[splitimage]

I have my addictions group tomorrow, and it'll be my first time seeing my addictions dr. since our last one on one appointment. At that time she prescribed me Acamprosate, but I downloaded the patient info sheet on it from the Mayo Clinic. And the side effect profile scares the hell out of me. It's known to cause depression and increased suicidality, and I don't need chemical help in either depression. The list of common side effects reads like the DSM IV criteria for MDD. So I talked it over with my pdoc, who isn't an addictions specialist but knows way more about my total mental health history and is my primary prescribing dr. She said she'd research it with her addictions colleagues and the pharmacy at her hospital, and get back to me as to whether she thinks it's safe for me to try.

But I know my addictions dr. is going to ask if I've started it yet, and I'm going to have to tell her no, & I'm really intimidated by her and have a hard time standing up to her. And I really don't want to get into a discussion about my meds or my psych history in front of the whole group. And I know she'll be pissed that I went for a second opinion from my pdoc.

I'm just really nervous and dreading tomorrow.

--splitimage

[chaotic13]

OK...difficult situation for sure. Can you say something like.."I went to get it at the pharmacy and happened to read the drug fact sheet. I was worried that there might be an interaction between this new medication and another medication/condition my GP is treating me for. So just to be sure, I contacted by GP's office to make sure it was safe for me to take that medication and she hasn't gotten back to me yet." If she tries to give you the 3rd degree infront of the group...just say, "you know, there are other medical issues going on and I really don't think it is appropriate or want to discuss them with the group."

If you didn't want to mention that you read the fact sheet... them maybe blame the pharmacist. Say that when you went to get the Rx filled, the pharmacist highlighted something and recommended that you check with your primary care physician before filling the Rx. This might get you the little bit of time to get the 2nd opinion your entitle to.

Now me...I'm a bit of a b*&ch with regard to my health care. When my doc Rx'ed something that had a bunch of side-effects I didn't like, I just told him...I think I'm going to look for another treatment option.

[phoenix7]

Splitimage - that sounds tough - Chaotic13 has some great ideas , as usual so all I can add is that I know this is nervewracking - try to remember your primary job is to take care of you and this is what you are doing - maybe say you'll discuss it in private or use Chaotic13s ideas - either way I hope things work out for you

[MissCharlotte]

((splitimage))

I know that addiction sponsors/leaders can be unyielding but you have to look at the whole picture. If you don't want to discuss it in front of the group, maybe leave her a phone message in advance? I think Chaotic's words are perfect. Medication is a private issue and you shouldn't have to discuss anything about it in front of others.

I used to be scared to discuss these things too but now I just tell it like it is. If I don't like a med I tell my doctor and ask for something different.

Good luck.

[sunrise]

Could you say something like, "I don't really want to talk about my medications with the whole group but I'd be happy to stick around afterwards if you want to discuss this one on one"? And then tell her your concerns after the group. I don't think anyone should feel forced to talk about what medications they are taking in front of a group. That's private! One on one, you can tell her you are under instructions to always check with your pdoc before starting a new med so she can check for possible drug interactions. That way, you place the "blame" for checking with your pdoc on your pdoc, rather than on yourself. You were just following pdoc's orders!

[madisgram]

(((si))) you don't have to take a med if you don't want to. period. so i encourage you to not be timid in stating your reservations about this drug. did your addictions doc suggest this drug to help you stay sober? i had numerous relapses-not proud of it, but it is what it is, and was finally able to continue forward with a sober life. for me it was all about acceptance with being what i was-an alcoholic. so jme but i feel one can get and stay sober one day at a time without a med. i know they are using it on ppl to reduce the craving but if it was me, i'd use anyway if i wanted to use regardless of whether i was taking a med. are u struggling with picking up a drink? is this the reason for the doc prescribing it?
i hope things go well for you today. please let us know cause we care about YOU!!!

[splitimage]

Thanks everybody. Things went much better than I expected. I did have to tell her in group that I hadn't started it, and wanted to discuss it further with her in our next appointment. That got it out of the group.

Then she had a cancellation after group, so I asked her if I could have some time to discuss it with her.

I told her I'd downloaded the drug info sheet from the Mayo clinic and that the side effects really scared me, because of my depressive history and so I'd consulted my pdoc for a second opinion and was still waiting to hear from her.

To my surprise she wasn't pissed off. She said she was glad that I felt comfortable enough to raise my concerns and that while she personally felt the med would help me. as a short term thing given my recent relapse, that it wasn't a necessary med, and if I or my pdoc had real concerns about taking it, then I shouldn't take it. She also said it was something we could reconsider again as a short term option, if I felt like I was in danger of relapsing again.

I'm really proud of myself for articulating my concerns about it and being honest with her.

---splitimage

Wow - good for you, splitimage. You handled a scary situation really well!!

[lifelesstraveled]

(((((splitimage)))))))
It's bananas how anxiety about certain situation or events we have to deal with tend to blow things out of propotio. Then, when you finally get to the acutal event, meeting etc it turns out waaaay different, perhaps better, than expected!

Im glad things went well for you

LLT

[chaotic13]

Great job splitimage! Sounds like you took a very direct approach and it paid off for you. I'm really glad you told her your concerns about the medication. You have a right to question her, and she has a professional duty to respond without getting upset with you.

Originally Posted by splitimage

I did have to tell her in group that I hadn't started it, and wanted to discuss it further with her in our next appointment. That got it out of the group.

I've never been in a group before. Is this a common practice? Sorry, the image i have in my head is of this woman taking attendence. Leader: Chaotic, you here?, ... Chaotic: Here and well medicated

Then 10 minutes later:
Chaotic raises her hand: "Ah..may I be excused my meds are wearing off and....my brain is full."

[tulips30]

My DH is a pharmacist. He always trys to take the time to explain what side-effects might occur when the customer seems concerned. The sad part is, he has had more than a few doc's call and complain that their patient's don't want to take their med. cause he explained "too much" and scared them. It's definately a "caught between a rock & a hard place" situation.

[imapatient]

Great job handling it.

What puzzles me is that neither your pdoc nor the addiction's doc brought up consulting each other. Do they do that ongoing? It seems that if you're taking or considering taking major, i.e. significant effect on mind/body that aren’t common to all types of care/familiar to all doc’s, meds from 2 diff docs that they'd want to consult. You did right by bringing it up with your pdoc, but I think it’s weird that her idea was to investigate it so much on her own, in lieu of or as a first step consulting. Both docs should want to know what the other hand is doing. I’d want my docs to consult with such high stakes.

[phoenix7]

glad things went well good on you for sorting this out