Posted by Racer on May 24, 2006, at 13:38:07
In reply to What should I consider for long term treatment?, posted by jealibeanz on May 23, 2006, at 19:05:53
>(also extreeeme depression, but he doesn't know that right now).
But that's gonna change, right? After you tell him, he will know, and y'all can start addressing it, right? ;-)
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> We've tried Paxil, Buspar, Adderall, Wellbutrin, Klonopin, and Effexor in the past for social/general anxiety and for major depression. I'm unwilling to try an SSRI.Well, Paxil is an SSRI. Why are you unwilling to try any others? They're all the same class, but they're all very different in "feel." If it would improve your depression, what makes you unwilling to give one a try?
And I'm not trying to say you're wrong, just asking what's on your mind about it.
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> I hate talking about depression, especially in a very serious way, but I think he needs to know that I was very much not wanting to continue my life til I just started taking my Xanax.That information is relevant to your treatment, and I think it's in your best interest to tell him.
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> I've thought about adding EMSAM to the Xanax. It's something I've never tried. I just wonder if he'd look at me like I'm crazy. Do GP's know much about it and are willing to try? He's very supportive of me and my future, so I know he may at least give me an honest answer, but I feel silly asking, like I'm jumping on the bandwagon. I know they like to have drugs on the market for a while before handing them out like candy, but I need to address this matter quickly before it gets out of control and interferes with my future. Any thoughts?It's good that you've got such a good relationship with your doctor. That part is so much more important than most doctors quite realize. (But don't let me get started on that topic...)
As for thoughts on EMSAM, I'm not sure I'd recommend that as a next step, for a variety of reasons. Just because there aren't dietary restrictions on the lowest dose, and it's said not to have the same risks of hypertensive crisis, that doesn't mean that it doesn't have side effects, including blood pressure related side effects. What's more, if you read the posts here, it seems as though it's a bit underwhelming so far. And, at the higher doses, they are recommending the dietary restrictions.
You're probably right about a GP not feeling comfortable prescribing it yet, but if you talk to him about it, maybe he'll offer a referral to a pdoc? Once you get something going that works, you can go back to your GP for maintenance.
Good luck.
poster:Racer
thread:647484
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060520/msgs/647862.html