G.P's and anti-anxiety meds

mr_fegelien · 22-08-2019 12:48PM #1

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 · 22-08-2019 01:02PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:02PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:11PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:18PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:18PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:20PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:22PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:31PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:39PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:40PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:42PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:43PM

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 · 22-08-2019 01:55PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:10PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:12PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:13PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:17PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:24PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:30PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:34PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:48PM

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 · 22-08-2019 02:54PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:00PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:32PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:34PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:40PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:44PM

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 · 22-08-2019 03:52PM

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

Obvious Desperate Breakfasts · 22-08-2019 04:53PM

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 · 22-08-2019 04:54PM

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.

G.P's and anti-anxiety meds

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