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Jan 13, 2007 03:14 PM newvickie wrote:
Whoa...sounds to me like you need to stick with your Psychiatrist as your PCP obviously has no idea what he's talking about and sounds like an insensitive ass to me...be certainly doesn't understand and doesn't seem to want to understand!
Never be sorry for rambling...we all do it at one time or another...if you need the meds...you need the meds. I'm still taking mine and have no idea when I will no longer need them and my doctor said that I would be the one to know...not her...she isn't inside my head.
Gentle hugs and best wishes to you
Vickie
Naniam
Hickory, NC
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,854
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Jan 13, 2007 06:47 PM Naniam wrote:
Denise, my sister's son killed himself on my son's birthday. I know what loosing him has done to her and that has been 20 years ago now. Sis has moved forward but she still cries in the shower and as she says "part of my heart died that day" Many of us have been single parents and not had much help or support. My son has a rare hereditary illness and when he was 10 we found it and that year was a year from hell and we dealt with aspects of him accepting his illness for years afterwards and often he took his anger out on me - it was rough.
See your psychiatrist or get a new psychiatrist they know more about when we need meds permanently or when them to help us over really rough spots; when we need to taper off and talk through problems and learn new coping skills. IT is just my opinion but I don't think a PCP has the time or skills to deal with these type problems.
Good luck, Brenda
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Jan 13, 2007 07:02 PM Roxwooood wrote:
Denise, you have every right to be hurt, and you weren't rambling, summed it up very concisely. I think your PCP has an inflated ego, trying to take the place of a doctor/specialist who has seen you for 9 years? And immediately wants to change your antidepressant dosage and taper you off Xanax? Next time he says that was then, this is now, what's bothering you now? then say "well I was feeling fine til I came in here, maybe that's my problem". Sorry to be so crude, particularly since I don't know you, but, in my opinion, ego maniacs (like that) do their patients a disservice. Think about going back to what you were doing before, it was working, and if it ain't broken, he didn't need to try to fix it. Mess with anything but don't mess around with my antidepressants....depression is so much harder for me to fight (and deal with) than treatment for bc is/was. Guess you could say this is a sensitive subject for me.
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Jan 14, 2007 02:33 AM chemosabi wrote:
Denise: I agree with what everyone has said. It takes time to find the right combination of drugs to fight anxiety and depression. And once you find that combination why change it? PCP should step aside and let the psychiatrist manage the "head drugs." Besides, no one, but no one takes my xanax away from me. At least not without a fight on their hands.
Rachael: Good to see you again and love your new avatar.
Good luck, feel better.
Nicki
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Jan 14, 2007 02:50 AM NOLONGERREADINGORPOSTING wrote:
Hi Adrianna,
I am really sorry you had this awful experience with your doctor in the office. He was busy and rushed and didn't give you your due at all, but don't be mad at him. It's not all his fault. It's partly the way the medical system is and how doctors are so overloaded. Imagine if you had to deal with 20 or more sick or depressed people in one day!!!!
Sounds like you have really been through the mill, and you should stay in counseling if you want to. But I do think your doctor was right about Xanax. That's mean stuff, it's addicting and dangerous. My mother took too much of it after my father died and it took her years to straighten out (in the meantime she gave away or spent every penny he left her and ended up a poor lady!).
Antidepressants are much more effective than Xanax and much better for you. They will take a while to kick in. Maybe you should taper your Xanax off slowly. I don't know what you're taking (I hope it's not Paxil); I've had both Prozac and Zoloft and they both worked great for me. They take one or two months to have the full effect, but they really work and make you positive.
I also know how you feel about your post...so often I post things here and wonder if I said the right thing, and doubt myself. It's hard having one way conversations with no feedback...
You hang in there. Don't let a busy doctor put you off. Make sure it's someone really important next time!!!!
xxxooo
Mizsissy
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Jan 14, 2007 05:02 AM DragonladyTina wrote:
Sorry, I have to chime in here with my 2 cents for what it's worth.
First, if you are not a medical doctor please, please do not dispense medical advice. Xanax may have been the addicting, dangerous medication from hell for your mother BUT, big but here, but when used properly and as prescribed, it can and is a lifesaver for people diagnosed with panic and anxiety disorder.
I am glad that prozac, zoloft and what ever else you have tried work great for you but that is you and your personal experience with these meds, may not be remotely the same for someone else. Many people have exactly the opposite effect from the SSRI classification of drugs and it just makes their anxiety skyrocket.
Most of the antidepressents do squat for anxiety and therefore require a benzodiazepine of sorts to help with that.
There is a huge difference (some prefer to call it a debate
) between addiction and MEDICAL DEPENDANCE. I call it a quality of life issue. Why on earth would you not want to take a medication that helps or enables you to live a decent, anxiety free life.
Diabetics need insulin, people with thyroid disease require meds, I require arimidex...the list goes on.
hope this clarifies my point of view, I do not wish to offend or hurt feelings but I am very passionate about making sure the right information is out there about panic and anxiety.
Tina
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Jan 14, 2007 07:26 AM nosurrender wrote:
Adrionna, I think you need a good therapist/psychiatrist that realizes that just because a truamatic event happened in the past doesn't mean it won't affect you TODAY.
Your PCP has a god complex to me... i wouldn't waste a moment's time thinking about what he said or what little acknowledgement he gave to your emotional being.
Why do doctors think we are automatons and none of what we endure touches our souls?
You have been through a lot. There are meds for everything. You need to find which one works for you.
Anti depressants do one thing that can help with depression and moods and anti anxiety drugs help with anxiety.
If you are feeling both, you need both. And there is nothing wrong with trying to improve your life by taking them.
You need to find a doctor who sees you as a whole person not just a collection of the body parts he specializes in. Once you find that doctor then ALL of you will start to feel better very very soon!
love,g
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Jan 14, 2007 07:34 AM chemosabi wrote:
Just giving a high five! Tina you are so right. Xanax and other benzodiazepines are not the drug of choice for the older adult. But certainly life savers here int he breast cancer world.
Just like most other medications, you just dont stop taking it abruptly. And like I said early. Take my xanax away from me and your in big trouble.
Nicki
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Jan 14, 2007 08:00 AM, edited Oct 10, 2010 10:20 PM
by RoundTwoinCA
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neesie
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Jan 14, 2007 08:38 AM, edited Feb 6, 2008 02:20 PM
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marshakb
FL
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,243
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Jan 15, 2007 05:14 AM marshakb wrote:
I agree that xanax "dependency" is the least of our worries. I went to my primary without taking pain or xanax and was so nervous my blood pressure was up. I have never had my blood pressure up even remtely. Anxiety did that to em. From now on ALL appts will be with a prescribed xanax in my system. Mizsissy, you are one very lucky person if you are able to handle bc and the scare of it without medication. Love to all......Marsha
jah4377
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 135
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Jan 20, 2007 03:42 AM jah4377 wrote:
After 9 year of the same shrink and you are still not feeling better maybe it is time to take a new aproach?????
BethNY
Long Island, NY
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,015
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Jan 20, 2007 08:00 AM, edited Mar 11, 2008 02:37 PM
by BethNY
Okay- here's my 2 cents.
First, I think your PCP is over zealous. A PCP cannot take the place of a good shrink.
Second, you mentioned you were only seeing your shrink for a medicine review.
My question, and please dont take this wrong- but why are you not seeing a shrink weekly to keep talking through all the pains and heartaches you've been dealt in life, and through each session giving yourself permission to let go of some of the pain and burden?
I understand the pcp telling you to wein off the xanies and go higher on the anti deps. but how does he know that that's the right combination for you?
I'm not a fan of antidepressants cause I don't get depressed, however xanax (i only take it as needed, I'll go through about 60 pills in 90-100 days) has been a lifesaver for me during times of rage, anger, and anxiety.
If you've been on the drugs for 9 years, there may be increasing damage to your liver, and maybe if you found the drugs were definitely what you needed, you'd want to try some alternative approaches to helping the toxins in your liver, such as acupuncture, or diet changes.
I can totally understand your frustration with the PCP. Its the same feeling you get the first time you see any new dr. or a new shrink-- they don't understand where you've been, you have to re-tell the whole story, and relive the pain. Sounds like this PCP isn't the compassionate doc you need in your life right now. I just don't totally disagree with him saying maybe it's time to lower the xanax.
cheri123
MO
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,715
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Jan 24, 2007 09:26 PM cheri123 wrote:
Well, I just have to throw my opinion in the ring on this because I happen to have very strong feelings about it. I had a great pcp for years until he moved last year I had to switch to the only other pcp in town. I don't like that man! The very first thing he wanted to do was to take me off my xanax. I said no. He said he didn't like to dispense that medication because it was habit forming and thought I'd do fine on just anti-depressants. He actually wanted to put me on some nothing little drug, Zoloft. I told him he didn't know me or my background so he agreed to write a script for the xanax but he decreased my dosage. I had just had my first chemo tx and we had lost our grandson to SIDS. He DECREASED it. He left me on the anti-depressant that I was on & I tried explaining to him they worked on two entirely different problems. I needed the Xanax. So he still writes it for me but will not re-fill it or pain meds even 1 day early. And it states that on the bottle! So when I have several rx's to refill I can't include it unless it's been exactly 30 days. Plus, he has that patronizing tone to his voice like he's talking to a child. He is clueless. So, I'm going to have to change and that means going 35 miles away to have a regular MD. We know what we need & when we need it. They're OUR bodies & we know them better than anyone.
As far as the Dr's being so busy, that's baloney! That's their job. They work for us. I've worked in Dr's offices. They need to make time for each patient.
It would be great if we all were lucky enough to be like one of the posters on here & not need the xanax but we're all different.
Ticked-off in Mo.
Cheri
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Jan 24, 2007 10:42 PM hi5-2006Aug13 wrote:
Surrender: well stated!!!!
Adrionna: I have to agree that some of these 'professionals' have so little tact.... I remember going to a doc in a clinic telling him about some of my woes and that I felt I needed something...:anti-depressants... he suggested I get the book "The Power of Now" ....the book is about living in the now... wel, at the time, my 'now'consisted of being in an emotionally/psychologically abusive relationship,my work life was terrible, and my adult son who has had serious difficulties all his like was having a hard time... that was my NOW!!!! Not too long after that I decided to go to a counsellor... I explained to her that I just wasn't coping very well and about all the trauma I was going through because of the happenings with my son. She informed me that "other people had children with special needs, too!"... and that coming from a counsellor!!! So, I truly do empathize with you... Many of these docs and other professionals should learn to think with their heads and not say the first thing that comes into their head. And I don't agree that we should blame it on the system... I think that we should gain strength and support and let these people know that , in our time of need, they let us down. Maybe they aren't even aware of it themselves....maybe if we told them how their insensitivity and lack of compassion affects us they may take another look at themselves. Perhaps we are too intimidated to say anything but when we are in crisis we don't need that type of crap. That is extremely toxic and it is so important, especially now, with bc etc. that we surround ourselves with positive energy. I have eliminated the majority of the people from my list of "friends/acquaintances" and believe I could easily become a hermit...with my laptop, tv, phone etc. Anyways just wanted to add my two bits worth.
beth1225
Willow Grove, PA
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,594
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Jan 25, 2007 02:18 AM beth1225 wrote:
Throwing my hat in the ring too. My PCP understands that with all that is going on in my life I am having a hard time coping. Once totally off the estrogen I started having really bad hot flashes and night sweats and now insomnia set in. He siad they are all part of no estrogen. He suggested I wait until I go the onc when we tlak about the preventive treatment plan with the Tamoxifen as it has a tendency to cause a little depression. Well, in addition to my personal problems, i am dealing with my mom who is unhappy at the assisted living, my son who is having problems at school big time, work is so slow right now and getting worse, and dh can't drive with all the pain meds he is on so I drive both ways to work which is a 20 mile round trip. Nwo the car is starting to have real problems and costing more money. Anxious? Just a little. So I asked the onc about something to at least help me sleep. She suggesed Tylenol PM. Forget it. I wake up with a bloody nose from being dried out. And I still don't sleep. Finally, I talked to my friend who is also my breast surgeon and he gave me scrip for Xanax yesterday. That is the first good night's sleep I had in a year! I'm not kidding. I was glad to finally find someone to really listen and HEAR what I am saying. I guess we need to search sometimes until we find the right doc who will help.
Naniam
Hickory, NC
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,854
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Jan 25, 2007 03:21 AM Naniam wrote:
I see my PCP lst of next Month. Have been having problems sleeping, minimal hot flashes since Dx and stopping my HRT 18 months ago. Was using some Ativan and PCP wanted me off that totally as it was addictive and he felt maybe adding to my fatigue. Game me Ambien. If I come off one, then I don't want Ambien either. Got a long lecture from him. Can't take any anti-depressants with my med for my fatigue issue. Seems to be a circus when it comes to these meds. Oncologist not worried about Ativan and gave me a prescrip when having undiagnosed gallbladder issues.
Beth, when did you stop the low dose estrogen? I was on that and it kept me from having hot flashes and I slept so well when I was on it. Since your ovaries are out and they consider you post menopausal now, guess I am wondering why tamoxifen and not AI's.
Too, a long while back I saw that you had said they had mentioned to you taking a supplement soy/black cohosh or Estro something - careful!!!! Even on this site it is recommended women with estrogen sensitive BC not take black cohosh. Now that may be different with you, since the have the BRCA gene and having the bilateral mastectomy as a precautionary thing. Don't know if estrogen sensitive would apply to you - don't know if they can tell by that gene or if you would actually have to find BC and have it tested. Just thought I might need to mention that to you on the Black cohosh. I know in the hormone thread they know more on that that I certainly do. Wanted to make sure you were aware of the soy/black cohosh thing.
I wonder sometimes ladies, if we will ever find a doctor that understands our emotional health issues after BC. They didn't get it very well before BC so kind of discouraged they will get it now.
JMO Brenda
beth1225
Willow Grove, PA
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,594
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Jan 26, 2007 04:46 AM beth1225 wrote:
Brenda, don't worry. Either Mena or someone else, already gave that question to ask about the ingredients in Estroven. The onc is the one who suggested it. She said taking black cohosh straight would be bad. And the amount of soy "shouldn't" be harmful. Nobody is sure how any one person's body will react especially to supplements. I have always been rather cautious with them. She also said maybe soem of my insomnia could be related to the upcoming surgery. Ya Think!!
She also said I seem to be attached to my breasts. Well, DUH! Who isn't? That hurt a little considering her specialty is breast oncology. Afterwards, my dh just hugged me and said sometimes even so-called professionals say things the wrong way. It took the sting out but I won't forget it real fast.
Brenda, and anyone else, please keep throwing in those 2 cents and opinions. I do not take offense (learned my lesson) and can always use a new angle on things to see if maybe we need to rethink a course of action.
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Jan 26, 2007 08:19 AM nosurrender wrote:
Brenda, the warnings for Black Cohosh, soy and exogenous estrogens are for women WITH breast cancer or who HAVE HAD breast cancer.
You cannot compare yourself to anyone who has never had the disease. Their doctors are prescribing meds and supplements with a whole set of different rules because their patients do not have breast cancer.
IT CANNOT COMPARE
I am also having a hard time dealing with everything going on. Facing this for a second time and the thought of having LE in both arms, maybe having to do chemo again... all of it is overwhelming. As a breast cancer survivor who is not that far out from her dx, of course you are going to be having some difficulties... it is only natural. We have had the sh!t scared out of us and we never know what is around the next corner.
At least when you are here- with women who have been through all that we have been through- you can get a perspective that you are not alone and that what you are feeling is normal. Nothing compares now to the worries we had BEFORE this disease. Nothing.
xo,g
neesie
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Posts: 1,639
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Jan 28, 2007 05:41 PM, edited Feb 6, 2008 02:20 PM
by neesie
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TeddyJudy
San Leandro, CA
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 163
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Feb 2, 2007 02:20 PM TeddyJudy wrote:
Brenda I just read your post and Oh my it's time to get a "new" PCP. He should not be telling you what or what not to take for anxiety/depression (are you Bi-Polar?) That should be left up to your psychiatrist.
I am Bi-Polar and I was put on a drug called Depakote. I am not familiar with Xanax, but I am going to ask my psychiatrist about it when I see him on March 20th. This med has helped me tremendously and others that I know that are on the same med have said the same thing. One of the people had their meds changed 7 times until they were put on Depakote.
I wish you the best of luck and lots of hugs go out to you. Here you are coping with your past and now with BC.
Judy
Molly57
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 448
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Feb 26, 2007 03:44 PM Molly57 wrote:
I agree totally with No Surrender. In fact, I think you should find a new PCP just based on that one unbelievably insensitive question he asked.
Just having dealt with breast cancer and all it brings with it is enough to leave you with post-traumatic-stress-disorder. The other great sadnesses in your life put you in a place I can't begin to imagine. I think you should continue to get the meds you need--the ones that have been working for you. Get back to your good shrink and ditch the control-freak pcp.
Molly