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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Scarlette on March 28, 2001, at 9:44:06
I have had seriouse anxiety and depression issues all my life. Doctors prescribe so many meds, I have been on almost everything. Right now I am being weaned off of Ativan (Lorazepam) the only drug that made me feel normal. I don't think this is right and I told my psychiatrist so, but they do not seem to want to listen! Benzo's seem to be black-balled because of there potential of being addictive. I am absolutly lost. None of the other drugs I am on seem to help (Neurontin, Paxil, Buspar) and I feel sick, sad, depressed, suicidal and just plain old unhappy. I can't take it anymore!! What can I do??
Posted by loosmrbls on March 28, 2001, at 12:42:38
In reply to I cant take it anymore!!!, posted by Scarlette on March 28, 2001, at 9:44:06
If the benzodiazepine really works wonders for you, then I would not let it go! Find another psychiatrist that is more sympathetic to your dilemma.
The reason doctors fear benzo's is because not only are they addictive, but patients can develop tolerance, so higher and higher doses are gradually needed until it barely works at all. Then you are seriously (physically) addicted to a medicine that no longer works.
But, if you have had long-term success with no tolerance, and it's working for you, I wouldn't go off of it!
My dream is to find a medicine (or medicines) that make me feel "normal."
Posted by adams on March 28, 2001, at 13:31:56
In reply to I cant take it anymore!!!, posted by Scarlette on March 28, 2001, at 9:44:06
I just checked the farmaciacerati.com website and they have Lorazepam, you could order it. Just a idea, or a last resort for you. I realize some people dont approve of this sort of thing, you might want to try finding other doctor first, like others said.
Posted by Noah on March 30, 2001, at 14:41:59
In reply to I cant take it anymore!!!, posted by Scarlette on March 28, 2001, at 9:44:06
I just want you to know I sympathize. I have just been taken off 2mg/day of Klonopin by my new doctor. The withdrawal has been terrible, and I have been on Ambien for sleep, but it doesn't do half as good. Generally I feel horrible. I was maintaining at 2mg for almost a year, so I don't think it was a huge danger. The doc wants to try "other stuff" before possibly coming back to benzos.
I'm with you--if something works and you're not creeping the dosage, don't change it!
Posted by PuraVida on March 31, 2001, at 3:04:46
In reply to I cant take it anymore!!!, posted by Scarlette on March 28, 2001, at 9:44:06
Last year my Dr told me I'd be on AD's for life, last month he reduced my dosage of Serzone from 600 mg to 400 mg in two weeks. Why he did this, I don't know. I was fine till the third week - then I was crying like a baby, suicidal, was in trouble at school, and mainly wanted to kill him! :) I called and they allowed me to reup my dosage, but I am so far behind in life that I had my first panic attack this week, which now I must take Serax for. Now I realize that 10 years ago when I was diagnose with Chronic Fatigue, that it was actually acute anxiety.
The moral being: You will get through this. It is so discouraging when you're sliding back down after a good spell - you think - not again - will this ever stop? I've been ther this whole past month. Finally I'm re-remembering that it is not my fault, and that medication is available. I'm sure you haven't tried them all - I'm not sure anyone could with as many as there are out there! And in the same vein, there are many, many doctors, therapists, etc.
But there is only one you - you know your self better than anyone. If you need the meds, insist on them. When I had "Chronic Fatigue" I was off work, and the doctor's threw their hands up - they didn't know, and neither did I. I gave up on them and my self induced therapy was taking care of myself like I never had before - being my own best friend. I ate lots of protein and fresh fruits and veg (I remember eating a lot of dried fruit and nuts) I got massages and listened to music and read books and tried to slow life's pace down hugely - I only though about me. I took long walks on the beach and concentrated not on getting eercise, but on breathing and smelling and relaxing. All of my focus was on healing my body - but through doing that I must have healed my mind, too, because I returned to work to have more strength and confidence than anyone else in the office.
Don't give up - be your own doctor in the everyday sense and try all of the alternative practices available, including therapy. And don't let you doctor (as I let mine) switch or reduce your drugs if you don't feel it is working, or will work.
Good luck -
This is the end of the thread.
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