Posted by FredPotter on March 25, 2007, at 22:55:29
In reply to If you were my doc, what would you do?, posted by jealibeanz on March 25, 2007, at 15:50:12
> If I called and left a message, asking if it would be OK for me to stop taking my 3mg Xanax XR, since it isn't helping.
>
> I'm [i]hoping[/i] that I won't get a call back from the nurse saying it is fine.
>
> I've been taking Xanax daily for almost a year now, so quitting without a taper would put me at risk for seizure. I wonder if all doctors know that.
>
No. I know at least 3 that don't. My GP said Xanax increased the risk of seizures but I hadn't the strength to argue. I suppose Xanax XR is easier to come off though. So I'd say cut down by 0.5mg a week
> This drug has very little efficacy for anxiety relief in my experience. I think my best bet would be to return to regular Xanax, 4 mg, for the time being. However, I don't want to suggest this. I want to leave this open ended for my doc.
That's what I take, sometimes more, sometimes less. Incidentally Effexor made me need more, but after quitting Eff cold turkey I find the effect of regular X lasts all day
> I suppose the worst that could happen is that he'd say yes, stop taking it. And if I do horribly I can call back and ask for a refill.
>
> This an odd approach, I know. I'm not trying to play games with him, although this is basically doing just that, in an indirect way. I'm letting him know that the medication is not providing anxiety relief. I should, as a responsible patient, update him on any problems I'm having with treatment, and ask before making a change.
>
> I can just picture him when he gets the message. He'll have this puzzled look on his face, because he's pretty sure Xanax XR is a good drug, in fact, it's much much better than regular Xanax, because you only have to take it once a day, there are no peaks are valleys, it's a wonderful idea for me!
>
> If he's not yet frazzled by his busy schedule, he may also be thinking:
>
> Oh no! What did I do! I must help my favorite patient! I wil do whatever she needs! She is obviously is distress! (haha, I'm serious)
>
> No prob, we'll just print out a script for Xanax 1 mg, q.i.d. Put in an envelope with the others I'm printing and tell her to pick it up at the desk. And tell her I said hi and ask if she has any updates on her grad school applications. Is she in? Is she in? Is she in?
>
> How about trying Cymbalta! You've never tried that one before. It's just been approved by the FDA for GAD! Oh you will lovvvve it!
>
> OK, nobody else will think this is funny, but I think it's hilarious. I have a very eccentric, friendly, and hyperactive doctor. He's fun to watch.Sorry I don't understand. You're on a drug for anxiety that doesn't work. So ask for one that does! Although I think Cymbalta's a bit like Effexor - bad withdrawals. I would tell him that benzos are wysiwyg. The only side effect for me being yawning 4 hours later, whereas drugs like Effexor and (Cymbalta FAIK) have a weird pot-pourri of side- (and withdrawal-) effects.
Bog standard Xanax at 4 mg per day sounds like a good start.
All the best
Fred
poster:FredPotter
thread:744157
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070320/msgs/744254.html