in despair after so called psych appointment

[[da...]]

Just called psych guy still not spoken to doctor. Didn't fill me with confidence no sense of urgency. Hence i can see myself ordering more clonazepam; no other option unfortunately.

 

D

[[pa...]]

Hi Dandy,

 

I have been following your posts but this is my first time responding. I'm very glad you kept your appt. and although you are frustrated it seems to me that you've been given information that can still be helpful to your getting off the klonopin.

 

I happen to like options 2, 3 and 5

 

With these options you will have the benefit of being under a doctors care while (hopefully) doing a slow taper and you will get the support of the counseling, along with us here at BB of course.

 

Options 1 & 4 seem way to harsh for me. I've seen here at BB people go through some REALLY tough stuff going that route.

 

Having said that, once I found a type of taper I was comfortable with pursuing, I brought that plan to my GP and she was willing to let me do it my way. She only requested that I send her an email every 2 weeks with my progress.

 

I suppose that if you find you can't cross over to diazepam or your GP expects a "too rapid" taper you could do your own taper via klonopin from your current source.

 

I really do hope though that your GP will be supportive of a plan that you are comfortable with. This is hard enough to get through and we certainly don't need the frustration and fear of our doctors not understanding that a slow taper is the best way to go. I'm pulling for you Dandy. I know that one way or another you can do this. We will all get through it together.

 

My very best wishes and God Bless you too!

hopeful2013

 

I completely agree with this. I went to a 2-week detox.  All it was was nutritional IV's and DIAZEPAM.  That's all it was. And they tapered me too quickly - but when I say "too quickly" there is no way ANY detox could taper me slow enough - because the kind of taper that works well for benzo-recovery adjustment is a SLOW one.  Beyond the scope of a detox stay. So -for these reasons, I like the options 2,3, and 5 also. It is within your control that way.

 

:)Parker

[[...]]

Why don't you combine the various options? Maybe counselling is a way to cope with the drastic change in your life and going to a facility will get you the medication you need. Most doctors are not willing to prescribe a huge amount of benzos in once, so if you don't want to order online you will have to jump fast and make large cuts, or do a cold turkey. And if you do order online, a lot of doctors don't want to help so you can't be honest. If you want to taper, maybe you could try to taper with the pills you order online? If you don't want to taper, I'd like to tell you that it isn't ALWAYS bad to do a CT, like it is not ALWAYS good to taper.

[[da...]]

Nema

 

I have a GP appointment at 11.00 Thursday. The psych guy called and told me that he had spoken to my GP and expressed concern that when I was seen yesterday in his opinion I looked a shade of yellow. They both suggested a blood test. I reminded him that I was only discharged from hospital a week ago and not only did i have an ultrasound to check my liver which was fine. I also had blood tests every day of the 5 days I was in hospital and was discharged on the basis everything was fine.

 

I will go and see the GP but refuse a blood test.

 

Quiet frankly I am totally disillusioned with my doctors practice and will now go ahead and order more clonazepam forthwith.

 

In summary,  I am totally pissed off. They are a bunch of idiots. Need to take a tablet maybe 2.

 

dandyhighwayman

[[me...]]

Nema

 

I have a GP appointment at 11.00 Thursday. The psych guy called and told me that he had spoken to my GP and expressed concern that when I was seen yesterday in his opinion I looked a shade of yellow. They both suggested a blood test. I reminded him that I was only discharged from hospital a week ago and not only did i have an ultrasound to check my liver which was fine. I also had blood tests every day of the 5 days I was in hospital and was discharged on the basis everything was fine.

 

I will go and see the GP but refuse a blood test.

 

Quiet frankly I am totally disillusioned with my doctors practice and will now go ahead and order more clonazepam forthwith.

 

In summary,  I am totally pissed off. They are a bunch of idiots. Need to take a tablet maybe 2.

 

dandyhighwayman

 

Emphasis mine

 

 

Hi dandy,

 

I'm sorry that you're frustrated with your doctors, etc, but please let me remind you of this all-important fact:

 

Withdrawal from benzos can be extremely difficult for most of us.  In order to do this successfully, a different mindset is required: Getting off and staying off benzos must be one's top priority, bar none. Anything that distracts us from that goal or interferes with it--for instance thinking that our doctors are "a bunch of idiots," being "pissed off," or whatever, has to be disregarded.  Single-mindedness is what's required for success.  Dedication, nothing less.

 

Megan

 

[[On...]]

I agree 100% with Megan!

 

I often think the doctors are not as well informed as I would like, but I do not use that as a justification for hurting myself.

 

Someone told me something once that changed my life:

 

"Holding a grudge is like drinking poison yet inexplicably  expecting the other person to die from it".

 

Yeah yeah, they look 12, they don't treat us the way we'd like, they don't jump when we say jump, they don't always know what we know, but if you don't let all that go and focus on what you need to do to get well, you've let that destroy you. And what good will that have done you. Remember: your goal is to NOT end up in the hospital again. You need to keep all the allies you can get. Try not to alienate ANYONE. 

[[Ho...]]

I couldn't agree more with Megan. There are things that we need to let go of during a taper or that frustration can bring it's own tension and make symptoms much worse. It's a good time to learn what's really important and what to let go of. Most on this forum got little to no help from their doctors. My doctor wasn't the least bit helpful. I eventually learned to accept this about him and just saw him to get my prescription for my taper. I got my information and support on this forum and got off benzos pretty smoothly.

 

 

[[me...]]

I couldn't agree more with Megan. There are things that we need to let go of during a taper or that frustration can bring it's own tension and make symptoms much worse. It's a good time to learn what's really important and what to let go of. Most on this forum got little to no help from their doctors. My doctor wasn't the least bit helpful. I eventually learned to accept this about him and just saw him to get my prescription for my taper. I got my information and support on this forum and got off benzos pretty smoothly.

 

I agree, I did my taper all on my own with no help from anyone.  I joined BB after I'd jumped, and it's been invaluable.

 

 

[[Ch...]]

FWIW I think #1 and #4 are the only viable options given your particular circumstances and history.

 

I don't think you're in any position to be calling the shots.

 

Just my opinion, probably not the popular one but there it is.

 

I really wish you well. You need professional help.

[[da...]]

Are you really suggesting that a young GP has more knowledge than an experienced Consultant at one of the largest hospitals in the UK.

Also one does not get discharged without every possible problem resolved and satisfactory.

 

Regards

Dandyhighwayman

 

[[Ho...]]

FWIW I think #1 and #4 are the only viable options given your particular circumstances and history.

 

I don't think you're in any position to be calling the shots.

 

Just my opinion, probably not the popular one but there it is.

 

I really wish you well. You need professional help.

 

Being under a doctor's care would be ideal..without a doubt. The problem with detox programs is they will certainly get you off the meds your on but when they release you and you're left to deal with some pretty intense withdrawal symptoms on your own. Even in a detox facility, a rapid taper of two weeks for upwards of 10 mgs of clonazepam is going to leave you feeling pretty shitty (to say the least) for months and months if not longer. Due to your high dosages I think a slow taper is what would be best. I would love it if you could find a doctor who would be on board and knew what to do but those kinds of doctors are few and far between.

 

You've been given some good resources on this thread, such as the post below.

 

Dandy, I don't know where you live but there is a group called Battle against Tranquillisers in the UK run buy a  woman called Una Corbett.  If you cannot get to the group, she can help with advice and support by telephone  If it was not for her,I could not have got through benzo withdrawal, and I was only able to speak to her by phone.  Her number is 01179663629.  Leave a message and she WILL get back to you, it may take a few days because she is very busy sometimes.

 

  You really really need to stabilise on a sensible taper, believe me,  I know.  You are not able to think properly at the moment because you are on such an enormous dose, (I know you feel as if you can think straight, but you cannot).

 

Please ring Una on 01179663629 tomorrow. She can advise you on how to taper off your enormous dose

[[To...]]

I'm pretty new to this board but have followed this thread as well as the related previous threads and it mortifies that anyone can suggest anything beside immediate hospitalization to this individual.

[[da...]]

One love

 

Believe me I respect your views but we are all entitled to our own opinions. I know this GP and have little faith based on previous experience.  The Consultants I saw in hospital are esteemed and respected.

 

Whilst in hospital I underwent an ultrasound,  mri scan plus a camera test. Not to mention a whole battery of blood tests.

 

I am in 2 minds whether to even bother with this doctor. I may ask for a second opinion using a private doctor.

 

No disrespect One Love but I think I know this GP and I have no confidence. I would rather not see her receiving an erroneous diagnosis from someone just out of medical school.

 

Regards

 

D

[[da...]]

Tom12345

 

I was discharged from hospital last Monday after 5 days.

 

D

[[Sv...]]

Dandy , one thing that helped me was writing the following in huge letters on my bathroom mirror:

 

I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN HEALTH AND HAPPINESS

 

doctors can be idiots and so forth, but at the end of the day if any of us want to get healthy,"we" have to do the work. No one is going to do it for us.

 

It's good to get advice from doctors, Fromm BB buddies, from ur friends and family.  But it is all just advice.

 

Come up with a plan and get it done. Like u I'm an engineer, and we are great problem solvers.

 

Make ur health ur number one priority!

 

Take care

[[da...]]

Svenhoak

 

Yes we do tend to be good problem solvers. However,  we are equally good at identifying risk.  You don't have to be a genius or even undertake a risk assessment to conclude that it is  illogical to trust a'rookie' doctor versus experienced Consultants, 5 days in hospital, numerous diagnostic tests and a battery of blood tests.

 

It is really no contest.

 

Cheers

 

D

[[Sv...]]

I'm with ya on that Dandy. Do ur risk assessment, collect info from"relevant" sources, compile, develop a plan and carry it to fruition.

 

A lot of us will try to help with advice. It's just advice that is coming from good intention. Forget about the newbie doctor. Pull everything together and develop ur plan.

 

It's been a long road for me personally getting off these pills and I'm excited to say that I'm finally feeling the benefit. U will too. It's worth the struggle. Hey, who doesn't like a good challenge right?!

[[da...]]

Can't argue with that either Svenhoak..We engineers should stick together. 

 

It's great to hear you're feeling a lot better and I am sure your right that I will get there eventually.

 

I may see the young doctor on Thursday on the basis I have nothing to lose. Can always ignore if I consider the advice to be inappropriate.

 

Take care

[[da...]]

After reviewing this thread I have reached the conclusion (as Svenhoak implied) that in the end you have to rely on your own feelings and insticts.

 

You can see different doctors,  addiction experts (so called). The advice offered on this forum is very helpful but even here members inevitably have varying opinions. It is just human nature.

 

However,  the common theme is that a slow taper is the best way to go. I agree and can testify that cold turkey is no fun but just about doable. I will sleep on which direction I shall take mainly because I don't believe my rookie doctor will prescribe diazepam. She has no experience in benzo withdrawal. She is also not a good listener.

 

I have 62 clonazepam tablets remaining and I need to make a judgement call on whether that is enough to taper. I suspect it is not so I have only one option. Order another 100 which if I do tomorrow will be here by the weekend.

 

That should allow me to carry out a smooth taper but I will need help.  It is just a shame that my doctor is not more

Accommodating with diazepam although I will press her hard so to speak.

 

Just a few thoughts.

[[Ch...]]

I'm pretty new to this board but have followed this thread as well as the related previous threads and it mortifies that anyone can suggest anything beside immediate hospitalization to this individual.

 

100% agree with you Tom. :thumbsup:

[[Br...]]

Are you really suggesting that a young GP has more knowledge than an experienced Consultant at one of the largest hospitals in the UK.

Also one does not get discharged without every possible problem resolved and satisfactory.

 

Hi Dandy!  Were you in hospital for the colonoscopy or for something else?  Different specialities would check you for different things.

 

 

 

 

 

[[da...]]

No, this was a separate admission for 5 days. The colonoscopy was as an outpatient.

[[To...]]

 

 

Hi Dandy!  Were you in hospital for the colonoscopy or for something else?  Different specialities would check you for different things.

 

I'm glad someone finally asked this question

[Guest [Po...]]

I'm off Dandy, I am going to save my breath to cool my porridge.

 

I wish you the best and will come back in a few weeks to see how you are doing.

 

PS I am going to try and edit Una's phone number out of my  post, because I know she does not like it to be made so public

[[Br...]]

No, this was a separate admission for 5 days. The colonoscopy was as an outpatient.

 

Hi Dandy!  Can't see why your doc would be reluctant to prescribe the amount of benzo the hospital has worked out you need. If you were in for either benzo problems, substance-related disorders or psych problems then the hospital would have sent a discharge letter to your doc with a management plan. 

 

It's not clear where the addiction specialist you saw yesterday (who seemed very young) fits in.

 

It's also not clear where your other doc has gone.  I mean the one you called "an excellent doctor well versed in benzos withdrawal issues."

 

Maybe you could clarify?