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....just my opinion but people need HELP if their doctors decide to stop one of their patient's medications that is addictive, especially if that doctor has in the past been renewing prescription over and over!! This is not taking candy from a baby! I was taken off after 15 years, given by 2 subsequent drs., and a new dr at hospital took me off - didnt even give me any (none) idea that I even would go into withdrawal. It's totally wrong. Thing is I would love to get off this med but I cannot do it alone as some others, and I would need more than once a month chat on the phone with a social worker! Also, even when cut down on dose did not sleep hardly at all for months....If the government's want us off ... then they should ensure all doctors help or guide patients to help with withdrawal. We are not addicts but our bodies have become dependent on them. Someone here said a famous singer spent 45 days in hospital with withdrawal from a drug... but the average person has to try and deal with it at home with very little or no help: big difference!
Replies to "....just my opinion but people need HELP if their doctors decide to stop one of their..."
In a perfect world we would get the proper help when it comes to tapering. Unfortunately we don’t live in a perfect world. Do not even think about going to a rehab clinic or hospital to taper. They taper patients waaaaaaay to quickly. Quick tapers are the worst thing you could do. Google Ashton Manual.
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I am now about 2 months into tapering from 1 1/2 gram dose. I am currently on 1/4 gram and only had 2 withdrawal symptoms. I day I had a severe upper abdominal cramp that was shortlived but left me sore for 2 days. Another was both hands were completely numb one morning when I woke. It took a few moments of slapping, wringing and shaking my hands to get my circulation back. That happened a few day ago and no recurrence. Barring any other problems I will move down to 1/8 gram in about a week. Need to be off the drug entirely by May so I intend to only go two weeks at 1/8 as it takes about 4-10 days of quitting completely to see if I will have any adverse withdrawal effects. I am out of country and have no reliable source for helping other than researching the internet. I was forced to quit cold turkey as the doctor I had when I moved onto medicaid would not renew my prescription. The only adverse reactions was I would be insomniac for 4 days and then sleep for two from total exhaustion. RLS was constantly a bother and finally got back on the drug when I was able to change doctors and he agreed to give me the script. But I've been able to get the drug free in a public health system but when I get back to the States I cannot afford it with the other Meds I have to have and pay out of pocket, which is cheaper than paying Medicare Premiums on plan b.