gem

Doh, just re-read the posts, cool so the full moon party is done? Excellent, less hassle on the ferry as someone pointed out (sorry, losing track of posts!). Car barge fantastic idea - my RX wouldn't fit much (and poor thing desperately needs a trip to the mechanics). I'd be happy to bring a shitload of a specimen along as a contribution (plus my sparkling personality) ;) (Edit: me being an idiot and posting stuff I shouldn't, thanks for the heads up endofinder!)

I'm keen as mustard! Maggie Island would be a great venue - besides the full moon party (get your fair share of idiots of course) - the Island is pretty quiet these days. Weather's been a bit crap but hey... Can someone add me to the list please?

Aww... very sweet. Thank you

Hi, hoping someone has some ideas/advice... Moved to the Gold Coast approx 3mths ago, had repeats for xanax so foolishly left finding a decent doctor until I had one week's supply left. Recommended to see particular GP - quack. Refused to prescribe regular medication even after he was provided with my medical records from NQ, which included a care plan to gradually titrate my dosage of xanax (voluntary). Sought second opinion - quack. Over prescribing limits for xanax for that month allegedly. He referred me to a psychiatrist ($300/hr) - quack. Did not look at me during whole consultation, didn't look at any medical records; gave me 5 days supply of xanax and a prescription for Lexapro and Epilim. (Started on 1000mg/day - never had before, nasty.) Rang previous GP in North Queensland - couldn't even speak directly to him but was told he would not prescribe unless I presented in person (1500kms away). So... ideas, suggestions, advice on what to say to triage at ER? (very likely going in today) Thanks for reading. PS: Apologies for TMI - tend to waffle when stressed :/

Terrible Tuesdays was what my friends used to call it - take a pill Saturday night and by Tuesday your serotonin depletion really lets itself be known.

Great post IndianDreaming, I'm going to try and follow the suggestions you gave CBL too.

I wish I'd seen this when you posted it CBL I hope you are feeling a bit better after a couple of days. I wanted to reply to this as I woke up chirpy as and have been all morning... one tiny thing and *bang* depressed (really my moods cycle so quickly from one pole to the other) - I'd just finished typing a post in the GC meet thread and was really happy, chatting to BF about the lovely peeps we met yesterday etc) then ... depressed. It seems *so* hard to climb out of the depression (let alone make sense of it.) Sorry waffling and not actually giving you anything useful Need to re-read everyone's posts so I don't write the same things but I empathised *so* much with your post. With me it's the cycling of my bi-polar (way more rapid cycling than I've experienced since being diagnosed around 18/20yo). Being yanked off benzos after 12 years didn't help I guess So the consensus so far seems to be the incense joint and a lot of built up emotions being released... I can see how that would make sense but your continuing low moods... sorry CBL, not very helpful, I know. I sincerely hope you find yourself in a happier headspace soon. Take care of yourself.

Had a fantastic afternoon with the GC SAB members Massive thanks to DarkSpark and 2Deep for making it happen and 2Deep - thank you and your folks for being such gracious hosts and providing such a beautiful venue! Like Gollum, I'm always nervous meeting new people for the first time but 2Deep was already coming out to the car to greet us and I felt so comfortable and welcomed by everyone there. Oh and thank you to everyone for the trades, *way* generous Finally found something good on the Gold Coast lol (of course AndyAmine goes without saying) Smiling now remembering our Jack taking a 'special' liking to 2Deep hehe Thanks to everyone there gem & AndyAmine

Er, did I mention earlier that I was planning on bringing our Jack along? Um... wasn't so much of an issue when Mt Tamborine or another outdoor venue was being considered. Now that we are meeting at 2Deep's... he's perfectly behaved (in fact he's quite shy after his spinal injury and we're socialising him with other dogs and people). Doh, I'll PM 2Deep

Just confirming AndyAmine and gem will be attending tomorrow Both looking forward to meeting everyone! gem

Thank you chnt I'd be interested to hear other members' thoughts re Ibogaine - it was something I was looking into as a rapid detox. Sounds like the process is awful but... so are benzo withdrawals gem

thank you eatingsand I really appreciate your advice and empathy - tapering down by myself well. Thinking of giving the Epilim away though as it causes too many adverse side-effects (nausea, unsteadiness, rash/hives...). ''when i read that you got the script all sorted i got 'all happy shivers', gem I know you WILL beat those fuckers''. THANK YOU!!! Definitely much easier to continue to titrate down (in conjuction with valium, due for one now, thanks for the reminder ) when a person is in control of their own medication. Also the support and advice I have received from forum members has been overwhelming, I can't express how grateful I am. gem

Happy Birthday Marcel Have a great day!

CBL, thank you for your post - I must admit I hadn't heard of modafinil myself (probably the only perk of working for Centrelink was having unlimited access to MIMS online) I read modafinil and quickly googled it before I saw you kindly put a link there From what I have read on the site I went to (http://www.modafinil.com/) it sounds like a great medication. I definitely could use the help with memory improving (after 12yrs of xanax, gold fish have a longer memory than me ) and ''mood-brightening'' - who wouldn't want that? Oh, just chatting to BF re modafinil and his response: ''good luck getting that''. Suppose need to think of contraindications etc but sounds like in conjunction with epilim, reduced xanax and diazepam, I could be free of meds! I hate to hear someone in a similar position The doc that gave me the xanax said that it was banned in the US (news to me!) - must google some more current info. Empathise with you so much - my example, xanax - doc knew little about but only this ''banning'' in the US because allegedly 'the government' sent letters to all GPs to advise etc. Hate temazepam, not that it works with my current benzo tolerance. I wish you well in finding a compassionate and knowledgable doctor. Best of luck with racetams or whomever you decide to take legal action with

Happy Birthday Etherealdrifter gem

Whoops, that was me!

Love it Gollum, looking forward to meeting you there - I always look out of place at ethno/outdoor events too ''Im excpecting you to have rainbow coloured dreads down to your ass, smelling of patchouli and sandlewood with jesus sandals and a sarong. In fact ill be disappointed if you don't.'' Read this and snorted laughing

DarkSpark, really looking forward to it but idea #2 - no trade, no pants...? ?? My plants are in NQ! (besides my lophies and I'm not bringing them!) I'll just steal some of Andy's cuttings/plants/seeds haha

Hi Gollum Thank you for your lovely post and letting me know about epilim/sodium valporate and anti-depressants. I too have been on countless anti-depressants (from tricyclics, MAOIS, SSRIs, SNRIs etc etc) without any noticeable positive effect. I was prescribed Lexapro at the same time I got my Epilim but didn't want the Lexapro. I'll continue on the Epilim but only one 500mg tablet. Just got my xanax sorted - don't want to trade waking up to panic attacks and hyperventilating (JHC *that* was scary, I thought I was dying, seriously) for seizures or fitting (from cessation of Epillim)... - that and BF said that the Epilim has made a ''huge'' difference (non-subtle way of saying I've been a difficult person to live with ) I think the combination of epilim, diazepam and self-medication spared me the severity of withdrawal horrors I usually experience, thank goodness. I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with me and your kind words. Thank you Gollum.

Thanks to one of our forum members I got my prescription for xanax I explained to the doctor that I has already been titrating the dose down by myself so he gave me my usual 8mg/day to take as required. Now I feel back in control of *my* medication and health and will be able to continue to titrate the xanax down (in conjunction with diazepam & epilim, altho still dodgy on that one). Thank you to everyone who offered advice, suggestions and support. I love you guys Shot at 2012-09-17

You're a sweetheart incognito I didn't want to ''like'' your second post because yes, Centrestink sucks and I empathised with everything you said in your post. I can't believe I lasted five years in the call centre. Like you, loved helping customers but then got in trouble for longer call times... The problem for me was staff too... Primarily team leaders and the management. I could spew bile about centrelink all day Oh and personally I can't think of a more apt word to use for Centrelink (cunts). It's the stupid social security leglislation you have to adhere to, not so much staff ... bah, there I go off again gem

I'm sorry, my mistake. I saw incognito's post (and yours) and the whole centrelink thing and my brain dying... My apologies Bread Filter, I got mixed up and replied to the wrong post. No harm meant.

Doh sorry incognito, I got confused between your post and Bread Filter's - never a dull day working for Centrelink... I hope you are ok, hate anti-depressants - big wuss but honestly crying at the empathy and advice other SAB members have contributed - try putting that (topic thread xanax) as a Facebook status update and I would never have received as much helpful advice, support, leads, suggestions etc (brain is tired) as I have here.

I remember when you got the job and were so happy about it... I didn't realise you were in a CSC. I'd rather have been in the CSC than the call centre, that's for sure. Not the calls (I really enjoyed my job, helping people, calming down irate callers, looking for all solutions for a prob rather than send an actdoc to the CSC to action). I always ensured action if I could do it in mainframe, why not? Because if you *actually help someone, empathise with them if required and be able to paraphrase some complex social security legislation so that the person knew what they needed to do... bugger, I'm waffling again. Oh yeah, if you spend more than 3mins helping someone your call stats are shite.* Probably not good that I haven't had *anything* today. Oh geez, tomorrow is going to be interesting. ARGH - why am I typing about Centrestink???! FFS... I'm shaking my head at myself lol.

Aww chilli *hugs* - thank you You pretty much summed up my situation in your post chilli, probably more succintly than I originally started the thread! Definitely will let you know how I go - have two docs appointments tomorrrow - fingers crossed... I can't just *stop* 8mg/day of xanax over 12 years (thanks Centrestink call centre for needing the bloody anti-anxiety tabs in the first place bah). I've already titrated myself to 7mg without docs input etc... Hmm... bugger, is it just me or I'm typing nonsense? Anyway, I want to be in control of my medication. Have found some useful info on the www.benzo.org.uk FAQ's page, pretty sure it was that site where I read that 'patients' wanting to titrate their dose of medication are far more successful than those who aren't. Makes sense to me - tell me you are taking my anti-anxiety medication away from me and I am going to freak the hell out. I'd already dropped 1-2mg/day but to be cut off entirely after such a high dose for over a decade is a cruel thing to do.