Hello again.....Here in Texas one must now be seen by a Pain Specialist (yes, this is a new and fast growing field) in order to access stronger types of meds. This amounts to being seen by a psychiatrist for at least one visit (for diagnosis purposes only) and ongoing counseling (which I have availed myself of many times over the years), so I didn't have to sign the contract in the usual manner.
@Rvanson, I also have difficulty with sleep (to say the least!). I can't say that xanax relieves that problem, however it certainly does the anxiety/panic attacks. To be honest, the panic attacks are hell to live with, and if you find something that works, you're a most fortunate person. I consider myself in that group.
Pain Specialists will give prescriptions, but you have to be seen and tested monthly. The main goal is for people to have implants to control pain.....with my other neurological conditions it has been found they work up to a year at most, and then one is left with scar tissue. I'm sure many people are using them successfully....I just don't fall into that group.
At the present time, my neurologist is still prescribing my xanax. I may need a new one because he's aging and he has a severely ill wife, so life is "iffy" with him at the present time. I have found a neurologist who has empathy, respects older people and listens to our concerns. She's also highly knowledgeable and has agreed to prescribe the xanax for me. I'm in a large city, so I'm fortunate in that respect. Still, you get run down with simply having so many problems and seeing different specialists.
I think the day is coming when implants for pain will control it. I know it will come, and it may not take that many years. I know it may not seem it, but research and medicine are rapidly changing and a lot of doctors are more knowledgeable about alternative medicine and even freely recommend everything from vitamins, minerals, herbs, acupuncture and other methods. It truly does depend upon the Dr.
I have learned (and have many books to prove it) over the years....long before I had my first diagnosis, even, and feel that people should utilize natural means when possible. Still, with some of my problems, meds are the only answer....but again, bear in mind that I'm much older than most of you.
I'm rambling...time to go. Wishing each of you relief. Yours, Lenora.
@Rvanson, I also have difficulty with sleep (to say the least!). I can't say that xanax relieves that problem, however it certainly does the anxiety/panic attacks. To be honest, the panic attacks are hell to live with, and if you find something that works, you're a most fortunate person. I consider myself in that group.
Pain Specialists will give prescriptions, but you have to be seen and tested monthly. The main goal is for people to have implants to control pain.....with my other neurological conditions it has been found they work up to a year at most, and then one is left with scar tissue. I'm sure many people are using them successfully....I just don't fall into that group.
At the present time, my neurologist is still prescribing my xanax. I may need a new one because he's aging and he has a severely ill wife, so life is "iffy" with him at the present time. I have found a neurologist who has empathy, respects older people and listens to our concerns. She's also highly knowledgeable and has agreed to prescribe the xanax for me. I'm in a large city, so I'm fortunate in that respect. Still, you get run down with simply having so many problems and seeing different specialists.
I think the day is coming when implants for pain will control it. I know it will come, and it may not take that many years. I know it may not seem it, but research and medicine are rapidly changing and a lot of doctors are more knowledgeable about alternative medicine and even freely recommend everything from vitamins, minerals, herbs, acupuncture and other methods. It truly does depend upon the Dr.
I have learned (and have many books to prove it) over the years....long before I had my first diagnosis, even, and feel that people should utilize natural means when possible. Still, with some of my problems, meds are the only answer....but again, bear in mind that I'm much older than most of you.
I'm rambling...time to go. Wishing each of you relief. Yours, Lenora.