two doctors say I have to choose between two evils?

Question

Both my psychiatrist and my general GP have told me to choose between two evils:
-Taking prozac and feeling very very tired: For example sleeping two days in a row, and feeling energyless all the time.
-Or stoping prozac and feel physically more healthy but suffer from social anxiety and obsessions.

Both choices are debilitating and I can't live with any of them. But both my General GP and psychiatrist say there is nothing more they can do. Blood has been tested: it is normal. And I've tried seroxat/paxil and effexor.

I've told them that I become very tired when I take prozac- So they both think there is no need to check for anything else (like sleep apnea)

So: a wonderful decision lies in front on me: Feeling very tired and life-less all the time or constanly batlling with anxiety and obsessions.

The social anxety will never go away: I have PDD-NOS and am simply "stranger" in social contact: I will always have anxiety about being different.

So which of the two?

Answer 1

you can try tapering the prozac back to the lowest effective dose-some people only need 5 mg to do the job. Then you will have less side effects.

You can see another psychiatrist and get another opinion. You can research your condition online, like at webmd and NIMH (natl institute of mental health) and see if they really thought of everything.

You may just have to put up with the side-effects and have more caffeine and take the pills at night. My bipolar pills make me sleep a lot more, that's how it can be if you have a serious mental illness. I chug the coffee in the morning, and take a 2 hour nap every afternoon. The meds aren't that great yet, too many side effects. You have to decide which you prefer.

Did you try counseling to try and deal with the social anxiety/reduce it? Most mental conditions do best with pills AND counseling. maybe all mental conditions.

good luck! anyone with a serious mental illness has been where you are at, an online support group might be nice for you.

Answer 2

You don't have to choose between two evils!You have put yourself in a bind; you don't allow enough time for your body to adjust to the Prozac and you say you otherwise will suffer from social anxiety and depression. You state that "the social anxiety will never go away," ; the counseling therapy for PDD-NOS is specifically designed to give you methods and practices to improve your social interactions. It can go away!

The Prozac is to help alleviate the depression; it is not a "magic bullet" that is going to eliminate it. It takes some participation and actions on your part, among them eliminating all these negative thoughts, to break free of depression.

First get rid of the idea you are solely different; everyone is different. Dare to be different, dare to stand alone! If everyone were the same we would all die of boredom. Take the Prozac; it takes 3-4 weeks to adjust to it and longer to notice any effects.

Good luck, good health, peace and Love!

Answer 3

I think you need a new psychiatrist. There's more they can give you then seroxat/paxil and effexor.

If I were to choose one, I'd go off. I used to be on meds, but it didn't do a thing for the way I felt and all I did was sleep. I really do believe you can control your thoughts and emotions. I think there's a reason you have anxiety, but you just don't know it. Try to focus on your feelings and get to the core of the cause. If you know why you feel the way you do, it makes things easier.

Good luck.

Answer 4

Have you considered getting a second opinion from a different GP? I tried paxil and couldn't sleep at all for days. He adjusted my dosage and it helped a lot.

Answer 5

Im 17 and on antidepressant celexa try a diffrent type you dont have to make that type of choice. That type has the least amount of side effects than any other anti out there talk to your phyciatrist.

Answer 6

Maybe you just need a lower dosage of Prozac.

Answer 7

If it was me..I rather deal with my disorder and not sleep thru life