I'm so glad to hear that you have a therapist who is open to the idea that your symptoms may be the result of more than one problem. Most practitioners are unwilling to believe that a patient's issues have more than one root cause (often outside their field). I hope that your therapist has a good neurologist in mind for the second opinion, which is an excellent idea. I am glad that she recognizes your existing mental heath issues and still wants to retain you as a patient. Not only can she treat your anxiety with therapy and medication, but I think that she can also help you coordinate your care. It is so helpful to have a mental health professional tell a medical doctor that they believe a patient has an underlying medical condition… especially since this therapist is familiar with post concussion syndrome.

Sam, you are getting the best care as you are being treated as a whole patient… a whole person... by your therapist, and I am so pleased that all avenues are being explored. I'm glad that you're hopeful again that you're going to get to the bottom of things and see improvement soon. I share that hope.

This is all good news! I look forward to hearing more! Remember we are here for you

Kay

Hi everyone,


It's been a while without an update, and that's just because nothing has been new untill today.


Today I got prescribed 5 mg of Lexapro (Escitalopram, An SSRI anti anxiety medication)


So I had to go to a different doctor to get this prescription, because my therapist is a psychologist and cannot prescribe. The doctor I saw was really mean in my opinion, when I asked him about depersonalization and if this medication can help with it he sorta avoided the question and basically said he doesent know...



He seemed to have SOME (not a lot) knowledge about depersonalization, but the vibe I got from him was that "DP Isn't really that bad, and it will just fade away naturally once you eat healthy"... WRONG.


That's not the case. Depersonalization is a very complex condition that CAN be helped with medications like SSRI's, but hey what do I know?




So I'll let you guys know how the medication does. Just because I don't like the doctor is not gonna stop me from trying it. I'm basically just trying and reporting back to my therapist everything that happens.



Let me know what you think! (All your feedback helps SO much)

oh sam, good luck with the lexapro!
I hope it helps to lessen your anxiety and such.
thanks for the update!
bizi

Great news Sam!

Kudos on your attitude. You handled that really well. Our doctors aren't always the best at bedside manner. We need them to be competent, support and touchy-feely good vibes can come from elsewhere. He does get points for saying he didn't know, not all will admit that.

Give yourself some time on the lexapro. Benefit from antidepressants is not immediate and some positive brain changes that occur from the neurotransmitter boost take time to set in. Side effects can be onerous in the beginning but lessen as you acclimate. If this doesn't work out there are other options.

Keep up the good work,

Good report Sam, you're moving in the right direction! Please keep us posted.

Hi Sam
You inspire me in some ways
Your understanding of your body and mind
Just blows me away
You are right to put his ego on the back burner
Remember
(They don't like to loose)
Theses words from my shrink I fired recently
Because he was just not listening to me
And to hear from his own mouth
That he tried it reps and their samples
Said he did not find it did anything
I did not want to hear negative suggestions
Letting him go and letting God is the route I decided to take
I have a good sense of of self
And will not let any doctor off the hook
I took information
Printed out two copies so my doctors can educate themselves with my mutation
Remember
Only you know the truth about what is going on with your body
You are a very bright young man
I love science
It helps me stretch it a bit and look outside the box
You
KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS
HOPE HE BE HONEST ABOUT THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH then give him what is necessary to get to the ROOT CAUSE of the change that took place
Now you show him
Taking charge of your mental health is something you have been empowering yourself with knowledge
And basically process of elimination
Make sure you keep journals of what happens to your body
Under new meds
It is important
Not now but maybe latter

Keep up the personal fight
It isn't in your head

Love
Me

I'm glad that you're giving meds a chance….

I'm sorry that you didn't have a positive experience with your prescriber, but I agree with Littlepaw that the fact that he was willing to admit that he didn't know the answer to your question is actually a good sign.

Please give the lexapro and the prescriber time to work for you. The dosage of the lexapro will need to be adjusted, or a different med may end up being a better fit for you in the end. And you may find that your relationship with your provider gets more difficult over time. If that's the case, you can get a new one… you're not married to him.

Good luck Sam, and keep us posted

Sam,
Your determination is a big plus. The fact that you are not/will not give up until you get answers. Time is on your side. This might actually take a group of doctors working together with you; starting from the very beginning to the present.

Glad you are willing to try the Lexapro. As Kay mentioned; your dosage may need adjustment.

Your patience is admirable. You may be actually helping others not give up on themselves.

Gerry

Hi everyone,


Once again, been a while without an update.



So I've been on the lexapro for about 10 days now and I really haven't noticed a difference with the depersonalziation. Maybe my anxiety has gone down a bit but really not a significant difference yet. Still feel like I'm living in a dream.


Recently, my pediatrician contacted my mom and wanted an update on what is going on with everything, she told him about the copper, the DP, and how my therapist believes the symptoms are too strong to be physical.


So, hes checking for Wilson's Disease and high copper in my body! (Wilson's disease is when your body has too much copper and cannot release it. The copper can then harm you and destroy your liver and other major body parts.)



Yes, the hair analysis already showed my high copper but he believes that doesn't show enough, and wants to do his own blood and urine test.



I'm very happy about this because I think something is going to show, at least I hope so. If something does, he would be able to treat it with medication that takes out the copper in my body. He also said that when you have an copper toxicity it can cause all the symptoms I've been experiencing.




So I'll let you guys know the results as soon as I get them! Again, thank you all for being here so I can have someone to go to for support and advice.

its so great to hear Sam
your doctor is that concerned
it is good he leaves no stone unturned
be well