Dreading winter

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

It is not unusual for a drug that was developed for one purpose to turn out to be useful for other conditions. Clonazepam is only one of many like that.

It is a commonly prescribed minor tranquilizer used at low doses to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. It is the least addictive of the benzodiazepenes.

I'm surprised your doctor doesn't know this.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

It is not unusual for a drug that was developed for one purpose to turn out to be useful for other conditions. Clonazepam is only one of many like that.

It is a commonly prescribed minor tranquilizer used at low doses to reduce anxiety and help with sleep. It is the least addictive of the benzodiazepenes.

I'm surprised your doctor doesn't know this.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

I think the problem lies in the fact my Doctor doesnt like using any of the benzodizepenes. As I said in my intro, I am allowed Valium when my aniexty is bad, but this is restricted to a few tablets for a very short time, If I do ask for somemore close to having had some he wont give them. There have also been times I have chatted to people who are on a certain anti depressant which has helped them, so I suggest it to my Doctor, what I usually get as a answer is,, I dont use that one so cannot prescribe it, or thats not suitable for you, or thats a new drug I havent use yet,,, I like my doctor because he does sit and listen to my problems and trys to help in other ways, and he is the best I have had, but I have found that Doctors in general dont like being asked by patients for specfic treatments.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

I think the problem lies in the fact my Doctor doesnt like using any of the benzodizepenes. As I said in my intro, I am allowed Valium when my aniexty is bad, but this is restricted to a few tablets for a very short time, If I do ask for somemore close to having had some he wont give them. There have also been times I have chatted to people who are on a certain anti depressant which has helped them, so I suggest it to my Doctor, what I usually get as a answer is,, I dont use that one so cannot prescribe it, or thats not suitable for you, or thats a new drug I havent use yet,,, I like my doctor because he does sit and listen to my problems and trys to help in other ways, and he is the best I have had, but I have found that Doctors in general dont like being asked by patients for specfic treatments.

 

[Retired]

Dreading winter.

my Doctor doesnt like using any of the benzodizepenes. As I said in my intro, I am allowed Valium when my aniexty is bad, but this is restricted to a few tablets for a very short time

You may wish to do a bit of research on benzodiazepines and have a conversation with your doctor. According to my understanding of the pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepines, if your doctor does not like prescribing them as a class, then diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) it's "cousin" would be the ones within that class of meds not to use.

Diazepam (along with chlordiazepoxide) has an extremely long half life and accumulates in the body causing drowsiness and lethargy. In addition diazepam has strong potential for drug/drug interactions.

If you need help for acute or situational anxiety, where you would take the medication as you need it, ask you doctor if a short acting benzodiazepine might be appropriate.

Your doctor may have very good reasons for prescribing in this manner, based on his/her clinical experience.

However by informing yourself about options, you can discuss these options with the doctor, become a partner in your health care and arrive at a solution that's best for you.

 

[Retired]

Dreading winter.

my Doctor doesnt like using any of the benzodizepenes. As I said in my intro, I am allowed Valium when my aniexty is bad, but this is restricted to a few tablets for a very short time

You may wish to do a bit of research on benzodiazepines and have a conversation with your doctor. According to my understanding of the pharmacokinetics of benzodiazepines, if your doctor does not like prescribing them as a class, then diazepam (Valium) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium) it's "cousin" would be the ones within that class of meds not to use.

Diazepam (along with chlordiazepoxide) has an extremely long half life and accumulates in the body causing drowsiness and lethargy. In addition diazepam has strong potential for drug/drug interactions.

If you need help for acute or situational anxiety, where you would take the medication as you need it, ask you doctor if a short acting benzodiazepine might be appropriate.

Your doctor may have very good reasons for prescribing in this manner, based on his/her clinical experience.

However by informing yourself about options, you can discuss these options with the doctor, become a partner in your health care and arrive at a solution that's best for you.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

become a partner in your health care and arrive at a solution that's best for you

Excellent advice for anyone, no matter what your medical or psychological concerns.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

become a partner in your health care and arrive at a solution that's best for you

Excellent advice for anyone, no matter what your medical or psychological concerns.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

That is such a good piece of advice, I just wish it where possible with all professionals, alot I have met seem to think they know best, they tell you what tablets your having and what help, and you have no say in the matter, its more like they have the knowledge and they know best, and your the patient you dont know alot so take what your given and shut up!! Sorry to sound so negative on this but it has been my experience recently with regards to my local mental health resource centre who like to have total control over YOUR situation, what you feel and what doesnt matter.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

That is such a good piece of advice, I just wish it where possible with all professionals, alot I have met seem to think they know best, they tell you what tablets your having and what help, and you have no say in the matter, its more like they have the knowledge and they know best, and your the patient you dont know alot so take what your given and shut up!! Sorry to sound so negative on this but it has been my experience recently with regards to my local mental health resource centre who like to have total control over YOUR situation, what you feel and what doesnt matter.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

From what I remember, the health system in England does have its drawbacks. I think it used to be that individuals were assigned a doctor and didn't really have the option of choosing another - is that still the case?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

From what I remember, the health system in England does have its drawbacks. I think it used to be that individuals were assigned a doctor and didn't really have the option of choosing another - is that still the case?

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

You supposed to be able to change, but it isnt that easy believe me, I know of people who have been left without a Doctor after asking to change. My main issue is with the mental health system here and not so much my General Practioner. In the mental health system here you have no choice at all, you are given a pyschriatrist,a psychologist,or a psychriatric social worker and what they say goes, you have no choice, you either do what they say or leave! Ive left after a big row about them not listening to me and not taking into account my needs and feelings about the support and help I need.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

You supposed to be able to change, but it isnt that easy believe me, I know of people who have been left without a Doctor after asking to change. My main issue is with the mental health system here and not so much my General Practioner. In the mental health system here you have no choice at all, you are given a pyschriatrist,a psychologist,or a psychriatric social worker and what they say goes, you have no choice, you either do what they say or leave! Ive left after a big row about them not listening to me and not taking into account my needs and feelings about the support and help I need.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

That seems to me to be a hopelessly barbaric way of running a health care system. Where does that leave you? What avenues are left to you to try to find other services?

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

That seems to me to be a hopelessly barbaric way of running a health care system. Where does that leave you? What avenues are left to you to try to find other services?

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

Mr Baxter,
At the moment its leaves me with nothing, I cant afford to pay privately, so I am stuck. It all changed a few years ago when they closed the big psychriatric hospitals, and brought it into the community, areas have their own resource centres for mental health, some are good but others not, but youve no choice but to go to the one in your area, and If problems occur your in trouble. I loved the big old hospitals the help there was always good, thats how Ive got by in the past. Because I stood up for my rights at my local mental health resource centre Ive been labelled by them UNCOOPERATIVE, just another label along with depressive, agrophobic etc.

 

[sister-ray]

Dreading winter.

Mr Baxter,
At the moment its leaves me with nothing, I cant afford to pay privately, so I am stuck. It all changed a few years ago when they closed the big psychriatric hospitals, and brought it into the community, areas have their own resource centres for mental health, some are good but others not, but youve no choice but to go to the one in your area, and If problems occur your in trouble. I loved the big old hospitals the help there was always good, thats how Ive got by in the past. Because I stood up for my rights at my local mental health resource centre Ive been labelled by them UNCOOPERATIVE, just another label along with depressive, agrophobic etc.

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

That is very sad. I really don't know what to tell you. It's not just sad, actually - it strikes me as unethical and immoral. But I don't know what you can do about it except try to finmd activist groups or somebody with a sympatheic ear who might have the authority to actually change something...

 

[David Baxter PhD]

Dreading winter.

That is very sad. I really don't know what to tell you. It's not just sad, actually - it strikes me as unethical and immoral. But I don't know what you can do about it except try to finmd activist groups or somebody with a sympatheic ear who might have the authority to actually change something...