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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 16:52:57
My doctor is considering using a low dose barbiturate during the day intead of using Xanax. The only thing he said, why is because sieuzures during the day, plus anxiety and referred to amobarbital for both of them (anxiety and siezures)
What is amobarbital? i know its a barbiturate...used for anxiety. But why does he not think Xanax is cutting it? he said if i took 60mg it should last, and then 60mg at bedtime.
I have to have a ECT first.
The amount of hidden i have really, i read the word (scipture) but sometimes it does not help, its actually more condemming.
Another thing he said, most pharmacies do carry Amobarbital because its an outdated med, what do i do?
And 2nd of all, i hope it calms down anxiety.
Posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 17:20:29
In reply to Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 16:52:57
Why is considering taking me off Xanax? I mean if i didnt have it, i would sweat, faint, think im not even real.
Amobarbital is an old sedative, its use ful for siezures and anxiety, not panic attacks.
Posted by Quintal on July 4, 2008, at 17:46:21
In reply to Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 16:52:57
It does seem an odd choice.
Q
Posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 21:54:26
In reply to Re: Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Quintal on July 4, 2008, at 17:46:21
i've told my doctor about the every day stress and agatation i go through. Its.....it....i dont know how to descibe it. I take Xanax during the day, prescibed, for panic attacks. Orginally that was why it was given, before i was on high doses of Clonazepam. I mean how far is that?
I did request to him would any barbiturate work? first i have to get a EEG, but besides that, its not happening anytime soon. He said it was an option.
Posted by Crotale on July 4, 2008, at 22:28:43
In reply to Re: Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Quintal on July 4, 2008, at 17:46:21
Odd, yes...and from what I hear, barbiturates like Amytal can be very addictive. Plus it sounds to me like the Xanax is working.
Amobarbital also has a lot of interactions with other drugs. In particular: are you female, and if so, do you take the pill or other hormonal contraceptives? (I ask because barbiturates can decrease the effectiveness of these.)
I think if I had a doctor who recommended a barbiturate (other than perhaps phenobarbital, which is still sometimes used for epilepsy), especially to take on a daily basis, I would seriously consider getting a second opinion.
Best,
-Crotale
Posted by Racer on July 4, 2008, at 23:09:10
In reply to Re: Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 21:54:26
> but besides that, its not happening anytime soon. He said it was an option.
>
>I don't think you've ever answered when someone has asked if you're seeing a therapist? Has this doctor suggested that you see a therapist? I think that might help you cope a bit better with some of the difficulties you have, and it might help with getting appropriate pharmacological treatment, as well.
You've posted here in the past about barbiturates, and I wonder how realistic that would be for you? Did you bring the subject up? Or did your doctor?
Regardless of all that, I do hope that this doctor works out for you, and finds a good treatment for your difficulties.
Posted by yxibow on July 6, 2008, at 2:30:46
In reply to Questions about Amobarbital 60mg, posted by Sky Brite Line on July 4, 2008, at 16:52:57
> My doctor is considering using a low dose barbiturate during the day intead of using Xanax. The only thing he said, why is because sieuzures during the day, plus anxiety and referred to amobarbital for both of them (anxiety and siezures)
I assume you've tried Ativan.
Do you have a seizure disorder separate from your other illness ? Amobarbital is a rather strong barbiturate, a class of drugs not used today very much, at least in the US, regularly except for certain seizure disorders that cannot be regulated by other agents and anaesthesia.
There are far better AEDs out there that can regulate seizures than barbiturates, especially amobarbital, which has about 25 drugs you shouldn't be taking it with (anything from respiratory death to coma -- in fact, by itself -- not to let any one on here know what isn't already known, there are no real antidotes.)> What is amobarbital? i know its a barbiturate...used for anxiety. But why does he not think Xanax is cutting it? he said if i took 60mg it should last, and then 60mg at bedtime.
I have no idea, but there are lots of choices between Xanax and amobarbital. That's like using a Caterpillar bulldozer to remove a single weed.
> I have to have a ECT first.EEG ? I hope not ECT -- electroconvulsive therapy
An EEG while taking Xanax has to be interpreted a bit differently since your GABA receptors are already being calmed. But usually they will take that into account
> The amount of hidden i have really, i read the word (scipture) but sometimes it does not help, its actually more condemming.
Hidden --- explain again perhaps ?
> Another thing he said, most pharmacies do carry Amobarbital because its an outdated med, what do i do?
Do not, I assume you mean. Yes. It is very outdated and they don't carry it and it is C-II and the pharmacy will ask the doctor a ton of questions, believe me, if they're competent.If you're in the US, its not available at all, from what I can tell from the Orange Book and pharmacy lookups, I don't know when it was erased. But I could be wrong.
> And 2nd of all, i hope it calms down anxiety.
Undoubtedly it would calm anxiety. So would drinking pure alcohol. They're both not without serious consideration. I'm not trying to be flippant, I suppose it sounds that way -- but my goodness, there are a score of AEDs to try before that, for seizure issues. As for anxiety, SSRIs such as Paxil, etc.
I'm not sure about this whole thing -- I mean, its your doctor and your choice, but how long have you been taking Xanax? Its a short half-life agent which can lead to habituation quicker, for some people. So that may also be an issue here.At any rate, the "small" dose of Amytal is only about 1/3 of its full dose. All I can say is due caution.
-- tidingsJay
This is the end of the thread.
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