My Bac journey

[thomas m]

My Bac journey

I've never been to a therapist zampa but I've no faith in GPs when it comes to addiction. They know nothing. My GP is a real nice guy who I get on with well but I would never even think of discussing a plan of attack concerning help. I know it would how it would go. He knows I've a drink problem and have had trouble with drugs. I just go when I need blood work done to check my liver and that's that. He asks me how things are when I see him and I just say they're good 15 minutes you get on the NHS. Its like a conveyor belt. Your in and out. It doesn't bother me. If I ever have a serious problem I'll go to A&E... anything else... thats what the internet is for... self diagnosis

GPs just basically do what they're told. Its like phoning IT support. They type a symptom into the computer a give you what it says.

Not sure what the urine thing is about. I'd tell them to go and f**k.

I'd go it alone and get your Bac online. I'm currently switched to the liquid and loving it. Its shit we have to go it alone but you have to help yourself sometimes.

[bleep]

My Bac journey

Your therapist sounds like a vampire. Can't you simply use them for the prescription, and stop discussing things with them? They sound terribly unhelpful.

[bleep]

My Bac journey

Your therapist sounds like a vampire.

Can't you simply use them for the prescription, and stop discussing things with them? They sound terribly unhelpful, and it seems you take the crap they spout to heart. Every time you see these people you get knocked off your feet by the sounds of it. Ignore them.

[zampa75]

My Bac journey

Thomas, what's A&E? It seems to ring a bell but...
I do agree with you that sometimes we have to help ourselves. It's just that the SE's effects of Bac scare me a bit - not that my doc would be able to do anything about them if not just telling me to stop taking it, if they got unbearable... You're the second person I've heard that says liquid Bac is better. How so? Fewer SE's?

Bleep, the vampire thing is quite hilarious :H
Yes I do get knocked off every time I see them, though, cos yes I do take it to heart (story of my life)... One should get out of there feeling more hopeful than when she got in. Instead, it is exactly the opposite.

As I said, I hoped I coild use them just for the prescription - but it does not sound like I'd be able to. They keep hammering the 12 step thing on your head. They don't seem prone to accept that you're not doing it. The implied message is: our therapy, our rules. Take it or leave it....

[Mandiekinz]

My Bac journey

Wow. Not sure why you keep going back to these narrow-minded people. I, personally, would go on a hunt for a regular open-minded therapist and get my supply of meds from Dr. L or any other doc that would prescribe the Bac that's listed around on the forums. It sounds like this place is counter-productive to your recovery. I could see myself using them as an excuse to drink. It also sounds like you've gotta voice your opinions a little firmer! Sounds easier said than done. You pay them to listen to you, and they're not doing that. But perhaps you're not making your voice loud and firm enough to hear you.

From my experience dealing with many D&A therapists, it's always black or white with them. No wiggle room. I had one threaten to throw me in the loony bin(not rehab) if she found out did drank or did any more drugs. Clearly, I couldn't be honest with her...so what was the point? But we have to understand that the B&W view is ingrained in them. Same with how it is with any avid AA-goers. They don't care to listen to alternatives b/c all they hear is that AA is the ONLY way. That stuff is almost 100 years old! Yes, I do believe that some of the key points and values that AA teaches are very beneficial to sobriety. Learning to socialize and be vulnerable soberly, learning to make amends with your past and with those you hurt, and finding your higher power within yourself to live a free-er(word??) way...it's all great to learn even if you aren't an alcoholic/addict.

Dr. L takes insurance, so the meds wouldn't be pricey if you have it. It's a lot more affordable and trustworthy way to obtain Bac than to order it online. Especially since it could take weeks to get it if you run low and the feds are cracking down on on-line pharmacies so it might not even make it through customs. Not to mention; the quality of the script could be a gamble.

[zampa75]

My Bac journey

Mandiekinz;1541089 wrote: Wow. Not sure why you keep going back to these narrow-minded people. I, personally, would go on a hunt for a regular open-minded therapist and get my supply of meds from Dr. L or any other doc that would prescribe the Bac that's listed around on the forums. It sounds like this place is counter-productive to your recovery. I could see myself using them as an excuse to drink.

Exactly what happened last week, by the way.
Yes I should talk to Dr L since I do have insurance and ordering online does not make me comfortable, to be honest.
I know these people are counter-productive... It's just been 3 weeks, so 3 visits, and after the first I was so hopeful cos he prescribed Bac before I even mentioned it...Did not last.

I know I should be firmer: trust me, I got really close to say 'forget it' this morning. But I just wanted my refill, to buy me time to think, and I couldn't risk not getting it, which is the only real reason why I checked myself so much.

Are you getting Bac through doctor L? I hear he talks to people on Skype, but I only saw his home phone around here.

[Mandiekinz]

My Bac journey

It must be so conflicting and confusing to be at the mercy of those "vampires". Let's get your confidence built back up and get you in a more comfortable position in life to get your journey going!

I doubt he does Skype, he's not much for technology. But I could be wrong. I'd certainly give him a call, he's a forgetful man but is eager to help. Just ask him if he accepts your insurance or you can always do that research yourself and see if your insurance is contracted with him. He's in-network for me so my phone visits with him are paid in full by my insurance. My first script was of 78 pills for only 6 bucks too which was a nice bonus. As when I did the math of ordering it online it was going to be some crazy 200+ bucks for a month supply. He will claim there will be no side effects besides being tired, but he's just a very hopeful man. So of course seeing a doc via telephone, you won't get ALL of the help you could get from seeing one in person and one with a much better memory. But it's legal and safer.

Chin up, you've got options! Don't let fear hinder you from making a change. You've also got all of us here, which to me...the support here seems all much wiser than any docs, as most the people here know more about Bac than the majority of docs out there.

[thomas m]

My Bac journey

zampa75;1541085 wrote: Thomas, what's A&E? It seems to ring a bell but...
I do agree with you that sometimes we have to help ourselves. It's just that the SE's effects of Bac scare me a bit - not that my doc would be able to do anything about them if not just telling me to stop taking it, if they got unbearable... You're the second person I've heard that says liquid Bac is better. How so? Fewer SE's?

A&E... Accident&Emergency here in the UK zampa.

Regarding the liquid... yeah its definitely better for SEs from what I've noticed.

Your doctor is gonna be useless in guiding you with you Bac titration anyway. They're just not gonna know how to advice you as they don't have any info on HDB and its SEs. Theres more info on here that you'll get anywhere.

IF it was me, I'd just use the doctor for your medical needs and tell him zip about the addiction side of things. Get my Bac online or even better, off Dr L.

The therapist sounds like a waste of time tbh.

I forgot about Dr L. If I was in the US, I'd be all over that for my Bac.

[thomas m]

My Bac journey

Mandiekinz;1541097 wrote: 78 pills for only 6 bucks

:upset:

If only I lived in the US

[Mandiekinz]

My Bac journey

awwws I'm so sorry, Thomas!!! But trust me, every day living is not that grand here in the U.S.

I went the London area for treatment once and I seriously did not want to leave! I just loved the people I met...the towns were fascinating and it didn't matter if someone called me horrible names, it sounded pleasant to hear with the accent! hah

Here's a link for a doc that prescribes bac in the UK

http://www.spirehealthcare.com/edinburgh/our-facilities-treatments-and-consultants/our-consultants/dr-jonathan-chick/

[zampa75]

My Bac journey

Thanks both of you guys. I've been reading your posts very carefully...
One quick question, Mandie: how does that work with insurance and consultation over the phone?? I've had a therapy session with one psychologist a month back and since she did not take insurance in the office I saw her- not her primary one- I requested a refund of the money I paid, to my insurance... It's taking forever and it's not clear yet if I'll ever see a penny...

[zampa75]

My Bac journey

K, I have a big day at school tomorrow- I doubt I'll sleep tonight, so I've decided I'd take it easy today and just lounge around, after my great -not!!- morning therapy session...
...Too bad I've spent the whole day between here and reading Bac lit online, and articles in magazines and stuff... Lucky me, I've only come across stuff that points out the negative sides, even on here... So the pathetic me is humbly asking for a boost in morale, and trust in the pills...guess my fear of SE's, of unexpected turns, and the lovely-not!!- morning session haven't helped...

[Mandiekinz]

My Bac journey

Dr. L will fill out a form with you on the phone, so have your insurance card handy! And he'll mail it to your insurance company. Like I said, he's an old fashioned fellow. Since I have insurance, he charged me 130 per phone consult. Which we've had two so far. However, from my understanding if he doesn't accept your insurance and you're paying cash, he'll do a sliding scale for those in a financial rut.

Don't fret about the negatives! Of course there will be SE's, just as there were SE's to drinking. But my belief is that this has got to be a better and safer way than drinking daily and heavily. Perhaps you're looking for all the negatives? Try spotting out the goods, look at all the fellow Bac'ers that have full faith in this medicine b/c it worked for them! And maybe it won't work...but you won't know unless you give it your all and try. If the SE's are too unbearable, you can always go back down a notch. One foot in front of the other, love and keep it simple.

I hope you find yourself some good rest tonight. All this stress and anxiety you're holding, you definitely need it. Happy and hopeful thoughts sent your way!

[zampa75]

My Bac journey

Thank you! I so appreciate your kind words! I need to remind myself to put one foot in front if another...!

But about Dr L: does he charge you $130 - I assume you give him your credit card # -and then once your insurance gets the paperwork from him, they remburse you?
Just trying to figure out exactly how it works... I'm spending a fortune on doctors of all kinds...

[Cassander]

My Bac journey

Mandiekinz;1541097 wrote: It must be so conflicting and confusing to be at the mercy of those "vampires". Let's get your confidence built back up and get you in a more comfortable position in life to get your journey going!

I doubt he does Skype, he's not much for technology. But I could be wrong. I'd certainly give him a call, he's a forgetful man but is eager to help. Just ask him if he accepts your insurance or you can always do that research yourself and see if your insurance is contracted with him. He's in-network for me so my phone visits with him are paid in full by my insurance. My first script was of 78 pills for only 6 bucks too which was a nice bonus. As when I did the math of ordering it online it was going to be some crazy 200+ bucks for a month supply. He will claim there will be no side effects besides being tired, but he's just a very hopeful man. So of course seeing a doc via telephone, you won't get ALL of the help you could get from seeing one in person and one with a much better memory. But it's legal and safer.

Chin up, you've got options! Don't let fear hinder you from making a change. You've also got all of us here, which to me...the support here seems all much wiser than any docs, as most the people here know more about Bac than the majority of docs out there.

Zamp -- I agree with Mandi, above, and bleep and thomas. The only thing I would add is that Dr L is very very e-a-s-y to talk to. He is a kindly, old-fashioned Marcus Welby (if you remember him on tv) type doctor. His tone is very soothing and, as said, he is very optimistic. He believes in baclofen and has certainly seen a lot of success with it. The phone isn't perfect, but no matter, give him a call tomorrow night btw 6 and 8 Chicago time. You'll be glad you did.

Cass