Finding a Doctor in Canada

[linasmom]

Why everyone is actively advocating these drug is beyond me. They have got to be the worst thing for anxiety or stress that I have ever seen.
bec

I advocate (though I'm not sure "advocate" is the exactly the right word here) them because they work for me. I spent 4 years taking just .25 mg of Xanax a day. It is possible to manage addictive drugs, alcohol included. There are many people who drink one glass of wine a night.

Has my dosage increased within the last year? Yes, because in the last year my PTSD symptoms have increased severely. I've never crashed from Benzos.

However, I'm not saying that someone who has a history of being unable to manage addictive drugs should take them. I would say though, to think about this - my father, a person who was addicted to heroin for the majority of his life and who has been on a methadone maintenance treatment program for the last decade drinks beer, maybe 3-4 beers in a weeks time. He obviously has an addictive personality but is not addicted to alcohol.

My personal opinion is that all of the anti-anxiety and anti-depressant drugs that have been prescribed to all of us are addictive. We've read post after post of the wretched withdrawl process coming off of anti-depressants; the nasty side-effects if we miss just one dose. Personally, I do not differentiate between the two - one is simply more acceptable in society than the other.

All of us who are currently taking anti-depressants are addicted to these medications- physically, mentally and emotionally.

Benzos have been around much longer than any SSRI or sleep-aid on the market. More research has been done and we know more about benzos. I trust them ten-fold to manage my anxiety and insomnia to anti-depressants.

I have and will do so again if need be, jump to different doctors to get what I know I need to manage my symptoms. It is a fact that doctors are hesitant to prescribe these meds because of their street value, because various celebrities have made national news from either dying or getting extremely high because their doctors have given them prescription after prescription, combination after combination of these drugs.

Do Benzos have a "high" quality about them? They can. I had friends who used to take a 2mg. bar and drink alcohol to get hammered. Should doctors be wary of those who have a history of drug/alcohol abuse wanting Benzos - of course.

Best,
Rachel

 

[Riggs413]

Becvan and Linasmom.

Thank you for your comments. Your posts both made excellent points and more importantly, both have caused me to stop and think.

I will admit that I have even more doubts about what my next course of action should be. I know that I am new here and still trying to get a handle on all of the information here. I am reading, reading and reading some more.

The one aspect in all of this that I should have included before now (I don't know why I didn't) is that in my struggle to find things that help me manage my symptoms, my T is the one suggesting that I use the benzos. He is the only one that I trust completely (or as completely as I can trust any person at this point). I am finally at the point where I say anything and everything during my sessions with him.

His attitude is similiar to Linasmom in that he thinks that all drugs are addictive in one way or another. He has further stated to me that to function in the real world, at the present time, I need help and I need to find something that works for me.

Well enough said, my head is spinning and I have a great deal to think about today. Thanks again for all of your comments.

P.S. Becvan. Thank you for your comments. Your doubts are misplaced, in that I didn't have a problem with what you said. I am here to learn. You can't do that when everyone says the same things and we are all in agreement. Your comments will make me think about my own actions. I may end up agreeing with what you have said, or not, or somewhere in between. I don't know yet, but thank you for giving me another avenue to think about.

Riggs

 

[Deleted member 541]

My opinion on all of this is.......There are many things that we do to cope that are addictive and some that are not. Drinking, drugs, benzos, smoking, eating, not eating, risk taking, ect, ect.

The point I would like to make is this. It's a personal choice, one, in which ALL of us have had to make as to which one we choose. We have all been there done that. Some of us smoke, some take drugs, some drink.......ect.

We are all adults here and as adults should have common sense as to what is addictive and what isn't. As we heal, deal with our traumas, our dependency should become less. If it doesn't then you have to deal with another problem.

Bottom line......If you feel that you would do better taking benzos, then do it, but be aware of the risks in doing so. Be informed, be proactive in your healing and care.

 

[Auburngirl]

She Cat, I agree to a point, but "if you feel that you would do better taking benzos, then do it" is simply not realistic. First, it shouldn't be because we aren't doctors and while we know ourselves well we don't necessarily know the drugs (if we haven't taken them) and all the potential ramifications. Second, at least in Canada the health care system doesn't work that way, you can't really ask for things and then get them (as this post indicates). You can discuss and negotiate with the doctor, and they may give you options, but they do not generally write prescriptions on request. I have found that most are often reluctant to write prescriptions and need to be convinced of the severity and longevity of the complaint (because of this I've sometimes gone in with a dated list of symptoms).

 

[Deleted member 541]

I will clarify.......IF a Dr has prescribe benzos and you want to take them then do so....Again to me EVERYONE has the choice and if they are an adult the drug has been prescribed then do so at your own risk.

 

[linasmom]

Also, in this instance, Rigg's therapist is the one who has recommended the use of the Benzos.

So, in Canada, do Therapists and Primary Care Physicians work together?

It sounds like the therapist is recommending one thing and the PCP is refusing the request by both the Therapist and the Patient. In that instance, I'd find a different doctor, one who will prescribe the Benzos.

 

[becvan]

Therapist do not have any say in prescriptions. They can recommend until they are blue in the face. They have no education on them, experience with them or authority over them. Therapists are supposed to give you a referral to a psych if they have medication concerns.

bec

 

[cec]

Hi Riggs,

Being from Ontario where the Dr. shortage is acute, I'm well aware of what your experiencing. One way to get a doctor is to use other health care professionals e.g. Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Nurses etc. who have connections with Dr.s, to ask for you. Health care clinics are great places to connect with these other health care providers. One other thing that may help is calling hospital emergency rooms for they often will keep a list of GP's accepting patients.

If it is a psychiatrist your looking for and you have a GP, he/she should be able to refer you. Also, you could try calling your local hospital mental heath unit's clerk for he or she may have some suggestions.

Good luck

Paul

 

[moog]

Therapist do not have any say in prescriptions. They can recommend until they are blue in the face. They have no education on them, experience with them or authority over them. Therapists are supposed to give you a referral to a psych if they have medication concerns.

bec

Exactly and a Therapist should not be pushing any specific medication as a treatment. If your GP has concerns about this medication, does not want to prescribe you it; then I would listen to your GP (he/she has the education to back up their opinions). You could discuss your concerns with your GP and he/she could research other possible treatments or medications that they would feel comfortable prescribing to you.

Another thing is, you have to trust your GP just as much as your Therapist and they all should be aware of each other. You should be filling out the paperwork for them to share information and talk to each other about your condition/s.

 

[Auburngirl]

Also to clarify, for the non-Cdns on here, therapists (unless they are psychiatrists, social workers, or psychiatric nurses) are usually not through the public system, cannot prescribe and aren't really that linked to your GP or others in the public system. Psychiatrists, on the other hand require a referral from a GP and tend to at least theoretically work together/have some comunication. If you can get a referral to a psychiatrist and get to see one (some areas, as noted are really underserviced) then you take it. You can't choose psychiatrists, you take what you can get. Your ability to 'choose' other types of doctors (ie GPs) depends on the size of your community and what the availability is like.

This is a not a free market system, and for the most part you can't 'shop around' unless you are in a large city with lots of doctors, or willing to relocate.