Posted by yxibow on January 11, 2007, at 1:46:05
In reply to Re: miltown/equanil/meprobamate, posted by harry_in_philly on January 10, 2007, at 18:21:07
> In all honesty, my family has a history of depression and anxiety. My Grandmother, now nearly 90, was diagnosed with "neurosis" back in the 50s. She's been taking Miltown since then and swears by it. She hasn't developed tolerance and still takes only 400mg I think three times daily, maybe two. She also takes seconal for insomnia -- but has complained to me that she can't get tuinal anymore (which she preferred over seconal). By the way, her doctor is 88 and is not accepting new patients. Perhaps that is why she has never been prescribed newer meds--but why experiment with new meds when the old ones are working just fine?
I can't comment on your doctor and family patient who are both of high age, but seconal and Miltown, together, are DANGEROUS for someone at that age, when liver and other drug elimination functions are not at their prime. Not making any assumptions on whether either of the two are not compos mentis, but I know that my grandmother in her 80s had serious problems with handling even doxepin, but that was partially her doctor misguiding on the safety of it. Falls can happen.
Anyhow as far as yourself, although I question a quad state search for doctors for C-IV ancient medications -- remember, you will be a new patient and "shopping" for medication is quite easily detected. Doctors do not like to risk their DEA license on controlled substances, especially ones that are not de rigeur.
And as for ancient medications -- remember benzodiazepines, which apparently you do not respond to any of them (they've been around almost as long as Miltown), which I suppose is possible but you do realize that Miltown does affect GABA-A as well in a different way I guess. Its exact method is unknown really because sophisticated testing like P450 interactions and all weren't around. Its cousin Soma is also somewhat more euphoric than benzodiazepines, prompting some caution of habituation.
I'm sorry to hear that you have concommitant Chrons' Disease -- that can make medication choices an issue as well. Donnatal -- if it works, that is great, but aren't there newer medications? As for belladonna toxicity -- I can tell you what mild atropine toxicity feels like. Anticholinergics have atropine relations and I do take Akineton or Artane at times for movement and other esoteric side effect issues. They can creep up upon you, especially on an empty stomach. You may not feel anything at the time and feel the need to take another, and you've silently exceeded a comfort zone. Hours later or the next day you can feel cold or hot, and rather loopy. So yes, do heed caution with anything that affects the cholinergic system, primitive parts of the body.
Trazodone is a rather yucky drug in my opinion besides the greater than listed chance of priapism in males -- I don't particularly recommend it unless someone really happens to like it. It also can develop a semi-tolerance to the sedation and one has to start at a low dose again. And forget the cheap tequila, you'll black out with this drug.
Donnatal and Vistaril, by the way, are combinations of anticholinergic agents and should be monitored carefully by your doctor or the toxicity mentioned above can develop.
Atarax if we're on the discussion of old agents, and you actually could stand it (its a bit drying I believe), I wouldn't be that surprised actually because it also can serve at least a small functionality for your GAD. It is both an anxiolytic, an antihistamine, and I suppose prescribed for sleep as well. The tolerance you developed sounds much like the "tolerance" towards Trazodone actually, you have to back off and start again because you're really taking it for its sedative effect which one can become used to in a drug primarily first developed for an antihistamine.
Curious that Ambien was the worst as it is the most potent generally -- did you try it at 20 ? It though, not mentioned, is still safe at that point.I assume you have tried Melatonin and its much more powerful prescription Rozerem.
Have you had a sleep study done ? I'm wondering whether the quality of sleep and shortness has anything to do with possible sleep apnea. Also, I would imagine that incompletely controlled Chrons' disorder would probably also interrupt sleep.
Also, do you go to bed at the same time most every night and use the bedroom only for sleeping, do some exercise around 2-4 hours before sleep and don't engage in brain intensive activites just before sleep such as computer work?Do you avoid taking naps in the daytime -- they contribute to a reversal of circadian rhythm even if they may be restorative in the short run ?
The history of depression and anxiety isn't terribly surprising as "mental illness" in most regards is a biochemical disorder. I have family history and I'm sure a number of others here do as well.
If you do find a doctor that could eventually prescribe drugs out of the general modern practice of psychiatry, you may expect to be run through a few other more modern agents. You may also find as noted above that a sleep study may be ordered, which if covered by your insurance may actually get to some undiscovered causes and would not be a bad thing.
I wish you luck on your search for practicioners but you should approach with your an honest full laundry list of what you have been through, as I have stated before, while a doctor-patient relationship ideally is a collaboration, don't expect to ask upfront -- in fact just dont -- for the agents you mentioned, without a history assessment.-- tidings
Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:720872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070107/msgs/721258.html