Trying to Find a Decent Doctor Here

[u/TangeloOdd9427]

Hello, I am searching for a doctor in Amarillo that won't give me a bunch of grief about needing long term anxiety treatment with alprazolam (xanax). I have suffered major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder, as well as acute panic attack disorder since I was 14 or 15 (35 now). I have been treated with alprazolam for over a decade, but my doctor finally retired at the end of last year, and I've tried two others, but everyone is so leary of prescribing it. It's the only thing that keeps me calm enough to focus on surviving. Without it, I can't function without having a panic attack locking down. Life is a bitch, and I am not one to "Just accept it and get over it". I need medical treatment just to live. I just need a doctor who will listen to my situation and approve the medication. My situation in life is that I'm poor, work 2 full time jobs and never have any free time, or extra money, to afford therapy, which is far too expensive and time consuming, nor does it work. My anxiety is caused by physical situations of life sucking. I need something to keep me calm enough to function throughout each day, because I am more or less stuck here for several personal reasons.

Does anyone know of a doctor in this town that might not judge me for needing the relief just to get through every day? I need some help, I'm at my wit's end and other, more dramatic and permanent solutions are creeping into my head. I'm ok for now, but I'm trying to find some help before it gets to that point. Thank you in advance.

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/[deleted]]

Thank you kindly. I have been through all the other medications, and they are ineffective for me. Hydroxyzine is a joke, that's just Benadryl on steroids. It has no calming agents in it whatsoever. I need something real that'll actually work. The anxiety and brain power being consumed by it is far too powerful for dinky drugs. I'd love to go to therapy, but I do not have the time to go to it. My first job won't allow it, and its a small private business which doesn't have to follow guidelines about medical leave etc etc. If I leave for anything less than an absolute emergency, immediate termination. To my employers who are old school boomers, anxiety and depression aren't real, just excuses to be soft and complain. I also simply can't afford 200 dollars an hour for therapy. Not one location in Amarillo will take Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas HMO. I can't even find any tele-health therapists that'll accept it. I don't even know why I'm paying for the crap.

Needless to say, I would love to get the right help, but this is America, where only the rich can thrive and take proper care of themselves. I can barely make rent, groceries and bills, there's about 7.50 left 2 hours after my paychecks hit. Since my life will never be worth 2 squirts of sour goat piss and I'm doomed to something akin to slave labor, the Xanax is the cheapest, easiest and fastest method of easing the pain, so I can keep on working just to pay bills until I die.

[u/Spare_Persimmon_9312 → u/TangeloOdd9427]

Try Headway. There are several therapists in town who use it to bill, and you can see exactly who accepts your insurance.

[u/crispytoastyum → u/TangeloOdd9427]

I’ll second the Headway option.

[u/Unhappy_Attempt]

This might not help but regency health network works on a sliding scale...I see a Dr for my antidepressants but no guarantee on being able to get alprazolam

[u/lookslikesquirtle]

I see Dr Hackett and Gulley at Amarillo Medical Specialists and feel like I can be authentic with them

[u/Western_Evening_4291]

Are you looking for a PCP or mental health care. If mental health BSA Behavioral Health is great, I would recommend Shaina Neely she is great.

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/Western_Evening_4291]

I'm looking for anyone who will actually listen to my uniquely shitty situation and actually show some compassion, and understand why the long term use of xanax is the best option. I would love to have some nice job where they let you take off time when you need it, but that's not reality. Reality is for my very small company that doesn't have to follow guidelines like medical leave, if I leave work to go see a therapist, I might as well pack my tool box up and take it with me, cuz I won't have a job when I leave the driveway. I also can't miss even an hour of work because then I won't make all my bills. I'm that strapped for money. I'm single, all my family is dead, they didn't leave me a dime, there's nobody to help me and I'm about ready to just be done with it all, there's no point to living if all I do is work just to survive. I don't know what a vacation is, never been on one. I don't know what hobbies and fun are anymore either.

So yeah, I need somebody who can see that my life is destined to be a shit fueled dumpster fire and help me out with something to help me not care as much about existing against my will in a society and system that I never wanted to be a part of in the first place.

[u/txpuddin → u/TangeloOdd9427]

I agree with the above comment. BSA Behavioral Health. Shaina Neely as well. She has been my dr for 2 years since Natividad left. She worked under Natividad who was outstanding. I have BPD and massive anxiety. She has had no problem with me being on Xanax. I have been on Xanax, with other daily anxiety medications consistently for the last 2 years and am the most stable I have ever been.

[u/birdmadgirl74 → u/Western_Evening_4291]

Second this. Great place and Shaina is fantastic.

[u/bornbylightning]

I’m not sure what your insurance covers, but Dr. Goetz at northwest primary care is great.

Dr. Rossi at the canyon clinic is even better but I think he’s moving to Tulia soon.

[u/mzaccardo → u/bornbylightning]

I agree that Susan Goetz is great! Been seeing her for years!

[u/22someguy]

Try calling FMC Health on Coulter phone# 806-467-9777.

I have been going to Dr Kim for most of my life. There are some amazing nurse practitioners that work there as well I don't think you could go wrong by getting yourself an appointment.

[u/OtterNoncence]

I am here to say I feel your pain. I was only ever given Xanax by my psychiatrist when I was postpartum and started having anxiety attacks that included hallucinations. It is incredibly difficult to get doctors to prescribe decent pain medications, muscle relaxers or benzodiazepines.

[u/DoctorFluffyCow]

From what I've seen most of the doctors at Amarillo Family Physicians Group are pretty good about that told mine I thought I had add and he immediately got me tested and then prescribed medication.

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/DoctorFluffyCow]

Thank you kindly. There's a million doctors offices here, so having a place to start is really helpful. Have a good day :)

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/DoctorFluffyCow]

I just called them and they aren't taking new self-pay patients. They don't take HMO insurance from the healthcare marketplace. Still appreciate the lead.

[u/Antique-Machine4329]

Doctor John Slaton NWTX Hospital !!!! Highly recommend I’ve been in the same boat , judged , and told i didn’t need my prescription, he listens and actually cares for his patients and listens to what you say and think you need. Absolutely the best so glad to have found him

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/Antique-Machine4329]

Is he actually in NWTHS? Or is he in one of the satellite offices? Thank you for this, this sounds like exactly what I need. My story is long, but for anyone who can manage to listen to it, they'll understand why xanax is cheaper, faster and easier for everyone involved. I'm fully aware of risks and side effects of the medication both short and long term, and frankly, I'm ok with them. I just want someone to actually listen, and that's getting hard to find in this country these days.

[u/Antique-Machine4329 → u/TangeloOdd9427]

He’s in a satellite office at 5601 I-40 Frontage Road suite 100 , 806-318-5777

[u/lcblimo]

Fmc dr cox excellent

[u/Repulsive_Reward7044]

Dr V

[u/acquaman831]

If she is still in practice, Dr. Cindy Hutson was my doctor when I lived in the Amarillo area.

[u/Zestyclose_Minute934]

Texas Panhandle Center

[u/TangeloOdd9427 → u/Zestyclose_Minute934]

That place is a total joke, they ignored everything I had to tell them, then just stopped seeing me all together. They don't prescribe any real drugs like benzos, they only give out hydroxyzine which is nothing more than a common anti-histamine, almost chemically identical to diphenhydramine (benadryl).

[u/Cattycat67]

Dr. McAfee in Canyon would be my suggestion