Comments for The Sidewalk Psychiatrist http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com Practical Answers to Mental Health Questions Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:27:44 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Comment on The Shortage Of Adderall . . . and the scramble for solutions by JAS http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/the-shortage-of-adderall-and-the-scramble-for-solutions/#comment-1109 JAS Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:27:44 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=520#comment-1109 This is all well and good for someone with ADHD. I am a psychologist with severe narcolepsy. Without Dexedrine, I cannot stay awake. I cannot drive. I cannot work. No other stimulant has worked for me. This is a very serious issue. This is all well and good for someone with ADHD. I am a psychologist with severe narcolepsy. Without Dexedrine, I cannot stay awake. I cannot drive. I cannot work. No other stimulant has worked for me. This is a very serious issue.

]]> Comment on Pollyanna waves the pom-poms by db http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/pollyanna-waves-the-pom-poms/#comment-1108 db Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:47:53 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=244#comment-1108 I feel better when I think positive thoughts. It's not always the easiest thing to do, though. I feel better when I think positive thoughts. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, though.

]]> Comment on Klonopin is “Bad” and YOU are “Bad” for Even Thinking About It by LMR http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/klonopin-is-bad-and-you-are-bad-for-even-thinking-about-it/#comment-1107 LMR Wed, 11 Jan 2012 13:46:41 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=503#comment-1107 Kelly, I feel for you. We are in a similar situation. My husband is a business owner and was medically prescribed Klonopin (4mg/day for 6 years) and various other prescriptions (Ambien, Soma) to help him sleep and help with his anxiety and assit in the treatment of his fibromyalgia. He has only ever taken the medicines prescribed to him, as prescribed. Over the past year his anxiety has become unmanageable: resting rapid heart of 120 bpm for hours, adreneline rushes, nausea, high cortisol, etc. He believes that these symptoms may be related to the long term use of the medicines and has decided he wants to begin a SLOW withdrawal. It is hard to find the right support network that isn't treating him like he's "bad" or an abuser... instead, as someone who was following directions and wants to come off of a prescription that is difficult. We recognize there are underlying anxiety issues as well that need to be treated, but right now his focus is only on the Klonopin....and his anxiety is mostly centered on the Klonopin, and process of withdrawal. I am so sad that society and even medical professionals don't think about the person without jumping to a conclusion about why they are on a drug or why they want to come off. Best of luck, in whatever you choose. Kelly, I feel for you. We are in a similar situation. My husband is a business owner and was medically prescribed Klonopin (4mg/day for 6 years) and various other prescriptions (Ambien, Soma) to help him sleep and help with his anxiety and assit in the treatment of his fibromyalgia. He has only ever taken the medicines prescribed to him, as prescribed. Over the past year his anxiety has become unmanageable: resting rapid heart of 120 bpm for hours, adreneline rushes, nausea, high cortisol, etc. He believes that these symptoms may be related to the long term use of the medicines and has decided he wants to begin a SLOW withdrawal. It is hard to find the right support network that isn’t treating him like he’s “bad” or an abuser… instead, as someone who was following directions and wants to come off of a prescription that is difficult. We recognize there are underlying anxiety issues as well that need to be treated, but right now his focus is only on the Klonopin….and his anxiety is mostly centered on the Klonopin, and process of withdrawal.
I am so sad that society and even medical professionals don’t think about the person without jumping to a conclusion about why they are on a drug or why they want to come off. Best of luck, in whatever you choose.

]]> Comment on The Shortage Of Adderall . . . and the scramble for solutions by John http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/the-shortage-of-adderall-and-the-scramble-for-solutions/#comment-1101 John Wed, 21 Dec 2011 06:24:38 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=520#comment-1101 My 13 year old son has been on adderall for a couple years now and here where we live none of the pharmacies have any and we went thru the long drawn out battle with most of the other stimulants please comr to a resolution and fast. My 13 year old son has been on adderall for a couple years now and here where we live none of the pharmacies have any and we went thru the long drawn out battle with most of the other stimulants please comr to a resolution and fast.

]]> Comment on MANIFESTO DELLA FAMIGLIA–May Peace Reign Supreme In This House by Marian http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/manifesto-della-famiglia-may-peace-reign-supreme-in-this-house/#comment-1085 Marian Thu, 24 Nov 2011 00:50:44 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=320#comment-1085 Hi Dr. Dan. I really enjoyed reading this.I have been in a similar situation and have been struggling with should I apologize but then I satop myself because I didn't do anything to them.I miss my family but do not feel compelled to do anything.Someday maybe.I should send this to them.Thank you for letting me read it.It was helpful. Hi Dr. Dan. I really enjoyed reading this.I have been in a similar situation and have been struggling with should I apologize but then I satop myself because I didn’t do anything to them.I miss my family but do not feel compelled to do anything.Someday maybe.I should send this to them.Thank you for letting me read it.It was helpful.

]]> Comment on Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life by doctordan http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/dancing-with-the-devil-or-how-did-i-allow-klonopin-or-ativan-or-xanax-to-rule-my-life/#comment-1059 doctordan Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:55:09 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=482#comment-1059 Jenny--Not to minimize the difficulties you had, but is banning a medicine that helps so many people really the answer? You should have been informed about the potential difficulties with the medicine . . . and the potential difficulties in getting off the medicine . . . before you started it. Hopefully you were. Another area of concern is the use of benzodiazepines with opiates (ie, Darvocet). Coming off both at the same time undoubtedly made it quadrupally more difficult. BTW, Darvocet has been pulled off the market in both the US and in Europe because of concerns about it. I hope that you have been able to get your feet back on the ground and are doing well. I may not agree with your cause . . . but I am glad you are using your voice. --DH MD Jenny–Not to minimize the difficulties you had, but is banning a medicine that helps so many people really the answer? You should have been informed about the potential difficulties with the medicine . . . and the potential difficulties in getting off the medicine . . . before you started it. Hopefully you were. Another area of concern is the use of benzodiazepines with opiates (ie, Darvocet). Coming off both at the same time undoubtedly made it quadrupally more difficult. BTW, Darvocet has been pulled off the market in both the US and in Europe because of concerns about it.

I hope that you have been able to get your feet back on the ground and are doing well. I may not agree with your cause . . . but I am glad you are using your voice.

–DH MD

]]> Comment on Dancing With The Devil . . . or . . . How Did I Allow Klonopin (or Ativan . . . or Xanax . . . ) To Rule My Life by Jenny http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/dancing-with-the-devil-or-how-did-i-allow-klonopin-or-ativan-or-xanax-to-rule-my-life/#comment-1056 Jenny Tue, 08 Nov 2011 04:27:15 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=482#comment-1056 My withdrawal from klonopin ruined my life. Was on it for five years. Also was taking Darvocet for severe fibromyalgia symtoms. I went off both at the same time after a dui because of my abusive marriage. Long story short--this drug should NOT be on the market. I was addicted to prescription drugs with no idea I was. I hope no one will go through the hell I've been to. Am on forum for FDA to ban Klonopin. Horrible drug!!!! My withdrawal from klonopin ruined my life. Was on it for five years. Also was taking Darvocet for severe fibromyalgia symtoms. I went off both at the same time after a dui because of my abusive marriage. Long story short–this drug should NOT be on the market. I was addicted to prescription drugs with no idea I was. I hope no one will go through the hell I’ve been to. Am on forum for FDA to ban Klonopin. Horrible drug!!!!

]]> Comment on My, Oh My, How Time Flies!!! Getting Off Antidepressants After Accidentally Taking Them For A Decade by doctordan http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/my-oh-my-how-time-flies-getting-off-antidepressants-after-accidentally-taking-them-for-a-decade/#comment-1051 doctordan Sun, 06 Nov 2011 12:35:57 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=451#comment-1051 Wendy--Your situation is not unique. Lots of folks on too much medicine and hoping to be on less. Take a look at the November 6, 2011 blog posting for a more detailed answer to your question. Hope all is well. --DH MD Wendy–Your situation is not unique. Lots of folks on too much medicine and hoping to be on less. Take a look at the November 6, 2011 blog posting for a more detailed answer to your question. Hope all is well.

–DH MD

]]> Comment on The Shortage Of Adderall . . . and the scramble for solutions by Cliff http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/the-shortage-of-adderall-and-the-scramble-for-solutions/#comment-1039 Cliff Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:30:19 +0000 http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/?p=520#comment-1039 I had to drive 30 miles to a pharmacy to get my Ritalin based ADHD medication on the 23rd of October. The pharmacist at my local pharmacy informed me there was a shortage, and that i should go right away to the pharmacy that had this medicine in stock. He could not offer any reasoning for the shortage, and didn't even know when they would get the meds in stock again. I feel sorry for Elementary school teachers in Virginia =) I had to drive 30 miles to a pharmacy to get my Ritalin based ADHD medication on the 23rd of October. The pharmacist at my local pharmacy informed me there was a shortage, and that i should go right away to the pharmacy that had this medicine in stock. He could not offer any reasoning for the shortage, and didn’t even know when they would get the meds in stock again. I feel sorry for Elementary school teachers in Virginia =)

]]> Comment on Riddle me this . . . by doctordan http://www.thesidewalkpsychiatrist.com/riddle-me-this/#comment-1024 doctordan Sat, 08 Oct 2011 13:13:16 +0000 http://thesidewalkpsychiatrist.wordpress.com/?p=434#comment-1024 Katrina--just keep going back to visit that place. What you will find it that it is easier to find and will likely last a little longer every time you visit. Everyone needs a refuge from the storm. Perhaps you have found one. Katrina–just keep going back to visit that place. What you will find it that it is easier to find and will likely last a little longer every time you visit. Everyone needs a refuge from the storm. Perhaps you have found one.

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