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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by scott-d-o on December 2, 2003, at 22:41:25
I have been diagnosed with social phobia and a local university is running a clinical trial using the anticonvulsant (Keppra) to treat social phobics. They have no idea at this point if it is effective for this disorder. I am hesitant to join the trial b/c I would have to stop my current prescription meds and almost all my OTC supplements. Then there's always the 50% chance I get a placebo and it's all for nothing. I'm wondering if anyone has been prescribed this drug off-label for use in social phobia and what their experiences were? I have been trying to get prescribed Klonopin for a while but none of the doctors in my HMO will prescribe it for me (I guess I was *too* forward about what I wanted and I'm only 21 yrs old.) I know Klonopin helps me immensely because I have bought it from other people before. I know Klonopin is not a good long-term solution but I think if I could build my confidence up for a year on the drug I would retain the benefits after tapering off. Sorry for rambling.. Any input appreciated, TIA.
Posted by JonW on December 3, 2003, at 9:33:31
In reply to Anyone tried Keppra (levetiracetam) for SP ??, posted by scott-d-o on December 2, 2003, at 22:41:25
>I am hesitant to join the trial b/c I would have to stop my current prescription meds and almost all my OTC supplements. Then there's always the 50% chance I get a placebo and it's all for nothing.
I don't understand. Why not just have your current doc prescribe Keppra for you? That way you are guaranteed it is not a placebo, and you don't necessarily have to stop anything.
Jon :)
Posted by scott-d-o on December 3, 2003, at 13:01:45
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Keppra (levetiracetam) for SP ?? » scott-d-o, posted by JonW on December 3, 2003, at 9:33:31
> I don't understand. Why not just have your current doc prescribe Keppra for you? That way you are guaranteed it is not a placebo, and you don't necessarily have to stop anything.
>
> Jon :)Well, the reason is that I don't really have a pdoc right now.. I've been thru almost all the doctors that treat anxiety in my HMO and they are all complete idiots. My understanding of neuropharmocology goes way beyond them.. they just want to throw a SSRI at everything. How these guys became MD's I'll never know.
However, I liked the pdoc that is doing the clinical trial he is very knowledgeable, which is to be expected since it's at one of the top medical universities in the nation.. doesn't see patients away from the trials thou.
The doctors I've seen in my HMO so far don't like to listen to my suggestions. When I told one of them I thought I should go on Klonopin, he diagnosed me OCD/Major depression just to piss me off, told me to increase my zoloft dosage, and threw me out of his office. :) I couldn't even get them to prescribe neurontin! The pdoc at the university went thru all the questions with me for the social anxiety rating scale and said I definitely have social phobia as I expected.. not OCD and depression.
I guess I may just have to bite the bullet and pay for a decent doctor out of my own pocket..
Posted by JonW on December 3, 2003, at 13:36:48
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Keppra (levetiracetam) for SP ??, posted by scott-d-o on December 3, 2003, at 13:01:45
> Well, the reason is that I don't really have a pdoc right now.. I've been thru almost all the doctors that treat anxiety in my HMO and they are all complete idiots. My understanding of neuropharmocology goes way beyond them.. they just want to throw a SSRI at everything. How these guys became MD's I'll never know.
>
> However, I liked the pdoc that is doing the clinical trial he is very knowledgeable, which is to be expected since it's at one of the top medical universities in the nation.. doesn't see patients away from the trials thou.
>
> The doctors I've seen in my HMO so far don't like to listen to my suggestions. When I told one of them I thought I should go on Klonopin, he diagnosed me OCD/Major depression just to piss me off, told me to increase my zoloft dosage, and threw me out of his office. :) I couldn't even get them to prescribe neurontin! The pdoc at the university went thru all the questions with me for the social anxiety rating scale and said I definitely have social phobia as I expected.. not OCD and depression.
>
> I guess I may just have to bite the bullet and pay for a decent doctor out of my own pocket..If you can afford it, that's definitely worth it. Good care is invaluable, and unfortunately, not too cheap. Maybe you could ask the people at the university to suggest someone. Some pdocs offer discounted rates for people without insurance.
Good Luck,
Jon :)ps. If you do try Keppra, let us know how it goes!
Posted by jonh kimble on December 3, 2003, at 16:10:42
In reply to Re: Anyone tried Keppra (levetiracetam) for SP ?? » scott-d-o, posted by JonW on December 3, 2003, at 13:36:48
>>Well, the reason is that I don't really have a pdoc right now.. I've been thru almost all the doctors that treat anxiety in my HMO and they are all complete idiots. My understanding of neuropharmocology goes way beyond them.. they just want to throw a SSRI at everything. How these guys became MD's I'll never know.
Ive had the exact same experience. I too was diagnosed with ocd for mentioning different meds for my social anxiety. Its kind of like a person wanting to get out of a prison cell being told that they have problems for wanting to get out. I think these doctors should be treated for stupidity. I guess its just not a disorder that receives the kind of attention as bi polar and schizo or depression.
For 5 years Ive been looking for an open minded pdoc and still am. Ive gotten no where. I have tried a whack of meds and really havent found anything useful. I feel like if I could be in charge of my meds and treatment I would have been over all this shit years ago and could have saved the medical system thousands of dollars. But I guess not everyone knows medication info like you or i do... Im starting cogntive behavioural therapy and im starting to see more potential in this than I had before, partially cause of some of Jon W's suggestions (thanks)
Anyway to answer your question I dont know a whole lot about keppra (actually ive never heard of it) all i can tell you is what you probably already know, and that is that some anticonvulsants have been shown to be effective for sp (neurontin, topamax) so i guess its worth a shot if your not doing anything else. Some meds im interested in now include abilify (antipsychotic), d- cycloserine(tuberculosis drug, believe it or not), and testosterone supplementation. Id be happy to discuss my reasons for my interest in these but i wont unless you or anyone else is interested.
Ya, but id really like to keep in touch with other people and find out and share as much info as possible. Ive had those treterous problem my whole life and its basically destroyed all my hapiness. Never really had a girlfriend and all my relationships are very shallow for starters. Im still only 19 tho and i know that its hard to see, but I will get over this. We all will if we dont give up.
This is the end of the thread.
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