![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 16 to 40 of 40. Go back in thread:
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 15:39:23
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 15:32:35
I'm hoping when I call tomorrow morning and ask if it's OK if I stop the Xanax XR and go completely off benzos, his response will be no.
I may not be feeling any therapeutic effects, but the fact that I'm taking the XR means that I'm not in physical withdrawal. If he just let me stop, there'd be risk of seizures and other side effects.
Plus, being the nice doctor that he is, he probably isn't thinking, "Screw you. You didn't like my plan. Now go back to you're terrible GAD, since you've concluded you don't like this med."
Posted by Quintal on March 18, 2007, at 15:42:39
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 15:32:35
Jeali, when various codeine analogues were having no effect on my pain and I wanted to ask for something else I always took the drugs back with me to the surgery, and handed them to the doctor so she knew I wasn't abusing them and just pretending to be in pain to get more opiates. It worked because she always gave me something new until we found something that worked. It turned out that my poor response was due to the SSRI I was taking blocking the conversion of codeine into morphine, which vindicated me in the end.
Maybe you could try a similar tactic with the Xanax if you're worried the doc suspects you're abusing it?
Q
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 17:20:09
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Quintal on March 18, 2007, at 15:42:39
Thanks for that tip. I have no problem handing my doc back the bottle, but I think the issues go a bit further. I clearly stated that the drug was ineffective, in detail. I have no reason to abuse a drug that's not working. He knows me well enough to trust me.
I hope he asks me to come in. I think I need to have a little heart to heart. Not me sitting on the exam table while he asks me what refills I need, and I make comments if I feel something isn't working well, he quickly thinks of a different substitute.
My question now is what he will want to do when I tell him I don't want to take the XR anymore.
I'm willing to go in and have a serious conversation with him. Explaining that I understand this tx is not the norm and looked down upon for long time use. Right now it's the only thing helping me and the only thing that's ever helped.
I am disappointed with myself for taking any med, I want to be strong. I've always had GAD, but has worsening, along with minor panic, which is when this commonly starts at my age. I was OK taking AD's, since the docs are very willing to give them, and the general pulibc is pretty accepting.
I'm very well aware of the fact, due to my classes, that the general medical community feels like these drugs are absolutely horrible and shouldn't be used, other than a 1-2 week transition to an SSRI. This makes me feel even worse.
I want to tell him that I'm nearly at the point where I want to D/C all meds, because I haven't found a good balance, and am tired of all this.
I mean no discredit or disrespect to him or this PA who has treated me. They've been very kind and understanding and helpful and supportive. This isn't to say that none of the meds I've been given have been worthless. At times, I felt like they were definitely improving my life and got me though hard times.
I at one time thought I'd be able to D/C Xanax after a while, but this just isn't the right time for me. I'll apologize for putting him in a situation that may make him uncomfortble, and will not ask for a new script. He can make the decision.
I'll ask about possible future drugs, so I appear to be looking for a life without Xanax.
I'll tell him I've tried CBT several times, with no benefit. I never found it useful, it was just talking about dumb things. No help, just annoying and condescending. I personally have never been comfortable with mental health professionals. They treat me like less of a person. I went to a psychiatrist who was terrible with me and have me no medications or advice. Other GP's were also judgemental.
I like seeing him and his PA because they treat me with respect, like a real person, not a psycho. If I'm not comfortable with my provider, I will not be successful.
Posted by Honore on March 18, 2007, at 18:21:50
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 17:20:09
Your plan doesn't sound very well considered to me.
For one thing, you're not being honest with your doctor about your situation and what's happened.
From what you've said over the last year or so, you increased xanax and ritalin pretty continuously, without achieving any stable point or good relief from either.
There's some reason you've decided that they, rather than other drugs that didn't seem to work, are the answer, but I wonder if there isn't an issue of dependency that you may not be willing to confront. The amount of xanax you want your doctor to give you would really put you into the position of taking an amount of xanax, a rather addicting drug that's difficult to get off, that is quite dangerous, in terms of addiction.
From what I see, you need to reduce the ritalin and the xanax, slowly if necessary, and try to reconsider with someone with more sophistication with psychiatric drugs than your GP, what might really work for you.
Because one pdoc didn't help you, doesn't mean that there isn't a pdoc that could. I think you're really in trouble here, and continuing down the path you've taken could really lead you to a bad place.
I'm sorry it's gotten this hard, but I hope you don't follow through with your plan with your doctor.
Honore
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 19:16:43
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Honore on March 18, 2007, at 18:21:50
> Your plan doesn't sound very well considered to me.
>
> For one thing, you're not being honest with your doctor about your situation and what's happened.
>
> From what you've said over the last year or so, you increased xanax and ritalin pretty continuously, without achieving any stable point or good relief from either.
>
> There's some reason you've decided that they, rather than other drugs that didn't seem to work, are the answer, but I wonder if there isn't an issue of dependency that you may not be willing to confront. The amount of xanax you want your doctor to give you would really put you into the position of taking an amount of xanax, a rather addicting drug that's difficult to get off, that is quite dangerous, in terms of addiction.
>
> From what I see, you need to reduce the ritalin and the xanax, slowly if necessary, and try to reconsider with someone with more sophistication with psychiatric drugs than your GP, what might really work for you.
>
> Because one pdoc didn't help you, doesn't mean that there isn't a pdoc that could. I think you're really in trouble here, and continuing down the path you've taken could really lead you to a bad place.
>
> I'm sorry it's gotten this hard, but I hope you don't follow through with your plan with your doctor.
>
> HonoreMaybe you didn't understand my situation. I was fully stable on the immediate release Xanax. You commented that Xanax and Ritalin are addicting. I personally disagree and know many others who do as well. Addicting for some, not for others. It's difficult to stop any medication after using it for some time. Be it SSRI's, anti-hypertensives, antihistamines, intra-nasal corticosteroids, etc. Please be more informed before making such statements.
My doctor decided to switch me because he thought it would be more convenient.
I'm always honest with my doctor. I told him when I felt the lowest dose of Xanax was not effective. He increased it to an effective level.
I told him when the Lunesta became ineffective. He increased it to 3mg. I've been fine ever since.
I told him when my Provigil quit helping in November. He switched me to Concerta. I told him the effects only lasted for 3-4 hours. He then switched me to Ritalin LA, which I said only lasted 2-3 hours. At this point, he added Provigil, which was effective again, since my body had taken a break from it.
I told him I didn't feel the generic Xanax XR was effective, at all. I call this all being totally and completely honest. He wanted me to try out brand name, thinking that would make a difference.
I am completely honest with him. At all times. I'm not sure what situation you are reading in to or deducing based on your own thoughts, experiences, and biases, but they do not pertain to me.
As for your comments about me needing to decrease Xanax and Ritalin, I think that's out of line. You don't even appear to be suggesting it, but telling me it's irresponsible not to. Are you a doctor? Are you my doctor? Do you know me and my entire medical history?
I have ADHD. I tend to fine stimulants calming, as many with this condition do. They do not cause anxiety with me, maybe with some, but not me.
I haven't increased Ritalin or Xanax continuously. Increases were made to find a therapeutic level (this is how medical practice works). I reached that level. The only variable that has changed is the switch to Xanax XR.
Could you please elaborate on your comment telling me not to follow through with my plan with my GP? What exactly are you talking about?
I did say that I planned to call my doctor and tell him of my current situation and would like to come up with a solution.
The whole alcohol plan will never happen. I was tired and made poor judgement in posting that.
You appear to be closed minded and against controlled substances... stimulants and benzodiazepines. You have a right to your opinion. I have a right to mine. But you may want to open your eyes and realize they play a beneficial role in the treatment of patients. Many people here benefit from them.
Do not chastise people unduely.
Also, pertaining to my comment about seeing a pdoc... I have the right to choose my doctor/PA. I'm a firm believer in trust and good relationships. I have this with my current doctor. This is one of the most important factors regarding optimal patient treatment and care.
Just something for you to think about.
Posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 20:23:01
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 15:39:23
Oh I see you're really afraid of the doc and his reaction. As long as you don't increase doses of benzos there is not tolerance or addiction if it ain't broken my pdoc always says or the old one that is. I love this new pdoc as he's holistic too and the drug reps don't visit him he gives out no samples and no brochures in his office and cards in the health food store I trust him and this in turn turns down my anxiety and panic button and allows the meds to work. And CBT tomorrow the CBT person gave us his name. Said he was excellent in finding the right med for each person individually not like the others. Love Phllipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 20:47:16
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 18, 2007, at 20:23:01
> Oh I see you're really afraid of the doc and his reaction. As long as you don't increase doses of benzos there is not tolerance or addiction if it ain't broken my pdoc always says or the old one that is. I love this new pdoc as he's holistic too and the drug reps don't visit him he gives out no samples and no brochures in his office and cards in the health food store I trust him and this in turn turns down my anxiety and panic button and allows the meds to work. And CBT tomorrow the CBT person gave us his name. Said he was excellent in finding the right med for each person individually not like the others. Love Phllipa
Yes, yes, finally someone who read correctly. I wasn't addicted or abusing medication. My doctor just had this idea that I'd like something else, even though the previous regime had been working. I just am trying to be accepting and compliant and not act as if I'm desperately begging for Xanax, which I've taken for a year. I'm being extra careful.
Posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 0:51:48
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 18, 2007, at 17:20:09
>Thanks for that tip. I have no problem handing my doc back the bottle, but I think the issues go a bit further. I clearly stated that the drug was ineffective, in detail. I have no reason to abuse a drug that's not working. He knows me well enough to trust me.
If you're so confident why the worrying over his reaction? I heard you loud and clear, that's why I posted my suggestion. I think I too stated in detail that the opiates I was taking were also ineffective, but that being controlled substances I worried my GP might begin to feel uncomfortable prescribing several similar analogues within a short space of time. It seemed to me that you had similar concerns in your own case with benzos. Taking the bottle back was just my way of reassuring her that I was taking them as prescribed and not trying to hoard controlled substances - she actually gave me them back to keep. My GP had no reason to suspect I was abusing the opiates either, but as you too imagine, they may start to feel uneasy about prescribing multiple amounts of controlled substances within a short space of time for various reasons, not only that the patient may be abusing them but because it could set up red flags on their prescribing records should they be reviewed.
>I'm very well aware of the fact, due to my classes, that the general medical community feels like these drugs are absolutely horrible and shouldn't be used, other than a 1-2 week transition to an SSRI. This makes me feel even worse.
I get the impression benzos are still held in fairly high esteem in the US and your own doctor seems to be comfortable with them. I see no reason to feel bad about taking a med that keeps you functional where all else has failed. They do seem to have fallen from grace a little in other countries due to the problems they often cause (worsening the original condition and precipitating new anxiety disorders/OCD) and of course tolerance when used daily for long periods of time.
>I'll tell him I've tried CBT several times, with no benefit. I never found it useful, it was just talking about dumb things. No help, just annoying and condescending. I personally have never been comfortable with mental health professionals. They treat me like less of a person. I went to a psychiatrist who was terrible with me and have me no medications or advice. Other GP's were also judgemental.
I agree with all of the above. That's why I've pretty much given up on psychiatry. Unfortunately we get what we're given on the NHS, no shopping around, and the last two pdocs were not only unhelpful but downright abusive. I realized that being under their 'care' was actually damaging my mental health and I've been better without them. The CBT therapist said I was too unstable and to come back when I was doing better. The problem is that I was sort of hoping therapy could help with that, and there's a two year waiting list............what little we did cover wasn't helpful - just logic diagrams and flow charts which I'm pretty good at anyway, so I gained no new insight from it. CBT certainly isn't for everyone.
Q
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 19:54:34
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 0:51:48
Q guess what!!!! Since I can choose who I see the PHD I'm seeing for theraphy asked me about all sorts of things today about childhood and my kids and said how successful we all were career wise. And then asked me what I wanted to work on choice are aging, physical ailment and getting a med to work so I can get back to nursing before 2008 when the new law says school again. Well I picked that and she said I'm not crazy and that she would work closely with my new pdoc and the pdoc is working with the endo as he thinks my anxiety is physical related to the thyroid. I think finally after 9 years I'm making headway and doing more too. I forgot to take the lunesta last night and didnt miss it at all. I think the long acting xanax is like an ad as it releases so slowly you don't get withdrawal inbetween dosing. I feel good about this. Love Phillipa
Posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 20:46:59
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » Quintal, posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 19:54:34
That's great news Phillipa! You've waited so long for a little ray of light and now finally it seems to have arrived. I think you're doing the right thing, going back to nursing is what you've always wanted wasn't it? Go for it!!!
Q
Posted by Phillipa on March 19, 2007, at 21:32:56
In reply to (((((((Phillipa!!!))))))))) » Phillipa, posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 20:46:59
Q more work to do first on finding out the exactly right med. Could be that I don't need them anymore as all my problems also happened around the age of perimenopause and it's over now. So my body is different. Love Phillipa
Posted by elanor roosevelt on March 19, 2007, at 22:38:27
In reply to I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 17, 2007, at 16:25:21
i stayed drunk for 20 years.
a fine form of self-medication.
still suffered depression bouts sometimes but was often able to trigger pleasantly manic moods
cheers
Posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 5:02:46
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Quintal on March 19, 2007, at 0:51:48
> If you're so confident why the worrying over his reaction? I heard you loud and clear, that's why I posted my suggestion. I think I too stated in detail that the opiates I was taking were also ineffective, but that being controlled substances I worried my GP might begin to feel uncomfortable prescribing several similar analogues within a short space of time. It seemed to me that you had similar concerns in your own case with benzos. Taking the bottle back was just my way of reassuring her that I was taking them as prescribed and not trying to hoard controlled substances - she actually gave me them back to keep. My GP had no reason to suspect I was abusing the opiates either, but as you too imagine, they may start to feel uneasy about prescribing multiple amounts of controlled substances within a short space of time for various reasons, not only that the patient may be abusing them but because it could set up red flags on their prescribing records should they be reviewed.
>
Well, I don't even have a face to face appointment. So when I call, I'd have to rely on him asking me to come in.I never thought of giving him the bottle because I know he'd be like "I don't want your drugs!" (think to himself, not yell). And legally, I'm not sure he can take them from me. If he did, it would be too much trouble to dispose of them legally and document it all properly, which he'd have to do.
I guess I could take the bottle out and show them to him. That's kinda degrading. Me feeling the need to show him I'm not overdosing.
I could work it into the conversation, take them out and look at them, while I'm explaining some weird theory about why it doesn't work. Or just sorta looking at it and talking about how it's designed. I don't know. I still feel weird about it.
The only way I could comfortably hand them back is if I were joking about it.
Yeah, I worry, just because I know he needs to worry. I know the DEA checks things out. I am now his "red flag". The pharmacy almost wasn't going to fill the script. If he wrote another Xanax script, it would make things more questionable.
It's not like the way he's treating me will get him into trouble or have his license revoked, but he may actually be questioned. I don't know. It seems to me, from reports I've read, that it's sorta hit or miss. Docs can go for years abusing controlled drugs themselves, or misprescribing them to others, and not get caught. Or they might be questioned right away.
My case can be explained. And I am only one case. It's not like he's running a drug-ring, giving controlled drugs to everyone in his office. I think his partners would freak out and kick him out of the practice if he did.
Plus, I used to work as a pharm tech at a local pharmacy. He does love to write scripts! I filled far my scripts from him in proportion the many many doctors in the mid-sized city. It wasn't due to location of my store. But he wasn't writing controlled prescriptions. I remember noting that he wrote a lot for Zoloft, seemed to be his fav. Haha, I can't believe he's never tried to push that on me, he actually mentioned Celexa last summer/fall when I was depressed a bit. I don't know why that drug came to mind. He really seems to enjoy Zoloft. (Sorry, tangent, ADHD... brings me to another point though...)
I do have scripts for other controlled meds. In the past year, I cannot believe the number I've been given from him, a GP, especially after going for a few years unmedicated, it's a bit of a shock for me to think about it. I'm now one of "those people". Blehh... the ones the pharmacists hate.
Anyway, right now I also have Lunesta, Provigil, and Ritalin LA, which are controlled. So, he's got me on quite a few. I'm his "liability" I guess. It takes some guts for him to use them, most GP's would be like ummm... see ya! You're either getting referred or getting the pretty samples I give you and pretending to like them.
> I get the impression benzos are still held in fairly high esteem in the US and your own doctor seems to be comfortable with them. I see no reason to feel bad about taking a med that keeps you functional where all else has failed. They do seem to have fallen from grace a little in other countries due to the problems they often cause (worsening the original condition and precipitating new anxiety disorders/OCD) and of course tolerance when used daily for long periods of time.
No, I would not say that at all. I think benzo scripts are hard to get. I happened upon a doctor who was willing to give them to me, after trials of other non-scheduled meds, and knowing me as a patient for a few years.
I think the key, that most people find, is obviously you have to be willing to try other meds before getting them. Plus you need a doc who's willing to do it.
I have had the idea of a benzo proposed to me. I had to ask. The only reason I knew of them was because of my own research. It's not like they run tv ads. It's gotten fairly common over the last year though, I must say, in terms of pop-culture. There's been a lot of talk about teens abusing drugs like Xanax, Brittany Spears taking Xanax XR, etc. So the general population is becoming aware of them now.
It wasn't like this 3-4 years ago when I first asked for Klonopin, and got it. I had two friends... one taking Xanax and one taking Klonopin, both PRN, with SSRI's. They were not the norm. Unfortunately, the stupid newcasters and articles are turning helpful drugs like Ritalin and Xanax and Provigil and Lunesta into household names... all in the last year, more or less...
OK, not Ritalin, that's been talked about freely for years. And the FDA keeps approving "less easily abusable" stimulants, which helps those who need them... although I think I hate these versions.
Xanax is being talked about regarding teens taking it from their parents or other sources, and abusing it in school. I wonder when I hear these reports though. Where are really coming from. Some people get scripts from docs and sell them, but really, it's a controlled drug, how it is floating around on the streets now? Silly, irresponsible kids (says the wise and worldly 24 yr old! :)
Provigil is making its way into new articles and on tv. I've read/heard about it being abused by ER docs and pilots and by the army (maybe not a horrible thing though, do you want your ER doc to misdiagnose you because he's at the end of his 12 hour shift? or your pilot to crash?)
Lunesta is being lumped in with Ambien, Soma, and another sleep med, as causing crazy things... sleep walking/eating/cleaning/crimes. I thought Lunesta wasn't really cited for many problems. There's a lot of citings on Ambien (and I understand, as I too was a sleep-driver/cleaner for a few days). But Lunesta is being associated with it and put on tv.
I hate how medicine has become pop-culture in this country. It's ridiculous. I'd like a law to be put in place to ban ads. Why does the FDA allow this? It makes me mad.
It makes patients wayyy less credible when they speak of specific medications or diseases. I'm sure half the people, at least, in GP's offices are recited tv commercials. This must drive them crazy.
While public knowledge can be a good thing, it's gone too far. OK, I'm done ranting for now...
Posted by joslynn on March 20, 2007, at 14:35:11
In reply to I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 17, 2007, at 16:25:21
My Dad drank heavily from about 15 to 50...in my opinion, it was to self-medicate depression and perhaps bipolar. Anyway, after all those years of drinking, he is a shell of a man. I love him, but he is a shell of a man. He doesn't drink anymore, but I think it took its toll. When he did drink, it was literally coming out of his pores, you could smell it. Eventually it got to the point where he woke up in his own bodily fluids from all ends and realized he just couldn't do it anymore, so he quit and joined AA. But he's had relapses and I think he has done permanent damage.
Posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2007, at 19:39:49
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 5:02:46
Jelly maybe cause I'm old compared to you no pdoc has ever hesitated to prescribe me benzos. And no pharmacist has ever looked at me strangely. All my neighbors are on xanax or klonopin too. Love Phillipa
Posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 19:59:18
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2007, at 19:39:49
> Jelly maybe cause I'm old compared to you no pdoc has ever hesitated to prescribe me benzos. And no pharmacist has ever looked at me strangely. All my neighbors are on xanax or klonopin too. Love Phillipa
Age may have something to do with it actually. I never thought about it. I know a lot of elderly people take low doses of benzos (not implying you're elderly!). Middle aged adults are probably looked at by docs as having a hard, stressful life, and have the right and responsibility to take the medication.
With my age group, people are more skeptical. It is an age where a lot of drug experimentation can go on. Nobody wants to hand over Xanax to a teen/20-something, without a lot of hesitance. A lot of docs/psychologists try to blame depression or anxiety on being young and confused and inexperienced, which I think is a poor answer to a patient. Anxiety is anxiety, no matter your age.
Posted by valene on March 20, 2007, at 20:05:27
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 19:59:18
No pdoc has ever refused to prescribe me benzos either! Started with valium, prescribed unasked, then switched to ativan, then finally xanax never asked for them! And I was young (late 20's) when first prescribed valium.
Heart condition age 28 - SVT with rate of 228 sent me to the hospital! Cardiologist prescribed first benzo.
Posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 20:13:35
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by Phillipa on March 20, 2007, at 19:39:49
Straying off topic... I'm reallllly moody and b!tchy right now to my family, friends, the whole world. I'm usually a very polite person. If I'm in a bad mood or don't like someone, I don't walk around giving those killer death stares.
Yet, since the switch from Xanax to Xanax XR, not only has my anxiety increased, but I'm just becoming mean and not a fun person to be around by any means. I'm very short or quiet right now. I have a few OK hours, the others I just really wanna bite peoples' heads off.
Yuck, that's not me at all. I really would like my doctor to switch me back to Xanax. If he saw me in person right now, I'd have a hard time pretending to be polite and thankful, like I normally am. He'd be thinking, who is this girl? This is not my patient. I like my patient.
Not that I don't respect him and appreciate his efforts, but I've become horribly cranky over the past month!
I'd probably be just another one of his complaining patients who tells him how bad everything is and that the medication is terrible. "Give me something better, fix me. Ughh... I hate this medication. I hate this disorder. I hate my life!"
Haha, and if I ended up with Xanax, I'd probably have to call in a few days or come in for a recheck and apologize, because he does not need moody unappreciative, disrespectful patients. Although me at my worst, is probably very mild in terms of disrespect and poor behavior.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:41:28
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by jealibeanz on March 20, 2007, at 20:13:35
Even if you are moody and seemingly pms X 10, your doc is there to help you. If your moods are round and round and round, your doc will probably understand because its all part of your human condition. Docs are there for help, for good people. You seem like you are a good person.
I also dislike when Im scrutinised because of my age. I'm carded for lighters, cigarettes, wine, and my benzo script. I suppose the lighter thing is sort of a compliment. But really, it gets to be very annoying when the sales people stare long and hard at the stupid ID as if I'm trying to fool them. Next thing will be me being carded for gas to see if Im old enough to drive!
Posted by jealibeanz on March 21, 2007, at 15:16:59
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:41:28
> Even if you are moody and seemingly pms X 10, your doc is there to help you. If your moods are round and round and round, your doc will probably understand because its all part of your human condition. Docs are there for help, for good people. You seem like you are a good person.
>
> I also dislike when Im scrutinised because of my age. I'm carded for lighters, cigarettes, wine, and my benzo script. I suppose the lighter thing is sort of a compliment. But really, it gets to be very annoying when the sales people stare long and hard at the stupid ID as if I'm trying to fool them. Next thing will be me being carded for gas to see if Im old enough to drive!Ohh the age thing...
I understand completely. I look much younger than I am. I'm always getting carded and weird looks when I tell people my age.
Two years ago I went into a convenience store to buy some alcohol for a party. It was just down the street and I hadn't done my hair or makeup, just went out in a ponytail and workout clothes. The cashier laughed when I gave her my ID. She thought I must have been waiting for an adult who I was with and carried it up to the counter for them, since she thought I looked 13. I was 22. And insulted!
Posted by jealibeanz on March 21, 2007, at 15:19:39
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:41:28
PMS x 10 definitely describes my mood since I was switched from my regular Xanax. It's ridiculous. I don't like the change in my mood and personality and how it's effecting my life.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 17:49:05
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » TheMeanReds, posted by jealibeanz on March 21, 2007, at 15:19:39
Were you on regular xanax and put on the XR? Alot of people on here seem to not like it too much. I hope I dont get put on that one.
Yes PMS x 10 is horrid to deal with. I take a Birth Control Pill, although Im single. It's called Quasense. I'm Bipolar, so it evens out my girly hormones that get in the way of my mood stability. I'm 24 and still have alot of hormones running around inside my mind and body.
Your ID story is funny. My ID has a pic of me with a black shirt, darker hair, and liquid eyeliner. And of course the camera caught me in a 'mean' look. People think I'm a witch or something because of that pic. And when I go out in gym clothes or something more casual (Im not dressing up to go get cigarettes!) its the worst! =)
Posted by jealibeanz on March 21, 2007, at 17:58:31
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » jealibeanz, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 17:49:05
> Were you on regular xanax and put on the XR? Alot of people on here seem to not like it too much. I hope I dont get put on that one.
>
> Yes PMS x 10 is horrid to deal with. I take a Birth Control Pill, although Im single. It's called Quasense. I'm Bipolar, so it evens out my girly hormones that get in the way of my mood stability. I'm 24 and still have alot of hormones running around inside my mind and body.
>
> Your ID story is funny. My ID has a pic of me with a black shirt, darker hair, and liquid eyeliner. And of course the camera caught me in a 'mean' look. People think I'm a witch or something because of that pic. And when I go out in gym clothes or something more casual (Im not dressing up to go get cigarettes!) its the worst! =)Yeah, I started taking alprazolam daily last May. My starting dose was .25mg t.i.d. I had to increase it, due to tolerance, stress, and the addition of stimulants for ADHD. I was on 1 mg t.i.d. by the beginning of fall and soon after 1 mg q.i.d.
I switched to brand name at some point, and realized I preferred it. I was stable with the 4mg Xanax daily for a few months. I don't think I'd have to increase. It seems like my optimal dose.
My doc switched me to alprazolam ER, 3mg, 3 weeks ago. After 2 weeks when I had my recheck, I told him it did help at all, so he told me to try brand name at the same dose. No help.
I'm not actually having PMS now, just appears like I am!
Posted by jealibeanz on March 22, 2007, at 5:16:22
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications, posted by TheMeanReds on March 21, 2007, at 10:41:28
"Docs are there for help, for good people. You seem like you are a good person."
Not to annoy people by repeatledy responding to my own posts (I am anyway... b/c I'm psycho... and this is psychobabble!), but...
I forgot to mention how nice that was for you to write. Reading it makes me feel good. You don't even know me. For all you know I could be horrible and mean. You just read my insane posts about drugs not working and me freaking out! Yet, somehow you saw through my desperate rambling, and saw a person.Thanks. It's very nice.
Posted by TheMeanReds on March 22, 2007, at 13:21:20
In reply to Re: I'm considering alcohol to replace medications » TheMeanReds, posted by jealibeanz on March 22, 2007, at 5:16:22
No problemo. If I can take a couple bricks off someones back that easily, I'm glad I could help. =)
Good luck with everything.
This is the end of the thread.
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