![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 14:31:00
Hi, I need some advice regarding this situation. First of all, please don't harass me regarding my - I am severely treatment resistant to the point where doctors even refuse to work with me. I've tried a med in every class as well as TMS and ECT. It's to the point where I will basically tell doctors what random thing I would like to try off label because I've tried *everything* else.
So I am currently looking into importing meds from outside of the US, things like tianeptine, amisulpride, moclobemide, etc. I've asked doctors in the past if I could get prescriptions for these and they say it's impossible since it's not available here.
Rather than keep on being miserable and trying every random off label thing I can find, I'd like to shift my efforts to clinically proven things that are actually prescribed for depression that I haven't yet tried. But I'm worried that I'll start trying these, and something will work, and then I'll eventually have to come clean about it.
I'm in the process of switching doctors so this wouldn't be an issue with my current doctor but even getting past the point that no doctors want to work with someone at this level of treatment resistance, I think it's going to turn them off even more if I disclose the fact that I'm taking a bunch of meds not available in the US.
Again, I would please ask people to contribute their own experiences and suggestions instead of judging me for my choice, which is unproductive. I'm sure several of you can understand wanting relief and I have exhausted all other options. Until you too have really tried everything, please refrain from judgement. Thanks!
Posted by brynb on January 31, 2013, at 14:53:11
In reply to Importing meds not available in US, handling docs, posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 14:31:00
hi-
sorry you're suffering. I know how it feels. I believe you can get scripts for Rx's like macoblomide (and others unavailable here) if you work w/ an open-minded doc, you just have to fill them online with a Canadian pharmacy and they ship it.
I had some luck with an analgesic, Tramadol, which is worth considering, and there's a poster here who takes the antibiotic Minocycline and has done well with it. As long as your pdoc is open to out of the box thinking, your options aren't limited.
Good luck and feel better.
Posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 15:21:48
In reply to Re: Importing meds not available in US, handling docs » bearinthewoods, posted by brynb on January 31, 2013, at 14:53:11
Thanks so much for your reply, I'm sorry if I sounded defensive in the first post - I'm used to people harassing me about what a bad idea it is "self medicating".
I guess the larger problem is what a bad experience I've had with doctors...since it's been impossible to find ones that will even chose to treat me unless they're somehow forced to (school or community clinic, and then they're low quality) finding a doc who would be open minded as well just adds to the issue.
Since the process of finding a doctor like that is going to take a long time, the issue in the meantime may be that I'm going to probably experimenting with things in the meantime, and then going into a doctor already with this "illegal" behavior (even though I don't think in the US it is illegal, since they're not sold here). I just feel like coming into a doctor with that information is going to make them extremely disinclined to treat me, no matter how much relief I could be getting compared to every treatment I've had.
I just don't understand why it should be so hard - say I moved here from Europe and didn't want to chance remission so continued to keep taking and importing my old meds. Would it help my case to actually get them prescribed in Europe at some point so I could wave the prescription at them?
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 31, 2013, at 16:41:01
In reply to Re: Importing meds not available in US, handling docs, posted by bearinthewoods on January 31, 2013, at 15:21:48
Generaly, provided what you are bringing in isnt a controlled drug (benzo, narcotic painkiller, amphetamine type stimulant, anabolic steroid) the customs authorities tend to turn a blind eye.
A doctor could easily write you a script for a drug not avalaible in the US to cover you incase customs asked for it (this is the legal procedure) but its unlikely thatt hey will provided you avoid controlled drugs.
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 31, 2013, at 16:51:50
In reply to Re: Importing meds not available in US, handling docs, posted by jono_in_adelaide on January 31, 2013, at 16:41:01
I would of course strongly encourage you to work with your doctor, let him or her know exaclty what you intend to try, and get prescriptions if you can, and see them regularly to monitor your progress.
Re moclobemide, most doctors have abandoned it, as it is a weak and not very usefull antidepressant.
Posted by bearinthewoods on February 1, 2013, at 16:56:34
In reply to Re: Importing meds not available in US, handling docs » bearinthewoods, posted by brynb on January 31, 2013, at 14:53:11
Thanks for the tips. Right now I'm working with a low cost clinic where the GP consults with a pdoc and can then prescribe, while I can transition to a new doctor. The GP keeps saying that she's legally bound to only prescribe things that are available in the US. I find this really odd because probably half of the clinic's patients are immigrants (many illegal) and I wouldn't be surprised if they imported medicine from back home from time to time. I guess in most cases a "subsitute" is good enough, but it's more crucial in the land of psych meds. The doctor said she'd have no problem with it if I could somehow jet off to Europe and get a huge supply, but I don't know if she'd be on board with me ordering stuff "illegally".
I guess the situation is just kind of bad now since it's the GP at the low cost clinic. I just was wondering how others dealt with it and if people had tips for figuring out when docs are going to be cool about it in advance. The reason I'm having so much trouble getting a doctor right now is that they often will refuse to answer any of my questions and look at a quick rundown of my case beforehand, leading them to charge me like 500 dollars for an intake where they decide it's not worth their time to treat me and refer me to someone who will refer me to someone else :(
Thanks for the moclobemide tip, that really was at the bottom of my list. I'm mostly looking to try the tianeptine and amisulpride for now, since on paper they seem like a great fit for my symptoms (chronic stress/depression and severe anhedonia). In the past I've only responded to Zyprexa but no other APs, but I tend to be more optimistic about them due to the fact that I had luck with Zyprexa.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.