Posted by cybercafe on July 24, 2002, at 20:46:52
In reply to Re: frustration - the medical monopoly » Elizabeth, posted by Alan on July 23, 2002, at 15:54:47
> I wish that I could offer some advice. I can only offer empathy because of a system that is really broken when you examine it with any scrutiny at all. Individual cases are treated with no respect for the individual much of the time. Hence your feelings re: loss of your individual freedom I suspect.
Alan -- I have had the same problem with benzodiazpines and used to feel the same way you did
I even had docs try to give me antipsychotics from the '60s instead...
but as I have tried attending support groups, I have come to learn that there are really quite a lot of patients out there that abuse benzodiazepines. Admittedly perhaps this wouldn't happen if they had decent access to the health system -- but that is the health ministry's, not the psychiatrist's, fault. There are quite a few patients out there that just don't feel like dealing with the day and so they take 20 pills so they can sleep through it. This just doesn't seem like the best solution to me -- I'm thinking antipsychotics might be a nicer way to sleep the day away (i.e. non-addictive).
.. having said that... i also find that most docs are open to perscribing benzos if you're an aggressive type with a career that you aren't going to risk with overdosing or if you know enough about medication to make it seem like you are interested in getting better -- not just in numbing the pain with no concept of long term consequences ...
obviously your experiences weren't quite as positive ... but i would like to believe that if i was able to present a decent case to every family doctor i saw and get benzos, you would be able to as well.....
.... i don't see anything unreasonable about the "i'd like to take benzos, but if you've got a better idea i'd be happy to hear it" attitude...
i dunno man, i eventually became anti-benzo, after 2 or 3 years i gradually had to increase my dose :( .... now i'm a pseudo-salesman for gabapentin (hmm.. i wonder if they're hiring?)
poster:cybercafe
thread:112998
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113591.html