G.P's and anti-anxiety meds

mr_fegelien

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

corner of hells

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

It's just Drogheda , maybe try a psych. in Dublin.

Larbre34

You answered your own question.

Docs won't give out valium or xanax on request, mostly just if there has been a severe incident, a personal shock or severe phobic situation like fear of flying.

More likely they will prescribe a long term SSRI with monitored dosage and a supervised suite of treatment to reduce levels of anxiety over time.

Benzos are bad news, give em a wide berth.

Sardonicat

Larbre34 wrote: »

You answered your own question.

Docs won't give out valium or xanax on request, mostly just if there has been a severe incident, a personal shock or severe phobic situation like fear of flying.

More likely they will prescribe a long term SSRI with monitored dosage and a supervised suite of treatment to reduce levels of anxiety over time.

Benzos are bad news, give em a wide berth.

This. Short term use in situations where a person has been psychologically injured and needs to calm down and be able to rest mentally til their equilibrium has returned . In these circumstances benzos used correctly can prevent mental health spiralling downwards. But for longer than 5-7 days? Bad news.

Anxiety is very treatable with different types of therapies .

kneemos

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

They have guidelines to follow I believe,its out if their hands.
They can only prescribe codeine once I think.

Abel Ruiz

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

FFS.
I feel sorry for anyone working in Medicine.
A lot of the public are so braindead.

BrokenArrows

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

Try walking around any major city in the USA. Junkies literally everywhere. Especially west coast.

mr_fegelien

Sardonicat wrote: »

This. Short term use in situations where a person has been psychologically injured and needs to calm down and be able to rest mentally til their equilibrium has returned . In these circumstances benzos used correctly can prevent mental health spiralling downwards. But for longer than 5-7 days? Bad news.

Anxiety is very treatable with different types of therapies .

I don't have anxiety but moreso agitation.

I do agree though because I was prescribed 60 tablets of xanax by my G.P. and it ****ed me up. Didn't get any seizures but have had extreme agitation ever since....get extremely mad at just hearing an unclosed tap dripping

Sardonicat

mr_fegelien wrote: »

I don't have anxiety but moreso agitation.

I do agree though because I was prescribed 60 tablets of xanax by my G.P. and it ****ed me up. Didn't get any seizures but have had extreme agitation ever since....get extremely mad at just hearing an unclosed tap dripping

Do you mean you're agitated since coming off the xanax?

mr_fegelien

Sardonicat wrote: »

Do you mean you're agitated since coming off the xanax?

Yes, it's hard to describe but I get less sleep (only 6 hours) than I did, feel tired during the day, very angry, racing thoughts. The only thing that relieves it is codeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Sardonicat

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Yes, it's hard to describe but I get less sleep (only 6 hours) than I did, feel tired during the day, very angry, racing thoughts. The only thing that relieves it is codeine, nicotine, or alcohol.

Oh that sounds rough! How long ago did you stop taking xanax?

endacl

Sardonicat wrote: »

Oh that sounds rough! How long ago did you stop taking xanax?

I’m going to guess about a day before he opened his account on here.

mr_fegelien

Sardonicat wrote: »

Oh that sounds rough! How long ago did you stop taking xanax?

Back in 2017. Got a huge prescription for them before I went to L.A. then got addicted and when I came back, forged some. Got around 300 tablets of diazepam/xanax and was taking them like smarties. Stopped when I got cautioned for the forgery.

I only noticed the intense withdrawals when I stopped all other psych meds as well (antipsychotic seroquel, antidepressant prozac).

Sardonicat

We're you taken off the other meds or did you just stop? I'm not judging you, you sound like you got stuck in a rough place. Just wandering if it wouldn't be more beneficial to get evalualatef by a psych team and have the correct medication regime.

It sounds like you are struggling and are desperately trying to self medicate. Taking codeine through OTC painkillers to the amount you require to calm down is gonna really mess up your liver and you're using drink as well. Honestly, please get some help. This won't end well and you deserve to be in a calm and stable frame of mind.

Graces7

Sardonicat wrote: »

We're you taken off the other meds or did you just stop? I'm not judging you, you sound like you got stuck in a rough place. Just wandering if it wouldn't be more beneficial to get evalualatef by a psych team and have the correct medication regime.

It sounds like you are struggling and are desperately trying to self medicate. Taking codeine through OTC painkillers to the amount you require to calm down is gonna really mess up your liver and you're using drink as well. Honestly, please get some help. This won't end well and you deserve to be in a calm and stable frame of mind.

agree totally. No one should ever just stop benzos. Need to taper off. I took a full year with excellent support from a UK group called " Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction" and an online forum called "Benzo Island" after being on wrongly prescribed benzos for decades. Even with that care I was left with atypical facial neuralgia for 15 years.

Benzos are bad news. VERY bad news. Unless less than 6 days.

And yes, get some real help, please. Could you get into a good rehab place? White Oaks in Donegal? You would get strong supportive expert help there; I checked it out for a friend years ago. Rather than turning to other drugs. I stayed off even basic painkillers for years after that. When your system is clean, you will feel better.

Graces7

Sardonicat wrote: »

We're you taken off the other meds or did you just stop? I'm not judging you, you sound like you got stuck in a rough place. Just wandering if it wouldn't be more beneficial to get evalualatef by a psych team and have the correct medication regime.

It sounds like you are struggling and are desperately trying to self medicate. Taking codeine through OTC painkillers to the amount you require to calm down is gonna really mess up your liver and you're using drink as well. Honestly, please get some help. This won't end well and you deserve to be in a calm and stable frame of mind.

NB re solpadeine ; the paracetamol alone will destroy your liver. PLEASE get help?

weldoninhio

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Back in 2017. Got a huge prescription for them before I went to L.A. then got addicted and when I came back, forged some. Got around 300 tablets of diazepam/xanax and was taking them like smarties. Stopped when I got cautioned for the forgery.

I only noticed the intense withdrawals when I stopped all other psych meds as well (antipsychotic seroquel, antidepressant prozac).

Well I, for one, have non idea why your new doctor wouldn't give you benzos

4068ac1elhodqr

Hasn't the US's life expectancy actually decreased/reversed because of big Pharma pushing distribution of these?
(Some legal cases may be pending).

To say it's not visable there (in US) may be incorrect, many regions have been devastated, crime and thus incarceration both massive issues.

mr_fegelien

Graces7 wrote: »

NB re solpadeine ; the paracetamol alone will destroy your liver. PLEASE get help?

No, its Nurofen Plus that only has ibuprofen + codeine so much much less toxic. Only causes mild gastro-intestinal issues though can cause acute renal failure in some people.

Dannyriver

mr_fegelien wrote: »

No, its Nurofen Plus that only has ibuprofen + codeine so much much less toxic. Only causes mild gastro-intestinal issues though can cause acute renal failure in some people.

Talk to a therapist in conjunction with a GP best of luck with it.

blackwhite

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Back in 2017. Got a huge prescription for them before I went to L.A. then got addicted and when I came back, forged some. Got around 300 tablets of diazepam/xanax and was taking them like smarties. Stopped when I got cautioned for the forgery.

I only noticed the intense withdrawals when I stopped all other psych meds as well (antipsychotic seroquel, antidepressant prozac).

There's a chance that a "be aware of" type notice has been circulated to local GPs by the HSE or the Gardaí as a result of being stopped with a forged script.

A family member works as a GP and these notifications aren't unusual.

mr_fegelien

blackwhite wrote: »

There's a chance that a "be aware of" type notice has been circulated to local GPs by the HSE or the Gardaí as a result of being stopped with a forged script.

A family member works as a GP and these notifications aren't unusual.

What do you mean?

AFAIK, Ireland doesn't have a computerized database of prescriptions which would have certainly stopped me from forging like they do in the States.

America has had such an issue with forgery that they made it a serious offense, moreso than stealing candy from a store. It's impossible to fill forged prescriptions there anymore.

Mad_maxx

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? Saw a new psych in Drogheda and when I mentioned them you could tell the look on his face.

They are no doubt addictive but making them harder to get doesn't help anyone, it creates a black market for them. Is it any surprise we have so many visible junkies and drug selling in Dublin?

Some relatives of mine in the States can get things way easier (though less so after the opioid epidemic). They have an issue with addiction in America as well but unlike here, it's not visible in every street you walk on.

Not limited to anxiety meds, the prevailing attitude amongst the Irish medical community is that suffering is good for the soul

I suffer with chronic pain and have to tediously argue for pain meds every time I'm in with them, same boring lecture about addiction

We often hear about Americans being over medicated, it's the other end of the spectrum here, it's far too difficult to get adequate medication, paracetamol doesn't even fix a bad headache

blackwhite

mr_fegelien wrote: »

What do you mean?

AFAIK, Ireland doesn't have a computerized database of prescriptions which would have certainly stopped me from forging like they do in the States.

America has had such an issue with forgery that they made it a serious offense, moreso than stealing candy from a store. It's impossible to fill forged prescriptions there anymore.

Warning notices can be circulated to GPs and pharmacists in an area if the HSE believe there is an individual looking to obtain inappropriate prescriptions.

Being caught with a forgery is something that could lead to them circulating such a warning notice.

Blaming the system for your own choices doesn't sound like you've made much progress tbh - and may be another indicator of why a GP was reluctant to issue a script

Graces7

kneemos wrote: »

They have guidelines to follow I believe,its out if their hands.
They can only prescribe codeine once I think.

#

Not true. There are guidelines but evaluation of patient need comes first/

I hit the "guidelines" when I first moved here and when I found they had nor sent for my notes I contacted my previous GP; codeine is the only med that touches severe nerve pain for me. Immediately it was reinstated.

Drs would not allow their clinical skill and judgement to be compromised. NB codeine is available OTC also.

Graces7

mr_fegelien wrote: »

No, its Nurofen Plus that only has ibuprofen + codeine so much much less toxic. Only causes mild gastro-intestinal issues though can cause acute renal failure in some people.

Ok but still not OK. :rolleyes: Boots have their own cheaper version also . Codeine is toxic . It is s strong and serious drug and needs care.

Graces7

Mad_maxx wrote: »

Not limited to anxiety meds, the prevailing attitude amongst the Irish medical community is that suffering is good for the soul

I suffer with chronic pain and have to tediously argue for pain meds every time I'm in with them, same boring lecture about addiction

We often hear about Americans being over medicated, it's the other end of the spectrum here, it's far too difficult to get adequate medication, paracetamol doesn't even fix a bad headache

Drs have to be careful and warn. And there are many variations of OTC pain relief, including patches etc

There are huge dangers in overmedicating and over prescribing.

Graces7

mr_fegelien wrote: »

What do you mean?

AFAIK, Ireland doesn't have a computerized database of prescriptions which would have certainly stopped me from forging like they do in the States.

America has had such an issue with forgery that they made it a serious offense, moreso than stealing candy from a store. It's impossible to fill forged prescriptions there anymore.

when was this? In recent years every time I took a scrip in the pharmacy checked on the computer when I last had a scrip and they send a copy each time to the GP also. If they were concerned, they would call the surgery.

Sardonicat

OP, was it your own decision to come off the antipsychotic and anti depressant or was that medical decision?

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

You can get dependent on them and need more and more of them to get an effect off them.

However if you have a terminal illness like me, it’s a free-for-all. I’m currently in possession of over 100 Xanax pills. They’re basically impossible to OD on though so that’s not something that doctors worry about really.

Wibbs

Lucia Odd Hairstyle wrote: »

Hasn't the US's life expectancy actually decreased/reversed because of big Pharma pushing distribution of these?
(Some legal cases may be pending).

"Big pharma" is only one part of the issue with the fcuked up US medical business. One issue is that people end up on painkillers because their insurance, if they have it, won't always cover other therapies and surgeries that could cure or reduce the pain, but their insurance will cover the pain meds, for a time anyway. I knew one American who came to live here after he married a local and that had been his problem. In Ireland he got different therapies and an operation and didn't need the painkillers any more to nearly the same degree. He knew two others like that. For all the problems the Irish health service has, we should thank our lucky stars it's not the American system. A system which can make multimillionaires of doctors and is great if you're wealthy, but otherwise it's scarily inadequate.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Wibbs wrote: »

"Big pharma" is only one part of the issue with the fcuked up US medical business. One issue is that people end up on painkillers because their insurance, if they have it, won't always cover other therapies and surgeries that could cure or reduce the pain, but their insurance will cover the pain meds, for a time anyway. I knew one American who came to live here after he married a local and that had been his problem. In Ireland he got different therapies and an operation and didn't need the painkillers any more to nearly the same degree. He knew two others like that. For all the problems the Irish health service has, we should thank our lucky stars it's not the American system. A system which can make multimillionaires of doctors and is great if you're wealthy, but otherwise it's scarily inadequate.

Yeah but on the other hand, for some advanced cancer patients, fentanyl is the only painkiller that works for them (many painkillers are like that - work for some and not for others) and they have to endure people thinking that they are just a druggie when they are just trying to kill a pain that no operation will fix.

Wesser

presription benzo s are a slippery slope which can lead to further addictions. thousands of americans dying due to over liberal.prescribing practices. Thank god due to tight prescribing practices of irish doctors we do not have this problem to anywhere near the same level.

boombang

My mother is a UK GP that just complete a few weeks' work in an Irish practice down the country. She was really concerned with the over-liberal prescribing of such meds. She said the use was way higher than typical in her old practice in the UK. She said it leads to dependency problems and often isn't dealing with the underlying cause. Then just think of the huge cost to the HSE.

Graces7

Wesser wrote: »

presription benzo s are a slippery slope which can lead to further addictions. thousands of americans dying due to over liberal.prescribing practices. Thank god due to tight prescribing practices of irish doctors we do not have this problem to anywhere near the same level.

I made the decision to get off all meds myself after reading and research and finally being correctly diagnosed. The UK Gps were still sending me out prescriptions, benzos etc like smarties

when I came to Ireland I was on no meds but when pain levels got really too much that had to change. I supervise myself carefully having once been caught into addiction. Pain control is essential .

Wesser

absolutely...pain killers are essential! but benzos are not painkillers!

brevity

Lexapro seems to be the main drug prescribed for Anxiety. It’s an SSRI, I think.

Graces7

Wesser wrote: »

absolutely...pain killers are essential! but benzos are not painkillers!

I know! :rolleyes: I was referring to codeine which is addictive . In the US codeine has led on to hard drugs as it is an opiate.

When I met the GP here the first time his chant was " I will prescribe paracetamol. I will not prescribe opiates. " That went on until months later I contacted my former retired GP whereupon the codeine started flowing.

Sardonicat

Graces7 wrote: »

I know! :rolleyes: I was referring to codeine which is addictive . In the US codeine has led on to hard drugs as it is an opiate.

When I met the GP here the first time his chant was " I will prescribe paracetamol. I will not prescribe opiates. " That went on until months later I contacted my former retired GP whereupon the codeine started flowing.

You don't need a GP to prescribe either.

fryup

mr_fegelien wrote: »

Why are G.P.'s, psychiatrists so stingy with them? .

well thats not my experience, my GP writes out prescrips like they were smarties

mr_fegelien

mr_fegelien wrote: »

No, its Nurofen Plus that only has ibuprofen + codeine so much much less toxic. Only causes mild gastro-intestinal issues though can cause acute renal failure in some people.

****s your kidneys up and increased risk of a cardiovascular risk. Be careful mate.

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts wrote: »

You can get dependent on them and need more and more of them to get an effect off them.

However if you have a terminal illness like me, it’s a free-for-all. I’m currently in possession of over 100 Xanax pills. They’re basically impossible to OD on though so that’s not something that doctors worry about really.

This is wrong. Xanax is a short acting benzodiazepine. It causes an intense calming effect that is short lived. Risk of aspiration/seizure from withdrawal is real with high doses

scamalert

fryup wrote: »

well thats not my experience, my GP writes out prescrips like they were smarties

wait till you get cut off - wont be the same story.


benzos mess with gaba a, while they help to mask anxiety and is crucial to people who cant manage it otherwise, but its double edge, on one hand it provides quality of life to those that suffer immediately and with little side effects. But long term it makes condition worse.


as with all drugs its generally safe for those that need it, but since its pop culture now in almost every US tv show movie, and go to choice used as comedown of other drugs plus abusing them, has led to insane tight controls across EU.
things would be fine but its not something one can drop after years of usage in any safe way possible, as gaba neurons get fried beyond return and cant make it in brains.


in theory its easier to get off heroin or meth, then benzos. as benzo damage could last years, as opposed to sweating out 2-4 weeks to be clean and functional.

I have been taking Xanax for years. Not everyday or even every week. Maybe a few times a month or less for specific stress situations.
Have seen people who have developed a dependency on them. I can't get on a flight without taking Xanax though.
Am bipolar, so under care of a psychiatrist and take a few different meds.

fryup

in theory its easier to get off heroin or meth, then benzos. as benzo damage could last years, as opposed to sweating out 2-4 weeks to be clean and functional.

is Prozac similar?

scamalert

fryup wrote: »

is Prozac similar?

^^SSRI, antidepresant of some sort takes weeks to kick in. benzos are almost immediate.

fryup

but coming off SSRI's can be tough too

Sardonicat

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I have been taking Xanax for years. Not everyday or even every week. Maybe a few times a month or less for specific stress situations.
Have seen people who have developed a dependency on them. I can't get on a flight without taking Xanax though.
Am bipolar, so under care of a psychiatrist and take a few different meds.

You obviously use them carefully and follow medical advice. There's nothing wrong with that and obviously the Xanax helps you deal with difficult situations and stops you from becoming overwhelmed. Unfortunately, not everyone is able, or willing, to limit their use to when it's necessary.

scamalert

scamalert wrote: »

^^SSRI, antidepresant of some sort takes weeks to kick in. benzos are almost immediate.

Xanax reaches its peak 1 hour after you take it and the effects can last up to 8hrs.

Bonniedog

Benzos seem to work short term for people coming down off serious drinking. Doctors won't keep prescribing them though so a series of relapses could leave someone in serious trouble - either being put under direct medical care, or opting to buy them on street. No idea of how they get them, but sale of benzos by dealers was big thing in Dublin 5/6 years ago. Not sure about now. Worked with person who used to get them there after drinking herself silly and coming down. Nasty scene to get into.

Graces7

scamalert wrote: »

wait till you get cut off - wont be the same story.


benzos mess with gaba a, while they help to mask anxiety and is crucial to people who cant manage it otherwise, but its double edge, on one hand it provides quality of life to those that suffer immediately and with little side effects. But long term it makes condition worse.


as with all drugs its generally safe for those that need it, but since its pop culture now in almost every US tv show movie, and go to choice used as comedown of other drugs plus abusing them, has led to insane tight controls across EU.
things would be fine but its not something one can drop after years of usage in any safe way possible, as gaba neurons get fried beyond return and cant make it in brains.


in theory its easier to get off heroin or meth, then benzos. as benzo damage could last years, as opposed to sweating out 2-4 weeks to be clean and functional.

wise words. I took a full year to get off Valium. Crumb by slow crumb. small cut every 2-3 weeks.. I tried to hurry the last stages and developed sudden excruciating one sided head pains that literally felled me to my knees. That developed into atypical facial neuralgia attacks lasting three days that no meds ever touched... they lasted 15 years and if overstressed still get echoes well over 20 years on

Beware of benzos, please.

Oh the crunch for me was wen I was talking to the support group I was told that Valium produces suicidal thoughts...

Yep. it sure did.