Something to show to P-doc

[[Ph...]]

I just recently left my appt with my psychiatrist in a bit of a storm. As often seems to be the case, this doctor does not seem to really believe in protracted benzo withdrawal, is insistent on doing things her way, and thinks a fairly rapid taper at a lower dose is the way to go. I went in there hoping she would listen to me, work with me based on the symptoms that I'm experiencing, and at least educate herself on the seriousness of the symptoms I'm experiencing. On my first visit last month, I was honestly just hoping to get a script for remeron and a reasonable dose of valium, but instead she reluctantly gave me a low dose of valium and a script for depakote (I'm not bipolar, and I'm not sure the depakote is doing much besides helping a little with sleep.. and that could be just me stabilizing on the valium). Besides the physical symptoms (some vertigo and head pressure, my major symptoms were ocd and racing thoughts).

 

Anyway, I told her I that I basically had to titrate up to 7.5mg of valium to relieve symptoms, and she did not like that at all. Basically said I had to do it her way or not at all. So now I'm about to run out of valium a week early, and she refuses to write any more. She didn't even have the conversion correct as I was on 0.5mg - 0.75mg of klonopin which is closer to 10-15mg of valium depending on where you look. And I actually felt like I was beginning to stabilize a bit on the 7.5mg of valium, and now this is going to be a big set back. The only fortunate thing I can say in my case is that I have a decent amount of klonopin left over from another script that I can use to get me through.

 

So my main question is.. what would you guys recommend showing a doctor who isn't as experienced in this? I suppose a good place to start would be the ashton manual. But is there anything else you might recommend?? Thanks for the replies.

[[er...]]

I would suggest, if you can (and good luck with this) try to find someone that will put you back to your starting taper dose and DON'T TELL him/her that you are doing a taper. If you supply him/her with this information they could try to taper you on their schedule. I keep at least a four month supply of Klonopin on hand just in case (Doctors can get killed by a bus) and I don't mention that I have been trying to taper. My primary care doctor is the only one that knows that I've been trying to taper and only because she isn't the one prescribing my K. This is only a suggestion.

[[bl...]]

Try the nice guidelines and the British national formulary both on the bataid website - more up to date than Ashton and recommends symptom based tapers

[[Ph...]]

Thank you for the replies, guys. Unfortunately one of the links to the NICE guidelines won't open because it says that it is only available in the UK. Fortunately one of the other NICE guidelines will open, and has some helpful information about letting a patient go at their own pace. Like I said, I'm lucky enough to have a couple months supply of klonopin, but am on valium now and just hate switching back and forth like this. Thanks again.

[[er...]]

You got stuck in a really shitty position. With a couple of months supply of Klonopin you at least have the option to figure out a taper schedule that will cause you the least amount of discomfort. Something like a 10% drop of the starting dose every 14 days until you reach 20% of the starting dose and then 5% every 14 days. Even that's generic. Even slower if you have to.  I wish I did it like that.

[[Ph...]]

Yeah, it's not the ideal position to be in. But I suppose it could be a lot worse. I could be in a position where I'd have to go cold turkey off close to 10mg valium (after just starting to re stabilize), and with nothing to replace it with. I hate having to switch back to klonopin like this, but it's certainly better than having nothing at all. Guess I'm going to be shopping for a new p-doc..

[[Ph...]]

Just wanted to say that by way of a small miracle, I've managed to secure about a 3 months supply of valium through other means.  Timing couldn't be better. Now I've only got to stress about hurricane Irma..

[[er...]]

I hate having to switch back to klonopin like this, but it's certainly better than having nothing at all.

Did you feel better on Valium? I have an appointment with my doctor next week and I'm considering asking if it would help to switch over from K to V. I was doing a lot better on Xanax. Everything got worse when I was switched over to K.

[[Ph...]]

It's hard to say. A lot of it is just what your body gets used to, which is why I don't like the idea of switching back and forth. Valium, I believe has more muscle relaxant properties. When I reinstated, that was a big issue, the feeling tightness in my head, neck and shoulders. I honestly preferred klonopin to a small degree for the anxiety aspect. Everyone is completely different in this regard, and in what they prefer and how their body responds. Maybe others can chime in..

[[er...]]

I never had anxiety so that's why I wanted to talk to my doctor about switching to Valium. But, he only makes my appointments for every two months so if I have a question in the first three weeks I have to wait another five weeks to get an answer. I may be in the position you're in. I called in two prescriptions the other day, Klonopin and gabapentin. The pharmacy hasn't received a prescription yet. I made a mistake about leaving him a message about doing the switch. I call the office and get a voice mail. No one calls back. So now I'm bugging. I just ordered some Phenibut. He can keep me from Klonopin and Gabapentin but he can't keep me from phenibut and alcohol. I did an inventory, I have enough Klonopin for 103 days. The Gabapentin is going to have to be for emergency purposes. Then I'll still need him so I can taper off of lamictal and Remeron. It's pretty bad when I can't ask my doctor a simple question. I'm tired of being held hostage.

I'm sorry for hijacking your thread but I'm really PISSED OFF!!!

[[Ph...]]

No worries, man. It's good that you're stocked up for a bit. Dealing with docs can be difficult. In most cases, we probably know a lot more about this than the docs do, who can often be as incompetent as the guy running your local fast food drive through. It certainly is frustrating having to visit doc after doc, scheduling appointments, paying your copay, or even worse.. paying cash only to find the Md or p-doc is not willing to work with you. Coming off of that much gabapentin does not sound like fun. Best of luck to you.

[[Ph...]]

I hate having to switch back to klonopin like this, but it's certainly better than having nothing at all.

Did you feel better on Valium? I have an appointment with my doctor next week and I'm considering asking if it would help to switch over from K to V. I was doing a lot better on Xanax. Everything got worse when I was switched over to K.

 

Another thing I forgot to mention is that at least for me, valium tends to make me feel a bit more heavy, like I'm dragging.. also a little less effective for anxiety. Some people do get more get depressed on k-pins, but fortunately I don't have that experience. In fact, it might be the opposite.