Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

My prescribing physician NEVER mentioned the Ashton Manual... he told me to decrease the pills from [4 a day to 2 tablets a day... to one a day ..[2 halves].referred me to a neurologist who referred me to a psychiatrist who cannot see me for months!

Hi Ellen, When I called to make my appointment, they said you cannot see the NP Psychiatrist unless you taper off your clonazepam. I told her I would think about it and call back. I waited and called back, because there was no one else to see at the clinic. This NP Psychiatrist can't see me until May 2020 (I already mentioned that somewhere else). I called the clinic today (they never called me yesterday) to complain about all of the miscommunication. Yesterday and today I asked for the manager. Today, they put me through to the supervisor, but they didn't tell me it was the supervisor. I told her about the quick taper; that I got very sick from doing this. No one ever called me back after I called when I wasn't doing well. I told her about the Ashton Method of Tapering. The person that answered the phone yesterday, made me feel like a liar, when I told her about the 3-week tapering. I had it written down, as it was told to me by a nurse. She asked who the nurse was; I didn't know. She said no one would have given me a 3-week taper. After that, I found the nurse's name, so today, when I spoke the supervisor, I told her the name. I explained everything to the supervisor. I told her I don't feel like I am being taken care of. I said that I am a customer too. She said for the tapering, they follow the suggestions of the National Guidelines. I told her I am going to look it up. I cannot believe that when a patient calls (I'm sure not everyone) they get fluffed off. They make you feel like you did something wrong. They also don't have any empathy, instead, it is like an argument. I told her that if she felt like I did during the 3-week taper for just 1 minute, she would understand. I have such a hard time when I come across situations like this. It is a waste of time and nobody cares (some do). I would never treat a person like that. I would listen and speak in an understanding voice, and take care of the patient's complaint. I also told her that I was her, I would go above and beyond to help. I am just tapering myself because I got so sick.

So True! You're right, in order to save $$ the drug companies have let most of their reps go.
We should all research and check our doctors. Our Wonderful world of computers allow us to do research.
It's our fault if we don't.
Sundance(RB)

Hi Sears, I just wanted to tell you that I am sorry about publishing so many negative things about benzos. I should have read the title closer of the subject. I guess the problem was that I had no positives about the benzos. Next time, I will stick to the subject. The only good thing that came out of this was that we found out that there are more negatives than positives and that it needs so bad to be looked in to.

An interesting read of the day is a Connect member spotlight on one of the members of this discussion on benzo tapering, @johnhans https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/about-connect/newsfeed-post/encouraging-others-by-letting-them-know-ive-made-it-meet-johnhans/. Hope you enjoy the reading and getting to know what brought him to Connect, what energizes him and what his favorite food is. Please share it on your social media accounts, if you'd like.

Then ask him if he would be willing to take a look at it and help you follow her protocol. It’s a very successful method of tapering.

No problem!

The national guidelines are too short. You have to do the taper at YOUR pace not doctors pace. It could take months it could take a year or more. Everyone is so different. I pray you find someone to listen to you. Let us know.

One of the Best Post I have seen on Mayo Conect!!

Hi Helen Francis: I called the Clinic Supervisor to tell her about the Ashton Manual. I have the same problem as you, where I can't see a Psychiatrist until May 2020. I was given a very incorrect tapering to do in 3 weeks. When I called the Supervisor to tell her about the Ashton Manual, she was so defensive. The more I spoke the more defensive she got. Why would they not want to know about this? She told me they only go by the National Guidelines. I couldn't believe how this Supervisor reacted and treated me. My thought is if she took my advise, it would be too much work. I am noticing some receptionists and Nurses have a tendency to be lazy, not take blame for anything, and get defensive. I think that some of these people are younger workers, they have this attitude and treat patients/customers rudely, like they are doing you a favor.