CAN A PSYCHE CUT YOUR DOSAGE WITHOUT TELLING YOU FIRST?

[shugalug]

This is sort of a follow up to my earlier post  about 2 weeks ago, so I'm repeating some of it a little. I had missed my appt with my Psych. I rang to apologise and explain why. I was due for the medication valium so asked the receptionist if she could ask my psyche to mail it. I've posted about all this before so won't elaborate again. She has instructed my pharmacist to only dispense 7, enough for a week. She had been prescribing 2 a day, now suddenly it's 1, and usually I was able to get the full script for 50. She hadn't told me she was doing this. I am struggling to wean off Tramadol. I needed the 2 valium from her, plus I was getting prescribed 2 a day from my GP, making a total of 4 daily.  I'd re-scheduled an appt to see her on the 10th April. I'd forgotten to ring for another 2 scripts she prescribes for me, zoloft & zopiclone, before the Easter hols. Rang up after and left a message. Yes, the scripts were mailed, but now she's also cut me down 1 tab of the sleep med zopiclone. I'd been relying on valium to help me with Tramadol withdrawal, then when that was cut down, I foolishly turned to zopiclone to help with tramadol and now valium withdrawal. Now I must wean from zopiclone too. I'm just wondering why my psyche didn't discuss with me, either by a phone call or letter, about why she has suddenly cut 2 med dosages down. Can she do this? I am going through HELL! Anxiety through the roof. I am so ill from lack of food, as I have a bowel condition and waiting to be booked into hosp for investigation and treatment. Can't eat as food gives me terrible tummy pain. So, I'm having a really hard time and I'm scared and have nobody really, to talk to, who understands addiction and anxiety, except the people in these forums, who have given me some lovely replies, advice and comfort.

[shugalug]

Thanks Vickie, You've been thru the wringer too. I just wanted to feel normal, as the anxiety was horrific. I wanted to get rid of 'fright feelings' in my tummy and stop my pounding heart, shakes, well you know how it is. Valium helped a little. When that was withdrawn, had the bright idea of using zopiclone. HUGE mistake! Wasn't addicted before that, as I only had it once or twice a week, if that, but sure became addicted in 3 days, as I had to use 4, spread out over the day. It only worked for about 2 hrs, then I'd have to have another, then had 1/2's, but one day, I'd had enough, and a nasty comment by my hubby was the last straw, and I took heaps only leaving myself 10, in case I survived, which of course I did. Waited till I could get my script which was well and truly due, so had to have less of that too, for the next week or so, as well as less valium  and less tramadol of course.What a Fool I've been!  I hate being controlled by meds. I want off as fast as possible. Going thru HELL, but somehow I'm getting there. Time does pass and soon I'll be free, off all poison. Stupid to take meds to help wean off another med, then have to wean off that too, and so on. It's no circus. It's a LIVING HELL! I've been thru too much in my life to let this Strangely enough, nursegirl's comments make me even more determined to just stop taking any of these meds. I've suffered worse, when I had the accident that caused me to lose my leg. I've survived alcohol addiction of more than 25 years, now 4 years sober. SO, I can beat this prescribed med addiction that crept up on me so insidiously, is the word that always comes to mind when I describe it. Thanks so much for understanding and congrats on how well you've done. I know I'm in deep sh***t with my dependence & addiction, but I refuse to take the whole blame. I own some of the blame, but not all. I just might not take another pill and will sweat it out! Hope I CAN do it! I'll certainly try not give in and take any, even the prescribed dose I'm supposed to take apparently. I've done well today, and had less than prescribed, and to be quite honest, I am coping, enduring the indescribable suffering so will keep sweating it out. Tomorrow's another day closer to freedom!

[Bubulous]

Touche Shug,
That came out of nowhere lol
Got another one for you:

Never Ever

I’m never ever done
Today I'll try again
The addiction's already won
If I have already given in
I need to gain momentum
For these hurtles that I’ll face
I’ll never cross the finish line
If I never run the race
I need some inspiration
I need to see the light
I’ll need to find support
If I expect to win this fight
I must believe in something
In something else’s will
I’ll never find sobriety
If I can't believe it’s real

[shugalug]

That's terrific! I think alt medicine, natural therapies is the way to go. I just got caught up in the medication cycle. I was OK until Tramadol. Made me anxious so started weaning off it too fast. Then I learnt that it acts like a SSRI. I'm already on 3 anti-deps, so tram tipped the balance.Went thru similar last year. Worked it out myself, after psych tried different meds that made me worse, so I weaned myself off before becoming addicted to those, at least. Read up on neurotransmitters and natural remedies to help the brain balance them, plus going back on Gabapentin. Long story. Was fine till the tramadol, like I said. Used valium to ease w/drwls, bad anxiety. Ran out of valium as scripts were due. Had been getting one from my GP. Psyche prescribed another. I thought she thought I must need more because of the anxiety I had at that time. Psyche always said she sends her report on me and what she'd prescribing, to my GP. Thought both knew so didn't bother asking. Yes, I was glad to be getting 2 scripts tho it was inconvenient and often told others I didn't understand why I needed 1 from each and not just 1 from one of them. I've admitted I was hooked I came to this site hoping for advice and understanding. Got hooked on zopiclone when valium was cut down, a very stupid thing to do, but desperate for relief at the time. nother long story.Not looking to get high, just want relief and to feel 'normal'. Weaning off all 3, and at this stage I don't care how bad it gets. I just want off and be done with it! Can only eat broth & yogurt. Have bowel problem. Worst pain after eating any solid food so cannot eat properly. Undernourished and skin 7 bone. Waiting for hosp o book me in for ops. Another long story. Taking herbs for anxiety arthritis & tummy. I'm also hooked on other pain meds. Will wean off those after valium. thanks for saying you're there for me. It'll be great to talk alt medicine with you.

[dominosarah]

I have been there and i remember the hell........

[shugalug]

IYou're a bit of a ranter,
but I do like your banter.
And hey my dear nursegirl
Do you have to rehearse girl?
All your lines of advice
I have to read twice.
Tho I try to explain,
How I got half a brain,
My intentions were good
but you've misunderstood
Tramadol,and Valium,
To hell with the lot of em!
Then there's sleep meds and pain meds
All taken in vain, meds.
They once worked their magic
But now it's so tragic
Because now I'm in HELL,
I feel very unwell
Fright feelings, despair
Have you ever been there?
Withdrawal & Weaning
Life loses all meaning
As living's too Sad
When you're feeling so Bad!

[dominosarah]

You are on such a roller coaster ride here.  All these meds need to be tapered slowly one at a time.  You take the one to combat the tram wd's etc.  You really need to get totally honest with both doctors here and have them on the same page.  One gives you this amount and the other gives you that amount.  Then add the pain meds to the picture.  Your body needs to detox off some of these.  Your body is used to them now and your tolerance is going up.  You are going to need some help tapering off these meds as you have medical issues that need monitoring.