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Has anyone else needed a letter or note?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/3/2019 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
I’m usually on the fibro boards, but I have anxiety and panic attacks too. They’ve been getting bad again. A lot of stuff going on in my life. So since I am on prescription pain medication, my pain mgmt. doctor prescribed busporin. I took it, but I woke up every morning with anxiety. It stopped when I stopped taking it. I had a doctor’s appointment this past Saturday with my pain mgmt. doctor who watched me go thru a full blown panic attack in the office. So he told me in order for me to take Ativan or Xanax, I need to get a note from my psychiatrist saying that I do need to take one of them for the panic attacks and anxiety. I hate having to take the time off work and see this psychiatrist again, but if I see a new psychiatrist, I feel like that would be a waste of time. Has anyone else had to deal with this?

Thanks
Posted 9/3/2019 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Unfortunately most doctors can't prescribe benzos and that is why they want you to see your psychiatrist. When I first started getting treated they told me to get to a psychiatrist to get anything like xanax, but where I live it was impossible to see anyone in a timely manner and I gave up. Since you already have one, hopefully it's as simple as seeing them and discussing your needs.
Posted 9/3/2019 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hopegirl, my thoughts are since you have a psychiatrist onboard your pain mgt dr is protecting himself so there are no issues for him. Either make an appt to be seen, if he has a patient portal you may send him an email requesting the note.

I am really surprised your pain mgt dr offered to do this. When the CDC cracked down on prescribing pain medication in 2016, they also went after GP's & pain mgt drs about prescribing benzos. Pain mgt drs had to tell their patients, you can either have pain medication or your Xanax, I can no longer prescribe both. We have a lot of old posts in the chronic pain forum from back then, patients had to get under the care of a psychiatrist in order to get their medication.

Take care.
Posted 9/3/2019 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
Susie,

Sorry, my head is killing me and I'm at working trying to hang in there...
He wants a note from the psychiatrist, and he would have the psychiatrist write the script. He would not do it, but since I'm under the contract, I need to let him know. My thought is with all this can't do this and can't do that....they probably won't let me have it. As we all know with anxiety, sometimes just knowing you have a back up with you can calm your nerves. Honestly, I still think it's crazy that medical marijuana is now pushed and medication controlled by a doctor is a no-no. I think things will eventually change, but that's just my thoughts. I hope they will change.
Posted 9/3/2019 10:56 PM (GMT 0)
I understand the work schedule, but I would call & get an appt, you won't know unless you try. Yes, it's very restrictive in today's environment. I wish I could feel things will get better, but I don't think they will, at least not in my life time.
Posted 9/4/2019 3:05 PM (GMT 0)
I think a lot of it is because of the combination of the benzos and the pain medication. You can stop breathing in your sleep and the pain doctor doesn't want to be responsible. When I was on pain medication I was told not to take the benzos after six pm. And he didn't really want me to take the pain meds at night either. The stopping of the breathing was the reason.

In my opinion medical marijuana is safer than both pain meds and benzos. Just because they are prescription drugs doesn't make them safe. It is all in how you handle your medication. I have a medical marijuana card but it is legal in my state for recreational.

I hope it works out. I would try to get that note. It would be worth it.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 9/13/2019 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
hello,
i see a therapist and it helped me get my lexapro and xanax thru my pcp since i've had so much trouble trying to get a psychiatrist. i see my pcp every 6 month for a med check. are you able to talk to your pcp to help you?
i hope you feel better soon.
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