What to tell my shrink?

[suessmayr]

Ordinarily I would advocate complete candour in the patient-psychiatrist relationship. But I'm in a bit of situation as a result of a previous bad choice.

I was on avanza at 60mg many months ago and was in the process of reducing it. I assumed, one day, that my shrink would continue to reduce it, whereas in fact he didn't. The result was that I had lowered my dose to 30mg, but simply and foolishly told him that I was on 45mg.

That was at least 6 months ago, and recently we decided to increase it again. So he said, increase it from 45mg to 60mg. I increased it from 30mg to 45mg. Now I don't know whether to (1) tell him that I increased my dose to 45mg (the truth), (2) tell him I increased it to 60mg, or (3) tell him I did nothing. Short of telling him the truth, he can either have correct information about the increase, or about the actual dose.

I didn't tell him because he had been angry at me previously for managing my own meds, and it could be really bad if he found out.

 

[Legerity]

Why should it be so bad if he is to find out about this? It's not like you are abusing the medication. But if you are trying to taper down or eliminate while he is trying to go in the other direction, then you both have different goals regarding your treatment. To me anyways it is problematic if he is not open to your input regarding medication and dosages.

 

[suessmayr]

The issue is that I not only made the initial error and reduced my dose when he didn't want to, but that I have persisted in this dishonesty over the past 6 months at least. Like every time he's asked me "So what are you taking?" I've just lied about my dose, because I really didn't want to go back up.

 

[S.M.F.G]

In this case im seeing a difference of 15mg of avanza. doesn't strike me as a bad thing that you were reducing it and were taking 30mg and saying 45mg its pretty insignificant imo and as Legerity said its not like ur abuseing it its near impossible. I wouldnt touch that stuff with a stolen dick but i have seen it work for others... If i were in your shoes id probably maintain 45mg and say you didnt go up, youre clearly were trying to cut it out so make sure he is aware that is what ur intention is and thusly have not risen upto 60. My oppinion only im hesitant about calling it advice given im not an expert in the field of psycology/psyciatry. But damn sure i would not be having anything "pushed" on me that i thought may be no good for me, best of luck

 

[suessmayr]

Thanks man.

He didn't ever 'push' it on me; I was just over-zealous in the reduction. Now I'm so badly headfucked and will likely go back up to 60mg which I'm ok with. If I tell him I didn't increase he will think that I'm at 45mg and have just stayed at 45mg, whereas in fact I increased from 30mg. If I tell him I increased he'll think I'm at 60mg whereas in fact I'm at 45mg.

Bah. Probably I'll do what you said and just say I did nothing. That way he'll know my current dose.

 

[Richie Rich]

Hi there I'm also on avanza I don't see the big deal just go up to ur 60mg dose and say nothing that way he's happy and if u r comfortable with 60 mg it wil al be fine. I'm also on 60 mg but I honestly havn't noticed a big difference from 30 to 60 mg as long as ur happy being on 60mg no probs dude

 

[suessmayr]

Yeah this was my feeling too - I felt no different on 60mg than I did at 15mg. Mood-wise anyway. But I suspect that avanza may have anxiety-reducing properties at the higher doses...