I thought my doc would be supportive...

[FloridaBoy]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Im Almost There;307572 wrote: Thanks for the replies. Sometimes it is good just to know someone else is out there. I've been thinking about my appointment all day and I feel like my doctor just didn't want to get into anything personal with me. I sat there crying...It is sooooo hard to admit that I need help, and she just kept typing away on her laptop. ARG! Oh well, I like the suggestion about asking for topa as a migraine medication. I had thought about doing that first, but the truth is always the best policy...right?

:thanks:

Gee, just going to a Dr. is personal. That attitude would piss me off and I would find a Dr.
that has the time and inclination to listen and help. :soapbox:

[Ladyslipper]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

I discussed it with a Nurse Practitioner who appeared to be very receptive to the idea of topa but, of course, needed to discuss with the Dr - who I had only met once. Some young gal who I had no idea who she was called me a few days later from the office telling me how I should be going to AA & the Dr would want to arrange a visit with a psychologist etc etc......I was horrified. I told her I was terminating my relationship with the office immediately. I ordered topa on-line then. I found another Dr & during the 1st visit I was upfront & stated my case. Explained what I was doing & why & gave her the literature etc. Either we worked together or I would find a Dr that would. I am still seeing her. There are Drs that care.

[jinja]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

I went to a new doctor about a month ago to get a second opinion on my ADs. Also discussed the drinking as it pretty much cancels the effects of the ADs. She was very receptive ( she knew my GP & understood why I wanted another point of view - just constantly increasing the dose when I went 'wobbly' was not working)

This was before I found MWO and I feel confident that it could be a strong relationship to support me during this process - I haven't tested it yet! Time will tell.

I think trying for a 'second opinion' is the way forward. Can you get recommendations from friends /family?

Good luch & take care
xxx

[Guest]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

I bought the Topa from Riverside when I first discovered this site. I took it for 6 months through many drinking binges. Had tingling sides and found I seemed to get even more confused while drinking on it.

Eventually I got to my rock bottom and went to a private rehab 5 weeks ago. Since detoxing with the assistance of low dose librium I feel so good I don't want to use the Topa, expecially as I felt really odd on it. I got off alcohol and love feeling clear headed.

That's why I have gone for Campral, hardly any sides and no dizzyness!

[Leebo]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

I ordered Topa online and began taking it before I went to the dr. I then told her after my visit for something totally unrelated I wanted to talk to her off the record - nothing for the insurance company to pick up on. I told her what I was doing, what I was taking, how much my drinking had subsided in the last month or so. My reasoning was in the event I experienced any bad side effects, atleast I had had a conversation with her. She had not heard of its use as an anticraving drug but was familiar with it, was interested and asked about the site. It was a very difficult thing to do. I have never discussed my drinking with any medical dr. - I went to a psychologist once and was told to go to AA.

I did well for a few months but have not done as well lately. As long as I take everything as outlined it made a dramatic difference in my cravings or whatever you want to call it. And since I see myself backsliding quickly, I am jumping back on the wagon. And the journey continues!!
Leebo

[ratana]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

I had an appointment with my doc yesterday and chickened out. I just don't know him very well and the last time I tried to talk to a doctor about my drinking she said to go a 7 AM AA meeting because "that's all there is for treatment." I have two friends who take topa for migraines and I thought I could tell him I am still getting migraines (I used to get them terribly but haven't for several years) but I also hate to lie and it would really suck if he prescribed something else! I am thinking about just ordering it online and then going in after, has anyone done this? Of course, after I canceled my appointment yesterday I proceeded to drink six or seven cosmos in the evening. And I take 2700 mg of kudzu, so obviously I need to something different.

[myra]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Like a different doctor? There are many who are open to the meds and alternate methods of treating addiction. Wish we had links to them on this website.

Good luck to you.

[ratana]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

myra;312069 wrote: Like a different doctor? There are many who are open to the meds and alternate methods of treating addiction. Wish we had links to them on this website.

Good luck to you.

THAT would be really helpful. I am in the San Francisco area and I would love to know about docs here I could talk to, there must be quite a few but I have done some internet searches and just seem to get traditional 12-steppers when I dig deeper.

[Laurav]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

What about interviewing the doctor beforehand?
In my younger years I had put up with some real lame doctors so when I fired my last one 5 years ago I decided to meet with potential doctors and interview them to see where the best fit was.
When you think about it your relationship with your doctor is fairly intimate. They see all your bits and pieces :wow:, know your skeletons :b&d:.

[ratana]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

That's a neat idea, but I can't imagine my insurance is going to pay for me to go to a bunch of different doctors so that I can interview them, and I guarantee that they will bill me for their time. How did you do that?

Anyway, I like my new doctor, but I have only seen him twice so I just don't know him well enough to foretell what he'll say about topa or any non-12 step treatment. But I rescheduled the appointment for Monday and I'll have to see if I chicken out and tell him I get migraines.

[IAD]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Almost there.
Your Doc was'nt much of a jock strapp, huh ? They don't give people like us much support.
We're old drunks to them.....that's why we need support groups like this one. Keep hanging in thier...we'll get through this together ! IAD !

[Laurav]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Ratana,
My dr ofice has an open house to meet the doctors.
What about a phone consultation? Call the dr office and see what they have to offer as far as meeting with the doctor or at least on the phone?

[Its a miracle]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Doctors support - or lack of it

I think that the medical industry is using AA and the ?recovery? industry as a cop out. I went that route (expensive session based treatment) and I will bet that most in my group relapsed just as I did.

Alcoholism is not about a lack of character or religion ? it?s about brain chemistry. Combined with willpower - Topamax is allowing me to abstain and have a better life with or without FDA approval.

An initial 30 day trial of generic Topamax can be had without prescription from Buy generic Topamax (Topiramate) online / Anti Convulsants / Prescriptions - for less than $100 (US) with shipping. I started with 25 mg a day and increased 25 per week up to 100 mg which is where I am at now. Side-effects can not be ignored ? but in my case they did diminish over time. Best of luck to all.

[juniperbelle]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

Brain chemistry

I agree with you about AA being merely a cop out for the medical and recovery industry. I am a believer, and I think belief helps greatly in recovery, but I don't think it is the only basis for recovery. What about pedophile priests? Don't they have enough faith to avoid molesting children?

Anyway, after many doctors telling me to go to AA (which I can't stand), I bargained with my current pdoc and asked to trade alcohol for Ambien (zopidem tartrate). She agreed, and it's working so far. My drinking is strickly to escape (sleep), never to socialize, so this works out okay for me. When I get the 3am crazies, I take a pill instead of a drink and can usually go back to sleep.

However, what I'm doing is trading one drug for another, just like with topa and alcohol. If that's the best I can do, so be it. If anyone is afraid of topa, maybe you can use Ambien instead. It has no side effects that I can tell. Just a thought...........

[lookingforfreedom]

I thought my doc would be supportive...

yes...........and I was so apprehensive to talk about it. So she told me I needed to see a psychiatrist. I'm sorry you had the same experience.