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Re: ANTI-BENZO DOCTORS: ANYONE ELSE HAVE ONE?? » royce

Posted by Elizabeth on June 10, 2001, at 10:23:11

In reply to ANTI-BENZO DOCTORS: ANYONE ELSE HAVE ONE??, posted by royce on June 8, 2001, at 14:31:58

> I am curious to what experiences people have had with medication for prolonged states of anxiety. I took Klonopin for almost five years, and was taken off of it by a doctor who didn't like to prescribe it at all, let alone for long periods of time. Since then, I've seen many M.D.s, and they all, always want to try "other alternatives."

Most doctors seem to feel that anything else that works is preferable to a benzo, even if the "anything else" causes more side effects (which it often does). Xanax has a reuputation for being more "addictive" or having more "abuse potential" than other benzos, but it is the least likely to cause or exacerbate depression (a huge advantage for people who suffer from both depression and panic disorder).

> I believe that this response is mostly due to the fact that I have a history of drug abuse which I have not attempted to hide.

I think this is a mistake on doctors' parts. A history of drug abuse should suggest possible self-medictation of anxiety or depression. (Not that this is always what is going on, but it should always be considered.)

> I feel like I'm being discriminated against because I've been honest with the shrinks.

Unfortunately, we live in a world where people with drug problems (or even people who use drugs without abusing them!) are discriminated against, even by doctors.

I'm surprised that the doctors you've seen have been reluctant to prescribe even Klonopin. That's considered to be effective but less abusable than Xanax or Valium. Librium is something you might suggest -- it has very little potential for abuse. (My experience with it is that it is nonsedating but very high doses are required, in excess of what is recommended in the PDR.)

I think that some doctors are more likely to view drug abuse as a contraindication for benzos and are more likely to characterise any illicit drug use as "abuse." I've discussed the issue with some of my doctors, and they seem to understand that many people do self-medicate with alcohol, heroin, cocaine, marijuana, etc. I think that someone with your background would need to get a clear idea of a particular doctor's views on the subject of drug abuse (whether it is a contraindication for the use of benzos, in particular) before making an appointment.

-elizabeth


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poster:Elizabeth thread:65795
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/66011.html