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Trintellix (vortioxetine) for Major Depression or possibly Anxiety.
Depression & Anxiety | Last Active: Sep 18 6:45am | Replies (28)Comment receiving replies
I feel certain that I'd be doing much better if I were able to continue with the small dose of clonazepam / Alprazolam that I'd been taking as needed (for anxiety and occasional panic attacks.) We're the same age, but somehow you are able to find a doctor who will keep prescribing your Benzos. I was initially prescribed clonazepam by the VA some 30-some years ago. They no longer prescribe Benzos at all, and haven't been fortunate enough to locate anyone within the tri-county area in which I currently live who will prescribe Benzos at all, regardless of the dose or circumstances. Doctors have sympathized about my abrupt discontinuance of the meds, but tell me to "hang in there" or "tough it out." Both the physicians and I know that it's not only extremely difficult, but dangerous to just stop taking these meds. I've done well enough throughout life coping with trauma, depression, and anxiety, but I've never felt so horrible as I do now. Therapists and psychiatrists are mandated reporters, so I refuse to tell them I'm leaning toward suicide if my depression and anxiety doesn't improve. Until I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, I was quite active--surfed, played tennis, did martial arts, and even played pick-up basketball at the school yards. Now, I am able to walk--using a walker or, if I'm well-enough, using a cane. I know that depression eventually subsides, having lived with it most of my life; but never have I had long-lasting and major depression. I know that if I could takes as little as 0.5 or even 0.25 mg/day of either clonazepam/alprazolam I could at least begin socializing, going outdoors regularly, and regaining my life. I'd finally found the ideal "cocktail" for treating Bipolar, depression, anxiety, and enjoying life. Now, it seems over. Just wondering; but how would you react to having your clonazepam stopped.
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I said I would not post anymore but I am making an exception for you.
Unfortunately because of the Opioid epidemic in this country “ benzo’s” have been lumped in as a controlled substance. I have never heard of anyone overdosing on clonazepam and I can speak from experience that I certainly don’t use it to get high. I have taken the same dose for over thirty years to treat my depression and I know what I would go through if I tapered much less had to quit cold turkey. I did try tapering because of this site and when I told my primary care physician her comment was why would I do that. She told me that since I don’t smoke or drink and exercise vigorously 6-7 days a week there is no reason for me to stop taking clonazepam. She told me to tune out the chatter on the site regarding “benzo’s” and just continue what I was doing.
I don’t know where the Tri State area is but my guess is it is in a conservative part of the country. Have you tried going outside of the VA network? I would imagine the VA doctors are strictly by the book.
Hang in there. I hope you can find some Doctor willing to think outside the box. They are out there but normally they have been in practice for quite awhile. My primary care physician sees only elderly patients and does think outside the box.
Good luck and I am glad you reached out to me. I wish I could do more for you.