Neuropathy and depression and anxiety

In the State of FL and IL there are no blood work requirements to get a prescription of Xanax. I have never heard of that before. Mental health centers dictate to their physicians that they should not write for the benzodiazepine class, so only a few will get written. As far as psychiatrists as sole practitioners, if you have one that cares for patients, he or she will prescribe the class. If the person has had addictions in the past, they won't write for these patients.

@retiredteacher

Carol and others.

I have been taking 1mg with the option of taking a second one, for 14 years. There have been changes here in Oregon, as well, but having the option of a second one, and very rarely using it, I can maintain a stock. The same thing is true with my morphine sulfate contin. I get my scrips by mail order, and they are very good at keeping up with the prescription. Now that my doctor is able to send an e-prescription, I don't have to rush to the pharmacy every month. It was nicer to be able to get a 90 day supply, but my doctor and pharmacy do pretty well at keeping me supplied. My prescription for Ms contin is 3 per day, but I rarely take the midday pill. So, that keeps me ahead of schedule. My PCP has been seeing me for 13 years and knows that I'm not going to abuse any medication. I think he's relaxed a bit over the years, and doesn't see me as at risk of OD, though I did attempt suicide several times 14-15 years ago by over dosing. He sees me monthly because of the morphine, and asks how I'm doing with depression and other mental health struggles.

When the political panic started, some pharmacies would only give a 7 day dose of narcotics, but they made an exception for patients who are on a long term maintenance prescription. I have never been required to do the 7 day deal, thank God. Living in a rural area, it would be a major inconvenience, not to mention the fuel cost. At least I live 30 miles from the pharmacy now. For ten years it was a 3 hour drive each way.

The struggle I'm dealing with right now is knowing that beneath the medications is a disturbed psyche. While I'm not depressed or anxious or disabled by PTSD anymore, the awareness of those things is still at the level of my consciousness, and I feel like a medicated version of myself. I'm probably just missing the therapy element of my treatment. It's been several months since I saw a therapist. I quit seeing her because I didn't feel comfortable with her, and that's something that is important. The previous therapist was the best one I've ever had, but he had to leave for family reasons a year ago. I really miss him.

Time to quit rambling.

Jim

I have been on neurontin..gabepentin.. For years my doctor now is putting me on lyrica..how does that work and has it been a good change

Have spinal stenosis causing neuropathy in feet along with weakness in legs! Yesterday, surgeon wouldn’t even give pain prescription for 1 week to see if it would work! Am 68 and can’t get any help! He did tell me I had dirty shoes! Can’t make this up! I have done lots of research! One thing that is helping is Kratom! I take 3 grams first thing in morning and 2 later on! Supposed to be good for depression also! Research this natural plant! Have tried Gabapentin l shots etc! Nothing worked along with surgery!

Kratom

Am I replying to someone or starting a new post in this topic? Maybe I need to worry that I’m suffering from neuropathy of the brain since I continue to struggle with the syntax ( of sorts ) of “connect”. Maybe it’s something else worse, but enough of my whining. I want to ask about something my mother has been told that she has and in the process of gathering information from other sources I thought that here does have benefits that I do like ( the personal touch ) so the first question is it a form of neuropathy? My brother who took her to his doctor said that it’s called trigeminal neuralgia.
My mother is 94 and besides some of the things one might expect a 94 yo to have with hearing lose being the one that drives me crazy, she still drives, read books like they’re made of Godiva chocolate, goes to the gym 6 days a week and unless you’re in your 30’s or 40’s don’t get on the treadmill or stair master next to you because she will make you look bad. The point being that she’s otherwise in good health. I’ll have to ask the name of the medication they rx’d but it’s seems to be working intermittently. I was also told that gabapentin works well for most nerve pain but my mother won’t take it because she read that it can effect one’s vision which is enough for her to dig her heals in and JUST SAY NO as if it was CRACK.
In any event is this the right place to post and inquire about it? If not here where? And if here what can anyone tell me?
Thanks for your kindness’s to my ignorance about
“ getting “ to know where I am here in/on connect. If I had a say I’d consider a remake. Just my humble opinion after being on similar sites where I never get lost. Apologies to the creator if this opinion offends you

Hi @stuckonu, To answer your first question, you started a new post in this discussion. I'm pretty sure you created the post by going to the bottom of the screen and clicking on the Post Reply button. If you would have clicked the Reply button under a post, your post would have been a response to the person who created the post and they will receive an email notification that you replied to their post.

It sounds like your mother is doing good by staying active at 94. Here is some information on trigeminal neuralgia that may be helpful for you from the National Institutes for Health -- https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/patient-caregiver-education/fact-sheets/trigeminal-neuralgia-fact-sheet

You asked if this was the right place for your questions. I think this discussion was a good place for your questions but there is another discussion Group that you might also find helpful. If you don't see a discussion that fits, you can create a new one easily by clicking on the Start a Discussion button.

> Groups > Caregivers > Discussions
-- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/caregivers/

Thank you for your comment on Connect. Comments or suggestions are always welcome. I think part of the problem may be the sheer volume of health Groups and Discussions. One thing that might help you understand the structure of Connect and how to navigate the site is the Get Started on Connect guide - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/get-started-on-connect/. You can access the guide on any Connect page by going to the bottom and clicking the Get Started on Connect link in the left footer column. Another page that might help you with the site is the About Connect Page - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/tab/aboutconnect/. You can easily access this page by going to the top of the screen on any page and clicking the Pages link then selecting the About Connect: Who, What & Why page.

Hoping you have a blessed Holiday season and a Merry Christmas!

@stuckonu - Just wanted to pop in and say your mother sounds absolutely AMAZING!!!

Also - I agree about the functionality of the site. It does seem to be fairly archaic. But - I do appreciate that it exists at all 🙂

I'll chime in with...this site has provided me support, encouragment and knowledge. You can choose what you wish to learn about by your notification selection. Sometimes less is more and you can navigate to your liking. Good luck with it and glad to have you. Rachel
PS: Your mom is my hero!

Thanks John, I think I get what you mean about reply vs start a discussion.
I will read the link that you posted. I’m pretty sure a few other mentors and volunteers have posted the same link. I don’t know for sure why it doesn’t stick in my brain except perhaps it’s because something else is causing brain freeze ( my term for something I’m experiencing more and more often these days and it’s near impossible to get anyone to listen.

Happy Holidays to you also