HS, I have to respond to what appears to be medical advice you are giving.
First, it's all well and good to suggest she get a second opinion, (psychologists are not medical doctors even if they have the title "Doctor"-that means they are Ph.D's in psychology but you'd need a psychiatrist MD for a good discussion about the pharmacological process and the time for the meds to take effect. Most anti-depressants say that it takes 4-6 weeks for full effect). For you to tell her to stop taking her meds is irresponsible, and stems from a tragic event in your family, that MAY have been due to substandard care, also known as human error. Like you said, you are not an MD. I take issue with your mind reading of the doctor, who you accuse of not having "her best interest in mind..."?? Doctors are human and make mistakes, but please, don't attribute their mistakes to some nefarious motive. There is no conspiracy. And patients have duties to read the warnings as well. As a med malpractice attorney, and the wife of a physician, your post clearly bothered me. It obviously pushed a button-lights flashing, etc. So I apologize if my tone is harsh, but I really object to your "instructing" and implying that she is weak, b/c you did it all without drugs. You have kids. Great, me too. IMO, FWIW, It is EASIER to me to function with kids, than without. Harder to spiral and obsess when little ones are hungry.
As to your family's incident, I'm sorry it happened. But you don't know that the doctor even needed to read the warning, given that he may prescribe this medication often and has actually read something about it before prescribing, nor that he "failed" to read the warning at all. Maybe HE KNEW about the warning AND weighed the benefits vs. risks and made the best choice under circumstances that cannot have been optimal in the first place b/c your relative was already in the hospital with a serious condition. ( Like choosing which chemotherapy to give my brother in law -3 experts at Johns Hopkins said one thing, 2 at Stanford said another. Whoever is "wrong" isn't making a "stupid" choice, just a trial and error "wait and see if this helps" attempt to heal a serious condition.) Bad outcomes or unexpected bad events, do NOT necessarily = malpractice, let alone "stupid" professionals. Many people have this misconception. Do you know exactly her weight, liver or kidney metabolic functioning level - b/c diff meds metabolize differently and through various systems in our bodies, or what exact medicine and dosage she is taking? I sure don't. Last but not least, doctors are humans and make mistakes. They work a lot. My H's internship year he worked every day for 342 days in a row, with an average of 7 hours "off", which includes sleeping....Yep, 17 hour days for a year. THEN he did his residency... Don't make them out to be stupid or evil, not having the best interest of the patient in mind. Sorry your relative got sicker. But don't slime the whole profession for that. IF you are sure it was malpractice, hire a lawyer and sue.
2940 -- YOU are responsible for your health. Research and DISCUSS with this your doctor, and then go ahead and get a second opinion. I don't know what you are taking or how much or whether you are any better. But my younger sister took ADs and Xanax and as bad off as she was, she WAS A WHOLE LOT BETTER when she took them, than when she didn't. Look, We treat pain for broken legs. Sometimes we have to treat broken hearts the same way. It does not mean you are weak. Don't let anyone make you feel that way b/c they got through something without them. I am NOT pushing meds on you. I am saying you need to be in charge of your own health, by taking responsibility for it, reading the info and reminding a doctor if you think he needs reminding. Like US, doctors are not mind readers.
When I said, half seriously, to take another one if you were still out of control an hour later, even then I said check the dose, and read up on it. Don't take that as medical advice b/c it was not meant to be. I even commented on my "qualifications" as a joking reminder that I am NOT qualified to say something like that. Allow yourself whatever you need, to heal. Sometimes a medicine taken appropriately is the lesser of two "evils" in that it could prevent you from doing something much worse or more dangerous, or harmful in the long run. good luck, take care of YOURSELF, j-
M: 57 H: 60 M: 35 yrs S30,D28,D19 H off to Alaska 2006 Recon 7/07- 8/08 *2016* X = "ALASKA 2.0" GROUND HOG DAY I File D 10/16 OW DIV 2/26/2018 X marries OW 5/2016
