Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 744157

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The cold, hard truth is ....

Posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 26, 2007, at 1:01:52

In reply to Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » jealibeanz, posted by FredPotter on March 25, 2007, at 22:55:29

My first pdoc was this lady who in all honesty was one of the top five most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life. And still is.

I was so intimidated that I couldnt really tell her the whole story. I would make things out to be a little better, as if to impress her. Where did it get me? Nowehere, years wasted.

JB: I know you have a big heart and love you for it. But if you cannot be totally honest with your doc, even though you adore your doc, then you should consider changing docs. We all need to find someone we can be brutally honest with and have no fear on what they think.

I wish you well. Michael

 

just say what you need

Posted by med_empowered on March 26, 2007, at 3:01:03

In reply to The cold, hard truth is ...., posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 26, 2007, at 1:01:52

I dont mean to sound harsh, but I think you're reading too much into all this and you're wasting (or at least not optimizing) the time you and your doc spend together. I think if you want to go back to IR, ask your doc about it. If he doesn't want you on IR or on BZD's, he'll let you know somehow. If you still want to stay on the IR or BZDs in general, you can talk about it. Unless he's a total a$$hole, which it certainly doesn't sound like he is, he should be willing to communicate with you pretty openly, especially over something so minor (even with all the bad press, xanax is rx'd a whole, whole lot, so its not a big deal unless your doc is some benzo-phobic DEA agent-in-training. Then you're screwed).

You don't sound like a drug seeker and you're not looking for a crazy combo or super-high doses and you don't seem to have anything (axis II, history of RX drug abuse/alcoholism, etc.) that would make any controlled substances contraindicated so...I think you should take a deep breath, and tell your doc what you think the best thing for you is, instead of freaking out and (mis)communicating through these oddball tactics that might prove ineffective, if not counterproductive.

Good luck.

 

Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » FredPotter

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 4:23:08

In reply to Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » jealibeanz, posted by FredPotter on March 25, 2007, at 22:55:29


> No. I know at least 3 that don't. My GP said Xanax increased the risk of seizures but I hadn't the strength to argue. I suppose Xanax XR is easier to come off though. So I'd say cut down by 0.5mg a week
> >
Did you mean that you don't feel that quitting Xanax poses a risk for seizures or your doctors didn't? I was under the impression that it did.
>

> >

>
> Sorry I don't understand. You're on a drug for anxiety that doesn't work. So ask for one that does! Although I think Cymbalta's a bit like Effexor - bad withdrawals. I would tell him that benzos are wysiwyg. The only side effect for me being yawning 4 hours later, whereas drugs like Effexor and (Cymbalta FAIK) have a weird pot-pourri of side- (and withdrawal-) effects.
>

Oh I understand that I took Effexor XR for a while. It certainly does have some strange side effects. I don't want to go through that again.

 

Re: The cold, hard truth is .... » UGottaHaveHope

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 4:40:32

In reply to The cold, hard truth is ...., posted by UGottaHaveHope on March 26, 2007, at 1:01:52

> My first pdoc was this lady who in all honesty was one of the top five most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life. And still is.
>
> I was so intimidated that I couldnt really tell her the whole story. I would make things out to be a little better, as if to impress her. Where did it get me? Nowehere, years wasted.
>
> JB: I know you have a big heart and love you for it. But if you cannot be totally honest with your doc, even though you adore your doc, then you should consider changing docs. We all need to find someone we can be brutally honest with and have no fear on what they think.
>
> I wish you well. Michael


I guess I never considered what I was doing as being less than honest with my doc, since I definitely don't deny that I have and have always had a lot of anxiety. But I see your point. Pretending that I'm OK with the way things are, even if I admit to anxiety, isn't helping me much at all.

 

Re: just say what you need » med_empowered

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 4:58:01

In reply to just say what you need, posted by med_empowered on March 26, 2007, at 3:01:03

> I dont mean to sound harsh, but I think you're reading too much into all this and you're wasting (or at least not optimizing) the time you and your doc spend together. I think if you want to go back to IR, ask your doc about it. If he doesn't want you on IR or on BZD's, he'll let you know somehow. If you still want to stay on the IR or BZDs in general, you can talk about it. Unless he's a total a$$hole, which it certainly doesn't sound like he is, he should be willing to communicate with you pretty openly, especially over something so minor (even with all the bad press, xanax is rx'd a whole, whole lot, so its not a big deal unless your doc is some benzo-phobic DEA agent-in-training. Then you're screwed).
>

You're right. It is prescribed a lot and I've had it prescribed to me. My doctor is a 40ish D.O. in a very busy family practice. I was always a bit surprised that he'd be so willing to give me Klonopin or Xanax without a second thought (after AD's) since D.O.'s usually are a but less likely to think that drugs should be heavily prescribed. Apparently he isn't someone who's afraid of drugs.

> You don't sound like a drug seeker and you're not looking for a crazy combo or super-high doses and you don't seem to have anything (axis II, history of RX drug abuse/alcoholism, etc.) that would make any controlled substances contraindicated so...I think you should take a deep breath, and tell your doc what you think the best thing for you is, instead of freaking out and (mis)communicating through these oddball tactics that might prove ineffective, if not counterproductive.
>
> Good luck.

Nope, no drug/alcohol abuse. I'm about as clean and straight and narrow as they come. It's practically written on my forehead. I don't know what it is about the way I look or act, but it's somehow very evident, whether you know me well or not.

A few weeks ago my doctor asked if I smoked because it popped up as a question on his computer screen for some reason. (He actually barely asked. Quickly said you don't smoke do you?) I just laughed and said NO! (no offense to those that do, although it's not healthy, I don't think it's something that defines a person's morals). I meant that I just don't do anything risky or questionable, legal or not.

Thanks to all who are responding. I need a little slap back in to reality. I know what I was thinking of doing was not direct enough to get what I need. I may wait til tomorrow so I can think some more and not do anything stupid.

 

Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz

Posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 10:47:55

In reply to Re: just say what you need » med_empowered, posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 4:58:01

hey, jealibean. I'm really in agreement with others here. It really would take a lot of pressure off your future dealing with your GP if you could just tell him the facts, without trying to get him to offer you things that you want, but are uncomfortable asking for. You have the right to ask-- he's not going to think worse of you. You have a long=-term solid trusting relationship with him-- and are a very reliable patient. I'm sure he wouldn't take it the wrong way.

Where I become concerned (and I do hope you realize it's concern, not blank negativity about long-term xanax; I use it myself longterm, at varying doses) is when you think about adding more than the 4 mg/day. The combination of 4 mg/day xanax plus at-need xanax xr strikes me as possibly placing you in that zone where you may, entirely innocently, start becoming more dependent on more then 4 mg/day than you realize.

It's important, I think personally (and this is me, I guess) that if you take drugs with some addictive potential, like xanax-- which you can fall prey to for entirely good reasons, ie dealing with anxiety-- that you monitor the dose level, and promise yourself never to go above a certain level. Also, that, if possible, you use less when it isn't absolutely necessary on certain days or at certain times. That alone can help to keep the dosage level down a bit.

I asked my pdoc , when he gave me xanax, about when you get into the danger zone for addiction. He said it's a problem when you take 4 mg a day, and that he wouldn't want to see me taking that much. That's why I'm concerned about you. I realize that you're using it for pervasive anxiety and really need it. But that doesn't mean it might not pose a threat long-term.

I know this isn't something you feel comfortable about, but I'm going to say it anyway. I do think you might want to begin to reconsider an AD, because you do suffer from depression along with the anxiety. That mix is hard to differentiate.

Cymbalta works a lot more on the noradrenergic system than Effexor at small doses, so it might help. I think it's a pretty good drug and it seems to be catching on a lot, too.

But also, an MAOI might really make a huge difference for you. I know you don't like the idea of ADs. But there' s no weight gain with Parnate or Emsam-- and they might make your need for xanax much more secondary and within what you would feel completely comfortable asking for.

I know it's a big jump, but why not at least give it some thought over the next period of time, as you try to figure out what's best?

Honore

 

Re: just say what you need

Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2007, at 12:06:31

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 10:47:55

No benzos are working for me right now. Love Phillipa I quit

 

Re: just say what you need » Honore

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 16:51:43

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 10:47:55

Oh I definitely do not want to combine Xanax XR and Xanax to exceed 4mg, take only Xanax and exceed 4mg, or take Xanax XR and exceed 4mg. I know that going over is considered "a point of no return", and addiction may occur and tapering and withdrawing becomes difficult.

I think the whole 4mg thing is taken a bit too literally, since all bodies are different. We all have varying metabolic and excretion rates in relation to medications and we all have different levels of tolerance and therapeutic response. However, I do use it as a benchmark, because I know it's what medical professionals so, so I'll respect that.

I never took more than prescribed and had many instances where I took less. I always tried to take the lowest dose possible, without my anxiety getting too high. This came in handy several times when I was unable to get my prescription sent to me on time.

I think that nobody should be terrrribly concerned about the difference between someone taking 3mg or 4 mg. My highest daily was 4mg. Right now I'm taking 3mg XR, so I have been able to decrease, and it's with the version that I feel is much less therapeutic. I don't feel withdrawal or cravings. Just anxiety, because I have GAD. I'd probably be very satisfied with 2 or 3 mg of regular Xanax right now, divided througout the day, since it would be an improvement from what I have now.


Haha! Yes, you're right, I do not want to try another AD right now! Ughh... so many side effects!

I thought that Effexor worked more on NE than Cymbalta. I may be wrong, but I believe that's correct.

I hated Effexor, Paxil, Wellbutrin, Buspar. They all have their negatives. I seem to be particularly sensitive to them. All caused nausea, weight gain, total apathy. Effexor caused night sweats and dizzyness. So I'm not particularly keen on an SSRI or SNRI.

Both my doctor and PA have told me that I could try another, but it's likely that I'll have similar side effects based on my history. When I told my PA last year I wanted to stop Effexor, since I was having a hard time with the side effects, and was feeling better, he didn't want me to try another AD. My doctor briefly mentioned Celexa last September, but when I reminded him of the other meds, he quickly dismissed that idea.

Hmm... Parnate or EMSAM? Do you think they'd help with anxiety? Or are you saying that lessening any depression will make anxiety easier to control?

I'm not saying I don't want to take an AD, just because I'm being stubborn. I've just experienced too many negative side effects to be overly anxious to go for another one. Haha, I don't think my GP would go for an MAOI anyway, and I'm afraid of whatever new and unexplored side effects I'd have, because they just seem likely to occur with me. Every time I've gone off one, it's with the thought that I'd nevvvver do it again, so I have tried again, despite my vows. And after the discontinuation of each one, I want to run from all meds!

I appreciate your lengthy response very much. I'm not trying to argue with you at all. You've given me quite a bit to think about. I'm still a little afraid of asking for Xanax straight out, but am considering it. Hopefully a good night's sleep will help.

 

Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz

Posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 18:33:32

In reply to Re: just say what you need » Honore, posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 16:51:43

At several points, you wrote things similar to this:

"I was thinking about possible solutions to my medication problems. I wonder if anyone ever takes both Xanax XR and Xanax daily. Although I don't feel like Xanax XR does anything for me, it probably does. Maybe I could take 1-2 mg Xanax XR daily plus 2-3mg Xanax daily. That way, I have a stable baseline, with the addition of a medication that I believe helps with my anixety."

You also said that although the xanax 4/day helped, you were up and down, and often had more anxiety than could be entirely dealt with, even if you dosed it at 4/8 times a day.

So you have expressed a desire for more than 4 mg/day.

I'm saying this out of concern for you, not criticism. I"m sure there are reasons why you trust xanax and not other meds. But I still am concerned. I hope it works out for you and you can get the medications you need, that are stable and help you to accomplish the things you want to do.

Honore

 

Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » jealibeanz

Posted by FredPotter on March 26, 2007, at 18:39:42

In reply to Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » FredPotter, posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 4:23:08

No I mean some Drs don't know the seizure danger of coming off Xanax too quickly. I do. In hospital they just took me off it suddenly and sure enough I had a seizure

 

Re: just say what you need

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 19:19:38

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 18:33:32

> At several points, you wrote things similar to this:
>
> "I was thinking about possible solutions to my medication problems. I wonder if anyone ever takes both Xanax XR and Xanax daily. Although I don't feel like Xanax XR does anything for me, it probably does. Maybe I could take 1-2 mg Xanax XR daily plus 2-3mg Xanax daily. That way, I have a stable baseline, with the addition of a medication that I believe helps with my anixety."
>
> You also said that although the xanax 4/day helped, you were up and down, and often had more anxiety than could be entirely dealt with, even if you dosed it at 4/8 times a day.
>
> So you have expressed a desire for more than 4 mg/day.
>
> I'm saying this out of concern for you, not criticism. I"m sure there are reasons why you trust xanax and not other meds. But I still am concerned. I hope it works out for you and you can get the medications you need, that are stable and help you to accomplish the things you want to do.
>
> Honore

Yeah, that was what I wrote in a different thread. I knew what I meant, but it probably wasn't clear to readers.

I was just suggesting the possibility of combining both XR and IR. I'm not sure if it's a good idea for me or anyone else, merely a thought.

My doses that I wrote were all supposed to total no more than 4 mg, taking both medications into consideration. (1. Xanax XR 1 mg + Xanax IR 3mg or 2. Xanax XR 2mg + Xanax IR 2mg) I didn't clearly write that out before, plus I had in mind the IR dose would be written as a maximum of either 2 mg or 3 mg, but with the idea that I'd take less if possible.

Does this makes sense? I hope so.

Did I write somewhere that I dosed the Xanax 8 times a day? If I ever wrote that I spaced my medication out that way, I certainly don't remember actually doing so! I know at one point I had my 1 mg tabs all cut in half when I was trying to take less than the 4 mg/day. So, yes, I've taken it more than 4 times a day at some point, but that would have been me trying to find the level I needed in small increments, and trying to keep it as low as I could. Haha, I don't know, maybe it's the old age and my memory is going...

Yeah, my anxiety does go up and down, based on medication changes and life stressors. When I was on 4 mg a day consistently, if felt that it helped. I never want to go above the dosing, whether or not I'm feeling anxious, because I do want to avoid having my body get used to a large dose of medication.

I'm not writing any of this out of defense. I'm trying to explain the situation a little more. There may be some confusion on both sides. I don't know. Or maybe my brain is fried from studying A+P all weekend!

I appreciate the concern. I do have reasons for not trying other meds, unfortunately, because I wish I could just take an SSRI or SNRI without feeling lifeless and numb, plus rid my anxiety. It just doesn't seem to be the logical choice.

If this were only my opinion, I'd say it's skewed, since it's difficult to be objective when assessing your own situation, but I would pretty much have to beg my PA or doctor to give me an SSRI right now. Even then, it would come with an, "OK, but it's your choice and we warned you. You probably won't be happy with it, just like the other times."

Does this clarify things?

 

Re: If you were my doc, what would you do?

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 19:23:05

In reply to Re: If you were my doc, what would you do? » jealibeanz, posted by FredPotter on March 26, 2007, at 18:39:42

> No I mean some Drs don't know the seizure danger of coming off Xanax too quickly. I do. In hospital they just took me off it suddenly and sure enough I had a seizure


Ohhhh... that is not a situation I want to get in to. Thanks for the reminder that it does actually happen in real life.

Were these doctors in the hospital aware that you'd been on Xanax for a while? And did your doctor know they were D/C'ing it?

How much were you taking and how long had you been taking it for, if you don't mind me asking?

 

Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz

Posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 21:33:30

In reply to Re: just say what you need, posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 19:19:38

Hi, jealibeanz. That does clarify a lot.

I do hope you can get what you need. I certainly think you shouldn't have to deal with so much anxiety. My only concern is the problem I mentioned, but if that's not an issue, and you can maintain the dose without going up, then my concerns are answered.

Maybe you can just ask your GP for what you want; why not just go back to the prior situation? You seemed to think originally that he was looking for a stable solution; maybe what's best is what he was already doing. Can't see why he wouldn't be open to that, really.

Honore

 

Re: just say what you need

Posted by jealibeanz on March 26, 2007, at 21:45:30

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 21:33:30

> Hi, jealibeanz. That does clarify a lot.
>
> I do hope you can get what you need. I certainly think you shouldn't have to deal with so much anxiety. My only concern is the problem I mentioned, but if that's not an issue, and you can maintain the dose without going up, then my concerns are answered.
>
> Maybe you can just ask your GP for what you want; why not just go back to the prior situation? You seemed to think originally that he was looking for a stable solution; maybe what's best is what he was already doing. Can't see why he wouldn't be open to that, really.
>
> Honore

Stability is definitely what I'm looking for. Aren't we all?! I'm trying to get there!

Going back to the regular Xanax for right now is most likely my best solution. It'll help me get to a better state, and then I can make reasonable decisions about my future regarding medications and such.

 

Re: just say what you need » Honore

Posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 5:30:21

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 26, 2007, at 21:33:30

This is just a random thought/analogy that ran through my head this morning, not entirely related to the topic...

Flonase:

I'm dependent on Flonase. I've taken it for allergies every day (almost) for the last 8 years. It's the only thing that truly relieves my symptoms. I went through years of allergy shots and have been on all the prescription antihistamines, neither helped.

I go on and off Allegra, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Clarinex every few years. Sometimes I don't take them because I don't feel I need them because my allergies aren't bad. Or, my allergies are bad, but I know they make no difference with me. Right now I'm taking Clarinex, since I've had more symptoms over the last year and decided to try taking an oral med again. It doesn't help!

My Flonase is the only thing that keeps me breathing, keeps my throat from being itchy and inflammed, and prevents complications. If I don't take it as soon as I wake up, it set me up for a bad day, because I start to have allergic reactions. If I go a day or so without it, I'll get a sinus infection. I've tried to "quit" my Flonase before, because I thought I was addicted, haha, and lasted only 3 days.

I asked my PA about what he thought about me taking it for such a long time and told him I wanted to stop, even though it's the only med that works, because I thought I'd been on it too long. He looked at me like I was crazy. There's no reason to stop it, but many to keep taking it. (He was probably thinking... Flonase?! You're concerned about Flonase?! That is not your biggest problem!)

I asked one of my professors, a D.O., about this a few months ago when she was lecturing about allergic rhinitis. She was saying that she likes to avoid the steroids, and was very clear about it. So, I told her my story and asked what she thought. She told me to stick with what is working! It goes completely against what she holds as her "rule of thumb" for practice and treatment, yet she said that without hesistation. And she said that if I try stopping, I'd have some "rebound" reactions, because my body is used to having the steroids to fight allergens, so it's a bit weakened so to speak.

Anyway...

My point is, Flonase is not considered first line treatment for allergies. Maybe second line in conjunction with oral medication, and its extended use is discouraged, since it is a steroid. I don't think many people with allergies are prescribed this medication by itself for so long, but I am. However, my allergist/pulmonologist, GP and PA all see no problem with me taking it long-term. It helps me!

This is soo similar to my Xanax situation, in my opinion. It's not first line. It's extended use is discuraged. It's not normally taken without a 1st line drug. If you stop taking it, you may experience rebound anxiety. Hmm...

 

Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz

Posted by Honore on March 27, 2007, at 10:36:32

In reply to Re: just say what you need » Honore, posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 5:30:21

I take long-term Flonase myself (with MAOIs and chronic low-level sinus infection).

The analogy isn't perfect, of course, because dependency hasn't been a problem with Flonase.

But I agree that we (in this country and elsewhere) have a bit of a fixation on dependence on certain drugs-- and not others. Of course there are reasons and distinctions-- but I do think it's overstated, and that these drugs are useful, if not overused.

My concern stems from a family situation, which was extremely tragic-- which came from needed use, that led to dependence, which led to other things-- and I would just hate to see you get into any of those things.

I don't blame my family member although it was at times agonizing to see his struggles and the problems that developed. I know you can need something like that-- and still, unawares develop more of an addiction-like relationship to it.

I think this can be avoided- but it takes vigilance and a little on-going fear of what could happen-- even when you think you have it under control.

That's why I'm saying the things to you that I am. I think it's fine to take xanax if you are very very aware of the potential for getting into that danger zone--whatever it is for you, personally. But again, I would just hate to see you move into that, and have to cope with the problems that it can cause.

I do think you should ask your GP up-front about giving you the xanax IR, and talk about it more with the PA, who seems more on the ball. You want to protect yourself-- and yet to stay on the dose you need. Both of which are worthy goals, for which there's no reason to hint, without being clear.

If either of them does have concerns, it's best to talk it over, anyway, and see if you can come to a clear agreement, yet have the xanax also. I'm sure they'll do their best to keep the anxiety at manageable levels and work with you.

Honore

 

Re: just say what you need » Honore

Posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 11:41:26

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 27, 2007, at 10:36:32

I am very aware that Xanax can be addicting to some-- not all. I certainly do not want to get to that point and won't let myself. I'm a very disciplined person.

Haha, I think my anxiety may work in my favor when it comes to this issue, because I do worry about it! I worry that I take the medication at all, since it's a bit controversial. I worry that the time will come when I'll have to switch doctors, and nobody will continue with my treatment.

I'm young enough that I actually do believe I will benefit from the novel drugs of the future. I try to view Xanax as buying me some time.

I never see my PA anymore, since he can't prescribe all the controlled medications, so my doctor has become my primary provider. I do know however, that he isn't terribly keen on them, but I wouldn't be either if I were him. He's very young, so was taught in school that they are "bad", because that's the current belief being shared with students. He can't really say how much he thinks they help, since he doesn't prescribe them. I'll ask my doc whenever I actually can see him in person, what his future plan is for me.

 

Re: just say what you need

Posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 17:39:55

In reply to Re: just say what you need » Honore, posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 11:41:26

I called today and left the message with the nurse, saying that it wasn't helping and asked he'd want me to go back to regular Xanax or try something else. I haven't heard back. Blehh... I hope he calls tomorrow because I don't want to have to call again. They're terrible at relaying messages. Sometimes they don't give them to the doc, especially if he wasn't working. I'm not sure if he was actually in the office today or not.

 

Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz

Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2007, at 18:36:12

In reply to Re: just say what you need, posted by jealibeanz on March 27, 2007, at 17:39:55

Jelly right now I'm sitting here totally miserble . Cry at the drop of a hat. Dizzy. Scared. Can't sleep as I'm now on ativan. I've become tolerant to benzos it's obvious to me now. Love Phillipa ps I did better on the long lasting xanax. At least I could do things and wanted to now I'm a quivering shaking person.

 

Re: ughhh....

Posted by jealibeanz on March 29, 2007, at 5:14:57

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2007, at 18:36:12

Yeah, so I called 2 days ago, and have not received a response. I'll call again today, yet it won't do me much immediate good since I'm going out of town for a few days and will most likely be gone before a can get a response. I doubt my doctor is working today anyway, which means I wait til Saturday (little chance) or Monday for him to get the message.

Yay... so I still have to take crappy Xanax XR (while at my all day interview w/ 18 other candidates!), and run out of Ritalin LA this weekend and Provigil. Not ideal.

I like my doctor, hate his staff. The nurses have become increasingly rude and angry over the past year and go out of their way not to give messages. It's their passive-aggressive way of relieving stress... very bizarre that they all get away with this.

My doctor is somewhat aware of this, because it became a huge issue when my insurance company was going to drop my prescription coverage for a drug since the office didn't get it approved. It went on for 3 months, so the insurance company just said that if I didn't get the authorization within 24 hours, they would deny it completely. So, my mother and I (after many many phone calls to the office) finally went there in person and complained. We were quickly put in a patient room and explained it all to my doctor, who got on the phone as soon as we left, and called the insurance company. It was a pretty big deal at the time, but maybe I need to go and scream constantly about how the nurses don't give any messages!!! (which I don't actually want to do)

 

Re: ughhh....

Posted by Honore on March 29, 2007, at 8:47:09

In reply to Re: ughhh...., posted by jealibeanz on March 29, 2007, at 5:14:57

Hi jeali.

It'll go okay. Maybe you'll just be much more excited than anxious.. And even if you do get anxious, when you have to, you'll be fine. It's tough to have to go through the anxiety, but you;ve done much better than you were afraid you would, in the past.

Good luck. Honore


 

Re: ughhh....

Posted by jealibeanz on March 29, 2007, at 9:35:57

In reply to Re: ughhh...., posted by Honore on March 29, 2007, at 8:47:09

> Hi jeali.
>
> It'll go okay. Maybe you'll just be much more excited than anxious.. And even if you do get anxious, when you have to, you'll be fine. It's tough to have to go through the anxiety, but you;ve done much better than you were afraid you would, in the past.
>
> Good luck. Honore
>
>
>
>
>

Thanks. I'll be fine at the interview. I interview well and have gone through plenty enough to know how to act and what to say.

I'm just upset about the doctor's office. I was a little uncomfortable calling in the first place, but I did it. Having to call repeatedly sucks. I feel like I'm begging for my Xanax, Ritalin, and Provigil.

It's like hiii.... can I pleeeease have my controlled drugs. I keep asking and nobody gives them to me..... pleeeease can you ask my doctor???? Can you not ignore me this time because you think I'm a drug addict or that I'm selling them at school? Thanks.

I'm not going to say that there's no bias against patients like me with the LPN's. They just don't like having to deal with it, not that they even have to do much, except relay the message. I'm pretty sure if I were calling for my allergy medication the message would go through, because it always does.

My doctor doesn't make me feel uncomfortable, it's the nurses and staff, who are the "gatekeepers".

 

Re: ughhh.... » jealibeanz

Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2007, at 17:53:36

In reply to Re: ughhh...., posted by jealibeanz on March 29, 2007, at 9:35:57

Well at least you get a human voice here all the docs offices have fancy answering machines that you just leave a message on and hope someone does something. Love Phillipa

 

flonase

Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 30, 2007, at 8:17:11

In reply to Re: just say what you need » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 27, 2007, at 10:36:32

my kid s 15 and has been on flonase for 2 years
the doctor thinks it's fine
i got a referral to take heto an otolarygologist

the purpose of flonaseis to prime the sinuses in a way that is not hospitable to infections.

i have a great md who sent me to a sinus guy. i stayed on anti-biotics for uite a while, the theory being (and the doc and i were in total agreement) that i had the same sinus infection for years at a time. there are many places to hide in the sinuses. after the anti-biotics, i snorted warm water salt water and baking soda for 2 years
hated it
changed my life
those sinus infections are nasty
good luck

 

Re: ughhh....

Posted by notfred on March 30, 2007, at 15:51:09

In reply to Re: ughhh...., posted by jealibeanz on March 29, 2007, at 9:35:57

FWIW, I fax my doctors with questions or requests.
Seems to be more effective then dealing with reception or nurses. Your question/message gets delivered without any errors. I include a number where I can be reached so they can verify the fax.

If it is something I have already taken, I request a refill at the pharmacy. The major ones have a fax system & I seem to get the refills quicker than if I call my doc.


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