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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
A couple of weeks ago I went to my GP for treatment of psoriasis and that's when all my anxiety problems came up. I told my GP that I was feeling desperate so he suggested I try valium instead of clonazepam (prescribed by my pdoc)to see if that made a difference. He gave me a small prescription with no refills. Surprisingly, I started to sleep better and felt very good when I saw my pdoc yesterday. I told him about the valium and he flipped out, saying that he couldn't tolerate other doctors treating me at the same time as he was. I understand this as it makes for a very messy situation, so I apologized and promised not to do it again. Then, when I asked if I could continue with the valium, he started ranting that it is extremely addictive, almost akin to heroin and that there is no way he was going to prescribe it. I knew it was all BS but I kept my mouth shut and left the office with my tail between my legs after only fifteen minutes...it was an appointment that required a whole day of travel. Today I looked up valium on the internet, and sure enough, it is far less potent than clonazepam and much longer acting. It is even used to help patients taper off the more potent, short-acting benzos. Just wondering what the heck I do now.
Posted by Sigismund on July 18, 2007, at 17:38:48
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Did he give you clonazepam?
>he started ranting that it is extremely addictive, almost akin to heroin and that there is no way he was going to prescribe it.
In your shoes I would like to have replied
'You wouldn't settle for a morphine script then?'
Posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:57:28
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Oh yes, I have all the clonazepam I want, but it doesn't seem to have the same calming effect as the valium. I thought of sending him an e-mail with info I found on the net about valium but am afraid it will just make matters worse. Too much ego at play.
Posted by saturn on July 18, 2007, at 18:33:04
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
>>> I understand this as it makes for a very messy situation, so I apologized and promised not to do it again.
>>>I knew it was all BS but I kept my mouth shut and left the office with my tail between my legs
You are very wise, humble and self-controlling (in a good way). Good job!
While your reasons for wanting to switch to valium are legitimate, the most important thing is to make sure you're not cut off from benzos all together.
I'm not sure if or how you can convince your doc to switch you to valium, but based upon his behavior you described I'd personally recommend against "pushing" the issue any further for now (including e-mailing him).
Just my .02c. Good luck...Saturn.
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2007, at 18:43:27
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Why can't your GP continue to prescribe it for you. Did you know psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder my Mother had it and was on valium and miltown in the 60's . And of course there are always other ways not allowed to say. Love Phillipa
Posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 21:14:54
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Just wondering why there are so many strange psychiatrists and psychologists out there. Seems everyone I go to has a different diagnosis. Some want me to take more meds and some want me off meds altogether. Some try to dig skeletons out of the closet while others want me to focus on the present. One asked me to consider the possibility that my father was a German sympathizer during the war, another wrote in his notes that I "wore shorts and had a bowl-shaped haircut." Yet another convinced me to have all the amalgum fillings removed from my mouth at tremendous expense. Now my current pdoc shows total ignorance about benzodiazepines. All these people have gone to university for years and years and it really makes me wonder what the hell they studied. It's like everyone is groping in the dark.
Posted by shasling on July 18, 2007, at 21:16:56
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
hi Guy,
If it were me, Id go back to the GP for the valium, then take steps to find another pdoc who wouldnt be so territorial and dramatic.
I know how much you suffer, and if you can find something to help you, I think youre entitled to it.
Just my opinion.
Suzie
Posted by cactus on July 18, 2007, at 21:21:15
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
You know what, why not tell your GP what happened when you saw your pdoc. I find valium far more effective for me than clonazepam ever was. Maybe your GP would be prepared to monitor your valium scripts for you. If it works better than the clonazepam does then why not ask your GP for the valium. I still find it interesting that North America generally prescribes clonazepam and the rest of the western world generally gives it a very wide birth, prescribing Valium instead. I know I have said this before but why is it? Australia, New Zealand and the UK for example have very tight controls over the use of clonazepam and it is very had to get a script for it.
Posted by Phillipa on July 18, 2007, at 21:41:31
In reply to Re: What now? » Guy, posted by cactus on July 18, 2007, at 21:21:15
Klonopin can be very depressing it made me feel suicidal and I wasn't the pdoc pulled me off with a phone call immediatedly and put me back on xanax. I was fine then. Love Phillipa
Posted by Racer on July 19, 2007, at 0:04:25
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Is your pdoc otherwise meeting your needs? And are you stabilized on your meds?
If you answered "no," and then "yes," I'd say ask your GP to continue your meds, and fire your pdoc.
I actually fired my pdoc about a year ago, in favor of having my GP continue to fill my scripts -- even though I wasn't stabilized, but only just functional. It was still not worth it to me to continue trying with my pdoc, and I don't regret that at all. (I'm fortunate, though, that our marriage counselor arranged for me to see a different pdoc, whom I'm much happier with.)
If you still need your pdoc, though -- well, I hate to suggest this, because I do think it's a bad idea in general, BUT ... Have you considered asking your GP to continue scripts for valium, and just not telling your pdoc? Or, what would be a better solution, but possibly not realistic, asking your GP to call your pdoc and discuss the benzo picture with him?
Good luck, whatever you do...
Posted by Sigismund on July 19, 2007, at 3:08:30
In reply to Re: What now? » Guy, posted by cactus on July 18, 2007, at 21:21:15
>Australia, New Zealand and the UK for example have very tight controls over the use of clonazepam and it is very had to get a script for it.
It sure isn't prescribed for anxiety in Australia.
At least I don't think so.
Posted by cactus on July 19, 2007, at 5:41:12
In reply to Re: What now? » cactus, posted by Sigismund on July 19, 2007, at 3:08:30
No it's not prescribed in Australia but I have a very open minded pdoc who let me trial it off label. I didn't like it at all. I found the ataxia very overpowering and had slurred speech to the point where people at work were asking me if I was drunk. Clonazepam is a very powerful benzo. It also gave me terrible headaches and left me feeling like my head was stuffed full of cotton wool. I find valium much smoother and much easier to function on
Posted by deniseuk190466 on July 20, 2007, at 14:50:07
In reply to What now?, posted by Guy on July 18, 2007, at 17:31:26
Guy,
It's terrible how we have to tippy toe around some doctors and psychiatrists for fear of upsetting them and then them not treating you at all. You spend all that time psyching yourself up to ask about something and come out no better off, like you say, "with your tail between your legs"If I were you I'd send the email with your evidence and ask him for his opinion, try and do it in a humble sort way. I don't see what you have to lose by sending him an email, he's already dead set against prescribing the valium, he can either change his mind or he won't.
Denise
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