Resenting the Doctors

[TheHopelessWON]

I have seen 3 docs in the past year, non which will prescribe me any "benzo". After trying Lithium,Invega,Paxil,Prozac,Welbutrin,Depekote,Ser oquil,Invega,and Lexipro,Buspar.. The doctor still tells me he is against "those kind" of medications...After speaking with my father who is on a prescription of 1mg ativan which he takes 2 pills twice daily, or as needed. That being said and after bringing my father in to the appointment (cause he has witnessed and been right there thru this horrid 15 yrs of FEAR that keeps me isolated..a paralyzing feeling that affects my relationships, w/ family,my daughters,my wife. As well as effecting my employment or just plain excelling in life, which EVERYONE is entitled to.
The Doctor doesn't know the harm he is doing cause of his disagreement w/ the "benzos".. I have taken 10 mg of diazepam for 18 months as prescribed a few years ago and now in a new state,new area...
I just wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or advice to give me. TY in advance

[alankay]

To a large extent this mentality is from Dr. Heather Ashton in the UK(google her name). She is a benzo fearmonger that cheery picked bad cases of benzo overprescription(which did happen for sure) and uses that to villanize these meds....which of course can be abuse and should be monitored when prescribed. Nonetheless the can be and are a Godsend to truly anxious patient.
Try another doc as they don't all think this way. I know this from experience. Tell them why, how you use them and you are not after "a high" but to controll anxiety to live normally. Tell them you will come in as often as needed for them to monitor you, etc. You will find a doc who knows how to rx and benzos and be safe about it. I doubt Ashton ever had a true panic attack or had anxiety the same as patients with true anxiety disorders do. These meds when used with some restraint combined with an ssri, anxiety education, relaxation, deep breathing, life style changes can offer fast and remarkable relief from anxiety. For Panic ativan is great but valium or klonopin are a tad better for GAD type anxiety. Ask about clorazepate(tranxene) as it less likely to be abused and doc might feel better about rxing it for that reason. It's very much like valium(diazepam). Remember, if it makes you drowsy, the dose was a bit high. PM me any time. Lyrica might be an option as well. Alankay.

[alankay]

I do feel a daily benzo regime is not good except when first starting one when a patient is extremely distressed. But then work your way off and go to an "as needed" or "situational" use so tolerance is minimal. Learing how to calm yourself and accept a certain amount of anxiety is important as you learn all about anxiety and how to live with it. Alankay

[TheHopelessWON]

To a large extent this mentality is from Dr. Heather Ashton in the UK(google her name). She is a benzo fearmonger that cheery picked bad cases of benzo overprescription(which did happen for sure) and uses that to villanize these meds....which of course can be abuse and should be monitored when prescribed. Nonetheless the can be and are a Godsend to truly anxious patient.
Try another doc as they don't all think this way. I know this from experience. Tell them why, how you use them and you are not after "a high" but to controll anxiety to live normally. Tell them you will come in as often as needed for them to monitor you, etc. You will find a doc who knows how to rx and benzos and be safe about it. I doubt Ashton ever had a true panic attack or had anxiety the same as patients with true anxiety disorders do. These meds when used with some restraint combined with an ssri, anxiety education, relaxation, deep breathing, life style changes can offer fast and remarkable relief from anxiety. For Panic ativan is great but valium or klonopin are a tad better for GAD type anxiety. Ask about clorazepate(tranxene) as it less likely to be abused and doc might feel better about rxing it for that reason. It's very much like valium(diazepam). Remember, if it makes you drowsy, the dose was a bit high. PM me any time. Lyrica might be an option as well. Alankay.

TY soo much, just an understanding, made a huge impact on my HOPE, I was told all of these "horror stories" from my doc about the physical withdrawls, Which I have experienced when on vacation and wasn't proactive and forgot my Diazepam, it is a bad feeling and escalates the anxiety... but nothing like coming off of Lithium, or the side effects the seroquil gave me.. I just dont understand. I know it can be abused, but I dont even like the effects of a strong dose like 2.5mg (?) Xanax. 10mg of diazepam, I dont even feel sedated , I feel the "edge" knocked off a bit, Im also going to post another post and I do plan on PM you , but 1 more thing, Just wondering if there are alot of cases where the anxiety is mostly physical, my anxiety has brought on a number of physical problems like HORRIBLE TMJ, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome, as well as buldging eyes and acute trembling to the point I cant hold a glass of water 90% throughout the day..anyway... i get way off topic, cause of this condition it causes me to do things like that..there is almost zero concentration so I can focus on 1 thing..my mind feels like its 1000MPH..anyway TY ..and TY to everyone

[TheHopelessWON]

I do feel a daily benzo regime is not good except when first starting one when a patient is extremely distressed. But then work your way off and go to an "as needed" or "situational" use so tolerance is minimal. Learing how to calm yourself and accept a certain amount of anxiety is important as you learn all about anxiety and how to live with it. Alankay

What if the situation is the patient has trial and error NUMEROUS Meds that did nothing or had negative effects, When the patient is completely and uttterly overwhelmed by his affliction..and this is 10 years of "trial and error" I do not agree with you, I have and been seeing a therapist for 10 years , the breathing excercises do help somewhat, Also have been meditating 20 min/ Daily , (if I can find the time) as well as group therapy once a week, now these things are good for my "hope" and they do help a little after 10 years. but Benzos are a must for me to live life and not isolated in my home, this after 10 years keep in mind..

[Enduronman]

Honestly? i believe your Dr is not licensed to write that class of scrips and has yet to disclose that to you. Alot of Dr's do NOT have the credentials to even write the scrip itself but lead you down a path with a blindfold on. Just ask the Dr. one simple question, do you have the authority to write a benzo scrip and then wait for the reply?..

E-Man.

[TheHopelessWON]

Honestly? i believe your Dr is not licensed to write that class of scrips and has yet to disclose that to you. Alot of Dr's do NOT have the credentials to even write the scrip itself but lead you down a path with a blindfold on. Just ask the Dr. one simple question, do you have the authority to write a benzo scrip and then wait for the reply?..

E-Man.

Well I forgot to mention the "New Patient" visit I explained all of this to him he prescribed to me Welbutrin again, Says that he "knows" it will help, as well as 5 mg Diazepam. He did 1 script of 20, Saying that the Diazepam will help until the Welbutrin kicks in.. I could tell this Doc that I took 2 150mg twice daily for 5 months with no changes in my anxiety, until I am blue in the face, yet he still prescribes it to me, It was one of the Meds I took w/ no negative effects. So now Im on 150mg 1 pill twice daily, not even any subtle changes, explaining this to the doc , He still wont prescribe me any Diazepam , stating ..There are alternatives...so he prescribed Propranelol (sp?) Now that stuff made me feel dizzy (like the feeling you get when you havn't eaten in a day) so needless to say Im not taking that..asking him once more about Diazepam,,he refused, says there are "alternatives" ok Doc, I dont have the time,$$,or do I want to experience ANY MORE negative side affects...10 yrs remember....needless I scheduled an appointment w/ another Doc

[alankay]

Using a benzo short term until an AD "kicking in" is fine.........................IF the AD does what they HOPE for the given patient. If not they may up the dose or try another AD, but if no control/significant improvement in anxiety....a benzo might be in order. NOT all patients will get relief/enough relief from AD's. I never did but they help so I take 20mg/day of fluoxetine and valium as needed(1-2 times months on average). This is not an uncommon scenario! They just want to really give the AD a full chance to help. Alankay

[TheHopelessWON]

Using a benzo short term until an AD "kicking in" is fine.........................IF the AD does what they HOPE for the given patient. If not they may up the dose or try another AD, but if no control/significant improvement in anxiety....a benzo might be in order. NOT all patients will get relief/enough relief from AD's. I never did but they help so I take 20mg/day of fluoxetine and valium as needed(1-2 times months on average). This is not an uncommon scenario! They just want to really give the AD a full chance to help. Alankay

I understand, and If I sounded defensive, I do apologize. Its been a frustrating experience when the (medium strength) benzo helps me tremendously, I have people who have expectations of me, Children,Wife,Family. I cannot meet those expectations while isolated on my bed.. The Diazepam cuts the edge off a bit (I realize and have for the past 6 or so years, I will never completely rid of this affliction) but I can do number of things to ease the condition. Diazepam is 1# right now after giving a number of Meds a sincere try. If Liver and Onions gave me the relief I needed , I would be eating that crap everyday, it just happens its this "physically addictive,can experience withdrawls,or even rebound anxiety" sensative medication... My father has experienced something similar, He has not tried as many Medications as I have, but he refuses to try anymore after his experience w/ Lexipro, Now hes on a constant prescription of 1 mg ativan,,2 pills ..3 times daily..or as needed.. plus all the COPD meds he is on.. I just curious of your opinion on his situation.. Cause thats the route I might need to go..

[TheHopelessWON]

Thank You in advance for your responses...

[Enduronman]

That sux yer having to go through all this shit and fight for what you know works for you. I've had the same Dr for 23 yrs so there is a mutual understanding and a built relationship on the levels of health whether mental or physical. I read the previous "wellbutrin" is great post and that in itself is horsehit. Hell just put on a Little League Football helmet because that's what "wellbutrin" will provide you with..a crushing headache, loss of hearing, and tunnel vision. On the valium thing, that is why (benzodiazapines) were actually created. To "replace" valium, librium and other misc pre-historic anti-anxiety medications to begin with. The benzos of today are way more safer long term, less sedating, side effect profiles are minimal (most of the time, although klonopin is one that I'm leary of). You also mentioned seeing a new Dr?.. That is going to be your best bet, especially if the one you've been seeing suddenly became reluctant to prescribe what he once was..that in itself would be a red flag for me. He's obviously suddenly restrained or being observed by regulators and is using the here try "wellbutrin" approach to save his ass for some reason too.. Let us know how this turns out. The lorazapam yer Dad takes is kinda Old School too and generally precribed around here for zzzzzzz...If it works for his anxiety though, then stick with what works because we're all different..

E-Man.

[alankay]

I used ativan for years in the 80's. It was/is a very good med but as my anxiety got under better control my doc switched me to clorazepate(tranxene) and then valium(to me the 2 are equal but valium is very cheap). They have longer half lives than ativan which actually lessens rebound anxiety IMHO(I never had any with ativan either).
A total of 6 mgs/day of ativan is high but your Dad must be used to that. Let your Dad's doc run his meds but I hope you don't need that much. I think you should get the valium you need for a while as you get better educated about anxiety, stress reduction, relaxation, perhaps some therapy to find the source of anxiety and get better educated on how to live with it. I hate to hear people with legitimate anxiety struggle and/or feel bad about needing meds. They should be used sparingly but when one is so anxious have problems coping and functioning, it's time to prescribe one along with possibly an AD(if helpful) along with other forms of self help/therapy/lifestyle changes and education on anxiety. As long as the patient uses them properly there is a time and place for a benzo in anxiety treatment. That's why they are made and legal meds around the world.
So I hope you find a doc willing to rx valium and get you the relief you need. I was once in your shoes and consider myself lucky to have a good doc that knew how to use some discretion and rx a benzo while making it clear I had work to do on learning about anxiety and he kept tabs on my use to keep me where I should be with respect to my use patterns. Have you tried klonopin or even clorazepate? I think both are also very good meds and some docs just have a problem with valium as it's an older med. They are comparable but one may work a bit better than the other for a given patient. I'd be glad to have any of them compared to nothing for sure. PM me any time. Alankay

[alankay]

Valium replaced librium(a benzo) which replaced miltown(Meprobamate) which replaced barbiturates which came after bromide salts. There were other sedative/anti-anxiety agents before that were truly primitive(alcohol) Valium is the prototype benzo. Even the nitrobenzodiazepines(klonopin) and triazoloenzodiazepines(xanax/halcion) are.................benzodiazepines. They are very, very similar after adjusting for half life, potency, the way you body metabolizes them and onset of action. Ask your pharmacist on this. I am just grateful they are there so thanks Dr. Leo Sternbach!:) I wish I didn't have use for them though, eh????:) Alankay

[StopTheMadness]

I feel your pain!!! I Just moved to a new area and i wanted to find a dr to manage my anxiety here, but this area is SO over run with prescription abusers and street drug addicts that no doctor here will come near me (new patient with anxiety) even tho i honestly think i need my thyroid checked. But two of the drs here i know of are under close watch because soooo many of their patients are addicted to the things they rx them. It is ridiculous.

Anyway, i finally found someone to see me. A physician's assistant who can prescribe!!! I really hope she can just refill my xanax so i have it to fall back on while we test my hormone levels to maybe pinpoint a cause. Otherwise i am moving back home. Seriously? I am so terrified of even taking my xanax that i KNOW works for me. It's a shame some docs think everyone is out to eat pills like candy.

[alankay]

I think it helps allot if you tell them(new doc) your were diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder. Tell them if a pdoc used to see you, etc, and you managed your anxiety successfully a certain way. If you have been rx'ed meds by the doc let them see all your prescription bottles with the docs name and welcome them to request med records, etc. Be honest and open about it all. If you had trials of other meds that didn't work details all this. They might otherwise think you are just going though a rough patch as opposed to a diagnosed Anxiety issue. Alankay

[TheHopelessWON]

That sux yer having to go through all this shit and fight for what you know works for you. I've had the same Dr for 23 yrs so there is a mutual understanding and a built relationship on the levels of health whether mental or physical. I read the previous "wellbutrin" is great post and that in itself is horsehit. Hell just put on a Little League Football helmet because that's what "wellbutrin" will provide you with..a crushing headache, loss of hearing, and tunnel vision. On the valium thing, that is why (benzodiazapines) were actually created. To "replace" valium, librium and other misc pre-historic anti-anxiety medications to begin with. The benzos of today are way more safer long term, less sedating, side effect profiles are minimal (most of the time, although klonopin is one that I'm leary of). You also mentioned seeing a new Dr?.. That is going to be your best bet, especially if the one you've been seeing suddenly became reluctant to prescribe what he once was..that in itself would be a red flag for me. He's obviously suddenly restrained or being observed by regulators and is using the here try "wellbutrin" approach to save his ass for some reason too.. Let us know how this turns out. The lorazapam yer Dad takes is kinda Old School too and generally precribed around here for zzzzzzz...If it works for his anxiety though, then stick with what works because we're all different..

E-Man.

Just reading your post almost brought tears to my eyes, To be understood is beyond words, It helps my hope, My wife is under the impretion "Doctor knows best". We have had arguments over this. Plus being unmedicated for some time now , Besides the Wellbutrin no Diazepam, I am soo SCARED if there will be negative effects NOW(coming off the Welbutrin), cause this affliction has gotten progressively worse and different. TY again