Don't want to return to nurse practitioner - what to do?

I've been seeing my doctor for a little over a year now for depression. I went in early Nov., when I had been doing better. I'd been improving over a few month's time, and even began to wean off my Lexapro. Since I was improving, my doctor told me to make an appt. for 4-6 mons. I was ok with that, but when I tried to go off Lexapro completely, that's when the trouble started. I've been feeling so down this holiday season. I went back to 5mg a day, but it seems to make little difference. I called the doctor's office to see what could be done about my medicine, and they put me with a nurse practitioner because my doctor was booked up for weeks. This was 2 weeks ago. She was alright, but she wants to change my medicine, which I don't want to do. I've heard bad things about Effexor, and Lexapro always worked well for me. I was just afraid to go on a higher does of Lexapro because it makes me tired. She wants to see me back next week. I'm thinking about cancelling the appointment.

I had been improving a little these past couple weeks, but today I've been a mess. Part of it is situational stuff. It helps to talk to someone, but I'm not used to this new woman, and don't feel comfortable talking to her. I also haven't been taking the new medicine, so I don't see a point in returning. Though, I think something is really wrong because I haven't felt this poorly in a long time. I don't know what I should do. I guess I should try to tough it out, then at the end of the month when they have the new calendar up, call about getting the 4-6 month appointment. I don't want to keep going to this nurse - I didn't think nurses can even prescribe drugs. My script wasn't signed by a doctor. I wonder if he even knows I'm seeing her, and that she's prescribing this (?).

Think about choosing a therapist or Doctor as shopping. You are in control of who you see for reasons of your own. If you're doing well on Lexapro and don't want to switch, don't. You shouldn't start or stop meds or change dosage without notifying your doctor.

If you arent comfortable with the new doctor ask for someone else. Its your right. try talking with a therapist, most clinic/hospitals have someone there to evaluate you and the meds you take. go to the appointment and stand up for yourself. Wishing you luck.

Get on the phone call your doctor and tell him all of this leave info with his service he needs to know and have him call you back keep doing it and doing it he is a doctor and he needs to return your calls........if he does not report him and find out about this nurse thing too look it up on the web..be careful don't get sick ...bless you kara