Posted by Wildman on January 24, 2004, at 14:42:38
In reply to Re: Anxiety, etc. Need Advice! }} Wildman, posted by sgoose on January 23, 2004, at 14:53:29
> All of this comes down to what I have experienced in six years of "treatment": The level of care UNLESS you have $$$$ is disgusting and inadequate.
I am self-employed and pay this entirely out of pocket. In fact, this pdoc doesn't even take insurance. His sessions are $130/hr, but I negotiated $100/hr, as he is a friend of a friend.
I make a good living, so paying this is not killing me.>The doctors I have seen who have offices in the more wealthy towns here are MUCH more likely to write scripts for the controlled substances such as adderall and klonopin. Low income/no money/young male.. whatever = association with drug abuse and problems for these doctors.
I am 37 and professional (IT industry), and I don't think he thinks I am likely to abuse it, although he's not known for handing out meds like candy.
> ..this leads to the problem of overprescribed SSRI's. IMO, people suffering from severe and chronic anxiety will gain little to NO benefit from treatment with SSRI's.
I do suffer from (mild, I think) depression in addition to the anxiety.
>The only benefit I see from SSRI's is when combo'd with a benzo such as klonopin.
Thanks for your vote on that combo. Since I currently have PRN Ativan, how does the klonopin compare? How are the effects different? I presume they are 80% the same as Ativan, as they are both benzos.
> .. I've said it before and will say again that addiction to a few mg's of Klonopin each day is NOTHING compared to the alternatives that untreated chronic anxiety can lead you to.
I am at a loss to describe by current level of anxiety, as I really have nothing to compare it to. It's _not_ debilitating, I function pretty well in general, but I have had trouble coping with the anxiety more in the last 6 months. This anxiety/depression I've been experiencing is GETTING OLD. I want it to go away!
The Lex is helping with my depression and my irritability... I need something to address the anxiety as well.
>If your doctor will prescribe you klonopin to take evey day KEEP THAT DOCTOR no matter what the cost.
That's what I think. Meds can be darn handy.
poster:Wildman
thread:304326
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040122/msgs/305060.html