Posted by ConfuzyQ on June 15, 2005, at 16:44:18
In reply to Re: (ex-Spoc here, just changed my name), posted by Jazzed on June 15, 2005, at 13:30:31
> Wow, you are so lucky to have decent lengthed med check appts.
That remains to be seen! The initial consult, which is all I've had, was long. And since we have no idea what direction to go in yet (not even sure if "it's" more like ADD or OCD), I can only hope I won't be put on 10 or even 20 minutes already! But I might.
> Your p-doc does counseling? Mine only does diagnosis and meds. Wish he did counseling, but it might get too intense for me. He doesn't seem to miss ANYTHING!!!
I found out that this seems to vary by region or state or something. In most areas they do tend to do the meds part only. But where I am, they usually offer/push for both. The talk part with a psychiatrist can be a lot... different than with a psychologist. Can't speak for all of them of course. And I better stop speaking on it period, or we will be redirected! ;-)
> Tramadol... Do any other docs give you a hard time about it?
I have, um, been doing it solo. Researched and went for it. I told one doc about it and he took it in stride because I wasn't asking him for it, and he believed I didn't have a problem with it; but he knew nothing about tramadol or the research. Another was much less than thrilled, but also had never heard of the research. This last time I mentioned it as something that I "happened to notice makes me feel more level and better than anything else ever has, when I take it for *pain.* THEN, I found out there had been research on it as an AD!!" (wink wink). I really don't expect anyone to ever prescribe it for me, its official day will likely never come. But I need to get it into the conversation somehow, because it works in some of the same ways as some other ADs, so it could be a clue to my chemistry that I don't want to be missed.
I want very much to be completely honest and think I soon will, but I was strongly warned that most docs might get the wrong idea about me immediately if I said anything (too soon at least). Many are not aware of the research at all (and I don't mean to cite the fact that it exists as proof of anything at this point, just that credible sources have found it credible to look into; and came to favorable conclusions). Then there's the fact that I would do it on my own... And just to be "safe" many docs would probably assume such a person was using too much or trying to use it for kicks too. I doubt tramadol will ever make it as an approved AD or become widely used off-label for that purpose, it's just too controversial but I don't think it should be. I guess it's because some can get high off it and do. But I don't think it would present bigger problems that way than things like Valium, klonopin and Xanax do. Maybe less even.
> I take Vicodin for migraines, and haven't had to increase, or get more than what the doc prescribes. I can see where someone might get addicted if they like feeling spaced out and slow, but not if you want to feel like you're in control, like me.
Yes, I like to be in control too, and I am also always aware that something that feels "too" good can only lead to problems that will ultimately feel like CRAP and present huge problems, so why go there. But it's not just that with things like vicodin, they don't have the same type of actions on depression and OCD that made tramadol of interest for research.
Oh well, not taking it at all for now and won't, while I go through these other med trials.
Til next time! :-)
poster:ConfuzyQ
thread:510941
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050611/msgs/513240.html