New Psychiatrist a true super star

[Guest guest]

I had an appointment with a new psychiatrist. Had to drive about

an hour to get there, so my wife and I escaped for the holiday to a

motel nearby.

The psychiatrist seems to have a lot of experience with chronic

pain patients. She totally agreed that my doctors were quite wrong

to stop the Klonopin this past summer, especially without

discussing that decision with me. She agreed that my increased

anxiety and panic attacks are most likely due to the lack of

Klonopin, as well as increased trouble with spasms and pain.

She also wants me to begin Effexor, an antidepressant that she says

has a good track record with her chronic pain patients, both in

helping with pain, in lifting associated depression, and reducing

anxiety and panic.

She also will take over the prescribing of Ambien from the pain

clinic doctor and made some suggestions for improving its

effectiveness. Since her experience with chronic pain patients has

been that they wake up after 3 hours or so whether they take 5 or

10 mg, she suggests taking 5 only at bedtime, then taking the other

5 if you wake up later and can't go back to sleep, or take the

other 5 if you haven't fallen asleep withing an appropriate amount

of time. I've been taking 10 mg, waking up in 2 to 3 hours,

getting up and working at computer or reading, then after an hour

to two hours going back to bed.

The Effexor must be taken in the AM since it can interfer with

sleep if taken at bedtime.

In any respect, I feel very good about this new doctor. Perhaps

she can get my other doctors to work together, and if not, can fill

the gap in my care that their disagreements have caused.

The only bad spot in the two days away was coming down with stomach

flu just as we were dressing to go out to a restaruant for New

Year's Eve. It was the worst case of stomach flu I've ever had in

my entire life. My wife was understanding, she had the same thing

a few days ago, but I know she was disappointed that our plans to

escape and be alone were ruined.

Have a happy new year, everyone.

Ray

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

Good to here that the psychiatrist is starting out on the right footing!

Too bad that your time away from the house was marred by the flu. It's so

seldom that we get a chance to get away from normal routines that the last

thing you need is another glitch.

[Guest guest]

That's good to hear Ray! I'm glad that you have found a doctor that

is helpful! You sure do deserve it.

hugs,

Stark