than in the States. Overmedication is kind of the norm, from what I hear :-/

I would love to see someone for a second opinion - unfortunately, that's not so easy to do where I live since the number of doctors who speak English (at that level) are very few and far between.

So... should I just take the meds and talk to her again next week? Or should I hold off taking them until I know what my diagnosis is?

I'm just... really confused right now :(

[Mrs Sam]

I guess it depends right now how debilitating your symptoms are. If you really can't hold off till next week then i'd start taking them otherwise if you can then it might be wise to hold off till you speak to her again.

I dont actually think a diagnosis is necessary to find you decent meds as they're used to treat certain symptoms.

Maybe you could try and write a letter and if you're not very good at Japanese ask someone to convert it for you so they have a better idea at what your issues are.

[sherlock holmes]

Personally, I think four new meds in one go is overwhelming and not the sort of thing that would typically be done in the UK. If you have a bad reaction then you wont know which drug is causing it.

Maybe you should wait to speak to her again and see if you need to be on all four, or if you can start with one at a time.

[roiben]

It is incredibly unusual to be put on so many meds at one. Standard practice is to start on one and build up from there, so that you can tell which is working for what, sort out side effects et al.
I would ask for another opinion and check with the person how you are meant to be taking them and what they are all for specifically, for you.
If at all possible, I would also contact your Psych back at home and check it in with them.
Roiben x