yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1178
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I finally got my med records from my neurologist. However, along with the meds I've gotten and my diagnosis, it says that I've taken high doses of antidepressants. Is this a red flag to OP's? Are they not going to want to treat someone who used to have depression for legal reasons?
I do have a page of the records where the antidepressants aren't mentioned, but it doesn't say the meds I've taken.
Thanks.
-yawkaw
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lala
Member
Reged: 06/21/03
Posts: 140
Loc: michigan
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I don't think they'll care,just as long as there getting money.Also,OP's still would go over you MR's and if they feel that you taking anti-depressants for a while would complicate their bizness then I think a lot of us would be in big trouble.Pain and depression sometimes go hand in hand,unfortunately to say.I wouldn't worry about any red flags going up.The OP's may or may not even look at your stuff.
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lovepink
Goddess
Reged: 01/01/02
Posts: 1476
Loc: NYC Metro Area
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I respectfully disagree. Most if not all OPs ask about any serious psychiatric conditions, particularly depression, on the online medical questionnaires. As most pain patients have been on AD's at one time or another, normal therapeutic doses probably wouldn't raise too many eyebrows. A diagnosis of depression severe enough to warrant much higher than normal dosages or over a very long period of time could create a problem though. I suspect most online physicians don't want to assume the risk of a clinically depressed, possibly suicidal (not saying the original poster is) patient using meds that doctor has scripted to take his/her life.
There is a post on the VIP board by a very respected OP manager/owner that discusses this - unfortunately I can't copy/paste VIP posts here & it wouldn't be fair to her for me to pick out some but not all sentences to post. The basic summarization of her post is that the doctors feel that patients with an extensive history of AD use & depression may pose too much of a risk & that for the protection of both the doctors & the patient, a situation in which the patient could be monitored very carefully (i.e., locally) would be better.
I've never had to provide documentation that I've been previously scripted a particular med, only a documented diagnosis. Your single sheet that doesn't mention the extensive AD use & depression would most likely suffice for the majority of OPs.
If any VIP'er would like the link to the OP owner's statements referenced above, please PM me.
Good luck & take care.
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Lovepink
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1178
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Thanks lovepink. Btw, if anyone ever sees psylin on the VIP board, that's me.
-yawkaw/psylin
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zorg
Veteran
Reged: 04/29/02
Posts: 559
Loc: Midwest
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OP's are DEFINETLEY NOT going to raise any eyebrows at patients that are on an antidepressant regimen. Chronic pain almost always results in escalated mean depression. I think most doctors would actually be surprised to hear of a chronic pain sufferer that DIDN'T have problems with depression. I'd say be honest and include the antidepressants in your questionnaire; I fully agree with Lovepink on every point. My opinions are based on personal experience regarding doctor's expectations for depression to arise to some degree with chronic pain.
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samisu
Member
Reged: 02/08/03
Posts: 158
Loc: Tennessee
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I agree with both Lovepink and Sonick. I think it is always a good idea to list the antidepressants you are taking as any good physician will agree that chronic pain tends to cause depression. Also, if you are requesting an antianxiety med such as valium or xanax along with the script for pain it will help to show the doctor that you have a need for the meds. This has always been the case for me anyway and I have been using OPs for over two years and have never had a problem after disclosing that I am on antidepressants.
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ttrr
Journeyman
Reged: 02/27/03
Posts: 97
Loc: West Coast
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They certainly should not consider it a problem because in fact many anti-depressants are used for pain control. Look it up -- 'tis true.
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yawkaw3
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 03/22/03
Posts: 1178
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I just felt the very high dose I was on would raise eyebrows, it's not even an FDA-approved dose, so I didn't mention it (in the records, it even says for severe depression and suicidal ideation). I am aware of the role of antidepressants in chronic pain, but didn't see any reason to take the risk, small as it may or may not have been. Thank you anyway for your advice, I appreciate it.
-yawkaw
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toe
Pooh-Bah
Reged: 10/09/02
Posts: 1408
Loc: MidWest USA
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I've used two USOPs (unity I don't count.) One of these includes Midland Medical Clinic, which is one of the more thorough and respected OPs, and they did not have any problems with my anti-Ds.
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"It's the end of the World as We Know it. . ."
-REM "and I'm seeking asylum in Canada"-toe
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