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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 Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
Last night I was short of breath so I went with my husband to the ER at his insistance. I said it was only a panic attack. After EKG, monitor, O2sat, BP, lung x-ray the doc agreed panic attack. By then I could breath as I feel safe in a hospital setting since after working in one it feels like home to me. Anyway because I had an MRI two years ago which showed a microadenoma of the pituitary gland I was referred to a neurologist for another MRI and proper reading. I called my pdoc and he raised my valium to 20mg at bedtime. And said to keep taking the l00mg of luvox. Do you all agree with his prescription or what would you personally change. Thanks Phillipa
Posted by med_empowered on March 10, 2006, at 18:33:45
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
yeah, I think its best that he upped it, if you're having severe panic attacks. It still seems kind of low, though..when valium first hit the scene, the recommended dosing was 10mgs, 3-4X daily. I don't know how the luvox affects your anxiety levels or the blood levels of diazepam, though, so maybe 20mgs/day is a good dose for you. Anyway, if you've been on benzos for years anyway and proven resistant to other meds and done therapy, it seems like the best bet would be to up the benzo until you're not freaking out--then he could tweak other stuff (add an AD or something), see how that goes, and maybe reduce the benzo a little.
Posted by Racer on March 10, 2006, at 19:53:13
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
> Do you all agree with his prescription or what would you personally change. Thanks Phillipa
What I'd change, personally, is that you're asking that here, rather than trusting your own doctor, who can see you up close and personal, and who has medical training.
I'm sorry you had that happen. Must have been pretty yucky, even if you do feel safe in hospitals. Take care of yourself, and I hope the increased valium helps avoid a repeat.
Posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 20:40:43
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium » Phillipa, posted by Racer on March 10, 2006, at 19:53:13
Problem with the pdoc is he has his nurse talk to all the patients. She then tells him what they said then tells her what to say and she calls them back. There is no discussion between the pdoc and the patient. I asked his nurse about this today and she said that that is just his way. In the ER last night the ER Doc said not many docs are going into psych so unfortuntuately unless you are very lucky that's all we're going to get. Maybe the day is coming when a GP will give more time to you. A sad day. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by RobertDavid on March 10, 2006, at 21:27:23
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
Have you considered taking say 5mgs valium in the am and the rest at night? Perhaps that would give you more coverage during the day. I used to take 100mgs luvox too. It tended to make me anxious. I wonder if that may be contributing to your panic attacks. Just a though.
Posted by john berk on March 10, 2006, at 21:31:21
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium » Racer, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 20:40:43
Hi Phillipa, I hope you are feeling much better tonight, it sounds like your doctor made a good choice, i would stick with his advice, i know you have had some fatigue during the day, but if you could tolerate another 10 mgs, in the afternoon, it could be preventive in the future for panic.
i wish you so much luck....john
Posted by rjlockhart on March 10, 2006, at 21:44:14
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium » Phillipa, posted by Racer on March 10, 2006, at 19:53:13
I think 20mg of Diazepam right now is good because of the current situations, if i was a doc i would prescribe Restoril also (Temazepam) for panic attacks at night. Not that you are.
I hope that you are doing ok with the other part besides the valium, with the MRI scans i am concerned about.
Please take care and maybe talk to your nuerologist about something at night. Like Lorazepam, but still Valium is a better half life.
Matt
Posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 22:06:49
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium, posted by RobertDavid on March 10, 2006, at 21:27:23
Robert interesting. Luvox is the only AD that doesn't give me anxiety. Boy are we all different. But I like your idea of the 5mg in the am. May give it a try. Thanks Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by tizza on March 11, 2006, at 4:57:58
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium » RobertDavid, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 22:06:49
> Robert interesting. Luvox is the only AD that doesn't give me anxiety. Boy are we all different. But I like your idea of the 5mg in the am. May give it a try. Thanks Fondly, Phillipa
It sounds like you are doing everything you can to keep your anxiety under control. I hope you are well phillipa, as I have told you, Luvox was the only SSRI that actually did anything for me until poop out. If your doc has raised your Valium I'm sure he knows what he is doing, hang in there and rest up. I have found that if I'm really stressed that 5mg of Valium in the morning really helps me too, best wishes Paul
Posted by ed_uk on March 11, 2006, at 14:03:34
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
Hi PJ
I hope the increased dose of diazepam is helpful :) I think it will be.
Lots of love
Ed
Posted by yxibow on March 11, 2006, at 19:28:06
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
> Last night I was short of breath so I went with my husband to the ER at his insistance. I said it was only a panic attack. After EKG, monitor, O2sat, BP, lung x-ray the doc agreed panic attack. By then I could breath as I feel safe in a hospital setting since after working in one it feels like home to me. Anyway because I had an MRI two years ago which showed a microadenoma of the pituitary gland I was referred to a neurologist for another MRI and proper reading. I called my pdoc and he raised my valium to 20mg at bedtime. And said to keep taking the l00mg of luvox. Do you all agree with his prescription or what would you personally change. Thanks Phillipa
Yes, I agree.. and eventually down the line your doctor will probably raise the Luvox a bit I'm sure. I can't say, but I dont think 100mg of Luvox would cause a panic attack since you've been on it for a while now I think. From someone who takes a fair amount of Valium, I can tell you that that inch forward will take off the stress and reduce further incidents.
The only thing I would change if anything is a small script for PRN Xanax, which has a much shorter in vivo half life and one wouldn't become Xanax dependent if used on a single occasion. It does happen to be my a part of my personal regimen for the "panic button," but I don't want to be projecting my condition or prescribing for you obviously.I'm sorry you had to visit the ER for all this but it is better safe than sorry.
Best wishes
-- Jay
Posted by zero on March 12, 2006, at 0:48:34
In reply to Doc upped my valium, posted by Phillipa on March 10, 2006, at 18:15:22
Dear Phillipa,
Your pdoc's prescription sounds good to me. Here's hoping it helps - you deserve to feel better.
Hugs,
zero
Posted by Phillipa on March 12, 2006, at 17:21:46
In reply to Re: Doc upped my valium » Phillipa, posted by zero on March 12, 2006, at 0:48:34
Zero that was so sweet. Thanks, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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