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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 15:41:35
Can anyone advise what the trick is to get an Rx for Xanax? I have occasional anxiety (when interviewing, or making presentations, for example), and occasional moments when irritations and stress become so overwhelming that I find myself escalating into the out-of-control zone. I am a child sex-abuse survivor, and am sorting out issues of PTSD and general anxiety. My primary-care MD had been willing to give me an Rx for 10 pills a month (.25 mg.), but now that I'm in therapy -- she wants me to explore other means for lowering my stress threshold. I've been doing trancendental meditation for 30 years. I work out. I'm acquainted with various breathing techniques, creative visualization, etc. -- but there's only so much I can do on my own. In the meantime, I'm not taking the pills to get high, I'm not using them for sleep (although it's been tempting). I've got 8 in my purse, where they're remained for days without use; but it ticks me off that these 8 remain my last -- well -- remedy or crutch, when things start to go awry. The other night I flew into a rage and started tossing boxes of books around trying to get at a piece of furniture my parents wanted me to move up from the basement. I made myself look like an idiot in front of my teenager -- and the remorse I suffered the next day was nearly unbearable. There aren't enough apologies to make up for missteps like that. My friend, Jane, gets 180 pills a month. What can I do to ensure I've got an appropriate (and ongoing supply) for necessary use? I'm seeing a new psychiatrist on Monday .... Any helps, ideas, insights, etc. would be appreciated. I know benzos are highly addicting, but .25 at a time? Ten pills a month?
Temmie
Posted by BrittPark on September 14, 2002, at 18:55:38
In reply to Xanax, posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 15:41:35
There are two kinds of psychiatrists, those with the right attitude towards benzos and those with the wrong attitude. The right attitude is that benzos can be helpful and life saving and are quite safe. The other is "I'm afraid of malpractice for getting you addicted, so I won't give them to you." (BTW benzos are addictive but not in a bad way. Most people who take benzos don't feel the need to escalate dosage.) I hope your psychiatrist will have the right attitude. That is not to say that benzos (xanax) are necessarily the right thing for you. Though it sounds like xanax at a reasonable dose (.5mg prn say) would be helpful for you.
When you meet with you psychiatrist tell him that you find xanax helpful, and that you're troubled by the short supply you've been given in the past. If (she/he)'s a good psychiatrist (he/she)'ll come up with a treatment that will give you relief.
Take care,
Britt
Posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 20:00:32
In reply to Xanax, posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 15:41:35
Thank you, Britt. I continue to look inward for solutions to troubles (or understanding of the messages they bring). When one gets worked up into a snit, however, as I often do -- it helps to just calm down first. If all else fails, maybe I'll go to friend Jane's doc. Then again, with insurance changing due to new job (11/1) I fear I'll be starting all over again with someone new. Hope I find one of those docs with "good" attitudes, as you suggested. I'm tempted to print out this plea for help (and your response) and just hand it to them. I love how "to the point" we can be here. Thanks again, T.
Posted by alan on September 15, 2002, at 2:29:20
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 20:00:32
Print this out and have them put it in their pipe and smoke it. The ineptitude of some docs is truly staggering. What's the saying about doing no harm again? You are being made to suffer with guilt and needless anticipitory anxiety by a medical idealogue (and a not too informed one at that!)
If they don't take the time to listen to what helps you or dismiss in any way this article that explains it in clear english, run, don't walk to a doctor that's interested in your well being. (I'm sure that you can tell that I have had some experience with this matter!)
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
Compassion does exist out there with the majority of doctors...
Best to you.
Alan
Posted by Temmie on September 15, 2002, at 11:01:46
In reply to Re: Xanax » Temmie, posted by alan on September 15, 2002, at 2:29:20
Thank you, Rick. Appreciate the article! I'll check in tomorrow eve and let you know how the appointment went. The woman I'm seeing is, supposedly, a "specialist" in anxiety. If I get one more referral for creative visualization, breathing techniques, etc., I'm going to scream. M.
Posted by waterlily on September 15, 2002, at 20:27:24
In reply to Re: Xanax » Temmie, posted by alan on September 15, 2002, at 2:29:20
I agree with you, Alan. I take Ativan as needed for acute anxiety. My pdoc asks me at every appointment if I need more. He is the most compassionate doctor I've ever met.
> Compassion does exist out there with the majority of doctors...
>
> Best to you.
>
> Alan
Posted by joy on September 17, 2002, at 13:52:22
In reply to Xanax, posted by Temmie on September 14, 2002, at 15:41:35
Temmie,
I get 1 mg Xanax per day for 3 months at a time from my Psychiatrist. I generally take .5 a day [mostly at night for insomnia]. I don't get the panic/anxiety attacks like I used to. My Psychiatrist is understanding and I've been getting Xanax [actually generic Alazopram]as needed for a couple of years. I have a supply here at home, just knowing I have it gives me great contentment, though I usually don't need the 1 mg a day at all. I split the pills in half. If a person has mild anxiety, visualization, etc. if fine. If you have real anxiety and/or panic, I believe the benzos are the best meds out there [and inexpensive too]. There are days I don't take the Xanax at all, but take it mostly for my insomnia [post menopause, yuk]!
Joy
Posted by Temmie on September 21, 2002, at 19:05:31
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by joy on September 17, 2002, at 13:52:22
Thank you, Joy, and all. I saw my new P-doc on Monday and really liked her. She didn’t see a problem with giving me 10 Xanax monthly, but I wish I’d asked for a bit more. I am living with/caring for aging parents, and my dad is sometimes so difficult (yelling, swearing, controlling), I needed two Friday morning just to get through breakfast (we had family visiting, and "Dad" was wound up and in rare form). I think, like you, Joy, I will get to a point where just knowing I have them is relief enough. Wouldn’t it be nice to get through a month with pills left over? (And to have extra pills, as needed.) Sorry for the delay in bringing closure to this thread. I’ve started a new job (finally got a contract in the local school district), and even though my charge are only 8- and 9-years old, at week’s end – I’m beat! Love to you all, Temmie.
Posted by joy on September 22, 2002, at 9:30:22
In reply to Re: Xanax, posted by Temmie on September 21, 2002, at 19:05:31
Temmie, Good luck with the job. You can ask your pdoc for more Xanax next time. Also, ask for the 1 mg and take .5 at a time if that dose is okay for you. If you take .25 then you can get .5 and split the tablet. [Greenstone Labs makes the best generic Xanax, alazopram] it is made for splitting and I get them through Merck-Medco. I always get the 1 mg and use half the dose when needed. Best wishes.
Joy
This is the end of the thread.
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