Benzo withdrawl w/ other complications

It’s not that your a liability, the doctors are just clueless when it comes to benzodiazepines. They know how to put us on, no idea how to effectively take us off. The pharmaceutical companies don’t know either. We’re all pretty much on our own when it comes to getting off these meds.

I have been on prescribed Clonazepam 0.5 mg tablets for up to six years straight now (every day doses) for calming my anxiety and OCD. After several slow attempts at tapering on my own, I ended up relapsing and going back to taking the doses. Again, I feel a need to try again, but I am afraid. My Doctor who prescribed this to me has said he wants me to stay on it for life. Lately, I wonder if I have reached a plateau because I find myself with mild memory loss, mild depression, and feeling "dull". My biggest fear is that the pharmacy will run out of this medication or I won't be able to get it anymore and that could cause my death. Leah09

Ask your doctor if he knows anything about tolerance. Does he plan to keep to raising your dose as the years pass and you need more and more of this drug to keep your anxiety under control? Does he personally know other doctors who will take you on as a patient and be willing to prescribe this medication “for life” in the event he retires or dies? If your doc wants you on Benzos for life you seriously need to ask him these questions and do a whole lot of research on what these drugs do in the long run. Nothing good I can assure you. It sounds to me as though you may have already reached tolerance at the dosage you’re on now.

I understand

@linalamont Have you considered additional treatment with a psychologist? Your psychic managing your meds or maybe not per your note, but is anyone providing you with an opportunity to talk? You appear to be juggling a lot and maybe you need to some help in settling down your inner self. I’ve never considered drugs alone good therapy. My 2 cents.

I am on like four or five meds in order to have gotten me and to keep me stable. One of which is Klonopin, 4 mg daily for anxiety, in conjunction with a prescribed supplement to curb my head scratching (caused by stress and anxiety- it has gotten so bad that at times I have drawn blood,) and for jitters from my anti-psychotic. I’m finding I don’t need that high of a dose anymore and want to at least down to 3 and see how that goes. I’ve been on it for 30 years (yes, I’m serious… all through different doctors and even the one i recently saw for 14 years before he retired. That’s an extremely long time, but it helps or maybe I just think it does… idk. He, several years back wanted to reduce and I said no, so he kept it there. He told me it could take up to a year or more to get totally off… even though my ultimate goal is 2mg a day (as far as I. Can see now but am open-minded.) Oh, I knew I needed a new psychiatrist when he fell asleep during my appointment and when he bumped me all the way up to 6mg daily in 2010! So, I realize that this isn’t a physician’s forum, but has anyone ever taken the slow route reducing or coming off of Klonopin? How long? Did they take you down about 10% every three to four weeks because you were considered a high-dose? How’s it go? Thanks! Sorry so long.

Totally understand

My problem as of Friday. I’ve been on 5mg Valiums for years but extreme ptsd and anxiety. I asked my Dr for a referral for a therapist because I needed to talk to someone. She got the referral for a psychiatrist who sent a message stating they would take me on as a patient but world not prescribe my Valiums. My Dr didn’t give my refills this time which has caused me more anxiety. I feel that the Dr shouldn’t cut me off cold Turkey. I need advice please

I’m so sorry this is happening to you. Why is your doctor not refilling your Valium? Did he discuss this with you?

Because I asked for a referral for a therapist. She didn’t tell me she was doing that.