Hey Buddies I need help please

[[Ca...]]

I haven't posted in awhile, but I am in need of your support and help. So I planned on doing a titration but my pdoc just dropped my dosage from 1 mg of xanax 3x a day down to 1 mg per day, I feel terrible what can I do, how long will it take to level out on this dosage? After agreeing to work with me and to take it slow he does this, I can't afford to go to a new pdoc due to insurance reasons I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. My biggest fear right now is having another seizure as you can see in my signature it has happened before. Please, Please any advice I would appreciate.

P.S. I did ask to be switched to a longer acting benzo, but that was a no go

[[wa...]]

Did you tell him that you are at risk for seizure and that you may have to go to the ER for correct amount of medication if you are experiencing those symptoms?  Did you give him the Ashton manual?  Why 2/3 cut?  What is the "medical" reason for that cut?  WBB

[[Se...]]

Hi. Wow. I know exactly how you feel! I too asked for a dose cut by a then trusted psych nurse but she cut lorazepam out completely. So into the ER 2 weeks later I went.

I'd find a different pdoc ASAP & explain your need to slowly taper. I didn't tell my pdoc I'm tapering because I fear a drastic cut would happen...most do not know the dangers of withdrawals.

To stabilize I'd be very cautious. 3mg a day to 1 is a huge cut. I know.

Please don't lose hope. You're strong to want to taper in the first place. I know how anxiety builds for me when a panic or withdrawal hits hard & I get so scared. Then I tell myself the wave won't last long.

Stabilizing takes a month for me. I'm only a week into tapering probably too fast with one freaky night.

Best of luck! 

[[Ca...]]

Did you tell him that you are at risk for seizure and that you may have to go to the ER for correct amount of medication if you are experiencing those symptoms?  Did you give him the Ashton manual?  Why 2/3 cut?  What is the "medical" reason for that cut?  WBB

 

Yes I told him all about my experience He told me he was certain it won't happen again, I asked him how could he be so sure, besides being scared out of my mind, I am hurt when we discussed the taper he commended me for trying to get off, I'm not sure if I am ready to find another pdoc because of insurance purposes, there isn't a medical reason, I think he is testing me (why I think this I'm not sure) I go back on the 6th of June hopefully he'll reinstate the dosage if I am not stabilized by then. If the w/d sxs aren't too bad I will tough it out. Please cross your fingers for me

[[Ca...]]

Hi. Wow. I know exactly how you feel! I too asked for a dose cut by a then trusted psych nurse but she cut lorazepam out completely. So into the ER 2 weeks later I went.

I'd find a different pdoc ASAP & explain your need to slowly taper. I didn't tell my pdoc I'm tapering because I fear a drastic cut would happen...most do not know the dangers of withdrawals.

To stabilize I'd be very cautious. 3mg a day to 1 is a huge cut. I know.

Please don't lose hope. You're strong to want to taper in the first place. I know how anxiety builds for me when a panic or withdrawal hits hard & I get so scared. Then I tell myself the wave won't last long.

Stabilizing takes a month for me. I'm only a week into tapering probably too fast with one freaky night.

Best of luck! 

 

Thank you I needed to hear that, I can deal with most of the w/d sxs but like you the anxiety gets the best of me especially at night, I am praying he'll reinstate the dosage when i see him on the 6th of next month because I can't afford to find another pdoc right now, I also don't want to go to the hospital unless it's absolutely necessary. I am going to try my hardest to stay strong and tough it out. I appreciate all of my bb's support thank you

[[az...]]

Wow, that is so harsh. I will come back- want to support but in a funky place. Sending love your way💜💜💜

[[Ca...]]

Wow, that is so harsh. I will come back- want to support but in a funky place. Sending love your way💜💜💜

Sending ❤❤❤right back at you if you need to talk pm me

[[ol...]]

I'm pretty sure from what I've read here and in the Ashton Manual that a cut that large is not medically correct. However, most doctors don't even know what the Ashton Manual is. I have printed out research articles from PubMed and parts of the Ashton manual to bring in to my doctors. It does sometimes help.

Yuo may need a new doctor.

Sending you good thoughts.

[[Ca...]]

I'm pretty sure from what I've read here and in the Ashton Manual that a cut that large is not medically correct. However, most doctors don't even know what the Ashton Manual is. I have printed out research articles from PubMed and parts of the Ashton manual to bring in to my doctors. It does sometimes help.

Yuo may need a new doctor.

Sending you good thoughts.

I did bring in the manual and some of the taper plans from the forum but he still thinks he knows best, but I can't afford to go to a new pdoc right now can you tell me anything about what I'm about to go through before it levels out if you can? I appreciate any info

[Guest [Kl...]]

Hi "Carolina59",

 

Anytime I reduced my K too quickly, after 24 to 48 hours pass, beside sxs, I would start to get facial numbness or what felt like ants under the my facial skin, especially my cheeks,but all over face and ears,  then it progressed to actual temporary partial facial paralysis, so I went to the ER.  I do not want to scare you so just to elaborate the paralysis was only effecting my ability to puff up my cheek muscles like you would to blow up a balloon, I was still able to talk and chew.  When I went to the ER , got brain scan everything, this is when I found out about benzo withdrawal dangers.  In my case the ER doc told me to restart my K at same dosage and symptoms slowly got better over a few days.

 

  I see from your tapper schedule you have been on K since 2008 that is a long time, if that is the only medication you are on then you could just get 2nd opinion from a regular MD.  My family doc managed my K prescription for years with no problem because I never increased my dosage. I only switch to PDoc when I decided to switch to Valium taper.  Hopefully your insurance only has a small co pay to see a regular family doc.  I would also recommend a doc that has been in practice a while, I find docs that are fresh out of school are very afraid of benzos.  I find communication is the key if you walk in and tell the doc your full story that you have been on k since 2008 and never abused it or increased your dosage and are working toward tapering off and show the doc your log of what happened with the seizure. Ask the doc to please help you tapper at a slower pace, so you are able to stay calm and functional while tapering.  This is just my suggestion, so sorry your are being treated this way and wish you the best.

[[er...]]

Tell that bastard doctor to f himself - and that you'll sue him for malpractice if he puts you through that much of a decrease.  You need proper med support, and he's not giving it to you.. I hate these shithead doctors who've given us this shit!

[[Ca...]]

Tell that bastard doctor to f himself - and that you'll sue him for malpractice if he puts you through that much of a decrease.  You need proper med support, and he's not giving it to you.. I hate these shithead doctors who've given us this shit!

I really wish I could I am waiting for him to call me because I am a person!!! I always quote the part of the oath that all doctors take "First do no harm" well this is harming me.

[[Ca...]]

Hi "Carolina59",

 

Anytime I reduced my K too quickly, after 24 to 48 hours pass, beside sxs, I would start to get facial numbness or what felt like ants under the my facial skin, especially my cheeks,but all over face and ears,  then it progressed to actual temporary partial facial paralysis, so I went to the ER.  I do not want to scare you so just to elaborate the paralysis was only effecting my ability to puff up my cheek muscles like you would to blow up a balloon, I was still able to talk and chew.  When I went to the ER , got brain scan everything, this is when I found out about benzo withdrawal dangers.  In my case the ER doc told me to restart my K at same dosage and symptoms slowly got better over a few days.

 

  I see from your tapper schedule you have been on K since 2008 that is a long time, if that is the only medication you are on then you could just get 2nd opinion from a regular MD.  My family doc managed my K prescription for years with no problem because I never increased my dosage. I only switch to PDoc when I decided to switch to Valium taper.  Hopefully your insurance only has a small co pay to see a regular family doc.  I would also recommend a doc that has been in practice a while, I find docs that are fresh out of school are very afraid of benzos.  I find communication is the key if you walk in and tell the doc your full story that you have been on k since 2008 and never abused it or increased your dosage and are working toward tapering off and show the doc your log of what happened with the seizure. Ask the doc to please help you tapper at a slower pace, so you are able to stay calm and functional while tapering.  This is just my suggestion, so sorry your are being treated this way and wish you the best.

 

I am not on K mine is 1mg of X 3 times a day, I appreciate your support thank you

[Guest [Kl...]]

    Hi Again,  sorry I mixed up that you were tapering off xanax,  xanax and Klonopin are the same family just Klonopin has longer half life.    I also have a prescription for xanax for emergencies, like super bad panic attacks, .5mg.  And I used it once in a while when things got really bad, but now that I started my tapper I never touch it.  I also got my xanax refills from my medical doc , not a Pdoc.  I  am really sorry your doctor is doing this awful thing to do.  I just want to see you get help from a doctor that actually seems to have your best interest at heart.  I would still encourage you,  not give up and try another doctor, if all you are on is xanax and it has been so many years, there are family doctors out there that will help.  I can not  imagine trying to do a direct tapper with xanax without even switching to klonopin or valium, you are very brave it takes a lot of strength to do this !!  all the best to you.