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mrstown
Stranger
Reged: 05/01/04
Posts: 2
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At the end of May of this year I finally, in desperation, resorted to an OP to treat my Panic Disorder/Chronic Anxiety. The OP I use required medical records with an appropriate diagnosis, which was no problem. I have no worries that I am doing anything illegal. However, I would like to attempt to return to the realm of the so-called "legitmate" and politically correct medical community to manage my care, if for no other reason than to be able to rightly use my insurance that I pay an arm and a leg for.
Here's the problem...I have filled my last prescription which will run out in early October and will then be required to have another online consult which will result in another 1 month supply plus 3 refills. I have an appointment with a new psychiatrist at the end of November. I have no desire whatsoever to "double-dip". Should my new doctor turn out to be competent and compassionate in the treatment of PD/GAD, I will not use the refills. However, they will be on record in Florida as available to me. Should the new doc turn out to be an SSRI cheerleader/benzo-phobe, I do not want lose my OP source of medication. As I see it, I have four options:
a. Postpone my online second consult until I a have seen the new doc. Unfortunately, that will leave a 1 1/2 gap of no meds at all. Who am I kidding...that's not really an option
b. Re-up my online meds, see the new doc and if (big IF here!) he believes mono-benzo therapy is appropriate, hope there is no cross-referencing of presciptions on file between Florida and Washington state. Again, I would NOT attempt to fill them both or "double-dip", as they say. But it certainly would look like I intended to do just that.
c. Be completely upfront and honest with my new doc about my dilemma: my disasterous experience with SSRI's, my OP experience, why I resorted to them in the first place (my family doctor dropped me abruptly after I developed a permanent tremor in my right hand from Lexapro)., etc.
d. Cancell appointment with new doc and live with the niggling worry that my OP or their pharmacy might abruptly be shut down.
And suggestions or experience in this, anybody?
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TLM2
Newbie
Reged: 07/16/04
Posts: 37
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Yes I have a suggestion. If you can afford it, go ahead and go through with your online consult. You can't go a week and a half with no meds. It would put you at a dangerous risk for a seizure.
Then meet with your new doctor, and carefully feel him out about the benzos. Try to patiently let your doctor do the talking first. They hate it when you go in there and tell them what to prescribe. Really explain your symtoms in detail. Wait until he gets to the point where he asks you what medication you've tried for the problem. Carefully mention whatever benzo you've tried. Guage his reaction.
If he seems open to the idea of treating you with the benzo therapy, you won't have to deal with the expense and uncertainity of OPs. If he reacts negatively, you won't be in a desparate out of meds situation. At that point you don't really have anything to lose with this doctor, just be honest and tell him about your need to turn to OPs and ask him how you should proceed. Tell him you don't want to use OPs anymore, but that you are worried about the safety of getting off benzos now. Tell him you would feel safer if your health could be managed by a doctor that you see face-to-face.
I am tapering from Xanax right now. I have no choice but to get off because my tolerance level quickly grew out of control. I had to keep taking more to get the same anxiety relief. That is the real problem with Xanax. I hope you are using a different benzo. This w/d is hell. I never want to see these things again once they are out of my system.
You just can't quit cold turkey because of the risk of seizure. A really fast w/d would be torturous to me. That is why I've chosen the slow taper method. My husband is a doctor; he keeps my Xanax locked and gives them to me at night on an agreed upon taper schedule. There is no way that I would have the disipline to get off this medication unless my access was strictly enforced. The temptation would be too great. I used to take them throughout the day when I felt panicky or stressed. Now that is not an option. I have had to find ways of coping through a panic attack.
I first got prescribed Xanax by my psychiatrist for panic attacks and an anxiety disorder. My husband was dead set against Xanax to begin with because of the high addiction potential. I told him that it wasn't his business because my psychiatrist prescribed it. My husband was exactly right. Not too long after being on the Xanax, my tolerance level grew and I turned to OPs to supplement.
My husband figured this out after really looking at the credit card bills. He gave me the option of working with him on a tapering schedule or going into in-patient detox. I chose the taper method, but it has been really hard.
I just wanted to give you that warning about my experience with Xanax. I don't want to see anyone go through what I'm am dealing with now.
Feel free to PM me anytime.
TLM2
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swtangel
Member
Reged: 07/09/04
Posts: 164
Loc: Delaware
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Mrstown, I wish I had a suggestion for you about how to handle your doctor. I know all to well what it is like to go see a doctor hoping they will help and come out empty handed and scared. I agree TLM2 get your meds from the OP, do not run out. 3 years ago I stoped taking Ativan (a benzo) cold turkey because I was too proud or too stupid or too something to call my doctor for yet another refill because I was taking way too many pills. After 3 days of w/d that I didn't even know I was gowing throw (I was nieve) I had a seizure. I had two small children, the youngest was only 2 months old. I thank God every day they were not with me. So please get your meds, it doesn't matter at this point that you are getting them online, you can not risk not taking them and the doctor not helping you. Trust me, if this one won't help you someone will. After my seizure I found the most wonderful doctor in the world and she helped put everything back together and I ended finding out that I had bipolar at the age of 25. All the meds I had been on my entire life had actually been making me worse instead of better. Good luck to you. PM me if you need to talk about anything. And TLM2 good luck to you too. Getting of off benzos has to be one of the hardest things in the world to do. I am so glad that you have your husband there to help you. I know I would not have made it without mine and my kids. You sound very dedicated. I wish you nothing but the best of luck. PM if you every need an ear to listen. swtangel
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