Will I be able to take my cat with me to an ATOS medical?

LadyMorticia

Scared45 wrote: »

The psychiatrist did mention CBT - I think, like you say, he wanted to try out meds first.

But this is the 3rd different anti-depressant I've been on and it's not really helping so I think I am going to push him on the CBT when next we meet.

The cat is fine when I'm in the kitchen, or in any other room in the house - she doesn't always even sleep in my bedroom. It's just when I leave the house she can act up (more like some dogs, really).

I've taken her to the supermarket with me before and she seems to quite enjoy it. I know that sounds insane, as per the title of this thread, but wasn't meant as such.

Heya Scared45.:)

In my experience sometimes being on meds and having CBT at the same time can help. The CBT deals with the underlying problem and the meds hopefully help if things get worse before they get better.

However, if the meds aren't really doing anything for you, then it might be worth going back to your GP to discuss it.

Anti-depressants didn't work for me either. I got all the side effects (I have M.E so drug sensitivity is a symptom apparently) but none of the beneficial effects. I'm on an anti-psychotic now for my OCD/anxiety and mood swings. I've yet to see an improvement but it usually takes high doses of things for me to see a difference.:o

There might be other types or meds out there that could help and definitely chase up the CBT. You're worth the help you need. Never forget that. :grouphug:

System

LadyMorticia wrote: »

Heya Scared45.:)

In my experience sometimes being on meds and having CBT at the same time can help. The CBT deals with the underlying problem and the meds hopefully help if things get worse before they get better.

However, if the meds aren't really doing anything for you, then it might be worth going back to your GP to discuss it.

Anti-depressants didn't work for me either. I got all the side effects (I have M.E so drug sensitivity is a symptom apparently) but none of the beneficial affects. I'm on an anti-psychotic now for my OCD/anxiety and mood swings. I've yet to see an improvement but it usually takes high doses of things for me to see a difference.:o

There might be other types or meds out there that could help and definitely chase up the CBT. You're worth the help you need. Never forget that. :grouphug:

Also to further what LadyM said, i'm now on my 6th anti-d BUT it is working , its been a bit trial and error, sometimes they don't work, sometimes it takes trying several to find one that suits you, mention it to your psych that you don't feel they are working.

Deffnetly push ahead for CBT though

LadyMorticia

xXMessedUpXx wrote: »

Also to further what LadyM said, i'm now on my 6th anti-d BUT it is working , its been a bit trial and error, sometimes they don't work, sometimes it takes trying several to find one that suits you, mention it to your psych that you don't feel they are working.

Deffnetly push ahead for CBT though

Have to agree with you there, MU.

There are so many different anti-depressants out there and a few different classes too. If you've had three from the same class, it might be worth trying from a different class? Definitely talk to your GP/psychiatrist about it, Scared.

Not medical advice of course. Just an opinion.

Scared45

Thanks a lot. Well, the 2nd anti-depressant I was on - escitalopram - made everything worse. I had horrendous side-effects and even an increase in my panic attacks.

The one I'm on now - imipramine - is older but a bit better for me, I seem to sleep more easily.

I'm also on anti-psychotics, quite a large dose which I've been on since last summer, but nothing seems to work for the panic disorder and the agoraphobia so I will be pushing the doctor for the CBT at my next appointment at the beginning of May.

I've explained the cat thing to him, also, and he seems to find it not that important - just a normal thing with someone who isn't very social and a bit ill.

when_will_it_end

hi scared

if you are offered CBT i would take it i had yrs of this and it helped me so so much, you are using your cat as a security blanket, i know i did the same only mine was a banana yes i said a banana, it was the only thing i knew i could eat an not feel sick, i thought if i panicked whist out this would cure me, whilst it helped eating it, it was obviously all psycological, my CBT woman helped me realise this

took me a while but i stopped buying bananas (in the dozens)

i buy them again now but it makes me laugh every time i do

i also have 2 cats one is very much a house cat and the other enjoys going out for many hours, my friends dog paniks if left alone, she leaves the radio on for her, or the tv

as for the meds i also tried many before finding the one that worked for me

try to find someone you trust to go with you and if it reasures you find some one to cat sit

good luck xxx

when_will_it_end

Scared45 wrote: »

I'm also on anti-psychotics, quite a large dose which I've been on since last summer, but nothing seems to work for the panic disorder and the agoraphobia so I will be pushing the doctor for the CBT at my next appointment at the beginning of May.

I've explained the cat thing to him, also, and he seems to find it not that important - just a normal thing with someone who isn't very social and a bit ill.

have you asked for meds that can help with both? my DD was on an anti psycotic drug but it also helped with her panik attacks and agrophobia, and from my previous post the cat thing is normal for now

LadyMorticia

Scared45 wrote: »

Thanks a lot. Well, the 2nd anti-depressant I was on - escitalopram - made everything worse. I had horrendous side-effects and even an increase in my panic attacks.

The one I'm on now - imipramine - is older but a bit better for me, I seem to sleep more easily.

I'm also on anti-psychotics, quite a large dose which I've been on since last summer, but nothing seems to work for the panic disorder and the agoraphobia so I will be pushing the doctor for the CBT at my next appointment at the beginning of May.

I've explained the cat thing to him, also, and he seems to find it not that important - just a normal thing with someone who isn't very social and a bit ill.

May I ask which anti-psychotic you're on? I'm on Quetiapine and my dose will be increased to 150mg tomorrow. I was meant to be starting the increased dose last Thursday but the pharmacy got sent the wrong version of the pills (I have the modified release version). Tut tut.lol. As I said I'm on them for anxiety and OCD. I have borderline personality disorder too and my psych said they may make my mood more stable but not to get my hopes up.

Do you think that the cat thing is a big issue? If it's a big issue for you then it needs to be dealt with. My psych and CPN always ask me what issues I feel are the most important and I think that if the cat thing is ruling your life so to speak then it is a big issue. Just my opinion, of course though, as an outsider looking in. Only you know your mind and your situation.

Scared45

LadyMorticia wrote: »

May I ask which anti-psychotic you're on? I'm on Quetiapine and my dose will be increased to 150mg tomorrow. I was meant to be starting the increased dose last Thursday but the pharmacy got sent the wrong version of the pills (I have the modified release version). Tut tut.lol. As I said I'm on them for anxiety and OCD. I have borderline personality disorder too and my psych said they may make my mood more stable but not to get my hopes up.

Do you think that the cat thing is a big issue? If it's a big issue for you then it needs to be dealt with. My psych and CPN always ask me what issues I feel are the most important and I think that if the cat thing is ruling your life so to speak then it is a big issue. Just my opinion, of course though, as an outsider looking in. Only you know your mind and your situation.

Quetiapine for me also, but I'm on 300mg at night. I've been on it since last July and built up to the 300 level after about a month. I have Bi-Polar and Borderline Personality disorder too and it's one drug which has helped - I don't go quite so low as I did and have hardly any manic phases at all.

With my cat I think its just that I really don't speak to other people and have isolated so much that it feels like normal to just have my cat for company.

System

I have 2 friends with MH problems and apart from each other their main companionship came from their pet cats so i don't think its uncommon hun

LadyMorticia

Scared45 wrote: »

Quetiapine for me also, but I'm on 300mg at night. I've been on it since last July and built up to the 300 level after about a month. I have Bi-Polar and Borderline Personality disorder too and it's one drug which has helped - I don't go quite so low as I did and have hardly any manic phases at all.

With my cat I think its just that I really don't speak to other people and have isolated so much that it feels like normal to just have my cat for company.

I'm glad that it's helping you. I've heard that the higher doses are for bi-polar and schizophrenia so I doubt that I'll go as high as you. Unfortunately my psychiatrist is retiring at the end of May (which is a shame as I actually like him ) so no idea what will happen if my meds need increasing again as he's the one I've been seeing about it.

I used to be agoraphobic (I still am to some extent but whenever I do go out I have to have OH with me. I can't go out alone). I know that pets can be great company. I adore cats myself and I've grown up around them.

I don't really have any advice r.e. the cat thing because I've never been in this situation with a pet before but I think that the advice about feeding your cat when you're about to go out is a good one because then hopefully your kitty will associate you going out with being fed and being happy and content.