Posted by River1924 on April 30, 2005, at 17:06:07
In reply to Re: KLONOPIN, insufficient dose, S.O.S.!!!, posted by reefer on April 30, 2005, at 9:47:18
1. Gawd, I feel lucky. I live an hour and half from John Marshall who wrote "Social Phobia" and I made an appointment and got what I needed. Once I was adjusted at four milligrams, I switched to a pdoc who was closer and haven't had a problem since them. John Marshall suggested cognitive-behavioral therapy and that was helpful but, once he got to know me, he said I'd probably be on klonopin my whole life. For awhile that bothered me, but then I lower my dose and RECALL why I wanted it to begin with.
2. Some docs just have prejudices. Once doctor said that since I wanted to try ritalin for depression that she might as well give cocaine. A female friend insists docs are less likely to listen to them seriously. Don't take it personally. Use your intuition. Can you work with this p-doc?
3. I work at a nursing home and residents that would profit from an anxiety med are put on anti-psychotics. The rationale is that anti-anxiety meds have a potential to cause falls and there are legal reasons p-docs get in the HABIT of not prescribing anti-anxiety meds. (My guess is the anti-psychotics may cause just as many falls but the drug companies haven't done that research so the docs are legally responsible.) Ask him why he is so reluctant to prescribe a higher dose if the current one isn't working? Is there a real reason? Drug books certainly don't limit the potential doseages at 1 milligram.
4. Anxiety meds WERE over prescribed in the 1970's. The stigma has continued but, somehow, more recent research that say they are needed and effective for some people has not been driven into docs heads.
5. Docs are unlikely to prescribe addictive drugs (by that I simply mean, drugs that require a long time to wean oneself off) to individuals that 1) don't have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder and 2) have a history (or family history) of drug and alcohol misuse. Make sure your doc understands the depth of your anxiety. DON'T PLAY WITH DOSEAGES WITH A NEW DOC. He will think you a risky patient. Find checklists in books about anxiety disorder and get to know the lingo. Just don't say you are anxious. Give him a list of symptoms and fancy words that point to the problem.
6. Your perception of his dislike of your suggestion to raise the dose may be/could be part of your anxiety disorder. Social anxiety makes you think the worst of every social interaction. I can't think of one but a workbook on cognitive-behavioral therapy might help reaccess the resistance YOU have to push for the care you need now. You are worth it. Make sure he knows it. Be as strong and as you can muster. You are worth it and you deserve decent treatment.
Good Luck and Peace, River.
If nothing else, have him read the posting from here. If he isn't insulted, you may have the conversation and prescription you need from your doc.
poster:River1924
thread:491288
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050428/msgs/491996.html