Posted by mila on April 22, 2001, at 1:01:50
In reply to Comments? Opinions? on first time AD, posted by Michele on April 21, 2001, at 13:40:49
Prozac (for a generic patient with garden variety depression). apparently, many doctors feel that way, and many patients like it (statistics show that, if i am not mistaken) But then we know that such a person doesn't exist...
...for a special person with a highly individual pattern of depression-like symptoms the best first administration is a good encounter with a good family doctor. you absolutely need to undergo a thorough clinical interview and physical examination before even deciding whether what you have is a depressive illness or not, and what is the first line of attack.
I've been lucky in that respect. I passed by the hospital in a hurry, needing a prescription for a simple skin cream; they sent me to see a resident. She quickly wrote the prescription, and then gently asked whether there was anything else I wanted. I burst down in tears, and some strange unknown to me voice told her that I didn't want to live anymore. She spent 2 hours with me doing clinical interview by the book ( i assume she was a good student in med school), and then made me undergo a battery of tests, which spotted many physical problems in my body that were undetected by the physical I underwent 2 weeks prior to that.
The best advice for the Newbies from me: beware how special, how unique you and your life situation are. Know that AD might become your best friend for life. Choose well. Try different kinds. As you will change: physically, psychologically, and social-wise, your medication might be in need of being changed accordingly. do not settle for anything short of the extraordinary for yourself.
best of luck to you, Michele.
mila:)
poster:mila
thread:60700
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010417/msgs/60741.html