Posted by methinks on March 11, 2003, at 12:46:43
Greetings all,
I have lurked here for some time and finally decided to post. I am male, 51, and have a long history of depression and anxiety. I have taken numerous antidepressants over the years, but have eventually quit all of them due to intolerable side effects. I am currently taking Sam-e 400 mg/day and Ativan 1 mg/twice a day and have been doing well. However, I now cannot find a doctor (I have seen three general practitioners and one psychiatrist) who will prescribe the Ativan long term because it is a controlled substance and potentially addictive. They want to put me on Paxil or another SSRI which for me result in sexual dysfunction.
In the year or so that I have been reading posts here I have come across several posters who seem to be taking Ativan and other benzos on a long term basis, apparently successfully. I am wondering what one has to do to be prescribed Ativan long term? I live in Florida. Is the Controlled Substance Act somehow more strict here (due to state laws) than in other states? All this expensive doctor shopping and the threat of not being able to get a beneficial, affordable medication has significantly increased my anxiety which will soon drive me back into depression! Thanks to all who respond.
poster:methinks
thread:208067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030310/msgs/208067.html