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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
Im currently seeing a good pdoc. But hes trying to wean me off xanax. Im down to .25mg. But he doesnt know i take 1mg of klonopin, i get from another source. What should i do?
Alternative#1. Go to a regular doctor and tell him i suffer from anxiety and hope he gives me xanax or klonopin?
If i tell my pdoc i have klonopin, hell def. get pissed and not give me anymore benzos. I dont want to stop xanax or klonopin due to my monthly urines i get for ????? cant say.
I dont have a general practioner as of yet. So maybe ill just get benzos perscribed from a reg doctor.
geno
Posted by rainbowlight on April 19, 2002, at 16:48:43
In reply to My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
Hi geno. How is the Zoloft going for you? Maybe if you got on an SSRI that would work well for the anxiety for you than you might not need a benzo at all. As soon as I started the Zoloft my anxiety went WAY down, eliminating the need for Ativan for me. Maybe you could try Paxil, Luvox or Celexa if the Zoloft isn't helping.
Posted by katekite on April 19, 2002, at 17:28:59
In reply to My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
Hmmm,
Try to make a plan to get on the level with everyone.
Straight out honesty/confession is not the end of the world! That's most likely the best way to go.
If it was me, since I'm not that honest, I would tell my pdoc that I simply can not manage to get off xanax. Period. But that I really do want to. That I started to have trembling or rapid pulse whenever the phone rings or some such bs. Could I add in another benzo such as klonopin to help me with the transition? Its common enough to be dependent on xanax they might go for it, giving me a script for 0.5mgs/day or something. Then once I have klonopin from this pdoc I could misunderstand the label and apparently become even more dependent on it. Then I'm on the up and up, and can deal with things on the level. Of course this tactic is pretty complicated when one could just bite the bullet and confess.
The truth is you wouldn't be able to be decreasing your xanax like this if you weren't on klonopin, right?. So in a way you are really letting your pdoc get the wrong impression of your chemistry and that is not going to help you in the long run. They think you are just smoothly going off xanax. That's not quite true.
In the long run being as honest as possible as soon as possible will work in your favor. If you need more benzos than they want to prescribe then the sooner you find a new pdoc who can work with you the better, or the sooner this one will prescribe an alternative that actually works. Life just stagnates in the meantime.
Leave finding a regular doc as the last resort. I would only do that if I were about out and looking at cold turkey, that being dangerous, and if there were a darn good reason I couldn't tell my pdoc. Planning to BS anxiety to an innocent primary care person starts to look pretty addicted to me.What has gotten in the way before this of telling your pdoc. How did it get started? Do you have a therapist you can talk to about this? Even if they would normally discuss your case with your pdoc, you can ask them not to.
Its better in the long run to have to answer to the shrink's glare every time one asks for a miniscule refill. I've been in a similar position and its hard to get back on track without damaging trust, but if its a good pdoc they will work with you. They will understand. They see much worse than this. If you can, again, just calling them up and telling them asap is the best option.
Sorry you're in such a pickle.
kate
Posted by paxvox2000 on April 19, 2002, at 18:18:10
In reply to well that's a pickle., posted by katekite on April 19, 2002, at 17:28:59
Golly, the benzo-cops are at it again! Don't get me started on a rant, but why is it millions of Americans can legally be drunks, but the guy that would prefer a benzo is a "druggy" not to be trusted. Gee wizz, there are so many other things one could be doing in life. What's worse, being "reliant" upon some benzos all your life, or walking around (and driving?) in a haze all day because you haven't gotten any sleep? When is the medical world going to check themselves for a reality pulse?
Find another Doc, tell him/her straight up what you NEED to get by, ask them to help you out, if that doesn't work, keep shopping. However, be VERY careful about going to different docs for the same class of meds. In many states there are laws against that (state, not Federal). Personally. the quality of my life ain's sh*t w/o a little benzo in the mix.
PAX
Posted by JohnX2 on April 20, 2002, at 1:45:24
In reply to My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
> Im currently seeing a good pdoc. But hes trying to wean me off xanax. Im down to .25mg. But he doesnt know i take 1mg of klonopin, i get from another source. What should i do?
>
> Alternative#1. Go to a regular doctor and tell him i suffer from anxiety and hope he gives me xanax or klonopin?
>
> If i tell my pdoc i have klonopin, hell def. get pissed and not give me anymore benzos. I dont want to stop xanax or klonopin due to my monthly urines i get for ????? cant say.
>
> I dont have a general practioner as of yet. So maybe ill just get benzos perscribed from a reg doctor.
>
> genoI dunno, it sounds like you work good with your pdoc. Have you been up front about your recent dependance on non-prescription atypical anxiolytics (wow, what a euphamism) to treat your anxiety (not the klonopin)?
Be honest with your doctor. Tell him why you would like to take the Klonopin. Be honest that you would like to take Klonopin 1mg 2x day (that's what you talked about before) to help stabilize you. Maybe when you are completely settled on all your medicines (you've been changing them around), i.e. you get the AD and anxiolytic response at a steady dose, then assure your doctor you may be in shape to try tapering the benzo.
Otherwise, maybe look for a new pdoc.
John
Posted by geno on April 20, 2002, at 18:08:32
In reply to Re: My PDOC wants to cut my benzos? » geno, posted by JohnX2 on April 20, 2002, at 1:45:24
Rainbow and johnx,
Today it seems that since i went off the desipramine, and maybe the zoloft is starting to sooth me out, i didnt need much klonopin. I took .25mg of xanax (perscribed) with zoloft in the am. I was a bit edgy , but not panicy. At noon i took 1mg of klonopin and felt sleepy. Maybe tommorrow ill take half and try to stay on that.
when i go back to my pdoc, ill tell him this. The xanax at this dose isnt cutting it. Im still nervous and get panicy. Ill ask him to cut the xanax and add klonopin 1mg a day only, divided doses> illl plead with him. If he says no , well then , it looks like ill be looking for a new pdoc. The zoloft hasnt "kicked in for my mood, it still sucks. Ill tellhim also, i plan to up the dosage of zoloft, THEN ill def need a benzo, because the zoloft will activate me more.geno
Posted by JohnX2 on April 20, 2002, at 19:09:49
In reply to Re: My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 20, 2002, at 18:08:32
> Rainbow and johnx,
> Today it seems that since i went off the desipramine, and maybe the zoloft is starting to sooth me out, i didnt need much klonopin. I took .25mg of xanax (perscribed) with zoloft in the am. I was a bit edgy , but not panicy. At noon i took 1mg of klonopin and felt sleepy. Maybe tommorrow ill take half and try to stay on that.
> when i go back to my pdoc, ill tell him this. The xanax at this dose isnt cutting it. Im still nervous and get panicy. Ill ask him to cut the xanax and add klonopin 1mg a day only, divided doses> illl plead with him. If he says no , well then , it looks like ill be looking for a new pdoc. The zoloft hasnt "kicked in for my mood, it still sucks. Ill tellhim also, i plan to up the dosage of zoloft, THEN ill def need a benzo, because the zoloft will activate me more.
>
> genoHi Geno,
I'm glad to hear that things are going better. Good luck with your pdoc.
John
Posted by rainbowlight on April 21, 2002, at 1:28:07
In reply to Re: My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 20, 2002, at 18:08:32
You sound calmer, even by the tone of your post. I hope it kicks in for you like it has kicked in for me. Maybe it will just take a little longer for you. Hope things go well at the pdoc appointment. Let us know how things go. Take care.
Posted by kregpark@yahoo.com on April 24, 2002, at 12:33:50
In reply to My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
Tell the truth about your effective treatment .. if he cannot back up rationally a reason for you to quit Klonopin, and you feel it is helping you - he is out of line and not worth seeing anyway.
Ray
Posted by Alan on April 25, 2002, at 23:40:14
In reply to Re: My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 20, 2002, at 18:08:32
geno,
Did you read fachad's fabulous post from last period (in another thread with a similar dilemma):
Posted by omega man on May 4, 2002, at 13:09:54
In reply to My PDOC wants to cut my benzos?, posted by geno on April 19, 2002, at 16:37:42
hate to be honest but your post sounds like me three years ago..
youre clobbering your brain..you need help ..that sounds like lifestyle...
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