Connect
I have been in Clonazepam 0.5mg TID for 18 years
My psychiatrist retired and I was left to find a replacement. It seems there are a majority of nurse practitioners these days taking patients as providers, many do not take insurance. I found a nurse practitioner with a very good educational background. I saw her in person and she renewed the medications I was in for 6 months. Next month we had a zoom meeting and she told me she wanted me off the Ambien and Clonazepam because I would get dementia or Alzheimer’s with long term use. She insisted I start tapering against my will. I had school phobia in grade school, began having depression symptoms in my 20’s, and in my late 20’s had two major panic attacks. I have been depressed with anxiety most of my adult life. I have been hospitalized twice because of this. I have never asked for an increase in dosage of Ambien or Clonazepam fur 18 years after I found a wonderful psychiatrist who was so good at medication management.
Now, tapering Ambien and Clonazepam I have started self mutilating by picking my fingers raw until they bleed. I can’t sleep at night, I have become socially phobic. I have become isolative and often think of suicide with no plan. I am 73 years old and I think it is so cruel to put me through this when all I want is to have quality of life, not quantity. I live with my husband in adult senior living which I have not adjusted to. Taking these meds away has decreased my desire to exercise and my endurance is decreasing. My new provider told me if I didn’t want to taper my medication that I should find a new one provider. I did manage to taper the Ambien but I am down to half of the Clonazepam and feel like I can’t go on. Please help me. I am on Paxil and Wellbutrin for depression but it is anxiety and insomnia making my life miserable. I am not the same person I was a year ago.
I feel miserable, she has destroyed any quality of life I had. I really don’t want to live anymore.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.
Connect
I looked into the medication Propranolol and unfortunately I can’t take it, beta blockers are not for patients with asthma so it’s not an option for me, thanks again for the good advice, I appreciate it very much.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsI quit smoking also many, many years ago! Looks like we have addictive personalities!🤦🏼♀️🤦🏼♀️
I definitely have an addictive personality and I’m grateful that my children didn’t make my bad choices. It just goes to show how stress in life can cause you to make choices that you later regret, I’m grateful to be alive today and I owe it to myself to do my best, truthfully I am very tired of being a victim and allowing others to victimize me, better late than never, 🙏👍
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionshang in there. i like wellbutrin and have used it for years. i don't want to go into dementia, so i take no meds that might bring it on. i remember my grandfather doing crossword puzzles to stay sharp. god bless you.
At 73 years old to come off of a medication that is working for you and you clearly need. She’s not the one suffering you are! I would stay on my medication and live my life.
I am already on a beta blocker for palpitations. I would have to co tact my cardiologist.
Unfortunately I need a provider to prescribe the Clonazepam. She insists on tapering me. I agree, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Sadly, she she broke what was working for me because of her idealistic, recent training, and listening to the CDC or whoever is regulating these drugs. She told me to find a new provider……that is her solution and cop out.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI have been in Wellbutrin for many years and I was told to take it twice a day, am and mid afternoon because it can cause insomnia. It does nothing for my anxiety.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactionstry chamomile tea, it always makes me drowsy
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionMy brain is used to a benzodiazepine and tapering it causes withdrawal symptoms. I like Chamomile tea but it does not take away from the anxiety.