If I had the prescription pad......

[billstrong1969]

If I had the prescription pad I would prescribe myself Xanax to help me throught the anxiety pre-treatment as well as to help me sleep.  I would also use it during treatment for the same purpose.  I would also prescribe myself Vicoprohen (as Tylenol is toxic to your liver) to help with the body aches and pains.  Both would be a months supply, to be refillable at months end until the end of my treatment.  Now that would be ideal for myself.  What do you guys think and what do some of you take, if anything for anxiety or pain?  Is this too much to ask from the pyschiatrist and or infectious disease doctor?  I know I have a history of using drugs (hence the reason I got HEP C), but because of that I tend to have a high tolerance to both pain killers and anti-anxiety medications.  you would think the doctors would know this and would want to make you as comfortable as possible through treatment?  Is this wishful thinking of me?  Please respond.......HUGZ!

billstrong1969

[Liz50]

I was kind of joking..thanks for picking up on that...If I didn't have my sense of humor I would be a real mess. Hubby won't take anything but his post transplant med and his Riba w/o me handing them to him---and I am going to freely admit I have "awakened" him more than once to "knock him out" so to speak. For his own good--he'll be in so much pain and won't take anything. Better living thru the judicious use of pharmaceuticals. I'm not smart, I'm desperate for sleep!

[Frank J. Perrotta]

I thought we were play/daydreaming???

A psychiatrist friend with stage 4 colon cancer uses them. He cuts open the patches and spreads the gel on his gums and tissue of his inner cheeks. Keeps him going for three days.

Just daydreaming...

frank

[B-bunch]

Are you CRAZY!?  Fentanyl is 100 times more powerful than Morphine.
You MUST be kidding, You CAN'T be serious.

[Frank J. Perrotta]

Got off anti-depressants and now only use LORAZEPAM 0.5 MG and they help a lot. TEMAZEPAM 15MG for sleeping and it helps until the shoulder pain takes over.

But if I had a prescription pad I would write myself monthly scripts for FENTANYL patches. I just learned about these and a special way to use them. Yummy.

frank

[sfbaygirl]

I think I was on more drugs during tx, than I was before.  Thankfully my PCP gave me  the painkillers, AD's,  I got anxiety stuff from the shrink that didn't work. Went to the PCP who gave me Ambien during tx that I used occaisionly.  I was worried I would suffer through tx with nothing to help with the sx. Luckily, I had my PCP who managed all my drugs---I didn't drug seek, just saw him--- and he helped me stay on the tx. I don't know if I didn't have that help I could have stayed on the tx. Hope you have one dr. that can manage your pain, sleep, depression, etc.  It can be necessesary during tx.  Sometimes not.  It would be good to set up these dr's ahead of time. A hemotologist and a PCP to take care of the meds you will need during tx. Hopefully, you won't need them. GI's aren't great at the rescue drugs as the others.  

[GrandmaBRZ]

Effexor SR helped me with pretreatment anxiety & moods which went on at a steady rate for 1 year.  Still need sleep meds on occasion & continuing with the effexor.  When I finally started tx, I felt I had some bit of control back in my life.  Hang in there!  jenn

[ladywhy]

In April 2007, a generic form of Ambien became available. It is called Zolpidem...and it's alot cheaper than the original. So, if you need to keep your scripts somewhat affordable....this could help

[ejoli]

  My Doc. gave me ambien too when I first started tx. The riba make me hyper at first. My script was for 30 and I have 20 left 5 weeks post tx. I did split them in half when I took them but they KNOCKED me out and made me groggy the next day. After about 2 months the riba didn't make me hyper anymore.         Sleep well,   -Libby

[ladywhy]

I'm not sure you meant it to be, but, that was actually pretty funny. You are one smart lady!
Thanks for the laugh...needed it

[debnevada]

I don't take all the stuff all the time, but only when i need, except for the AD which is a must, to me anyway.

[Liz50]

Dang--my daughter in law IS a Doctor and you'd think we'd have the hookup, but no, she's a stickler (as well she should be!) NO SCRIPS FOR FAMILY!
Hubby won't ask his docs for anything--I have no shame, I can't bear to live with him. I ask for Ambien, Vicodin, Antidepressants (which he actually asked for 2 weeks ago & I promptly filled & there they sit on his nightstand, just miraculously NOT jumping down his throat)----last night was shot night and as much as he wants to man up for this whole thing, it's ridiculous. He's miserable, I'm miserable, can't sleep because he's hot, then cold then achey, etc. I wait until he's half asleep and say "wake up and take your stuff" and slip him an Ambien & a Lortab. SOOOO much better. Only on Fridays, usually. I take Klonipin myself, and if he starts getting anxious I give him one. He has no tolerance for these so 1 mg knocks him out. My point if view is why be miserable and make everyone around you miserable when you don't have to?? HE is SOOOOO worried about addiction....but taking 30 Lortab in one month will NOT lead to addiction. Driving your wife insane with constant complaining will leave you alone and lonely. The docs have no problem with it, I do not know why he does! I think he thinks if he suffers more he's going to get a medal at the 48 week mark. Big shocker----I don't think so. (gosh, I'm in a mood today!!)
Good Luck Bill--stay strong!!

[ladywhy]

ditto to deb's post reg. meds.

[Terrylee8]

Bill, you are so head tripping!  Get situated with an A/D and then see how you tolerate the tx.  It might not be as bad as you think.  Only about 20% have the horrible sides you are anticipating.

[charm27]

If we all had a prescription pad!!! ha
I was given Ambien by my hepatolgist yesterday. (sleep aid)

I love your name!

[debnevada]

my doc has given me just about anything i could possibly need. I have Xanax, Tylenol #3 and other things that are helpful.