Adding an anti anxiety med

[Chiaroscuro]

I was just wondering what people's experiences have been regarding anti anxiety medication in combination with Antidepressants and mood stabilisers. At the moment I'm on Pristiq (desvenlafaxine) 50mgs and Epilim (sodium valproate) 800mg.

I have been formally diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) but have never had any specific medication for it. Lately my anxiety has been through the roof; I talked with Hubby and have made an appt to see my family GP in a week and I see my shrink early next month. I also see a psychologist and am working through CBT.

I'm going to ask my GP about going on something specific for my anxiety as it's gotten to the point that it's really impacting on my everyday life, it's not panic, but it's definitely constant high levels of anxiety.

So I was just wondering what experiences people have had using anti anxiety meds in combintation with other medications and what people have found useful for them. I understand that noone is a Dr and that YMMV.

thanks for your input

Chiaroscuro

edited cause I can't spell!!

[kittyloaf]

Well I've never been on your meds, but I do take Effexor which is similar to Pristiq. My pdoc prescribes Ativan (lorazepam) and that's the only benzo I've tried. I don't take it every day as my anxiety isn't generalized, so I can't say how it would work for GAD. Ativan sometimes makes me feel tired, but not all the time.

I think some antidepressants are used in the treatment of GAD in the US. But some people with bipolar have trouble with antidepressants so that might not be an option.

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks kittyloaf,

Yeah my Shrink put me on Effexor XR then later Pristiq for my anxiety as well as my depression, so am not sure if they'd want to take me off that and put me on something else, or just augment what I'm currently on with something else lol. I'd like to stay on Pristiq as it works for me & does help with a small bit of my anxiety, but not all of it, plus the withdrawl effects are (for me) hell.

Oh well, the GP I'm seeing on the 28th of Feb knows me well & I'm really hoping he'll give me something to try out There's many options for me, I'm not going to accept "no" for an answer!!

[colin]

My P-doc just prescribed .5 mg clonazepam 3 x day and 10 mg lexapro daily. I was having panics and depression-he says this is good for uni-polar depression and co-morbid anxiety which is what I have based on what I told him. bi polar would be a whole different treatment I think??

Colin

[rowan77]

I have been on Valium, Xanax, Ativan and Clonazepam at different times over the years when I was very anxious associated with depression or for agitation associated with mania (along with my usual medications). They all helped to some degree, but the one medication that really helps with my anxiety is Seroquel. Now I was put on Seroquel for Bipolar Disorder, but find that it has really lelped my anxiety too.

[San]

Sometimes an SSRI can help with anxiety. If not, you could ask for a low dose of something like Ativan or clonazepam to take PRN (as needed) if you like. I take Xanax.

Sublingual ativan is good if you get anxious all of a sudden, it works quickly. It's also inexpensive if you don't have a drug plan. I can't prescribe, but you might want to ask the doctors about meds like these. Anxiety just plain sucks!

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks for everyone's replies! Anxiety does really suck I'm not sure what the Dr will recommend, but being that I'm already on Sodium Valproate & Desvenlafaxine (& I'm kinda hoping I won't have to go off anything, cause withdrawl's hell & what I'm on does work for my bipolar, just not for my anxiety) that the Dr will try a light dose of a long acting benzo or benzo related drug to start with as it's just awful living with this constant feeling that something bad's going to happen all the time.

I've upped my Sodium Valproate from 600mg to 800mg to try and help with some of the anxiety (yeah I know that's not what it's for) as I didn't have anything else I could do. I can't up my Desvenlafaxine from 50mg to 100mg as I get too sick & I have my family to look after. Ususally the 800mg (of which I take 600mg at night) knocks me out & helps me sleep, but it hasn't done that at all this time. I've been on the 800mg dose for 9 days so far, but usually the sedative effects kick in by the 3rd night. I think the level of my anxiety has been counteracting the sedative effect.

My anxiety hasn't been getting any better, it's just a constant, unrelenting presence. It does get worse at certian times; if I have to do specific things that make me nervous (like go shopping, drive somewhere I've never been, do a lot of housework, have a rental inspection) actually, I'm finding that there are more and more everyday things that are making it worse. I can't wait til the 28th.

I've been doing a lot of research, so I'll have an idea of what the Dr could possibly recommend & this Dr knows all about me & my family etc, which is really good, cause I won't have to waste time trying to convince him that I know what I'm talking about.

Oh, the only day I didn't have any anxiety was when I took a 25mg tablet of Restavit (Doxylamine Succinate) at 10pm (too late I know) to help me sleep. I felt a bit out of it the next day, but I also had practically NO anxiety & found myself thinking "Wow! So this is what normal people feel like!!" It also made me realise just how bad my anxiety has gotten for me.

So I just have to make it through the next 8 days...

Edited cause I can't spell & wanted to add more stuff

[chimpmaster]

Yeah it sounds like a longer acting benzo might suit you. I am prescribed diazepam, 10mg prn, and it works for me for anxiety and agitation. Somtimes I wish I had a faster acting benzo for my panic attacks, but most drs here wont prescribe xanax as along term solution.

Talk to your dr about diazepam or clonazepam.

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks chimpmaster, IMO I reckon I need that too & will def be talking to the Dr about it. Am really hoping that we'll come to a solution that we both agree upon!

[Chiaroscuro]

Oh, btw chimpmaster, I'm in Australia too in Vic

[gizmo]

I've been on xanax, klonopin, ativan, valium, and now librium for my ongoing anxiety issues. I've been an anxious person since I was a small child living in a horrible situation. It just grew over the years to the point where I couldn't drive because of panic attacks (I'd have to pull over every mille or so). I was first prescribed xanax, which worked miracles for me. But I come from a substance abuse genetic pool with the tolerance of a horse to pills, so I was on 6mg a day of xanax for two years. Then I had a mixed episode and took a pill to help, then took another pill because the first one didn't work. Lather, rinse, repeat about 18 times. I ingested 36mg of xanax that night and could have died. It was only because I told my hubby I needed to go to the hospital did I get treatment (and a week in the phospital, and my hubby locking away all but one day's anxiety meds for the past five years).

Xanax worked wonders for me, but my husband stated that he'd refuse to give me the pills if they were xanax. So I've been on a merry-go-round since. Nothing I take is as good as the xanax on my anxiety. But I keep plugging away.

If you want long lasting meds, I suggest klonopin. It can last 8-10 hours. Most others are 4-6.

[HAL9000]

My experience is that Buspar helped a lot for day to day anxiety. My TDoc has helped (I think) by working on living in the "now" not whats happened or fears about what will happen in the future. Also - when I start to recycle bad old stuff I do one of two things. Count to 100 by 3s (Don't laugh its math - I'm no good at math and it takes my brain WAY off the topic ;-) Or I focus on what I'm doing at that time. "I am scrubbing the floor - I am washing the dishes and I will put them into the sink - blah blah blah" It all sounded really dumb to me at first but either its helped or the Buspar has kicked in a bit. I also have Valium on hand (Only a couple MGs) to use if things get really bad. And for me its things triggering me or doing couples therapy where I know I'm going to hear things I really do not want to hear. Anyway - in short Buspar / Valium. Ativan works for someone I know and in her case its a more serious thing. Like violent wild stuff.

That said I would be very careful about Benzo's my GP said regular use WILL (not maybe) addict me and getting off them is craptastic type fun. So I was told no more then 3 days of use out of 7 and less or none is even better.

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks guys, am counting down until I see the GP. Four days to go! lol. Am actually going to see if I can (with Dr approval of course) begin tapering off Sodium Valproate & switch to something else that maybe won't cause as huge a weight gain as well as get something for my anxiety. I"ll let u know what the outcome is.

And of course I appreicate all the advice/ experience you have shared with me

[Chiaroscuro]

I saw the GP today & I told him everything that's been happening & we decided to taper off my 600mgs of Epilim (sodium valproate) over the next 6 days and start on Seroquel (quetiapine) onthe 7th day.

I'll start at 25mg tab 1 twice a day (so 50mgs total a day) and after a week, the GP said I can start increasing the dose to 100mgs a day, but I might do 75mgs for a week, then 100mgs the next week. It'll all depend on how I'm feeling & handling the side effects.

The GP said that Seroquel does often help with anxiety, and I've made an appt to see him in a month's time to see how everything's going. He's also open to the idea of adding something further/specific for my anxiety if it's not helped by the Seroquel.

I know he's only a GP, but he's really nice, actually listens to what I say & doesn't get grumpy at the fact that I do my own reasearch & often bring my own ideas to the table.

He's also local, whereas my Pdoc is 2.5 hrs away, & is more than happy to communicate & work with my Pdoc -who we realised, hasn't written any letters to my GPs ever!! (I always use the same medical centre, but can't always get in to see the same GP)- regarding diagnosis & medications etc.

Now however, I will ensure that I book this particular GP way in advance in regards to psych issues (unless I have an emergency or something), as he's super hard to get into, but so worth the extra trouble, so that I will always see him (except if he's on holidays or sick).

So I'm feeling pretty happy with how everything went atm, I'll see how I go tapering off the Epilim & introducing the Seroquel, but fingers crossed, it'll go ok

[Chiaroscuro]

Have been on Seroquel XR 100mg for nearly two weeks (switched from Seroquel IR cause it was just too sedating). Am still sedated by the XR but no where near as bad as with the IR.

Unfortunately my anxeity is still with me... I'm reluctant to up my dose of Seroquel as I have enough trouble waking up during the night if X (our 6yo son) yells for me, as well as the fact that I feel rather zombied most days, even though I'm taking the Seroquel at 6pm. I don't know.

I've got an appt with the same GP this Thursday & I'm going to tell him that the anxeity's still there & hasn't been really touched by the Seroquel unfortunately.

I'll also tell him my concerns with the Seroquel being so sedating for me during the day & see what he's got to say. Chances are he'll say to give it at least another 2-3 weeks to see if the sedation wears off....

Anyways, I'll keep everyone updated with what happens....

I just want to feel less sedated & less anxious!! LOL

[Wooster]

100mg of slurroquel is still toward the low end of the dosing range. At its lower doses, my understanding is that it tends to be more sedating and at higher doses, the sedation does tend to reduce over time.

[apetasticaL]

yeah, the sedating qualities tend to fade away as you go higher in your dosage. has it been working at all for your anxiety?

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks Wooster & apetasticaL I'm feeling MUCH better & a lot less sedated during the day (most of the time). It's helping my anxiety too now, it's not nearly as bad as it used to be Am glad the Dr made me stick with it for a bit longer as it really seems to be doing good now

edited cause I can't type!

[chimpmaster]

Glad to hear you are doing better. Its not always easy finding the right meds.

[meganhalley]

Slurroquel--rofl! <3

[Wooster]

SO glad to hear you are getting some positive results!

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks Wooster & my apologies for such a late reply!

Ok, since I last posted:

I've been raised from 100mgs Seroquel XR (Quetiapine), to 150mgs & as of a few days ago to 200mgs (obviously taken at night).

I've also been prescribed 2mg tablets of Valium (Diazepam)), of which I can take one 2mg tablet in the morning & one 2mg tablet at night. (Not by my usual GP, but by a different GP at the same clinic -the same GP that also put me up to 200mgs of Seroquel XR-)

Because of my sensativity to meds & the fact that I usually work better on a lower dose, I'm working my way up on the Valium very slowly. At the moment, I've been cutting the 2mg tablets in half and taking one half in the morning & one half at night (If I feel that I need it).

Because Valium has such a long half life, I don't always need to take the half a tablet twice a day, every day. I just go by how I feel; if my anxiety's bad, I'll take it & if it's not, I won't take it.

The GP gave me 50 tablets with no repeats, so I'm also being cautious as I don't want to run out before I see my usual GP next (on the 15th June).

I'm really hoping that even though my usual GP was reluctant to prescribe me benzos, that he will be persuaded to give me a reapeat (if I need it when I see him next) as they really do make a huge difference to my anxiety & are far better for my anxiety & my every day functioning than taking a 25mgs Instant Release Seroquel when my anxiety gets bad (which is what my usual GP told me to do).

I tried doing that, but even at such a low dose, I got so sedated on the IR Seroquel that I couldn't function at all & with a 6yo son & looking for a job & trying to keep on top of the house work etc, I can't afford to be so sedated & doped up that I can't get out of bed!!!

My usual GP didn't/ doesn't seem to understand the side effects the IR has, plus it wasn't really helping with the constant breakthrough anxiety I am/was exerperiencing either. In short, taking the IR for my breakthrough anxiety wasn't working.

Also in my favour (& hopefully my usual GP will see it this way too) is the fact that I've ALWAYS been medication & doseage compliant & never overdosed on my meds, no matter how up or down I've been.

Finger crossed!! LOL. I'll keep everyone updated with what my usual GP says when I see him next.

I'll also ring my Shrink on Monday & let him know that I've been prescribed Valium so he too knows what's going on.

I'm really hoping now that I've been prescribed Valium, that including it in the combo of Pristiq & Seroquel XR will help me to become "stabilised"

[HAL9000]

I'm glad its working for you. *And I go to my GP for the MI problems as well. I think one thing thats good about doing that is they know all your issues and can tie things together or avoid things that might be a problem. I feel safer having only one person prescribing things.

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks Hal9000, yeah, my Shrink prefers to have only my GP prescribe my meds, that way there's no crossover prescribing.

The downside of this (for me) is if I happen to ask my Shrink to look at my meds in any way, he refuses to do so if he can't call & talk to my GP right then and there. And if my GP happens to be away, & my Shrink is unable to talk to him, then I'm stuck waiting for any meds changes until I see my GP next, which could be up to a full month away.

[HAL9000]

That sounds like your shrink has some kind of turf issues. I would simply say that you would appreciate any advice so you can ask good questions when you see the doctor. I try really hard to read up on things and educate myself but I think its really valuable to get input from several people in "the biz."

[colin]

That sounds like your shrink has some kind of turf issues. I would simply say that you would appreciate any advice so you can ask good questions when you see the doctor. I try really hard to read up on things and educate myself but I think its really valuable to get input from several people in "the biz."

I agree with you. we patients have to be educated and informed. Doctors are often all over the place in their treatments, so they cannot all be right. One says one thing and another will say the opposite. My GP and P-doc are always disagreeing and I've found that there are two sides to almost any treatment option. My GP is against benzo's except for PRN and my P-doc favors them, in my case, to be used daily. I think about it and research it and they are both right for different reasons and as a patient who is going to be the guineau pig i have to weigh the pro's and con's and Doc's just don't have the time to go into all the complexities and details of a subject like benzo's which is a mountainous one to say the least!

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks Hal9000 & colin

Hal9000:

I think I'll use that "I'd appreciate any advice" when I see my Shrink next. & I agree, it is important to get input from serval different medical people.

colin:

Yeah, I do a bit of research as well regarding my meds etc. The best thing is I have medical professionals in my family, so I have a reliable source of up to date info that is easily accessible

Yeah, Drs don't always have time to go over their reasons for not wanting to prescribe you one thing or another. It def pays to think it over & get as much information as you can before making any choice about new meds.

I'm going rather well on the 3 meds now. Which is great. Just need to get my weight sorted & I'm all good lol!

[melissaw72]

Have you tried blood pressure meds? Some of my meds cause me anxiety, and when I can get calm, like taking a xanax or something, I am ok. I used to also be on a heart med (atenolol) for high BP. It seemed to help. I'm not on one anymore, but am considering asking for one again.

[Wooster]

Oh... wow... yeah... propranolol was an amazing, all be it, completely not functional med for my anxiety.

I had THE worst cotton mouth and dry eyes... but I felt MELLOW for the first time in years when I took that. My GP prescribed it for me as a stopgap until I could get in to see a psychMD. The psychMD promptly took me off of it. But it was helpful while it lasted, even if I wasn't really functional on it because of the side effects.

[HAL9000]

Thanks Wooster & my apologies for such a late reply!

Ok, since I last posted:

I've been raised from 100mgs Seroquel XR (Quetiapine), to 150mgs & as of a few days ago to 200mgs (obviously taken at night).

I've also been prescribed 2mg tablets of Valium (Diazepam)), of which I can take one 2mg tablet in the morning & one 2mg tablet at night. (Not by my usual GP, but by a different GP at the same clinic -the same GP that also put me up to 200mgs of Seroquel XR-)

Because of my sensativity to meds & the fact that I usually work better on a lower dose, I'm working my way up on the Valium very slowly. At the moment, I've been cutting the 2mg tablets in half and taking one half in the morning & one half at night (If I feel that I need it).

Because Valium has such a long half life, I don't always need to take the half a tablet twice a day, every day. I just go by how I feel; if my anxiety's bad, I'll take it & if it's not, I won't take it.

The GP gave me 50 tablets with no repeats, so I'm also being cautious as I don't want to run out before I see my usual GP next (on the 15th June).

I'm really hoping that even though my usual GP was reluctant to prescribe me benzos, that he will be persuaded to give me a reapeat (if I need it when I see him next) as they really do make a huge difference to my anxiety & are far better for my anxiety & my every day functioning than taking a 25mgs Instant Release Seroquel when my anxiety gets bad (which is what my usual GP told me to do).

I tried doing that, but even at such a low dose, I got so sedated on the IR Seroquel that I couldn't function at all & with a 6yo son & looking for a job & trying to keep on top of the house work etc, I can't afford to be so sedated & doped up that I can't get out of bed!!!

My usual GP didn't/ doesn't seem to understand the side effects the IR has, plus it wasn't really helping with the constant breakthrough anxiety I am/was exerperiencing either. In short, taking the IR for my breakthrough anxiety wasn't working.

Also in my favour (& hopefully my usual GP will see it this way too) is the fact that I've ALWAYS been medication & doseage compliant & never overdosed on my meds, no matter how up or down I've been.

Finger crossed!! LOL. I'll keep everyone updated with what my usual GP says when I see him next.

I'll also ring my Shrink on Monday & let him know that I've been prescribed Valium so he too knows what's going on.

I'm really hoping now that I've been prescribed Valium, that including it in the combo of Pristiq & Seroquel XR will help me to become "stabilised"

I kind of hate seeing a different doctor. I know its unrealistic to expect my GP to know everything but I hate referals to unknown doctors. The computer that passes these out seems to always pick some real "winners" for me.

I guess thats not 100% true. In a couple of instances I needed to see the doctor and mine was unavailable. They have a Nurse Practitioner who I do like *And she goes over any meds with my GP who always says "She did this exactly right" The problem I've had with other doctors is that some are into turf wars. "He should (shouldn't) be taking (doing) this he should do what I tell him." When you trust your doctor and think they know what they are talking about thats HUGE.

I am truly glad I have the Valium (Diazapam) on hand for the bad times. And while there are stretches where I think everything is going fine (With the Therapy / Buspar / Wellbruten ) I get into some heavy therapy (Group therapy in particular) I'm glad I have the Valium.

As to the advice to take two a day? This might be untrue for you (And listen to your doctor not me or mine) but I think your doing it right to take it only as needed. I work with a guy who is on an unbelievable amount of it (All the time around the clock) because he overdid it and has to keep having his dose kicked up. And its not just the one drug. He is like a human pharmacy.

From what he tells me he is dependent on it for his "normal" its not good (anymore) for when it get rough. From all the junk I read (Which is too much and who knows what is correct vrs BS) it should be an "as needed" drug. Or thats what I think the current thinking is. And you mention the half life. Its like... Unreal. The concern I had is my doctor said it will show up in a screen long long after I last took it so any on the job accidents (Where they might check) could be some serious troubles with insurance. At least it would be more complicated.

[Chiaroscuro]

my apologies if this isn't very coherent, I'm not feeling very well right now.

Thanks melissaw72, Wooster & HAL9000,

MelissaW72 & Wooster: Thanks The Valium's doing it's job for the moment, but I'll keep in mind what you've both said & look into it if I need to Wooster: Side effects can suck! (as we all know), knowing my luck, my blood pressure will get too high lol.

HAL9000: I know what you mean. Because my usual GP only works a few days a week (not full time) and is VERY popular, it's ridiculously hard to get into see him without booking at least 1 month in advance!

I do always go to the same clinic though, so at least the random Dr I get in to see has access to all of my records etc. Sometimes the random Dr disagrees with my usual Dr, however, I haven't run into that issue for a few years now.

I too am very glad for the Valium, & most certainly only use it as needed & even then I usually get by on a 1/4 of the total daily dose that the Dr said I could have.

Technically, I'm allowed to take 4mg (two 2mg tablets) a day. Usually, I get by for the entire day on 1mgs (1/2 a 2mg tablet), it's not often I have to take another 1mgs to get me though. And I don't (usually) have to take it every day either, which is good as it means that the lower dose should continue to work for me.

I'm super aware of the tolerance factor & don't want to end up having to take huge amounts just to "function". Valium is my "emergency drug" (so's to speak), I don't want to end up like a human pharmacy!!

[HAL9000]

my apologies if this isn't very coherent, I'm not feeling very well right now.

Thanks melissaw72, Wooster & HAL9000,

MelissaW72 & Wooster: Thanks The Valium's doing it's job for the moment, but I'll keep in mind what you've both said & look into it if I need to Wooster: Side effects can suck! (as we all know), knowing my luck, my blood pressure will get too high lol.

HAL9000: I know what you mean. Because my usual GP only works a few days a week (not full time) and is VERY popular, it's ridiculously hard to get into see him without booking at least 1 month in advance!

I do always go to the same clinic though, so at least the random Dr I get in to see has access to all of my records etc. Sometimes the random Dr disagrees with my usual Dr, however, I haven't run into that issue for a few years now.

I too am very glad for the Valium, & most certainly only use it as needed & even then I usually get by on a 1/4 of the total daily dose that the Dr said I could have.

Technically, I'm allowed to take 4mg (two 2mg tablets) a day. Usually, I get by for the entire day on 1mgs (1/2 a 2mg tablet), it's not often I have to take another 1mgs to get me though. And I don't (usually) have to take it every day either, which is good as it means that the lower dose should continue to work for me.

I'm super aware of the tolerance factor & don't want to end up having to take huge amounts just to "function". Valium is my "emergency drug" (so's to speak), I don't want to end up like a human pharmacy!!

You and I are on the same dose but I've been told its ok to repeat (2 to 4mg) up to 3 times a day. I can't say I've ever done that but once in a blue moon I've taken 4mg. My first script was for 1 to 2 mg and I had to tell my doctor that 1 mg didn't seem to do anything for me. I think people process drugs different and some better then others. I always seem to be given large doses of (Non MI drugs) so maybe my liver doesn't process as well as others? Or I've just taken so many pills for so long I've become immune like that friend I mentioned.

[melissaw72]

Talking about turf issues, my pdoc is this way. He wants to be the only one prescribing meds to me. When I mentioned that neuro was going to prescribe Provigil to me, pdoc actually wrote a letter to him saying (basically that he didn't approve of it, but that he could if he wanted to, and that he wasn't taking responsibility of anything happening to me).

Also my psych is obsessed with "too many" benzos. I am on 1 mg klonopin and 1.5 mg xanax, and to pdoc they are both a very sedating dose, and refuses to increase it no matter what. IMO those are not high amounts, compared to past pdocs who prescribed 6-7 mg xanax and 4-5 mg Klonopin per day. My pdoc wants all the control, no suggestions (unless I am lucky somehow), and does not like when any other DR prescribes medicine. Because he didn't prescribe it he really thinks I might not need it and questions it. If this makes any sense.

[gizmo]

My pdoc wants all the control, no suggestions (unless I am lucky somehow), and does not like when any other DR prescribes medicine. Because he didn't prescribe it he really thinks I might not need it and questions it. If this makes any sense.

Wow, that really sucks. I can't believe your pdoc wrote a letter to your neuro!

I am actually quite the opposite. I want my pdoc to prescribe as much as possible, because I take more mental meds than anything else, and he is the one prescribing them all. I mean, I get my cholesterol meds and zofran from a GP, and my fioricet from a neuro, but those don't interact with BP meds. When I wanted to get on a stimulant, I went to my pdoc. My pdoc was the one who suggested switching my lithium to depakote mainly because it was also approved for migraine prophylactics. When an urgent care dr prescribed me a pain med that I thought interacted with my mental meds, I called my pdoc.

But I like having the choice of getting my meds from any medical source I choose, not just because one dr is territorial.

[melissaw72]

My pdoc wants all the control, no suggestions (unless I am lucky somehow), and does not like when any other DR prescribes medicine. Because he didn't prescribe it he really thinks I might not need it and questions it. If this makes any sense.

Wow, that really sucks. I can't believe your pdoc wrote a letter to your neuro!

I am actually quite the opposite. I want my pdoc to prescribe as much as possible, because I take more mental meds than anything else, and he is the one prescribing them all. I mean, I get my cholesterol meds and zofran from a GP, and my fioricet from a neuro, but those don't interact with BP meds. When I wanted to get on a stimulant, I went to my pdoc. My pdoc was the one who suggested switching my lithium to depakote mainly because it was also approved for migraine prophylactics. When an urgent care dr prescribed me a pain med that I thought interacted with my mental meds, I called my pdoc.

But I like having the choice of getting my meds from any medical source I choose, not just because one dr is territorial.

I like all my meds prescribed by the same DR too, most of them are the mental ones also. But I wouldn't feel comfortable having pdoc write me an Rx for ie, a stomach med, or thyroid med, when he (pdoc) has no idea about what is wrong with the medical aspects and how to treat them (kind of like what you said above).

Yeah, pdoc actually faxed the letter over to his office so he'd get it right away (to neuro's office). Fortunately neuro has his own head on his shoulders and his own mind, and does what he thinks will help, not do what another DR says not to do.

[Chiaroscuro]

Thanks Hal9000, Melissaw72 & gizmo,

Hal9000: I hadn't heard that you could take the benzos up to 3 times a day. I guess if there was a huge crisis, it would make sense to do that.

Mellisaw72: Wow, the must be hard having a Pdoc who's so into controlling every aspect of your meds even if they aren't psych meds.

Gizmo: I can understand wanting to get all your psych meds from your Pdoc & other meds from the GP. In my case, it's easier for me to get all of my meds including my psych meds from my GP (who communicates with my Pdoc) as my GP's local & easier to get into than my Shrink who's 2.5 hours away.

[HAL9000]

Thats the way my Gdoc wrote my prescription. Your might not want you to take them every 6 hours as needed so check it out before you do anything.

This is probably the correct script for me. I had some kind of total meltdown. This was lit a 10 on the messed up scale. Uncontrolled crying, curled up on the floor, the works. I "thought" I knew what anxiety or serious depression was. I had no clue it could (would) get this bad. I tried taking the max dose of Valium. I "think" it helped me get out of the mega crash but 6 hours later I was a total babbling idiot again. Anyway I should have repeated with the Valium (I think) but I wasn't really thinking very clearly. A new rule. I have to have it handy (Like in a pill holder in my pocket)

Sigh.....

[Chiaroscuro]

Sorry for the late reply Hal9000. Sounds like that prescription works for you, which is good.

I keep my Valium handy too and will take a dose (1mg-2mg) if my anxiety doesn't go away on it's own -on rare occasions it does- but I'm finding more recently -due to me weaning down my Seroquel XR dose over a month due to no sex drive and it being too sedating, (with my Pdoc & GP aware of what I was doing)- that my anxiety's become stronger and the worst it's ever been -forgive me, I'm not expressing myself well today- .

Since I weaned down my dose of Seroquel (quetiapine)-went from 150mg-50mg over 4 weeks- (I did it a few months ago now), I've ended up upping it again -back to 150mg- because the anxiety I felt was well and truly nightmarish.

Plus I've upped my Valium from 2mg to 5mg (on my new Pdocs orders) (& that's the max dose I allow myself in a 24 hr period & it def quashes the anxiety), and because I tend to deal well with lesser dosages, I don't always have to take it each day (unless there's a huge crisis, or I have a panic attack).

Due to me getting a new Pdoc in the past month, I've been switched from Pristiq 50mg (desvenlafaxine) to Prozac 20mg (fluoxetine). I've just taken my 1st dose this morning & so far so good. I still have some Stemitil (Prochlorperazine) left over -which is an anti-nausea med I was prescribed to help me with Pristiq withdrawal- & I've taken it with the prozac this morning to help ease the transition.

I'm really sorry if this doesn't make any sense.