Posted by betsy on December 13, 1998, at 19:33:22
In reply to Re: ask my doc for benzos?, posted by Toby on December 11, 1998, at 14:14:33
I think that an internist is competent to treat mild depression/anxiety, especially since you have responded to Valium before. It doesn't seem like that tough a case. Don't argue too much if your doctor wants to refer you to a psychiatrist, though.
You do run the risk of sounding like a "drug seeker," unfortunately. This depends a lot on your relationship with your doctor, I think. I personally don't think that requesting a benzo would be unreasonable, but it might sound better if you told your doctor that you have been experiencing anxiety and would like a prescription for it. Don't mention that you got the Valium without a prescription before! If your doctor suggests antidepressants, tell him which ones you tried and what effects they had on you. If he still wants you to try something else, go along with it - it may work, who knows?
Klonopin seems to be the most popular benzo today, BTW. I have found personally that Klonopin works well for me. It is also perceived (correctly or not) as being less prone to abuse.
I disagree that Zyprexa (an antipsychotic drug with a number of side effects that is quite sedating for many people) would be used before a benzo.
Good luck. I'd like to hear what happens.
poster:betsy
thread:1502
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19981201/msgs/1557.html