So sick of doctors...
#182260 - 05/31/05 01:43 PM
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Vicam
Reged: 02/24/04
Posts: 1955
Loc: Ontario, Canada
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Hey Guys,
I'm so frustrated right now I think I just really need to vent. I went to see the internist today that my doctor referred me to since he "doesnt' know what the heck is going on" and she made me feel really bad. I explained to her that I've been having terrible anxiety (so bad I haven't been sleeping, can hardly eat and am literally crawling out of my skin) and she wasn't even remotely sympathetic. She just kept suggesting increasing my dose of Effexor, even though I told her I'm actually trying to get off it because it made my anxiety worse.
Long story short, SSRIs have always made me worse...so far I haven't had any luck with any of them. Plus, my problems are solely anxiety and not depression. Both my parents also had terrible reactions to SSRIs. So I asked if I could try being treated with benzodiazepens (sp?). She said absolutely not because of their addictive potential and because I'm so young (not really sure what that has to do with anything). I was so frustrated...I know they can be addicting, but if the other drugs aren't working and I'm at the point where I'm barely functioning, does it really matter? 
Her suggestion was to go on an anti-psychotic!!! (Zyprexa). I couldn't believe it! I said to her, you want me to go on a heavy-hitter like that when my only problem is anxiety, just because you have reservations prescribing an actual anti-anxiety drug because I might get addicted? She refused to budge on the issue so I ended up with a prescription that I won't even fill  There are just too many darn side effects with that kind of drug for me to warrent taking it when I'm not depressed or psychotic.
Plus, she ran some bloodwork and my Cortisol level came back at twice the normal limit (normal range 90-540, mine was 922) and she didn't seem to think that warrented any investigation which I can't understand. She said if I was fat or exhibiting more Cushing-like signs than maybe she would, but since I'm not it doesn't matter. I just can't understand these doctors...shouldn't any lab result that's so far out of normal range warrent investigation? I was overweight a year ago and definately showed Cushing-like signs but because I essentially stopped eating I lost the weight. And now apparently that means I can't get further investigation.
Sorry this is so long, I just feel better getting it out there.
Thanks for taking the time to read my vent 
Kelly
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Oh Kelly, how frustraing!!!!! I don't know anything about the drug she prescribed and I don't understand why she wouldn't give you a script for Xanax or something similiar!
I don't know exactly what cortisol is or does but that does seem to be very far out of the normal range. I really wished you could come to Mi to see my doctor. She is very caring and kind and wouldn't have an issue giving you some Xanax to get things calmed down right now.
I just don't undersdtand how the medical system works in Canada but you most definitely deserve better medical care than this! Lots of love and hugs!
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Taking it one day at a time.....
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I have an anxiety disorder ( OCD) and was on an antipsychoti for over a year. Not because I'm psychotic, but because they found that the antipsychotic drugs often magnify the effect of the SSRIS and work with them to lessen anxiety. It's one of the other benefits of the drug. They are often used to treat anxiety disorders. I know, I thought it was strange, too when I was prescribed them. It's unfortunate that your Doctor didn't explain this to you. My advice would be to give the med a try. It might help. I was on risperdal (antipsychotic) and effexor (ssri).
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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Hi! I am so sorry you are going through such a hard thing. I have actually been on two different antipsychotic medications and both were for my migraines. I have been on Zyprexa before and I am now on Seroquel. I only take them when I have severe migraines, but they do work really well. They will definitely help you sleep anyway. I don't know exactly why they want you to go on it, but find out. It might work out really well.
Joy
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lovejoy_22
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Hey Alisha,
Thanks for your info. The doc actually did explain that it could magnify the effects of the SSRI, the problem is that I'm actually trying to get off the SSRI, and hope to be totally off it within a month or so. Plus, in my opinion, there are just too many possible side-effects associated with those drugs compared to the other options out there...and I'm tired of people prescribed things for "off-label" uses...I feel like their guinea pig or something. Not to mention that it is horribly expensive 
I'm glad it's working well for you though, I just don't think I'm willing to give it a go.
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Thanks for you info, I'm glad they work for you They basically want me to take them to help with anxiety at bedtime and to help me sleep, but after researching the drug and considering the costs (really expensive!) I just don't think it's feasible for me. Plus, it wouldn't deal with the fact that I have severe anxiety during the day as well. But I appreciate your input
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Hey Michele,
Thanks for your support! I don't understand the hesistation either, I think it's because I would need to be taking it daily, not just every now and then, because I'm having daily problems and attacks. They seem really hung up on my age, and the idea that I may potentially get hooked and end up taking them for life really seems to bother them.
I'm definately still entertaining the idea of coming to see your doc, money is just so tight right now I know I shouldn't be concerned about that but I am. But thanks for the offer...I see the doc once more soon and if I still don't get anywhere I may need to take you up on it
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I'm sorry if I'm butting in here, seeing as I don't know your full story, but I've had similar anxiety issues and maybe I can be of some help. First, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with doctors. (It sure doesn't help the anxiety when they don't listen!)
Have you or your GP considered taking Buspar? I've been using it the past few months for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, which it IS intended for (it can also be used for OCD)--it's also helped my insomnia. The only side effects I've experienced are dry mouth, vivid dreams, and dizziness when I get up too fast from a sitting or lying down position. It can take from 2 to 4 weeks before you start noticing results; in the meantime, I don't see why the doc couldn't give you a benzodiazepene to use as needed--for any breakthrough anxiety or panic attacks. I have lorazepam for panic attacks, but I only use it 3 or 4 times a months.
Well, I hope this helps.  Good luck w/ your doctor!
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You poor thing!! You don't deserve not to be listened to. Kudos for putting your foot down and not filling that bogus Rx.
Something is up with your bod and your doc's the only one who's not clued in. Sleep deprivation is major and will make everything worse. Doctors look way too much at addictive potential and it puts blinders on them when it comes to prescribing healing medicine. Would they feel better if we were dead rather than addicted??
Call that doc back and demand something else. You're in the right here.
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that doctors prescribe it to patients who are taking antidepressants so it will help with their sex drive?
Ok, so I know someone's going to ask me if it was effective .....the answer is YES.
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Kelly
#182624 - 06/01/05 02:30 PM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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Maybe it is the Effexor that is making you feel more anxious. If so, increasing it will not help! You said most of the SSRI's you've tried have not been helpful to you. Maybe there's something else going on. Why don't you try going to a psychiatrist? They are specialists in diagnosing and prescribing meds for anxiety disorders. They should be able to determine why you are having this insomnia and creepy crawly feeling. I've found that internists are not the ones to discuss this with.
I hope you get some help soon. I have walked in your shoes---and it is not fun, especially when doctors don't take you seriously. A lack of sleep will only make this worse. Please see someone who will listen and help you before it gets out of control.
By the way, when I felt like this, I was in serious need of relief ASAP and my doctor did prescribe a benzo med to help immediately. I took it temporarily (and then he helped weaned me off of it) until the other med kicked in. It is not unreasonable for you to have a prescription for something that will help you NOW.
(((Big hugs))))
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i tried buspar yrs ago, when it first came out, and i could just not get beyond the nausea. i know it's the 1st or 2nd side-effect listed. i'm a real trooper when it comes to enduring side-effects to get to 'the other side,' but buspar was just SO extreme for me in this regard.
are either of you nausea-prone & did you get this bad nausea from buspar? if so, how long did it last? any tips on managing it?
i'm on klonopin again, but really would like to hear about buspar re: nausea for in the future...if it would become necessary.
as others have said, it is used often by shrinks to tweak the effects of anti-ds. they work synergistically. as a stand-alone med for anxiety, i recently read scads of buspar posts at a huge psych meds forum, where the vast majority did not find it helpful. so, Maria! Maria! you are apparently one of the very lucky few.
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Re: Kelly
#182634 - 06/01/05 02:54 PM
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pulse
Reged: 05/24/05
Posts: 69
Loc: sw ohio
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i echo BL's suggestion to go to a psychiatrist to get this straightened out....hopefully once and for all (or at least to get started on the right track.)
you + your family never doing well on ssris IS a concern that needs to be addressed by a psychiatrist. gps and internists get so few hours of psych/ meds training it would astound you.
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Interesting that Buspar may not be as effective when taken alone. I feel I've had really good results with it. I also saw a counselor that first month, so maybe it just works better combined with any other form of anti-anxiety therapy (SSRIs/ADs or cognitive behavior therapy)?
I was already dealing w/ severe nausea around the time I started Buspar, so if it was a side effect I didn't notice. At least, it didn't make it any worse. The nausea I had been having eventually went away along w/ the anxiety. I asked the pharmacist about this, when I first got the meds, and he recommended taking the Buspar with food or after a meal, so that's what I've been doing. Also, I take 15 mg/day, one tablet I divide in half (I take half of the pill after breakfast and the other half after dinner). Perhaps dosage has an effect on nausea as well? I would also drink ginger tea when I was nauseated and this seemed to help.
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Quote:
that doctors prescribe it to patients who are taking antidepressants so it will help with their sex drive?
Ok, so I know someone's going to ask me if it was effective .....the answer is YES. lol!  
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It didn't help me at all with the anxiety. I was having severe panic attacks, wasn't able to sleep at all, etc. so I needed something stronger. My doc at the time said, "Oh, it's for little ol' ladies who are anxious. It's not a serious anxiety med." That was his opinion. I have a friend who swears it helps for her. (She takes it before she gets on an airplane.)
On the other hand, it did make me think about and want sex---something I had no desire for while on the Zoloft.
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Lol! I'm only 28, but now I really feel I have a lot in common w/ "little ol' ladies"--anxiety, diet restrictions, morning walks...
My understanding is that Buspar doesn't work for panic attacks, which is why I also have the prescription for a benzodiazepene. Since it's mainly for GAD and takes a considerable amount of time before it works, I wonder how it helps your friend if she takes it before getting on an airplane? Maybe she means she takes a benzo in addition to it?
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thanx for both your responses, Maria! Maria! and BL.
hmmm. other than her ibs, i may have to start calling BL 'iron guts' re: no nausea with buspar.
BL another thing i found in all the posts reading i did on bupsar was that - after a while on benzos - buspar will not touch anxiety.
but, ya know how we want to remain ever hopeful re: new options, even when they make no good sense (for us)!
Maria! Maria! take heart. my mind still feels like i'm 20-something at 53, but my bod has felt like a little old lady off & on for the last 8 years due to ibs-c and/or gerd.
maybe we should all just throw up our hands and wear purple.
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Quote:
maybe we should all just throw up our hands and wear purple. LOL! That's the funniest thing I've heard in a while. I do like purple!
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Personally, I think her doctor tells her it helps her, so she relaxs and feels calmer on the flight. I don't think the stuff works that quickly . .. but maybe I'm wrong!
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thanx bunches, i love purple, too, but it's not original:
http://www.wheniamanoldwoman.com/pages/348544/index.htm
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NEVER underestimate the placebo-effect - that's my motto!
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Quote:
NEVER underestimate the placebo-effect - that's my motto! That's very true! What an intriguing phenomenon...I've been meaning to read up on it. I wasn't expecting any relief from Buspar (I argued against taking meds), so I'm pretty pleased and amazed with the results.
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i meant placebo a probability for the gal on the plane flights.
in your case, it sure sounds like the buspar is working, tho. congrats!
nothing wrong with taking meds; more people should be open-minded toward them, as some could benefit enormously.
now, if we just had tests available to determine what is the best psych med/s match for each individual. we may see that in the next few yrs...or....perhaps sometime before i die. yes, i'm abit cynical...
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Buspar really truly madly deeply escalates the sex drive and the intensity of sexual release, at least in my experience.
Now, if only I could lose my people-phobia and start dating again. I still just feel like a freak, i.e. UGLIER than the UGLY DUCKLING. I figure, that some people are just born that way, i.e. me. My hair fell out--it's nearly grown back--for the most MYSTERIOUS reason, i.e. the reason has not been isolated except perhaps a malabsorption problem.
I used to be sexy, in a bedhead kind of way...in a precocious interesting intelligent spontaneous kind of way.
I'm only thirty! Way to young to be a crone.
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Re: Buspar and nausea, etc.
Yes, IT DOES NAUSEATE me. How do I deal with it?
1. Lots of herbal tea.
2. Heather's diet. Honestly, sf helps move/digest the pill.
3. It is a rather "morning-sickness" like feeling, or airplane sickness feeling.
4. It decreases with time.
5. A little sea salt. I think it really lowers my blood pressure.
Note: Sometimes, I crush the pill and mix it with food.
Seriously, though, for me this pill is a sanity saving grace.
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you've got me rolling with your description of buspar-enhanced sex drive + people phobia combo. we must be twins on the 2nd.
at 53, having had a slightly early meno at 46, plus the better part of 25+ yrs on antidepressants, my sex-drive got up and went LONG ago, and frankly, now, i could care less. all things considered, it's actually a relief!, because i always had the misfortune of pairing up with sexually driven men - i mean, just WAY too much. obviously, now i'm divorced. lol. only a small part of the reason, tho. i swear!
i stopped dating completely by choice over 5 yrs ago, and not a day goes by that i regret that decision! i'm almost never lonely.
it would be distressing at 30, tho. well, at least you are 1 of the 2 people in our survey here for whom buspar works wonders. thanx for the anti-nausea tips! never heard of using sea salt - got to remember that one and the crushing up in food.
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You're welcome re: nausea notes. Seriously, "sea salt" makes a world of difference, and crushing the pill into food or taking it with food does too, something really boring and bland. I've even put it in applesauce or a smoothie. But something "carb." Herbal tea as well. Even "flat" club soda, or gingerale. I let the bottle go flat a day or so before.
I had an even earlier cessation of menstruation, than you. I have epilepsy and bipolar disorder and the drugs and/or anorexia basically ended my periods when I was twenty-one.
I still had a raging sex drive, though. In my wild days--I can't believe the "whore" icon I used to be I'd have marathon sex. Maybe my sex drive/hormones never dried up because of my illicit experience with older men (older than my father) at such a young age. Honestly, though I can't believe HOW MUCH STRONGER my sex drive is. It's driving me nuts being so randy and so people-phobic. Heck, even driving makes me randy. I just don't get it! It really intensifies not only your sexual response, the duration and muliplicity of your responses but the whole sensual and sensory aspect of being sexual and sensual beings. Even a change of temperature can do this. I really just don't get it. It's like a freaking opera in my body and my people phobias are ruining my life at the age of thirty.
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well, from what i know and have seen, these sex-related differences between us can be boiled down to one thing & one thing only: you are bipolar; i am depressive. i admit i can't imagine what it would be like to have EVER had a raging sex drive. and like i said, it's no longer a concern whatsoever. it's at the bottom of my list of important things in my life. HA! but, my last ex s.o. was classic bipolar I, so the only way we connected sexually was LOTS of cocaine. lol. that was almost a decade ago.
i went into eating disorder treatment briefly in my early 30's, but the 'jury' remains out on whether or not i've ever had true anorexia. my eating behavior was to be a restrictor only...i never weighed portions, never counted calories, never binged or purged or abused laxatives for weight puposes, nor did excessive exercising. my restricting is still a problem & a very hard thing to unlearn. as the years go by, i'm personally almost 100% convinced that i'm not a true anorectic; my low appetite and (formally!) life-long ultra low weight are/were just typical symptoms of my chronic or recurrent major depressive disorder w/ anxiety.
are you being treated with a stabilizer for your bipolar? depakote balanced the sex deal/s for my ex, right along with balancing everything else out. he was much happier with himself that way. the people phobia he did not share with you & i, tho. he was an extrovert.
as an only child, i'm socially adept IF i feel like putting out the effort, on any give day. but, i would never call myself a people person, nor would i want to be. to be very candid, all my life, i've found it very hard to find people who don't either bore me, or exhaust/ drain me. i've been able to maintain some decades-long close friendships. i now have quite a few good friends from the net, too. that's plenty good enough for me.
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