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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 17:55:12
Lets just say I found something that worked, from bits and pieces of old prescriptions.
I am afraid to tell the doctor since I am sure he will probably get angry at not taking things as prescribed.
But I was wondering has anyone else done this, told there doctor, and things went ok ?
Linkadge
Posted by med_empowered on September 18, 2005, at 18:16:49
In reply to Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 17:55:12
k...I told my doc once that I did that, and she flipped out (but in that freakishly calm, almost icey, psychiatrist kind of way). She just gave me this stare from hell and said "You are no longer on that medication. Throw it away. Do not ever, under any circumstances, take it again." The med she was so concerned about? Neurontin. 900mgs. For insomnia. So...I guess it depends on your doc. In general, shrinks are on the more control-freak, hyper-dominant, micro-management end of things, but there's considerable variation. If its a controlled substance...I'd think *really* long and hard before mentioning it to your doc, but your doc could be much different. Good luck!
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 18:28:39
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by med_empowered on September 18, 2005, at 18:16:49
That sucks.
I did well once on a remeron SSRI combination. I have mentioned it to doctors thousands of times, but they all ask something like: "have you tried zyprexa?"
Linkadge
Posted by JaneB on September 18, 2005, at 19:01:56
In reply to Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 17:55:12
> Lets just say I found something that worked, from bits and pieces of old prescriptions.
>
> I am afraid to tell the doctor since I am sure he will probably get angry at not taking things as prescribed.
>
> But I was wondering has anyone else done this, told there doctor, and things went ok ?
>
> LinkadgeTo answer how your doctor will react is impossible. But from my experience I once had a good doc who welcomed my experimenting with his prescriptions. Except I just usually wanted to take less and he wanted me to take more. But he was open to alternative treatment. I miss that doc.
Hope you have a very helpful, understanding doctor.I noticed that you also posted on the alternative board about some herbs? Don't remember which ones. It sounded like they worked for you. Are you having trouble again? Do you mind telling me which bits and pieces work for you. I have lots of old meds and now find myself (after 3 months off zoloft) getting too weepy again. Insomnia again. I was researching SAM-e, St. John's Wort which are two I have never tried. Have you ever tried either one? My old clonazepam is helping me sleep but I need to address the depression and see my doctor next week.
I am just rambling. Jane
Posted by Maxime on September 18, 2005, at 19:22:20
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 18:28:39
Depends on your doctor. I would keep a mood journal and then bring it to him/her and show them that it's helping. I know mine would be okay with it. That is if he was still my doctor ... I miss him so much. As you know Link, there are NO doctors available in this area. I don't know what to do about that either. I am so screwed in many ways.
Hugs,
Maxime
> That sucks.
>
> I did well once on a remeron SSRI combination. I have mentioned it to doctors thousands of times, but they all ask something like: "have you tried zyprexa?"
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:51:21
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ??? » linkadge, posted by JaneB on September 18, 2005, at 19:01:56
A SSRi remeron combination was fairly effective.
I would like to try that again.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:55:54
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by Maxime on September 18, 2005, at 19:22:20
I am seeing a Dr. Singh in Kitchener. He is across from the grand river hospital. Nice enough, but he doesn't know me well enough. And cannot get to know me in 5 minautes.
He doesn't know that I am noncomplient with my meds.
He wouldn't believe me if I said that SSRI's made me feel worse in general.
Linkadge
Posted by iforgotmypassword on September 18, 2005, at 19:57:49
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:51:21
> A SSRi remeron combination was fairly effective.
>
> I would like to try that again.
>
> Linkadge
>
>strangely enough, i've been thinking of almost the same thing.
Posted by tecknohed on September 18, 2005, at 20:53:41
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:51:21
> A SSRi remeron combination was fairly effective.
>
> I would like to try that again.
>
> Linkadge
>
>
HiI'm pretty sure that Remeron (mirtazepine) is sometimes added to an SSRI to counteract sexual side effects so I would assume that particular combo would be feasible, if thats what you're asking?
Posted by alohashirt on September 18, 2005, at 21:15:35
In reply to Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 17:55:12
> Lets just say I found something that worked, from bits and pieces of old prescriptions.
>
> I am afraid to tell the doctor since I am sure he will probably get angry at not taking things as prescribed.
>
> But I was wondering has anyone else done this, told there doctor, and things went ok ?I would never in a million years be direct about this. I think in general doctors need to be the expert and the decision-maker. I'd try either, "This sounds odd, but my mate Ted is taking XXX and he says its changed his life. I'd really like to give it a try ... I know it's a long shot but could you please humor me?" or "When I lived in Idaho my prior pdoc got the best results with XXX"
Regarding "SSRIs don't work for me" I'd try "I can be forgetful so I typed up a list of what I had tried before and how they worked." then a list of teh SSRIs and the side-effects / lack of effect plus wellbutrin or other non-SSRI meds that haver been useful and then *let him see and articulate the pattern thats there in the data*
"Really Dr - they are all SSRIs - I doidn't knowe that. Are there any people whose depression isn't shifted by SSRIs? Does this mean they are untreatable?"
You have to let doctors be doctors is my theory. Just like managing your manager.
Posted by Schess81 on September 18, 2005, at 21:20:21
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ??? » linkadge, posted by tecknohed on September 18, 2005, at 20:53:41
Yeah, I'm on 80mg prozac and just went up to 30mg remeron. I guess its not an uncommon combo if you're "treatment resistant" lol. I wish I could give the combibation glowing reviews, but like I said I just went up to 30 on the remeron and I'll have to wait and see. I'm even thinking about talking to my Dr about switching out prozac for effexor if I'm not much better in 2 weeks.
Posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2005, at 22:08:29
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by Schess81 on September 18, 2005, at 21:20:21
Link, if you have the meds than try it. Do you have enough to last until you can tell if it's working? If it is I can't imagine a doctor not letting you continue. None are supposedly habit forming. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by john berk on September 19, 2005, at 13:38:30
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by Phillipa on September 18, 2005, at 22:08:29
Hi Link!
I totally agree with Phillipa, if it works, and it was originaly prescribed, i feel your doctor should welcome that, if not, i personally would find another doctor to prescribe what seems to be working!!! we as consumers should have the right to try different combo's, at least IMHO, it is so hard finding something that works, i say go for it....john!!! good luck!!
Posted by linkadge on September 19, 2005, at 15:27:40
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by john berk on September 19, 2005, at 13:38:30
The combo wasn't prescribed by him, so I am a little leary of telling him about trying drugs that he didn't give me.
The problem is that if I brought it up in a different way I think he would be less inclined to let me continue.
Linkadge
Posted by Joslynn on September 20, 2005, at 9:05:04
In reply to Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 17:55:12
I haven't read all the posts, so maybe you answered this, but if something is expired, it could make you sick. My spendthrift grandmother took expired antibiotics and ended up with a case of dysentary(sp?) after taking them for a while. I don't know if other meds are like that but I would be careful if they are expired. Good luck.
Posted by Joslynn on September 20, 2005, at 9:09:32
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:51:21
I'm on SSRI/Remeron combo. That is my best combo, though often I have just done the SSRI because I was paranoid about a small weight gain. Now I am back on that combo. My pdoc was the one who recommended it back when I was severely depressed (with some anxiety in there too). It seems to work for me. I wonder why your docs think it is odd and keeps suggesting other things. I don't think it's some bizarre combo.
Posted by john berk on September 20, 2005, at 13:45:15
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 18:28:39
LINK, I AM BEGINNING TO BELEIVE THE DRUG REPS ARE CALLING MORE OF THE SHOTS THAN WE SUPPOSE!!
OOPS, I'M SHOUTING!!
they push zyprexa so much, lilly wants it out there so bad, i just read they found zyprexa is not even as good as the anti-psychotics from the 50's!! just less tardive, which of course is an adcvancement, but you, the consumer, especially with your knowlege of meds, [and i'm sure your doc knows you are up on things] should be making the big decisions!!! hope i'm not ranting, i hope things work out well link,,,john
Posted by ed_uk on September 20, 2005, at 15:27:55
In reply to is it expired?, posted by Joslynn on September 20, 2005, at 9:05:04
>Are doctors usually ok with this ???
In my experience......... no :-(
~ed
Posted by linkadge on September 20, 2005, at 15:59:05
In reply to Re: is it expired?, posted by ed_uk on September 20, 2005, at 15:27:55
I just don't know what is up with doctors.
Linkadge
Posted by felicity77 on September 21, 2005, at 15:18:49
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by linkadge on September 18, 2005, at 19:55:54
Hey
In my opinion, you should totally tell your doctor. You want his help and support. If he doesnt understand and doesnt listen to you when you tell him what makes you feel good, then he's not the doctor you want anyway. Under no circumstances would I ever recommend doing things by yourself without the advice of a physician. A lot of people seem disgruntled with their physicians. Well, that is a good reason to find another one. I'm probably totally biased, because Im just finishing medical school, but there are a million really great doctors out there. I know I couldnt have finished school without mine. Ive been to hell and back, and yes, sometimes was not compliant, but I always told him, and we went from there. If he doesnt get it, he doesnt deserve to be taking care of you.
Good luck, Im glad you are feeling better, and I think you should totally let your doctor in on your discoveries...after all, his goal should also be for you to be well!
felicity
Posted by linkadge on September 21, 2005, at 16:07:14
In reply to Re: Are doctors usually ok with this ???, posted by felicity77 on September 21, 2005, at 15:18:49
I don't mean any offence, but I know that doctors simply don't know my own body the way I do.
You learn the ropes of these medications sooner or later much better than the person who is prescribing them.
Some of the only things that have ever worked for me, were ones that were found by listening to my body, and tinkering around.
I would not mind it if he was simply upset at the tinkering but happy at the find.
The best insight to the condition is usually that of the patient.
If I listened to what doctors told me, I'd be taking
celexa, lithium, depakote, zyprexa, clonazepam and cotentin every day.
I don't think so.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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