Good luck on your journey. I did get a neurologist who is a sleep specialist and would have prescribed the clonazepam for me but I had been off it long enough to know I never wanted to endure another taper if I didn’t have to. I’m sleeping thanks to Lunesta and my anxiety is better as well. It has taken over a year but I haven’t fallen once and I’m sharper mentally. I would not have known so I guess I’m somehow better off. Everyone is different and I know people in their 70’s still happily taking a benzo without issues.

You bring up an interesting point that most folks don't understand. The reason docs don't like seeing folks over 65 is because once we are on Medicare, the reimbursements from the govt. via Medicare is much less than the doc receives for a younger patient on traditional insurance via their employer plan. It's really night and day, so providers typically lose money on Medicare patients and make their money on those under 65. It's called cost shifting, so employers are in effect subsidizing low reimbursements via Medicare. 99% of people don't know this, only reason I do is because I was an Insurance executive and consultant until I recently retired. Sad that docs are dropping older folks but thats the reason. Best of luck to you!

Same thing happened to me. I started tapering when I was 67. My original doctor abandoned me and it was very difficult to find another willing to take on a “benzo patient” at my age. Horrible!