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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 38. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 10:44:05
I went to my doctor for my med recheck, after being on 3mg alprazolam ER for 2-3 weeks. I told him it was OK the first day, very mild, very different, lasted long, but week. Everyday since then it's felt weaker, to the point that it now feels as if I take nothing. He decided to switch me to brand name because I mentioned that it was filled as generic, and I'd done better with brand name Xanax.
I was on 4mg Xanax daily for quite some time before this recent switch. I just told him that the alprazolam ER did NOTHING for anxiety. Can you imagine thinking it's OK for a person to go from 4mg Xanax to more or less nothing (although he probably thinks I'm exaggerating, since the med is in my body). I'm having major anxiety. Mini panic at times. I've only been able to go to interviews because I had some regular Xanax left. I forgot to tell him all this.
I took the brand Xanax XR today. It's no help. To make matters worse, he didn't even schedule a recheck.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 10:54:13
In reply to Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 10:44:05
I want to give this a try. Just to please him. Just to give him the sense that he is in control and that I don't always get what I want, when I want it.
I did try to generic. It didn't work. I'll now give the brand name a try. I'll have to call in a month for a refill. I guess I'll mention when I leave the message with the nurse that it's not helping at all. The nurses are horrible about giving messages, especially if it means more than just writing the regular script.
He may have a nurse call me back with a message. He may call me back himself, he's done that on rare occassions. I wouldn't mind actually going in for another appointment. I think we have some real issues to discuss.
I don't love the idea of being on medication, especially benzo's, since so many people look down upon them, but other meds have not worked. They help me. Maybe in the future something else will be released to help.
I'm surprised that he almost seems to be trying to cut me back on the Xanax. He was always so good about it before, even increasing when I didn't directly ask. I feel like I've been cut off completely right now. I don't think he realizes that, since it's technically the same drug, he thinks it should be helping.
He might not realize the extent of my anxiety. I always take Xanax before I go there. I saved my last Xanax for yesterday, so I wasn't just on the alprozolam ER when he saw me. Even without meds, I can act OK for a few minutes alone with one person, haha, although if they ever looked out in the waiting room, I'm sure I don't look comfortable. But in a patient room, I'm poised, mature, well-spoken, polite, and act happy. Another hint may be my always sky-high blood pressure(it's always in the range of 150-160/80 and I'm in good shape), which my doc and PA have learned to ignore, because it's due to anxiety.
I don't want to be manipulative, but I'm going to be honest. I know he'll ask about school (I'm either going to PA, NP, or med school, depending on if I get in to a school I like. I was in PA school for 6 months, stopped, and am trying to find a better one. He was so supportive, especially with my added workload of dealing with bad GAD.).
I'm going to tell him that I'm probably not going to any problem this summer or fall. My anxiety is uncontrolled and it's such a stressful and anxiety-provoking educational system and job environment. I don't think I'd ever actually cry (too bad, it would get the point across), since I have such control with him, but I'd definitely appear upset and distressed.
I've worked so hard to get into these programs... a high school pre-med program, all the undergrad prereq's, PCAT's (for pharmacy school), GRE's, interviews, countless applications and fees, paperwork, shadowing, internships, medically related jobs, etc. I know it's what I want to do and would be great at family practice if I had my anxiety under control, but it's not. So, I'm going to settle for something easy and way below my abilities and current education level.
That's going to pull at his heartstrings. He's taken to a fatherly, yet respectful/peer type relationship with me over the past year. He doesn't want me to give up on my life because of this.
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 12:33:05
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 10:54:13
Jelly the extended release is only namebrand new to the market so no generic I just started it $263. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 13:15:42
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 12:33:05
> Jelly the extended release is only namebrand new to the market so no generic I just started it $263. Love Phillipa
Actually, the generic was approved and released last year. I don't know how they got around the typical patent protection laws, since the XR is fairly new.
There are several manufacturers. Mine was Sandos. The label said alprazolam ER substituted for Xanax XR. Those were pink round pills. My new brand name Xanax XR are blue triangles.
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 13:43:48
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » Phillipa, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 13:15:42
Well that's interesting as mine just looked say mylan and that is generic and that much money? What to do? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 13:48:50
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 13:43:48
Called pharmacy the generic is $l77 brand ifs $263 and they won't do a thing about it I am more than upset!!!!!! Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 14:33:24
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 13:48:50
Are you noticing any benefit to the medication? I'm still absolutely hating it!
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 14:37:57
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 14:33:24
No Jelly and not only that my new let me stress new pdoc who will obviously think I'm crazy prescribed it and CVS is doding our calls on the med. It only generic xanax has never worked for me and I'm also withdrawing from luvox. It's miserable!!!!!Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 15:16:25
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 14:37:57
Do you mean you're trying to get the script filled as brand name now? Was it written as "DAW"? I had a CVS mistakenly fill mine with generic once, but I noticed it before I left the store (since the copay was lower than expected), which was helpful. They apologized for the mistake, since it was written in a different state, they weren't used to seeing the DAW in an unusual spot.
They didn't carry the brand name, but called around to all the local pharmacies and found one in the next town over that carried it. I gave them back the bottle of generic. They gave me back the paper script, and told the other pharmacy I was coming.
If your script wasn't specified as brand name, you won't be able to go back now, after leaving the store, and expect them to switch it. You could call you doctor and ask for another script if need be. That's the only way to fix that problem. None of this can be done via phone. I used to work as a pharm tech. No matter what, they just can't take doctor's orders by phone or fax for controlled drugs.
Didn't you say your doctor agreed to give you regular Xanax if the XR wasn't helping?
Posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 14:40:08
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 15:16:25
And I'm basically panicking right now... out of nowhere, nothing happened. I can't breathe very well, my muscles are tense, my thoughts are racing.
I hate this.
I don't want to call my doctor's office and be the psycho,hypochondriac,drug-seeking, never satisfied, always in our office patient, who's complaining because this new drug that my doctor thinks should help me, does not, and ask for regular Xanax.
I was just there. I just told my doctor the drug wasn't helping. He thought he fixed the problem, and sent me on my way.
If I could actually call and speak to my doctor, I would consider calling, but I can't. The nurses answer the phones. There's one who particularly hates dealing with me (because she's mad at my mother... sad, because her daughter was my sister's childhood bestfriend). She'll blow me off, be rude, make me feel bad, and probably not give the message.
I just want to be able to get through this on my own, or get by for a month or two on this med trial, out of respect for my doctor, and show him that I am open-minded.
But living in daily panic just is a horrible way to live. I certainly can't do this long-term. It's too bad that I have to go through this at all.
Good thing I only have 2 on campus classes and two online. No job right now. The classes are easy. Otherwise, I'd be quitting my job and dropping out of school, which is just not like me at all.
The one thing I have going for me is that everyone at that office loves me (except the nasty nurse, who really has no problem with me, and I continue to be friendly with her in public and at the office, acting like she isn't fighting with my mother). I treat them all with such kindness and respect, which is rare in medicine.
Most patients at least somewhat place there illness on the provider. I don't. I take full responsibility for who I am and what do. My doc and PA are just very nice people who have the ability to give me ways to alleviate problems. That's how I really feel. I smile and make small talk and say thank you to all the staff about 1000 times at every visit, no matter how much anxiety I have, been sleeping 2 hours a night for an entire semester, am extremely depressed, or have laryngitis and can barely speak. It's not their problem. It's mine.
Posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 18:07:33
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 14:40:08
Called pdoc and told him how they gave me generic xanax which has never worked for me he ordered 3mg of extended releases xanax for a week that's $74 more as medicare doesn't cover benzos. He said that if after a week it didn't work he would put me back on generic valim as it worked before. So tonight I will find out. What a day. Greg has the district managers number for CVS to call on Monday and try and get money back. The girl thought it would work as for public realations this CVS being a new store. Love Phillipa namebrand this time
Posted by jealibeanz on March 17, 2007, at 3:46:31
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 16, 2007, at 18:07:33
So it wasn't written as DAW? If your doctor didn't specify the brand name, I'd say you aren't getting your money back. Pharmacies aren't like department stores. They have to be very careful about dispensing meds, especially controlled ones, and have to account for all that go out. If you return it, they have to dispose of the medication. I'd say they'd be too cautious to give you your money back, especially since they did fill it correctly, if your doctor didn't request Xanax XR brand.
I know, that's not fun to hear, but it's true.
Posted by bassman on March 17, 2007, at 13:31:19
In reply to Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 16, 2007, at 10:44:05
I couldn't agree more. Xanax IR works very well for me and XR just makes me fatigued and has none of the antidepressant effect I think the IR has for me. But it does SOUND like a great idea-take a short half-life drug and put in a time-release formulation...
Posted by jealibeanz on March 17, 2007, at 13:56:28
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by bassman on March 17, 2007, at 13:31:19
> I couldn't agree more. Xanax IR works very well for me and XR just makes me fatigued and has none of the antidepressant effect I think the IR has for me. But it does SOUND like a great idea-take a short half-life drug and put in a time-release formulation...
Absolutely. Sounds wonderful. If you have a patient who responds well to Xanax IR, and needs daily coverage, Xanax XR seems like the perfect option.
This isn't reality, at least in my case. I'm guessing that most people who stick with Xanax XR never tried anything else, so they don't know what they're missing, and they haven't had a medication, which their body is accustomed to, pulled away.
I don't know that this info really gets out to docs. I wasn't successful with Concerta or Ritalin LA either. My doc just looks at me like I'm the oddest case he's ever seen, since the drug companies claim these meds are long-lasting. I seem to be one of the few who just don't metabolize them properly. Controlled release does not work for me, but at least those gave me the initial burst.
Xanax XR is soooo different from Xanax. I wish my doctor would try these meds for himself, and then see what I'm talking about... or just take me word seriously. If it were working well, I wouldn't be complaining!
I really don't think he's trying to wean me off Xanax. If he were, I'd think he'd have the respect to tell me so, so we'd be working toward a goal... not inducing panic attacks and non-stop anxiety.
I'm about to tell him I'm going off all meds, because I'm frustrated. That would really mess me up. The panic has only developed in the past year, since I've been on Xanax. Plus, take away Lunesta, Provigil, Ritalin LA, Clarinex... I don't think I'd be terribly functional.
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2007, at 19:24:07
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 17, 2007, at 13:56:28
Jelly guess what the long acting is starting to work it is just more subtle I notice things in me that I wasn't doing before. And we will get our money back as it was basically promised as it's a new store and they need the PR as its in a ritzey district. I've accomplished things I couldn't have done before . I think this is the plan a stable dose will build up slowly more like an ad. And he did say if I need short acting in between I could have it so right now I'm happy and down to zero on the ad's and no more valium either. A smart doc in my opinion especially sinced my anxiety is constant not just burts of panic which I had before menopause. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 6:23:39
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2007, at 19:24:07
> Jelly guess what the long acting is starting to work it is just more subtle I notice things in me that I wasn't doing before. And we will get our money back as it was basically promised as it's a new store and they need the PR as its in a ritzey district. I've accomplished things I couldn't have done before . I think this is the plan a stable dose will build up slowly more like an ad. And he did say if I need short acting in between I could have it so right now I'm happy and down to zero on the ad's and no more valium either. A smart doc in my opinion especially sinced my anxiety is constant not just burts of panic which I had before menopause. Love Phillipa
Oh good for you... probably because hadn't previously been taking Xanax.
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 20:08:40
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 6:23:39
Ive taken it before the short acting and the long acting is just different. Think about it this dose is made for preferably 24 hours but my pdoc says twice a day is best. So the med is much weaker as it is slowly released. 2mg might have to stretch to 24 hours or l2. So don't expect a burst of relaxation like the fast release xanax. Love Phillipa ps has never been addictive to me. I've always gone off and on it with ease if only to go to a different benzo. I stopped 20mg of valium to 2.5mg last night. No side effects as a matter of fact slept even better. Love Pillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 20:14:28
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 20:08:40
Yeah, definitely not burst of medication.
I don't feel much therapeutic benefit at all though.
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 22:58:26
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 20:14:28
Jelly what mg? Mine is 3 twice a day. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 19, 2007, at 4:17:54
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 22:58:26
I'm taking 3mg Xanax XR once a day.
So you take 6 mg total? Is this your first experience taking a daily benzo, without an AD?
I'm surprised you can handle this much. Are you really sedated? Were you taking Valium before this? I know you mentioned Luvox.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 19, 2007, at 4:27:36
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 22:58:26
> Jelly what mg? Mine is 3 twice a day. Love Phillipa
That's much more than me. I don't really want my doctor to increase the dose if I call and tell him it's not helping. You can tell whether or not a drug will work. I like very little about this one.
He'd probably increase it to 2 x 2mg Xanax XR. This is why I am not requesting that it be increased. I'm stating that it does not make any difference in my anxiety, whether I take it or not.
I actually have taken 2 x 3mg Xanax XR. Did it help? Ehh... it made me sleep, which is partially what I was going for since I slept little the night before.
I've increased it another time while I was out all day. I can't say that I liked it. I was maybe a little drowsy and less anxious, but it's just not right for me. I think I would need 6mg a day for any real effect. That may freak my doctor out.
I'm going to make a poster for him that says Xanax does not equal Xanax XR!
I was fine at 4 mg Xanax. 4 mg Xanax XR is ineffective.
Posted by sukarno on March 19, 2007, at 14:30:16
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » Phillipa, posted by jealibeanz on March 19, 2007, at 4:27:36
"I stopped 20mg of valium to 2.5mg last night. No side effects"
Valium has a very long half-life and tends to build up in the fat cells. Withdrawal might not be noticeable for 5 days after abrupt discontinuation. Then again, you are taking Xanax now so that should cover for it.
I just reduced my Valium from 17mg/day to 15mg/day (5mg TID) and was fine for 5 days and then woke up yesterday feeling hot and also in a cold sweat..my head felt like a TV camera. hehhehheh... no fun at all though. It wasn't major withdrawal, but I guess since I've been on Valium or other benzo equivalents for the past 16 years, my body is so used to it that any slight reduction results in some chaos a few days later.
I'll probably have to reduce by 0.5 to 1mg per month to be able to get off this stuff.
I wish I had Xanax XR where I live. In theory it should work well, but I can see how for some it might not be very good, since the level will never reach as high a point as immediate-release. However, immediate-release Xanax has been associated with interdose anxiety (anxiety between doses) because it is so short-acting. I used to get panic attacks between doses, especially at night. Night terrors were the worst part of it.
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 19:35:59
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible!, posted by sukarno on March 19, 2007, at 14:30:16
Same here and believe it or not forgot to take lunesta 3mg with it last night and still had a nightmare so it isn't that med. I'm glad I forgot it what better way to find out? Don't get me wrong I still have anxiety but am doing more. I think the 30years of immediate benzos this long acting will take getting used to . Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 20:05:11
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » Phillipa, posted by jealibeanz on March 19, 2007, at 4:27:36
Jelly yes six and in the past I've been on much higher benzo doses. Valium, klonopin, chloral hydrate, short acting xanax, ativan. And no more luvox and as I said in another thread forgot the lunesta last night and slept fine. And I am not sedated at all. Love Phillipa ps I have always since day one had a high tolerance to benzos and low to antidepressants. This new pdoc says no ad's for me and that the thyroid is the culprit and getting in contact with the endo as I have some strange auto antibody that gives me Graves(high) and hasimotos( low) at the same time. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 4:14:43
In reply to Re: Xanax XR is horrible! » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 20:05:11
I thought you mentioned both Hashimoto's and Grave's disease before. I just glanced over it, since that made no sense to me, I figured I was remembering them incorrectly.
Have you actually been diagnosed with both?
So, since they are both autoimmune diseases, Hashimoto's is when the thyroid destroys itself, Grave's causes the body to mimic hyperthyroism. It's like the tissue you have is hyper, but being eaten away by the Hashimoto's. Right?
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