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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Gothmog on December 18, 2003, at 8:30:09
OK, could somebody please tell me how badly I screwed up? I finally decided to see a family doc for the first time since I was a child (now 38). The thing I really wanted to talk to him about was my losing battles with depression. He didn't seem at all surprised and said I could start experimenting with various AD meds if I wanted to and I left with a prescription for Wellbutrin and a few Xanax. Unfortunately, I think I made a blunder in filling out the lengthy questionnaire because where it asked if you now or have in the past--and following was a long list of things that I don't remember, but I did check the boxes for smoking, drinking, and drug use.
I just wanted to be honest, but in retrospect admitting to drug use was probably a mistake. For one thing, it didn't differentiate between past and present. My drug use is definitely in the past because I don't hang out with the old gang anymore, and because I am now a chemist and I would be unemployable if I had a record for doing anything illegal. What I am wondering is if this is going to have a negative impact on the medications this and other doctors will be willing to prescribe for me. I hate to think that after finally working up the courage to do something about my depression that I won't be considered for some effective treatments because of that. I suppose I could bring up the matter and try to clarify, but I don't know how convincing it would sound.
Any input appreciated.
Posted by krazybirdlady on December 18, 2003, at 18:32:23
In reply to Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by Gothmog on December 18, 2003, at 8:30:09
don't worry about it..docs are used to that..the past is the past. how long since you used?...nothing wrong with asking for help. as i have found in my profession, half the world is on anti-depressants. find the one that is right for you, and don't feel guilty...you have a life to live..
Posted by damselfly on December 18, 2003, at 18:54:19
In reply to Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by Gothmog on December 18, 2003, at 8:30:09
I know the feeling, having a history of drug abuse in my crazy youth. I'm now a primary school teacher! I also believe that those questionnaires are merely routine, maybe for legal purposes? Dr. Bob would perhaps have some input, but my point being that what you wrote is not necessarily going to be read at all. Busy times these. But if it's really bugging you, maybe you could go to a different doctor next time if you like, and just fill in what you're comfortable sharing. Files are confidential, or so we hope. Lucky you though, you got some Xanax, not every doctor will do that, especially those of us with addictive tendancies! Check food and drug-drug interactions with Wellbutrin and Xanax an online tool though, Psycho-babble's main page has some great links such as Discovery Health and Drug Digest. I've read that Xanax is one of the more potent benzos. Don't drink grapefruit juice, but orange juice is pparently fine, curious eh? Try not to worry about the questionnaire, and if you do, pop a couple of those benzo's ;) Best Wishes.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 19, 2003, at 14:31:52
In reply to Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by Gothmog on December 18, 2003, at 8:30:09
Just don't win the lottery or run for president. That's when the office workers for the dr's recognize the name, pull up the file, and photocopy the questionaire's, etc, to sell to some newspaper or magazine.
If you are a nobody (like me), you'll probably be ok. Ease up on the paranoia... it takes too much energy. Doctor's have a legal obligation to keep your personal information private.
:)
KDi in TX
Posted by Gothmog on December 20, 2003, at 6:22:09
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by krazybirdlady on December 18, 2003, at 18:32:23
My smoking, drinking and drug using days were over more than 10 years ago. These days a 6-pack will last me 2 weeks. I may be wrong, but I strongly doubt that most people taking AD meds really need them. I found out that I had an underlying medical condition--hypothyroidism that may be the cause for a large part of my misery. I have no idea how long I have been suffering with that.
> don't worry about it..docs are used to that..the past is the past. how long since you used?...nothing wrong with asking for help. as i have found in my profession, half the world is on anti-depressants. find the one that is right for you, and don't feel guilty...you have a life to live..
Posted by Gothmog on December 20, 2003, at 6:38:35
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires » Gothmog, posted by damselfly on December 18, 2003, at 18:54:19
When it came to drug abuse, I was strictly a lightweight compared to most of the people I know, but then it was a rather unruly mob. The only drug I did to excess was marijuana which I consider to be a much lesser evil than drinking. I didn't know that getting a prescription for Xanax was so unusual. I hadn't finished the questionnaire at that point. I guess I can kiss those goodbye. I know they are habit forming, but let's face it, you will get more of a buzz from a 6-pack or a few puffs of a joint. It seems kind of lame to go to a different doctor, besides the records would just be transferred unless I lied about having a previous doctor. Thanks for the input.
> I know the feeling, having a history of drug abuse in my crazy youth. I'm now a primary school teacher! I also believe that those questionnaires are merely routine, maybe for legal purposes? Dr. Bob would perhaps have some input, but my point being that what you wrote is not necessarily going to be read at all. Busy times these. But if it's really bugging you, maybe you could go to a different doctor next time if you like, and just fill in what you're comfortable sharing. Files are confidential, or so we hope. Lucky you though, you got some Xanax, not every doctor will do that, especially those of us with addictive tendancies! Check food and drug-drug interactions with Wellbutrin and Xanax an online tool though, Psycho-babble's main page has some great links such as Discovery Health and Drug Digest. I've read that Xanax is one of the more potent benzos. Don't drink grapefruit juice, but orange juice is pparently fine, curious eh? Try not to worry about the questionnaire, and if you do, pop a couple of those benzo's ;) Best Wishes.
Posted by Gothmog on December 20, 2003, at 8:35:40
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by KimberlyDi on December 19, 2003, at 14:31:52
It reminds me of those judges who weren't approved because they smoked marijuana in the '60's. I'm not so much worried about who knows about my past, as not being prescribed needed medications because I didn't lie when I should have. I can see myself writhing in agony and being told to take two tylenol and wait a few weeks and it will go away. That is actually why I have avoided doctors for so long. They never do anything for me. Every time I have went to one they basically say there is nothing wrong with me and give me a prescription for something that either does nothing or is indistinguishable from sominex.
> Just don't win the lottery or run for president. That's when the office workers for the dr's recognize the name, pull up the file, and photocopy the questionaire's, etc, to sell to some newspaper or magazine.
>
> If you are a nobody (like me), you'll probably be ok. Ease up on the paranoia... it takes too much energy. Doctor's have a legal obligation to keep your personal information private.
>
> :)
> KDi in TX
>
Posted by krazybirdlady on December 26, 2003, at 16:36:49
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by Gothmog on December 20, 2003, at 6:22:09
hypothyroidism?? glad the doc did the testing (blood, urine). a lot don't, just say you're depressed and write the script. i AM surprised at the xanax though..as you say, you may have to say goodbye to that. better off without it. let us know how your test results come out...
Posted by Gothmog on December 27, 2003, at 10:24:52
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by krazybirdlady on December 26, 2003, at 16:36:49
Yes, this doctor seems to know what he is doing. When I told him that I had been depressed since I was a child, he stressed getting blood tests done and said that I may just have a genetic disposition toward depression. He seemed unimpressed with psychotherapy, saying that if there was a genetic component to my depression, talk therapy probably wouldn't do much good. They called me three working days after the blood was drawn telling me the thyroid test results and asked where my pharmacy was so they could call in a prescription for Synthroid. I don't remember the numbers they gave me, but I think the nurse said my TSH level was at 14, a very abnormal number. The main question I have now is if I should continue with AD medications or not.
> hypothyroidism?? glad the doc did the testing (blood, urine). a lot don't, just say you're depressed and write the script. i AM surprised at the xanax though..as you say, you may have to say goodbye to that. better off without it. let us know how your test results come out...
Posted by krazybirdlady on December 28, 2003, at 14:04:59
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by Gothmog on December 27, 2003, at 10:24:52
glad they caught it. as far as synthroid and AD's, that's an OK combo, but maybe you'd want to stop the AD for awhile to see what effects the synthroid alone may have. an underactive thyroid can simulate or increase symptoms of depression as well as sap your strength. talk to your doc about what may be best. best of luck...
Posted by wendy b on January 5, 2004, at 13:41:05
In reply to Re: Doctor's office questionnaires, posted by krazybirdlady on December 28, 2003, at 14:04:59
> glad they caught it. as far as synthroid and AD's, that's an OK combo, but maybe you'd want to stop the AD for awhile to see what effects the synthroid alone may have. an underactive thyroid can simulate or increase symptoms of depression as well as sap your strength. talk to your doc about what may be best. best of luck...
Goth,I'm an old poster here, haven't posted in a while..
Anyway, I agree with the advice above - check with the doctor though! - and ask him if it's ok to try the thyroid meds alone, at first. But do give him a call.
As for the forms, forget about it; I told my doc when he asked "Any substance abuse?" I just said "USE, not abuse." And he was FINE with that. It's not like the FBI will look at the records - although your file COULD be subpoenaed by a court, if you are ever a part of a lawsuit involving illness. But don't worry about it, that's pretty unlikely. Most doctors now are baby boomers, and almost all of them tried pot in the '60s and '70s at college, I'll bet ya. It's just part of the culture...
More importantly, the Xanax question - please don't let the script go. It is NOT a dangerous drug. Unless you are an "addictive" personality type and/or have been treated medically for addiction problems... It's quite a help if you have panic attacks, or anxiety along with the depression, which is typical for us depressives. I use it sometimes at night (I split the pill in half) if I can't fall asleep. I also use it if I KNOW I'm going to be in a stressful situation; I take it beforehand to calm myself down. It just mellows you out.
And I disagree with Birdlady, respectfully, of course. It is NOT unusual for the Doc to prescribe Xanax. It's probably one of the most useful drugs available today, and it's an old med, now called alprazolam in its generic form, and the docs know how it works because it's been around so long, and it doesn't mess with your liver or stay in your system for a long time. That's why it's better than Valium, IMO. The Doc must have thought you needed it. Ask him... I can't stress this enough: when in doubt - call the doctor's office, or schedule another appointment. That's what they're there for - to help you feel better and get you healthy.And ANOTHER THING!! (I'm going on too long, sorry) - the psychotherapy. Most family medicine docs are sort of biased in this way. They think it's all a chemical and biological issue, the depression, but many other paractitioners and researchers believe it's also conditioning by family and other social factors. I do too. We have certain "knee-jerk" reactions to stress, and therapy can help you question and possibly change those kinds of depressive patterns of thought. So consider it. It helps a lot of people, I know from my own experience.
(Also - look up your meds and other threads on thyroid - there are a lot of them on this site - on the PsychoBabble search function. There's a lot to know, so read up, and take part in your own recovery. The good doctors appreciate that, too.)
I wish you good luck,
WB
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