::Numine.com::

by Kat

My Regence health care coverage started last Weds. My first appointment was today, cost me nothing, and I accomplished so much. I got my yearly physical (lady parts, too), consulted about birth control options (I'm considering an IUD), got a referral for massage therapy, got a referral for psychotherapy, got my cholesterol and thyroid levels tested, made a counseling and vision appointment, and got a prescription for Paxil. I don't think I'm going to start with Paxil though, I'm pretty freaked out about it and I feel like I talked my doctor into giving me a medication that's pretty severe. I should have just taken the Wellbutrin. But we'll see, I'm going to chat with the psychologist on Monday morning before I fill any prescription. ^_^

Looks like 2006 will be the year all the eldest Ortland sisters go on some form of anti-anxiety medications. Blah to poor genetics, crappy learned behavior, and stressful circumstances.

Posted on March 09, 2006 @ 3:29 PM | 5 comments

Comments:

About the IUD - my mom had one for a while, but she said it pinched a great deal. A friend of mine has a 7 month old daughter, and she refers to the child as 'the IUD baby'... just two personal experiences that were enough to keep me away.

About the Paxil... That does seem like a strong one. My ex was on Wellbutrin for a while, but it had side effects he didn't like (I can't remember what, sorry), and ended up on Celexa, which worked better. Everyone's different though.

By Lazy Lightning, at 3:52 PM, March 09, 2006

I was on Wellbutrin for a bit during college. I was having a very hard time concentrating in class, and completing assignents. I was quite stressed at this time also. Instead of treating me for an attention problem, right away, they wanted to see if the anti-depressant would improve things at all. I don't remember the side effects...they weren't too severe, just maybe mildly annoying...but it also didn't seem to help with the problem much.

By sometrouble, at 8:05 AM, March 10, 2006

Good luck with the IUD consultation and let me know how it goes. I will never try that again, mebbe if/when I have children *shudders*.

I know you already know what I'm going to tell you. You know that in order to treat anxiety effectively, treating the symptoms with medication may work in the short term, but in order to treat it effectively, the source of the anxiety must be discovered and worked through.

With regards to both of those comments above, everyone and their bodies are different, so you must do what you think is best for you, best friend 'o mine. I support you regardless!

By Rachel, at 8:47 AM, March 10, 2006

btw, woot woot to health insurance!

By Rachel, at 8:54 AM, March 10, 2006

You _did_ get a lot done at the doctor's office, and you picked some really great services to look into and body levels to check (for a person in your age range / phase of life).

And you are incredibly fortunate to have such a great health plan! It distresses me to no end how millions of Americans are left out of the loop about health care and must rely on clinics and the emergency room. Most countries in western Europe consider universal health care a right not a privilege. Maybe one day we'll be as cool as them.

By spuh, at 12:12 PM, March 13, 2006