In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Gabrielle Giffords  and her husband Mark Kelly have made a few appearances lately, telling their story of bravery and determination following the horrific shooting in January that left Giffords near death.  Giffords’ has made a near miraculous recovery, due in large part to a hefty dose of luck, and the determination of those around her, . . . → Read More: In Sickness and In Health . . . Lessons Learned From My Patients

Is It Worth It To Stop Your Medicine? . . . Only Time Will Tell

I have finally reached a situationally stable period of time in my life, and asked my Dr about reducing my meds. I was taking so many – 300 mg Buproprion, 1500 mg Valproic Acid, 600 mg Carbamazepine, 1 mg Clonazepam, 600 mg Seroquel, and 200 mg Lamotrigine. Ee gad! I have been diagnosed Schizoaffective,or . . . → Read More: Is It Worth It To Stop Your Medicine? . . . Only Time Will Tell

Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life

I have been taken aback with the number of severe comments I have gotten from people who have had such a difficult time with Klonopin and other benzodiazepines over the years.  In my practice, it has a central role in symptoms relief for many people with generalized and panic anxiety.  When starting them, they always . . . → Read More: Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life

Waiting to get better . . . What are YOU waiting for???

” . . . . soooooooooo doc . . . when is this medicine going to kick in . . . ?”

“NOW!!!!”

Oh, that it was so easy.  The above question is misplaced, however.  Over and over I meet with patients who are on various medications that are shifted and moved and changed and . . . → Read More: Waiting to get better . . . What are YOU waiting for???

Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

Getting started on medicine is a relatively easy decision.  When folks come in to see me, things are not going well.  Be it depression or anxiety or an out of control kid who is going to fail third grade, they want help . . . like NOW.  I will be the first to admit that . . . → Read More: Patience . . . Patients . . . Stay On Your Medicine Till You Talk To Your Doctor . . . PLEASE!!!

So Where Has The Doctor Been??? . . . Some Personal Reflections on Depression, Health and Life In General

I had a few responses to my blarticle on providing TMS to patients in the Philadelphia area.  I actually thought there would be more . . . but articles on Vyvanse, Klonopin and Lamictal reign supreme . . . more on that another time.  Let’s start with two viewpoints and then I will get personal . . . → Read More: So Where Has The Doctor Been??? . . . Some Personal Reflections on Depression, Health and Life In General

MANIFESTO DELLA FAMIGLIA–May Peace Reign Supreme In This House

In the hustle and bustle of family life, it is inevitable that conflicts and arguments will occur from time to time.  The more kids you have, the more this is likely just because of the sheer number of personalities involved (but small families are hardly immune!).  This can be particularly difficult to manage for “the . . . → Read More: MANIFESTO DELLA FAMIGLIA–May Peace Reign Supreme In This House

A Challenge . . .

I have long searched for new and different ways to settle my mind down and to remain centered and grounded.  In my work with people who are decidedly NOT grounded, it is imperative that I maintain my focus.  This is important not only for the welfare of my patients but also for my ongoing mental . . . → Read More: A Challenge . . .

Why Don't I Get Better When All I Do Is Medicine?

I am not bipolar but am on 200 mg of Lamictal and 50 mg of Zoloft.  I have tried many meds and I never feel good.  I have read alot and done alot of research.  I have found that there is no proof of chemical imbalances or that these meds work better than a placebo. . . . → Read More: Why Don't I Get Better When All I Do Is Medicine?

Driving Miss Daisy . . . aka watch what your doin' with them meds!

So . . . I got in my car the other day and, much like every other day, put on my blindfold and sped off to work . . . 

“WHAT?????” you might be rightfully saying . . . “put on your blindfold and started driving?????” . . . “you CRAZY!!!”

Well, of COURSE I . . . → Read More: Driving Miss Daisy . . . aka watch what your doin' with them meds!