Major Depression/Anxiety - but on bipolar and schizophrenia meds...?

Why is my nurse practitioner doing this to me? And what do you think of an NP prescribing psych meds? Why do they have me on a mood stabilizer (Lamictal - used for bipolar which I don't have) and a schizophrenia (also do not have this) drug (Invega). Since they put me on those, my condition has worsened - I have terrible stomach problems and can't sleep! I don't understand???

Nurse Practitioners have a license to prescribe medications first off. This NP probably has worked as a psychiatric nurse, it's surprising you don't already know. ASK!!!


Secondly, you are in the year 2007 in the USA. Be proactive. If you don't agree with the meds, then tell your nurse or psychatrist. You can legally refuse medications, it's the LAW.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS.

Visit NAMI (national association for the mentally ill) for more info, please.

Re: stomach problems, Lamictal has that side effect. Also, sometimes anti-psychotic medications like Invega, Depakote, Zyprexa, and Abbilify, help mood disorders coupled with psychotic episodes. Have you ever experienced feelings of paranoia, delusional thinking or felt, saw, tasted something that wasn't there? Apparently your MD thinks you have if you are taking Invega.

Hardly a joke at all. Please call your MD and raise your concerns about these medications. They are strong and toxic and can have serious side effects and long term effects.

Why didn't you ask them this when you were at the doctor's office? Call the doc and make another appointment. If you don't understand something, ask while you are in the doctor's office. Very hard for us to help you here.

It might be preventive maintenance. The trouble with the medical profession now a days is that the doctors are all becoming :pill pushers" for the pharmaceutical industry. Depression/anxiety is something that requires changing your way of thinking and life style. That can be aided by talk therapy but is up to you to have the will to do it. Even meds require some involvement on your part with changing your thinking habits and life style. Do a "discover" search on Yahoo! answers under the categories "depression" and "Anxiety". There is a lot of good advice as to what to do to change there.

no nurse should prescribe any type of prescription medications. i have been nursing in Canada for over 30 years and have never heard of any nurse, or nurse practitioner prescribing medications. only a psychiatrist or GP should be prescribing any medication. a psychiatrist is the only person competent enough to diagnose you, based on your symptom's, and prescribe proper medication also, talk to your pharmacist who will be able to tell you about the side effects and complication's of any medication you are on.