Do doctors like to keep you on medication?

[ross_1986]

OK, I've been on paxil for the past two years. And about a year ago, I was feeling a lot better so I asked my doctor if I could go off of it, and he said yes, but only after I go to therapy.

So this year I went to therapy, and my therepist said during my last session that I was doing really good and I made a lot of progress. So much, that I didn't need to go to her anymore.

So, I asked my physical doctor after my last therepy session, if I could start to go off of the medication (or at least try), and he said No (without any explanation).

So what am I supposed to do? Just stay on it?

 

[joer]

Well, I would definently ask for an explanation. If he's not willing to give one, I'd be quick to find another doctor.


And yes, to answer your original question. Got to keep those drug companies happy.

 

[Ramindra]

So, I asked my physical doctor after my last therepy session, if I could start to go off of the medication (or at least try), and he said No (without any explanation).

So what am I supposed to do? Just stay on it?

His apparent categorigal 'No' is not good enough. Your GP should/must give you a reason why it is necessary to keep taking the drug. What are the benefits of continuing and what are the disadvantages? How long are you going to have to take the drug? Can you go on a reduced "maintenance" dose for a while? Perhaps you might ask him why he said you could come off the drug conditional upon your undergoing therapy and why has he now reneged on the deal?

Why can't you gradually reduce the Paxil under his supervision? The worst that can happen is that symptoms may re-appear and you know how to cope with that problem.

If you are not satisfied with your GP's response, seek a second opinion.

Despite your drugs question, it is great to see that the therapist has helped and that you are now feeling better. I hope it keeps up!

 

[Kayjay3298]

the doctor should explain fully...BUT hey...i took Paxil before...i stopped though because of sexual side-effects...it took me SO LONG to orgasm (like an hour of rigorous activity...instead of 10 or more easily controllable/achievable minutes) when I was on Paxil...did you experience that?

 

[ajax49]

I had the same experience, Kayjay. I stopped because I couldn't come without rubbing myself raw. I think Paxil is horrible!

 

[tonyboy]

Hey Ross, you've received some good advice from others here ^. Don't just accept what a doc says man, ask some questions. If he's got a good reason he should explain it to you. If you don't agree with his reasons you can
A. got to another doc.
B. stop the med
C. ask if you can start a gradual reduction of the med.

Good luck to you.

 

[Ramindra]

Whatever you do, don't simply stop taking Paxil. Although withdrawal from Paxil does not cause too many problems for most people, it should be done gradually and under supervision. The same applies to Lexapro, Efexor and all other drugs in this category.

 

[cityboy-stl]

WARNING! Do NOT stop taking Paxil cold turkey. Please read through this thread:
http://justusboys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=96990&highlight=Paxil

 

[BoSoxFanVa]

I suffer from depression so I take antidepressants. This side effects suck, especially the sexual ones. I ask my doctor lots of questions and sometimes I don't agree with his answers. We usually come to an agreement and then I follow his advice.

I've never been a big fan of a GP dispensing anti-depressants. I think this is a specialty that needs to be addressed by a pyschiatrist. My advice would be to stay on it until you get a second opinion, from a pdoc.

 

[dunno260]

I believe that the latest evidence in vogue is that antidepressant therapy should be discontinued 18 months after the cessation of depression/anxiety symptoms when treating depression to guard against relapse. Now, I have no clue how that holds true if the person has also had psychotherapy, or what not, but I would guess thats the reason.

I do agree that what the answer your doctor gave you was incomplete, to put it mildly. Not knowing your physician, and assuming he isn't grossly incompetant, etc. etc. I would chalk it up to having a bad day. But you deserve a better answer and deserve to know why you should continue to be on the medication. If you don't agree, you don't have to take the medication, but emphatically tell the doctor that, and make sure that he then puts you on a course to discontinue the treatment. As others have said, do not go cold turkey.

And certainly getting a new physician is an option as well.

 

[ross_1986]

the doctor should explain fully...BUT hey...i took Paxil before...i stopped though because of sexual side-effects...it took me SO LONG to orgasm (like an hour of rigorous activity...instead of 10 or more easily controllable/achievable minutes) when I was on Paxil...did you experience that?

That's one of the reasons why I want off. It's so frustrating when you can't orgasm!!!


____________

Thanks for the advice everyone. I really appreciate it. I shoudl tell my doctor exactly what I want.

I'm gonna make a doctor's appointment next week, and tell him that I want to start reducing the meds.

The reason I did not ask him for more of an explanation is because every single time I bring something like that up, he always gives me some bullshit answer as to why I should stay on. Also, my last appointment was a motnh ago, and I didn't think much of it then b/c I was just happy to be feeling better from the therapy. But now I realize that want to try to cope with my lie without drugs (because I really think that I can).

 

[3nipples]

Have you talked to him about the side effects you're experiencing?

 

[Aussieguy01]

the doctor should explain fully...BUT hey...i took Paxil before...i stopped though because of sexual side-effects...it took me SO LONG to orgasm (like an hour of rigorous activity...instead of 10 or more easily controllable/achievable minutes) when I was on Paxil...did you experience that?

Yes! and now i am opn 40mg's instead of the 20 coz my doctor told me to double up and i am finding it so hard to orgasm! the other day it took me three hours! I was in alot of pain after a while lol

 

[snapcat]

I just wanted to echo the thought to not stop paxil cold turkey. That can lead to more serious complications. You have to gradually wean yourself off of it.

It sounds like you need a second opinion, so I would suggest scheduling a consult with another doctor.

I've often wondered the same thing. Being a physician is a business, and there are incredible costs involved with being a physician. Malpractice insurance rates are soaring. Medical equipment and supplies are at a premium price.

What pisses me off is when I have an appointment but have to wait because the doctor lets a pharmaceutical rep in before me. On the other hand I don't complain when I get free samples of drugs that I need. That came in handy when i didn't have insurance.

I think you have to have a certain level of trust with your doctor or else you need to get another one. For example, my podiatrist seems to prescribe orthotic inserts for most everyone that comes in the door. They cost $400 if insurance doesn't cover them. I wondered if he was just trying to make more money so I read up on the subject and found that corrective inserts seems to solve most common foot complaints.

Sometimes you need to be firm with your doctor when discussing prescriptions. I once got a prescription for something that was so expensive that I couldn't get it. I asked the doctor for something else and he said that I had to have that - I forgot what it was. So I told him that we'll just have to skip that step because I didn't have $400 to spend on one medicine every month. He hemmed and hawed and I finally got something else, but not before firmly telling him that I didn't appreciate his tactic. And the other med worked just fine.

So, yes, in some cases I think doctors do get some kickback from the pharmaceutical companies. Fortunately most drug stores will dispense the generic if one is available. But considering how many free samples are given out by the doctors I'd say that the benefit outweighs any hardship.