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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
Seriously like me or hate me I need help serious help as about two weeks ago my pdoc the one travel eight hours to see got in a car accident in ICU so bad tonight wouldn't let a pastor in to see her. They have a code for any info on her. We called the hospital and left our telephone number and names and message for her Daughter. As the traveling is cause she's the only doc can get the benzos from and after 37 years can't just stop them my brain is used to them no they don't work for anxiety but keep me out of withdrawal her words and the luvox that my brain seems to need. Someone help ideas please. Saw the three groups here and lack of pdocs and they don't believe in benzos. Should of stockpiled them for emergencies instead threw out unused scripts as always have taken less than prescribed. Got to be a way. Love Phillipa
Posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 0:02:53
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
Sorry to hear about your doctor, Phillipa. I couldn't imagine ANY doctor allowing you to suddenly stop benzo usage. The implications of suddenly stopping them after 37 years would be severe. You could get seizures, hallucinations (not trying to scare you); however, wouldn't any reasonable doctor give you like 2 years to taper off in any case?
If I was in your position-go to a new PDoc. I seriously doubt any of them could let you stop cold turkey. If so, you can threaten with a law suit--and no I don't mean outright. Bring a notebook and write down what they are saying in front of them. Have a poised demeanor; present yourself in a sharp, professional, calm manner. Be honest about your situation, but if they see you are making notes and are seriously concerned about the adverse effects of withdrawal, well, I know doctors are afraid of malpractice lawsuits....but maybe it is just your fear of not having benzos that is causing your present reaction.
You know, some of the best outcomes come from forced changes or tragedies. Not that your doctor's car accident could ever be positive, but the forced change may be a mixed blessing. I can think of very few bad things that happened in my life that did not have a subsequently positive effect. There was always something better that derived from something "bad". I bet, in the end, it will be a mixed blessing for you. :-)
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 0:27:56
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Phillipa, posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 0:02:53
Garnet you're sweet. Problem seriously as tried all this two years ago as such a long drive. The docs don't take medicaire and the wait then was longer than six weeks. And got turned down by four of them as on medicaire and they didn't want to do the paperwork or just have to have private insurance. Charlotte is a very strange city. I know about the seizures hence I've been cutting benzos on my own for a few months already. Can't substitute with other meds. And at age 63 it's absolutely ridiculous. Well if I seize guess they will have to give me something and hospitalize me but then there is the bill and don't have any money. This country is in dire needs. Did you see the thread posted from my nursing letter on how medicaire and medicaid was going to stop paying for cancer meds? And boy that's serious. Love Phillipa
Posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 0:44:38
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 0:27:56
Yeah, I heard a lot of doctors don't take medicare patients. In my opinion, that is totally unethical. I've heard stories of calling to make appointments, then when they hear your age (medicare age), they say they're not accepting new patients. That is so depressing. Though I feel for doctors too...
But gather your resources Phillipa. Do they have a medical school in Charlotte? That would be the first place to go. If not, call all the PDocs in the area-make an appointment with 4 PDocs-wait 6 weeks or whatever. If the first one doesn't work out, you'll have another to evaluate.
Or sometimes county health services cant' deny patients--Google "public services" for your county and maybe state, or look at their homepages for links. Women's shelters, I've noticed, tend to have the best resources with committed, passionate social workers. You could call for advice-explaining your situation.
You might be able to order some meds off the internet until you find a new PDoc. Last resort, or course.
No, I had not read the article concerning cancer treatments for Medicare patients. However, i think change is in order-the health care problems are so systematic, and despite the economy, I am feeling positive about new possibilities with the Obama administration. It's a monster, so it will take time. In the meantime, hang in there.
Posted by 10derHeart on April 19, 2009, at 0:48:13
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
Sorry about the accident - must be very stressful to think about. My first thoughts....
Can you explain the extreme situation to your primary care doctor and get him/her to write for everything you normally take - at least for a short while until you figure out the next step and/or your pdoc can work again?
Also, your pdoc works completely alone? Has no one to cover? Surely s/he has been away on vacation and or sick, or something before....? Who covers patients?
Posted by Sigismund on April 19, 2009, at 2:26:06
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 0:27:56
>Did you see the thread posted from my nursing letter on how medicaire and medicaid was going to stop paying for cancer meds?
In the state system here the hospitals ran out of bandages and, what is worse, morphine, because of lack of funding.
Posted by Ceres on April 19, 2009, at 5:00:13
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
Wow, Phillipa, that is stressful.
I thought doctors had to have back ups for emergencies.
My previous doctor's backup temporarily accepted his sliding scale rates so that patients could continue care. It might be worth calling her colleagues to find out if she has a backup & what options you might have.
I hope something works out. --Take care.
Posted by Zyprexa on April 19, 2009, at 8:07:39
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
I would stock pile.
Posted by Zana on April 19, 2009, at 10:22:02
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Phillipa, posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 0:44:38
What a tough situation. I think Garnet had a lot of good ideas. But how hard to have to mobilize yourself to do all that work when you are scared. I would feel like getting into bed and pulling the covers over my head. I hope you can dig down and get active. I'm sure there is someone out there who will understand your situation and help. I think universities, woman's shelters and public health services are a great place to start. Hang in there.
Zana
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 12:11:35
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Phillipa, posted by 10derHeart on April 19, 2009, at 0:48:13
10der her nurse practicioneer but without the supervision of a doc she has no job either. Called the hospital last night after getting a message via internet that they would not even let a pastor visit her as her condition was deterioarating too fast. She is ICU and will never work again. I do think from reading the accident report via the web that she's now dead and no way to find out as of course the ICU nurse could give out no info on her. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 12:20:33
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Zana on April 19, 2009, at 10:22:02
Too late to stockpile Zyprexa. As far as covering doc here even and there if you call after hours it's call 911. Public clinicss have lost funding and since we own a home don't qualify either for other things. See I've gone over all the possibilities. l internist says I know nothing about psych you need a pdoc. They the docs need Dhea numbers to dispense scheduled meds. Time I went to ER here as hadn't slept for two weeks they said well call the downtown clinic did and six week wait. This does nothing to supply me with the meds for now. Scared? Already been scared as can't even make phone calls. Even out of synthroid yes have endo for that and RX end of road and now afraid to pick it up as feel disoriented. And of course husband thinks it no big deal. Thinks as he lives in denial it will all go away. Love Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on April 19, 2009, at 12:57:37
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 12:20:33
Can't you just get a new doctor. When I switched docs, the new doctor was very willing to prescribe what I was already taking, and a new one I wanted to try that the last doctor would not. Often the new doctors like to see your prescription bottles you have and are very willing to prescribe for you.
How much medicine do you have left? How long are you good for?
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 19, 2009, at 14:37:54
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
please go to an emergency room asap if you haven't already. after some problems in communication between doctor and pharmacy, i ended up without ativan and scared shirtless of the consequences. went to the emergency room and begged for 3 days' worth--just enough to get me through. they helped me.
Posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 19:27:57
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Phillipa, posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 19, 2009, at 14:37:54
Well she's still alive been in ICU since April 9 a long time and 72. Found out from pharmacist that when a doc dies and hopefully she won't all prescriptions null and void. The NP can prescribe as long as alive. But heard the office no longer answering the phone and the Daugher flown home from where she lives in China. They the docs office gave an appointment for May 9 after cancelling the one I had. Got enough meds till then. Pharmacist knows two pdocs that use benzos never heard of one and the other in practice tried when moved here and not allowed back even if taking patients as not allowed to change pdocs in the practice. Guess better keep weaning off the meds. No choice. Love Phillipa She can't die she's too good of a person.
Posted by Amelia_in_StPaul on April 19, 2009, at 20:41:26
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Amelia_in_StPaul, posted by Phillipa on April 19, 2009, at 19:27:57
Oh my gosh, Phillipa, what a curve ball you've just been thrown. I am sorry to hear that she is in ICU, as well, as she sounds like a good person. I'm glad you at least have enough meds to wean off somewhat slowly. I hope your May 9 appt goes well. Take good care.
Posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 20:48:57
In reply to Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by Phillipa on April 18, 2009, at 23:52:02
Oh Phillipa, just dump your husband and come to our island :-)
We will have batches of benzos regularly dropped from Air Force planes.
Posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2009, at 19:56:44
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » Phillipa, posted by garnet71 on April 19, 2009, at 20:48:57
Garnet sounds good to me. We will need good sunblock no aging skin. Unless a plastic surgeon is there also? Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on April 24, 2009, at 21:40:36
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me? » garnet71, posted by Phillipa on April 20, 2009, at 19:56:44
sorry, its amazing people will say they 'don't believe in benzos' to have to have tpist maybe die and also have to be concerned you'll go into withdrawl
-d/r
Posted by Phillipa on April 24, 2009, at 21:44:45
In reply to Re: Help pdoc is in ICU looks bad no meds for me?, posted by desolationrower on April 24, 2009, at 21:40:36
d/r where have you been? Was worried about you. I know ridiculous especially since take lower amount than prescribed. Thanks for responding. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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