Dr wants me 2 do inpatient detox, but I call and get nowhere

[[On...]]

Hi

 

I have been on 3 mg of klonopin for 5 years. Have tried Ashton manual for several months but my psych pulled me off bc I needed to go slower than what was stated in Ashton manual. When I showed her the info I emphasized how much dr Ashton emphasized that the schedule is merely a suggestion and when u need to slow down or stick at a level to do that. Well I needed to do that and she just decided it wasn't working and more importantly I think that the controlled drugs laws are pressuring drs to not have a patient on too many controlled scripts regardless of the amount (I was decreasing on s).  So that way now I am only on 1 benzo and I guess that looks better to her superiors.

 

She wants me to go inpatient. I am lost. I have done so much research and have found nothing that inpatient could give me that would get me through withdrawal in 14 days. She said another patient had been on a bezo detox at a certain center and suggested/urged me to check it out. I call and the person I talk to won't tell me anything about what they will give me or how they will detox me. I tell her how much research I have done and how hard it is. She says oh that's what they always say.

 

She tells me some other unimportant particulars and I ask if I can speak with dr or nurse and she says that's not how we work.

 

I'm almost hyperventilating as I type this. My psych only told me that in inpatient they will be able to give me drugs she can't. What drugs? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Sincerely

O

 

[[Lo...]]

Benzo withdrawal timeline is different for everybody.  I don't know of an inpatient detox place that goes past the "seizure territory" phase.  You literally could be feeling the effects for 14+ months.  You were taking a high dose for a long period of time.  There is no inpatient facility on Earth that I know of which will help you through the entire taper. 

 

I think all you can do is taper to your comfort level and fight this crap.  None of the drugs they give you even at inpatient helps speed up the process.  They can make you feel a little better, but again, it's still more drugs...some of which require tapering themselves.

[[me...]]

Hi,

 

I'm sorry your doctor is putting you through this, and as one of the members here who have been through a hospital "detox," I strongly urge you think about this very carefully.  8 years ago, I had a well meaning (but, it turned out, benzo-ignorant) doctor who signed me up for a hospital detox.  She thought she was helping me.  This was my experience:

 

I went to one of the best hospitals in Seattle, a city with top notch medical facilities almost everywhere you look.  I was told the doctor there was an expert at benzodiazepine withdrawal. My primary doctor, who I trusted at the time, told me all this,  and she obviously believed it.  It was 2009, before I knew anything about tapering, and it was a voluntary situation.

 

When I got there, I found myself the only benzo withdrawer on a floor full of alcoholics.  I saw nurses, etc, but no doctor.  They c/t'd me off 5 mgs. xanax immediately, as soon as I walked in.  I didn't see the doctor for two days,  and then for only a few minutes.  He didn't discuss benzo withdrawal with me at all.  I just laid in bed, and they monitored my blood pressure every few hours (it's naturally high.)  That was the extent of the "treatment."  There was no follow up care offered, no counseling, and I was sent home after 4 days with a prescriptions for neurontin (seizure prevention) and seroquel  (for sleep), which I took for a few months to help with my hellish symptoms.  All this cost me $16,000.  My awful, unrelenting symptoms didn't get any better, and after 4 months of non-stop misery and an unrelated health scare, I reinstated xanax. 

 

The reason we're telling you these things is we want to help and perhaps prevent you from getting into a similar situation.  Please ask questions before you sign up, and don't automatically believe everything they tell you.  This is a money making business after all.

[[On...]]

Thank you for your help. One issue I am worried about is that if I don't go to an inpatient center like she wants me to, she will stop prescribing the klonopin or do something inhumane like saying here's your last script and it be for 30 days.

 

I think the laws here might make it look better for her if I do go inpatient. I haven't asked her if she is going to expect me to be off benzodiazepines after this 14 day treatment.  I feel like she just wants the benzos off her books. But I feel like I need long term slow care.

 

Sincerely

O

[[Iw...]]

I know this may be the last thing you want to consider but...would you be open to finding a Benzo educated doctor in your area and trying to get an appointment with him/her? 

 

You may have to ask your doctor her full intentions as to your treatment.  It is your money, you have a right to know. 

 

Wishing you the best. 

[[me...]]

Thank you for your help. One issue I am worried about is that if I don't go to an inpatient center like she wants me to, she will stop prescribing the klonopin or do something inhumane like saying here's your last script and it be for 30 days.

 

I think the laws here might make it look better for her if I do go inpatient. I haven't asked her if she is going to expect me to be off benzodiazepines after this 14 day treatment.  I feel like she just wants the benzos off her books. But I feel like I need long term slow care.

 

Sincerely

O

 

 

Unfortunately what you fear is not uncommon, it can and does happen.  The reason most members here control their own tapers is because very few doctors will take the time to slowly taper their patients off benzos, even at the rate Ashton suggests, let alone slower than that.  This is the unpleasant situation most of us find ourselves in.

 

There may not be a perfect solution here.  Perhaps your doctor would allow you to go on tapering at the rate you have been tapering - because even that is far preferable to a benzo cold turkey. 

[[fi...]]

My hospital detox was similar to Megan's.  I had to reinstate Klonopin once I got home and then taper at a safe rate.  I regret that I ever tried an inpatient detox.

[[Ca...]]

I feel for you...

 

As advised, cover your bases as best you can with a back up Drs name or two...

 

And possibly a frank talk with your Dr.. -seriously, continued reduction of any rate should be enough...

 

I leave you this link in the hope that it may help in a way... 2 parts..

 

"Dont harm them twice"

 

https://www.madinamerica.com/2015/11/language-surrounding-benzodiazepines/

 

Hope it works out...

 

[[Do...]]

This is just my opinion, but if your doctor won't let you go slower than the Ashton manual, I would taper at the ashton manual speed, even if it left me with severe side effects, before I would consider detox.  You said you are scared you doctor will pull the script.  I would ask your doctor if he/she would be willing to give you scripts if you agree to taper at the speed of the ashton manual.  From everything I have read, detox does not in any way prevent or help withdrawal symptoms.  The medications they give you basically keep you from having a seizure while you are there, and that is about it.  For people who have a hard time tapering, going to detox often leaves them in absolute hell for months.  (There are some exceptions, some people do only suffer a month or two then feel better, but this is rare).  There is a good chance that you would suffer a lot less overall tapering at ashton's speed, even if it is too fast and causes many symptoms, rather than going into detox

 

Detoxes are basically good for people who are abusing high amounts, but they are generally disastrous for those who took them daily as prescribed and have trouble getting off.

[[no...]]

I'm going thro this right now! I went no day to get into therapy, and I'm not allowed into therapy, unless I'm clean. currently taking 1mg of x,  3 times daily. I told her this. She reccomened not detoxing by myself, and I knew this and do enter their 3 to 5 day detox. I don't want to go, and leave my baby and husband behind, but I know it's what I need to do, to get myself better and start therapy next Tuesday and get back to work next Wednesday. but everything I'm reading says rapid, inpatient detox basically does t exist. when I called the detox place yesterday they were all, " yeah sure, we can do that " ,,, this is basically a state funded place, i habe to call every few hours to see if a bed is even available. I just wanted some good advice,  and reassuring words that it is possible in this type of setting. I'm so aggravated and super stressed right now. and I have to wait untill morning to get any answers

[[Ch...]]

3mg of Klonopin is a very significant dose...most people would take at least a year to taper from that amount.  A detox facility doesn't have any magical drug solutions that will help much.  Klonopin is long-acting and it takes two full weeks for the full withdrawal to hit, so if it's a 14 day detox, you'll probably be given drugs to prevent seizures while you're there and then sent home as withdrawal peaks. 

 

I think I'd tend to do what Dolphinator78 has suggested if my doctor wouldn't let me control my taper. 

[[no...]]

ok, so I let it just hung up with the place I'm going to try and get into tomorrow, and he said, even being on the Xanax, it's not an issue. I'm sure there are going to be 100 underlying issues and I'm sure it's going to be hell, but he straight up said it's not am issue to be put in 3 to 5 days. NOW, I will say, this man is not a doctor, he works there, doing intake, and said they will keep me comfortable in every way they can. this is seriously just awful for us t deal with and go thro. now I get to spend my afternoon tomorrow calling this place and see g if there is a bed available for me to check int, and hope, when I make the 50 minute drive, that the bed is still available. I'm willing to go thro hell to get my life back and to save my family. I'm just scared as hell

[[Ch...]]

I'm going thro this right now! I went no day to get into therapy, and I'm not allowed into therapy, unless I'm clean. currently taking 1mg of x,  3 times daily. I told her this. She reccomened not detoxing by myself, and I knew this and do enter their 3 to 5 day detox. I don't want to go, and leave my baby and husband behind, but I know it's what I need to do, to get myself better and start therapy next Tuesday and get back to work next Wednesday. but everything I'm reading says rapid, inpatient detox basically does t exist. when I called the detox place yesterday they were all, " yeah sure, we can do that " ,,, this is basically a state funded place, i habe to call every few hours to see if a bed is even available. I just wanted some good advice,  and reassuring words that it is possible in this type of setting. I'm so aggravated and super stressed right now. and I have to wait untill morning to get any answers

 

I don't want to scare you, but I owe it to you to be as frank as possible.

 

Please read Colin's post I've linked for you below.  I tapered from only 2mg daily of Xanax and tried to stop at .25mg, not knowing to continue to a lower dose before stopping.  The symptoms were unbearable and though I went back on the .25mg a few days later, the symptoms that the jump brought on didn't go away for a long, long time.  I was not functional for many, many months.

 

Since you have a baby I feel particularly strongly that detox is a bad idea.  Symptoms of cold turkey withdrawal from 3mg of Xanax are very likely to be very intense and won't be over in a week or so.

 

Please, read this post: http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=53153.0

 

It's been five years since I finished my taper and I'm fine now.  The primary reason I stay on this forum is to help people understand what can happen if benzodiazepines are withdrawn from wrong.  One bad mistake in tapering can put people in a hell that lasts much longer than anyone could imagine.

 

Please read around the forum before you decide to go to detox.  You owe it to yourself and your baby. 

 

We can help you do a proper taper instead.

[[me...]]

ok, so I let it just hung up with the place I'm going to try and get into tomorrow, and he said, even being on the Xanax, it's not an issue. I'm sure there are going to be 100 underlying issues and I'm sure it's going to be hell, but he straight up said it's not am issue to be put in 3 to 5 days. NOW, I will say, this man is not a doctor, he works there, doing intake, and said they will keep me comfortable in every way they can. this is seriously just awful for us t deal with and go thro. now I get to spend my afternoon tomorrow calling this place and see g if there is a bed available for me to check int, and hope, when I make the 50 minute drive, that the bed is still available. I'm willing to go thro hell to get my life back and to save my family. I'm just scared as hell

 

How long have you been on benzos?  I don't think you understand what you'd be getting into by signing up for a detox.  Benzos are not like alcohol or other drugs, they change your brain chemistry, and it takes until long after the drugs are out of your body for your brain chemistry to normalize again.  So, withdrawal and healing can last a very long time, often months and sometimes longer than that.  And the faster you withdraw, the worse and longer lasting the symptoms are likely to be.  The only way to lessen these effects is to do a slow taper, and even then, there will be symptoms for awhile.  The symptoms from a c/t or "detox" can be hellishly severe and disabling, as I described in my post earlier in this thread. 

 

This is a quote from the "Please read this first" post at the top of this board, please heed what it says, because it's a fair warning:

 

(Rapid) Detox refers to when benzodiazepines are withdrawn in an inpatient setting, over a few days, or a week or two, using adjunctive medications to mitigate against the risks of status epilepticus seizures. Although considered 'medically safe', detox withdrawal of benzodiazepines will not protect patients from the potential risks of experiencing very protracted and debilitating withdrawal symptoms after they leave the detox facility. More about benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome:

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=53153.0

 

 

 

 

[[Ca...]]

Nouba, PLEASE give this serious thought and consideration...

Perhaps use the search function on this site, as this is a very common topic, and I can honestly say that out of many hundreds (more??) of post and personal experiences, that I cant recall one good benzo tolerance detox outcome...

We have recently debated some of the leading?? Detox centers and methods in the world...

There is no valid shortcut or medicine... Just time and a symptom based slow taper...

 

IMHO there is a high chance that you may compromise that which you are trying to protect, -family, job and health...

 

Sorry this sounds rough, pls take it as the best of my intentions to warn you to consider a slow taper...

 

My best wishes...

 

[[rc...]]

I don't mean to post this to alarm or scare you by any means. Please read these threads outlining my experience and other buddies' experiences at a detox facility. It's a rough place. They just try to pump you up with meds to calm you down (mainly anti-psychotics and anti-seizure medications.) These medications would give me HORRIBLE akathesia and might even have a paradoxical effect. No one really knows what these kind of drugs do to someone with a compromised CNS from benzos. I would pace the halls of the hospital all day and night. It made me go more insane than when I went in there with horrible withdrawal. If it were me I would try to find a different doctor that will let you do a slower taper. Me, personally, if I did my c/t over again then I would have done it at my house alone. NOT SUGGESTING THIS or really a c/t at all.

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=185820.msg2445603#msg2445603

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=185720.msg2445596#msg2445596

 

[[Do...]]

She reccomened not detoxing by myself, and I knew this and do enter their 3 to 5 day detox. I don't want to go, and leave my baby and husband behind, but I know it's what I need to do, to get myself better and start therapy next Tuesday and get back to work next Wednesday.

 

Nouba, although I don't have personal experience with detox, I have been reading these boards for over 10 months.  You say you want to go to detox so you can go back to work in a week?  People who are unable to taper and go to detox to get benzos out of their systems are usually housebound if not completely bedridden for MONTHS!  Rapidly tapering is not going to make the withdrawal go any easier.  Even in the "absolute best case scenario" in regards to detox you are looking at several weeks of being non-functional. 

 

[[DD...]]

I'm going through hell right now because I stopped benzos cold turkey. I just spent 8days in a damn state mental hospital and not able to work. This is insane and I couldn't recommend it to anyone.

 

Best of luck!!

[[Do...]]

Yes, that is another issue, as the previous poster stated.  Many people who detox end up being admitted into a mental hospital because the symptoms are so severe they think they are going insane, or because the symptoms are so strong they are afraid they will commit suicide if they are not in a safe place.  Many of these people end up on numerous psych meds because the withdrawal effects are just so intolerable, and there is no other way to keep the patient safe.  If you want to be able to be their for your baby, detox is NOT the answer!