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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 Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 0:23:43
Does this make sense to anyone else? I'm 50 yrs. old and have had problems my whole life with periodic stiffness or "cricks" in my neck. I had a neck injury when I was about 8 yrs. old and had to wear a neck brace for 2 months. As I got older, I would get a stiff neck every 4-5 yrs. that lasted for a couple of weeks and then would go away. As I got older, these episodes became more frequent. In the early 90's I was diagnosed with OCD and put on Xanax by my mental health Doc.(First time I had ever gone to one).It helped with my mental problems and all was good for about 8 yrs. These were some of the best and most productive times in my life (very out-going and sociable).I give full credit to the Benzo's. Thinking back now, I had very few stiff neck problems during this time. Well, the next thing I know, my Doc. had left and his replacement was totally against the use of Benzo's. He stepped me off of them and told me I was depressed and put me on Prozac, Trazadone, and Mirtazapine (some to help me sleep). I had never felt depressed before, but after being taken off the Xanax, I soon felt depressed and figured all the new meds. would help with that. I also noticed my neck problems had returned. After about 10 yrs. of being on the SRRI's, and repeated requests to be put back on some type of Benzo, and being told I was a bad person for "wanting to get a buzz" from them, I stopped taking all the "crazy meds." he had me on. After about 2 months I felt much better (clear headed). Unfortunately, my neck stiffness got so bad that I had to get a couple of MRIs which showed degenerative joint problems (arthritis) and bone spurs that were closing around my nerves, causing more and more pain in my neck and back; also causing neuropathy. I saw a neurosurgeon and was told they could fuse my bones together and make it look better on an x-ray, but it would not stop the pain and stiffness. Next, they put me on opiates (which I hate). In the mean time , whenever I would have to go to the emergency room for the neck stiffness, they would always put me on a couple of months of Valium for the muscle spasms in my neck and my stiffness would go away for several months.
I have just had steroid injections in my back and neck. It helped a lot for about 2 days. Next they are going to inject Botox. If that doesn't help, they will start doing epidurals! I am now on both morphine and percocets for the constant pain. Needless to say, my quality of life is going downhill fast.
Recently I was doing research on the 'net and came across something called Stiff Man Syndrome: (http://www.med.yale.edu/neurol/programs/neuromuscular/stiff_man.html) and I believe it explains why Benzo's helped my stiff neck problems in the past and I kept asking for them (unknowingly) all this time and why they may be the only medicine that can actually improve my situation and quality of life. How can I convince my Doc. to try this for a few months and see what happens, when he is so dead set against them because they can be "addictive"? I guess a life addicted to opiates is O.K. (?). Would someone please check out the link I provided and let me know if this sounds reasonable, or am I just a bad person for asking again for Benzo's. Keep in mind that I use the VA, so getting another doctor is not an option. Thanks
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2009, at 12:35:28
In reply to Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 0:23:43
It kind of sounds arthritis and agewise I also have the stiffness. Any other muscle relaxor they might use? Good Luck Phillipa
Posted by B2chica on March 4, 2009, at 13:21:19
In reply to Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 0:23:43
First of all you are NOT a bad person for requesting any type of medication that has a PROVEN track record of helping you in the past!!!
second of all there are too many docs out there that are benzo phobic...
my best advice...Start looking for a new doc.was the doc a psychiatrist or a GP? i guess it doesn't matter, there are benzo haters in both groups.
*****************
but for the record i've seen three different pdocs over the years, some good some bad. and ALL of them Rx'd benzo's for me. and had no qualms doing so.it is a PERSONAL issue of the Doc's NOT yours.
right now, seriously go grab your phone book and start looking up docs to give a call to.
and be blunt, tell them that you have been on benzo's before and they Greatly helped you and do they have any issues or concerns with perscribing any type of Benzodiazapine.****************
For those that have had this kind of issue with a doc before, PLEASE chime in if i'm giving bad advice.
but it just makes me so angry when people NEED benzo's or stimulants and docs think their drug seeking. its a bunch of cr@p!Here's hoping you SOON find a new Good pdoc.
b2c.
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2009, at 13:27:12
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's » Budzoid, posted by B2chica on March 4, 2009, at 13:21:19
B2chica I'm chiming in as feel so strongly about this as been on them for over 37 years haven't upped the dose. No admitt they don't do what they did before. But lived happily and raised a family, had a business, and went to nursing school with just a small dose of benzos. Before that was in a constant panic attack. Now the want ap's for some good and others like me with strong diabetes in family not a good idea. And so many lawsuits. Now there are times for many when that's what's necessary. But I don't feel anxiety is one. Unless it psychotic. Just an I statement. Love Phillipa
Posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 14:07:59
In reply to Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 0:23:43
"my Doc. had left and his replacement was totally against the use of Benzo's"
This is why I have no respect for 95% of the psychiatrists that practice medicine today. Benzophobia runs rampant through medical schools as the young students get brainwashed by the pharmaceutical industry. All benzodiazepines have lost their patents as far as I know.
Young, cocky psychiatrists and GP physicians refuse to use FDA-approved benzodiazepines for their respective conditions.
Have you tried Parafon Forte? I was given that for neck stiffness and it worked tremendously well. It loosened up all the muscles.
Diazepam (Valium) would be a good choice as a muscle relaxant too. It is a much more potent muscle relaxant than alprazolam (Xanax).
I hope you get some relief soon. Keep going to other doctors until you find the right one... the one that was like your previous doctor who gave you the Xanax.
Usually older doctors who are private practice are more open-minded and don't suffer from benzophobia so much.
Young doctors... stay far away... You can see them a mile away. They are just so cocky these days. When I was young, doctors used to be nice and friendly and never accused people of being addicts for taking medication as prescribed.
Doctors today are in league with the DEA and have little knowledge of the pharmacodynamics of benzodiazepines. They probably learn everything they know from the police and alphabet government agency, the DEA. Oh, and the pharmaceutical companies too.
They get lots of kickbacks for prescribing brand name medication.
I hear that Texas is not very benzophobic. I lived there not too long ago and my GP and psychiatrist both prescribed benzodiazepines without any hesitation.
Best regards,
Paul
Posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 16:04:36
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 14:07:59
I wish it was as easy as finding a new doctor. Being without insurance, I'm forced to use the VA. They seperate what my mental health doctor and primary care doctor can prescribe. My PC doc. can not prescribe benzo's. My mental health doc. can only do that. I have already seen 3 differant MH doctors at the facility over the last 3-4 years and every one of them is anti-benzo. The doctor that replaced the one that left just happened to be the new head of the department. He lectured me about the evils of the drug and then told me "I have looked at the pharmacy records and found that over 1,100 people here are on benzo's. I'm making it my crusade to get every one of them off". (My VA facility is the largest in my state).
My option of getting a new doctor is limited.
Posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 16:10:58
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 16:04:36
I forgot to add: The doctor that originally helped me and left, works here in town in private practice. I did try to see him but without insurance, I didn't make it through the door. It did not matter that I was prepared to pay in cash.
Posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 17:10:26
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 16:10:58
Wow, that's terrible. He's on a crusade. I figured that much. Too bad you are stuck with a guy like that. I have heard the VA (Veteran's Affairs) is anti-benzo, especially if you are a combat veteran and have PTSD.. then they definitely won't want to give you any.
Your previous doctor wouldn't let you see him even though you were going to pay cash? They won't accept cash?
I'm really sorry to hear that. Doctors these days seem to think that a "one size fits all" approach based on their various empty "hypotheses" is the way to go.
Sad thing is too: I read that Medicare/Medicaid won't pay for benzodiazepines. They tried to make it into some moral issue I guess. Ridiculous. There are lots of benzodiazepines FDA-approved for use as a muscle relaxant.
How far are you from Canada? I only paid $25 cash to see the doctor there since I'm not a Canadian citizen and he was generous with the benzos. It was hard though trying to find a doctor taking new patients.. that's the downside.
He was older and private practice... I told him I have panic disorder and lots of anxiety, which is the honest to God truth, and he wrote me a prescription for 100 Valium just like that. No hassles.Good luck to you.
Regards,
Paul
Posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 17:23:43
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 17:10:26
Then again, if you are nearer to Mexico, if you can afford to take a trip down there someday to a border town, you can find plenty of doctors willing to prescribe whatever you want. It's sad if someone has to go down there to get the kind of quality healthcare they should already be getting in the United States.
No one should be denied a treatment that works.
I've faced benzophobic psychiatrists over the years.It happened when my pdoc at the local community mental health clinic left and some benzo-bigot took over and decided to force me off something that worked for 10 years (and I never increased the dose and never abused it).
She said, "We had a round table conference here and decided that we won't use benzodiazepines on our patients anymore".
I encountered the same tripe when I moved to another state and went to the public clinic there. Seems like government-funded places are the worst. I think the feds (DEA-influenced) don't want to finance benzos.
The people who worked there wore name tags with the word "PAXIL" embossed on it. You could tell they were in the pay of the drug companies and definitely under their influence.
Perhaps the VA is the same. They probably cut a deal with the big pharma corporations so that they would only prescribe big brand "blockbuster" antidepressants (almost always SSRIs).
SSRIs are not any better than placebo in helping people with anxiety disorders. In fact, there are several case reports of them being prescribed for folks with depression without any history of anxiety and they suddenly developed panic attacks shortly after taking the SSRI.
SSRIs are like a panacea and prescribed for damn near everything these days and I wouldn't be surprised if they tried to make you take an SSRI for muscle strain. hehheh.
Posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 17:36:15
In reply to Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 0:23:43
Sorry I didn't read your post thoroughly. You have already taken SSRIs for 10 years. Then they put you on opiates/opioid analgesics for chronic pain.
Those are usually C-II or C-III. Strange that they won't give you a C-IV, which is less controlled and also indicated for muscle spasms and stiffness.
Muscle stiffness could be at the root of the pain problem, besides the arthritis.
It's strange.. I can never figure it out. Benzos are C-IV but are harder to get than pain meds (C-II and C-III).
Pain meds cause constipation and all kinds of side effects too, whereas benzos are very much benign and have a very favorable side effect profile.
I'm sorry to hear about your predicament.
Try to ask them about Parafon Forte. I know I had good results from that when I had a very stiff and sore neck after swimming. I almost thought it worked too well. Loosened everything up. It's not controlled though, so it shouldn't be too hard to get.
Posted by desolationrower on March 4, 2009, at 17:59:50
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by sukarno on March 4, 2009, at 17:10:26
well i'm all for use of safe drugs like benzos. maybe theres some other option if you can't get your doctor to prescibe them:
have you tried baclofen or gabapentin?
coQ10 might help, ESPECIALLY if you are on a statin or possibly beta-blocker.as far as the arthritis itself, fishoil, vitamins d & k. actually a number of antiinflamitory supplements could help, SAMe is very good although expensive.
seeing a private doctor might be expensive, but benzos themselves are quite cheap, if you decide to go that way. good lukc getting the treatment you need.
-=d/r
Posted by Phillipa on March 4, 2009, at 21:05:36
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by desolationrower on March 4, 2009, at 17:59:50
If you're in the NC area know a doc who gets all the vets on benzos. But must not post the name of doc not allowed. So babblemail me. Click my name in blue and screen appears and you type a private message to me hit at the bottom of the page send. We'll go from there. Also my Son who was blinded in Desert Storm is Working For DAV might be able to help Phillipa
Posted by Budzoid on March 4, 2009, at 21:34:25
In reply to Re: Possible reason I want Benzo's, posted by desolationrower on March 4, 2009, at 17:59:50
Yes, I have tried almost every standard muscle relaxer out there with very minimal results (most recently Methacarb. Now taking 60mg Baclofen a day). Nothing works like Valium.
When my PC doctor diagnosed me with neuropathy, I was put on Gabapentin. I was up to 2700mg. a day for about 8 months. It only seemed to make matters worse. I had some bad side affects and took myself off of it about 2 months ago. Strange that it was prescribed for pain relief. What a joke! Two aspirins were just as effective (meaning NOT). After taking myself off the Gabapentin, I could not tell any difference between taking it and not. I still question the neuropathy diagnoses. I didn't have symptoms like numbness in my extremities and burning feet until I started taking it. After stopping the medicine, those problems disappeared. It seems like the medicine caused the exact symptoms that it was prescribed to treat. Weird, huh? I did not have any of those problems before I was put on the Gabapentin. I had never even heard of neuropathy until the Gabapentin came in the mail one day. I have seen several Neurologists and had all the normal tests done (nerve conductivity and EMG). Speaking of the EMG test, that was the most painful test I have ever had and hope I never get stuck like a pin cushion again. Talk about torture! Anyway, I guess my PC doctor has backed off on the neuropathy diagnoses because it has not been mentioned again. I have an appointment with her in 5 days and wonder how it will go. Since surgery can not help, I guess it's the pain clinic and heavy opiates as the only course of treatment. Sorry for "dumping" all this on you guys, but I really need any feedback I can get, be it positive or negative.
This is the end of the thread.
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