New DX - What next

[alex44]

Saw my doc today - I go to the VA - Plwasently surprised that he is not opoid phobic and is going to be a pleasure to work with. A good thing too because I am still in mild shock, the first thing he told me is that he believes i am Diabetic. Medicine is my avocation and I know how horrible this disease can be. I go in for more tests next week to find out for sure but based on my sugar levels it does not look good. he then proceeds to tell me i am probobly suffering from adult ahdd. Based on the literature and talking to him I suspect he may be right and that is why I cannot seem to hold a job, among other things. He wanted to put me on Cymbalta - only he used the pharmacutical name, i looked it up, I told him I would think about it. I am currently on xanax and that has worked well for a long tme now and I am reluctant to change because when I have a panic attack - it works - period. he did increase my pain meds, his goal is to eliminate the breakthru - in his opinion i should be on a steady dose and not need them. We shall see. Well, that;s about it - any feedback on how to handle all tis would be appreciated - a lot to deal with especially sincie i have a lot of health issues i have not dealt with in this post. I thank God i have the VA.
hope this finds everyone else well and happy - and a belated happy new year.
Ale - Who does noot know if he is coming or going

[Kandra]

Hi alex,

I developed diabetes from steroids...eek! :( Do you have a family history of diabetes?

Did he want to put you on Cymbalta as an antidepressant/adjunct med for pain? Cymbalta is an antidepressant which of course you know since you looked it up. Did he say he wanted to take you off the xanax? There's no reason you couldn't take both. I take Klonopin and used to take Cymbalta but for me it didn't work...tho it does help many.

I think you need to ask him if he intends to keep you on the xanax...find out his intentions. As for BT...IMHO one will always have some BT periods...the goal of the long-term meds is to decrease the number of times you need BT meds of course...but to completely eliminate them is (again IMHO) not quite possible :)

Kandra

P.S. If you have any questions about diabetes, feel free to ask...if you do indeed have this, depending on the severity and your AC1 they'd probably start you on oral meds first.

[Digikitty]

HI..i am soo glad you have a great PM,mine stinks...anyways, i was on Cymbalta for 3 yrs and just got off it, I couldnt afford it any longer, but for painic attacks, it never helped me...I would suggest to the dr taking possibly the Xanax PRN?

[Cervie Barb]

Sounds like you found a good doc at the VA, Alex! That is great - treat the whole person - imagine that!

Shocker about the diabetes, but good that they caught it before organ damage. So, they gonna try pills and diet change?

Keep us posted, and take care.