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Re: Is anyone happy with their current treatment and doctor?
by Narco Tom (no login)I am not happy with my doctor. He is overloaded, so he has little time during my regular "checkup". He is primarily a pulmonary doc with a sleep disorder add-on, so I tend to know as much or more about my disease than he does (at least the more subtle aspects of it).
I'm not happy with my treatment, either. The Provigil is about 75% effective, so I'm still prone to episodes of "nodding off" or zoning out. The Vivactil (a tri-cyclic antidepressant) is only about 50% effective on my cataplexy (but at least it kills my sex life). Finally, the Sonata I take to put me to sleep is starting to build up a tolerance, so 1 pill many times doesn't put me to sleep. (I have tried Xyrem and it does nothing except remind me of the recreational drug experiences I had in college.)
Having said all that, my quality of life both at home and at work is SO much better than it was before I got on some kind of medication. I at least have SOME alertness, some ability to hear or make a joke without falling down. I now have a fighting chance (and it literally is fighting at times) to stay awake at work and make a decent living. My wife is going through menopause, so her hormonally-induced lack of interest in sex makes my antidepressant-induced erectile dysfunction far less of problem.
Bottom line: My life, in general, still sucks - big time. However, it would suck far more without the meds I have now and without the doctor I have now.
Posted on Jul 15, 2008, 9:48 PM
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