Klonopin & Gabapentin for sleep

I'm glad you figured out that healthcare in the U.S. is a business. I've been all over the globe as an international pro surf bum. In the industrialized countries I visited, they ALL had socialized healthcare, universal healthcare, or similar care for not only their citizens, but even passersby like me. And in the countries that didn't, I paid cash for whatever care I needed; and the cost was always far below what doctors bill you for here.

I can relate well to your post. In fact, at first I thought I was reading something that I'd written and forgotten about. That's how closely your story is to mine. I once asked a psychiatrist who I was seeing reply when I asked him about the long-term effects of Depakote, Zoloft, and whatever Benzo he had me on, he gave a terse reply while typing his notes, not bothering to even look at me, "Can't be good." These days, I'm having to fight for my rights from the VA with whom it takes months to see a neurologist, and usually a quack, in order to get a diagnosis for Parkinson's Disease; probably a result of Agent Orange exposure while serving in Vietnam or drinking toxic water when I was stationed in Camp Lejeune. The young enlistees are being advised on how to get disability claims even before their enlistment period is up. It seems as if everyone one of them got severe PTSD no matter what occupation they have or had while in the service. I'm a Purple Heart vet and these kids enlisted. I'm receiving a 20% disability, which is not much. And the VA is ignoring Vietnam veterans like me, waiting for us to die. I'm currently experiencing withdrawal from years of taking Benzos which were prescribed by the VA, and the VA doctors, acting as gatekeepers tell me my illness is not service-connected, but as a result of bipolar med's I took over the years. Talk about a Catch 22. At my age, it really wouldn't matter much if I was prescribed as little as half a mg of Klonopin, but I am unable to find a doctor who will even consider prescribing benzos. I didn't expect nor did I want to live beyond eighty, but as I close in on that day, I'm wishing someone would put me out of my misery. I'm no longer able to drive, public transport is nonexistant where I live, and I sit at home all day, alone and isolated. This is not a way to live out one's life.

I'm glad you figured out that healthcare in the U.S. is a business. I've been all over the globe as an international pro surf bum. In the industrialized countries I visited, they ALL had socialized healthcare, universal healthcare, or similar care for not only their citizens, but even passersby like me. And in the countries that didn't, I paid cash for whatever care I needed; and the cost was always far below what doctors bill you for here.

I can relate well to your post. In fact, at first I thought I was reading something that I'd written and forgotten about. That's how closely your story is to mine. I once asked a psychiatrist who I was seeing reply when I asked him about the long-term effects of Depakote, Zoloft, and whatever Benzo he had me on, he gave a terse reply while typing his notes, not bothering to even look at me, "Can't be good." These days, I'm having to fight for my rights from the VA with whom it takes months to see a neurologist, and usually a quack, in order to get a diagnosis for Parkinson's Disease; probably a result of Agent Orange exposure while serving in Vietnam or drinking toxic water when I was stationed in Camp Lejeune. The young enlistees are being advised on how to get disability claims even before their enlistment period is up. It seems as if everyone one of them got severe PTSD no matter what occupation they have or had while in the service. I'm a Purple Heart vet and these kids enlisted. I'm receiving a 20% disability, which is not much. And the VA is ignoring Vietnam veterans like me, waiting for us to die. I'm currently experiencing withdrawal from years of taking Benzos which were prescribed by the VA, and the VA doctors, acting as gatekeepers tell me my illness is not service-connected, but as a result of bipolar med's I took over the years. Talk about a Catch 22. At my age, it really wouldn't matter much if I was prescribed as little as half a mg of Klonopin, but I am unable to find a doctor who will even consider prescribing benzos. I didn't expect nor did I want to live beyond eighty, but as I close in on that day, I'm wishing someone would put me out of my misery. I'm no longer able to drive, public transport is nonexistant where I live, and I sit at home all day, alone and isolated. This is not a way to live out one's life.

I've been taken Clonazapam
for 12 years. Do I suffer everyday from no sleep, Anxiety, isolation or do I live
A life behind a mask . I will stay on
Clonazapam , because it has
Saved my life . I take it
When I need it.. it's addictive
so is eating, smoking. Alcohol
Etc..

My mother was almost 90
She took them for 40 years.
Without them she wouldn't
Have made it to 70.. I got my mother's genes and I've been on klonopin 15 years..life safer for me.. I will continue until
My Doctor takes me off them .
I'm not concerned at all.
I know people who take
6 mg daily...

On avg I take 0.5 mg
2 - 4 times daily ..

mrroboto, you are 100% right!! These meds are needed for those of us who suffer from these issues.

horowitz71, I am so sorry you are being denied the medication that will help you. It's so wrong that doctors won't prescribe benzo meds anymore. I am lucky and have a prescription for Lorazepam, and my doctor knows I need it and that it works for me. All doctors now want to prescribe these new meds, the SSRI's..... they work for some people and don't for others. I don't know what to tell you.....it's just a very sad, and VERY WRONG thing that these doctors are doing by not prescribing them!

I have been taking klonopin-started off at 1mg 3 x day, now at 1 mg at night only, but not working well as I have been on klonopin for almost 30 yrs so Dr added 300mg gabapentin. It is working, but not really feeling good about it. These are the only meds I take as my health is excellent otherwise. I have tried to get off klonopin many times, but could only get it down to 1 mg…..then it just became to difficult to stop all together. So, I’m thinking, at this age(almost 79) I’ll probably just keep on…any comments are appreciated.

I also take lorazepam off and on for several years and when you ask for it they make you feel like a drug addict. I don’t have an addiction problem Never have. I take these when I need them which might be several times a month. Even the pharmacist has an attitude when he refills it. I have to agree with you on everything. I just had a stroke in my eye and have been to 4 retina specialists who have each given me a different diagnosis and if I asked questions I am either smirked at or consistently talked down too. Something needs to be done about their uppity god like attitude with their patients. I am tired of taking this abuse. I cannot get a straight answer from any of them and they make me feel like I am a bother. They refuse to send me to any specialist as to what happened to me because they think they are above anyone. The whole medical profession needs up hauling. I can’t tell you the last time I was treated with respect or concern from a Doctor. Obviously I am not the only one. Wish you luck.