My psychiatrist wants to switch me from Ativan to clonazepam to taper

@nannybb, you are correct, benzodiazepines are not a narcotic, pain killers like opioids or fentanyl are narcotics. The problem is that the people who are addicted to pain meds are in serious danger when they mix their medication with benzodiazepines, it’s proven to be a lethal combination, in my opinion this one of the main reasons why they started going after benzodiazepines, there’s so many drugs that are addictive and used for hundreds of ailments, it’s all a manipulation by the pharmaceutical industry.

@frouke I got into a heated debate recently over this exact topic. A friend fractured the upper bone in their arm. I know she is in pain, however she was telling me there is no problem with the combination of a narcotic ( which she has been on forever), and clonazepam. She could not get it in her head that the clonazepam would make the narcotic even stronger. She was upset that the pain specialist did not want to prescribe both. I told her he could loose his license over such an issue. I asked her why she thought the print out you get from the pharmacy lists drugs you should never combine? There is just no getting through to some people. She has had me worried for a long time. She also takes ambien!

@nannybb, It’s very sad because we all suffer from different conditions and want to feel better so that we can get back to normal, it’s a dangerous situation and on top of that our doctors aren’t always reliable with their medications. It sounds like your friend is with a reliable doctor who knows the dangers of mixing drugs that don’t belong together. I’m currently still struggling with the side effects of a antidepressant that the doctor tapered me off too fast, as for benzodiazepines, I’ve been taking them for over 20 years and I don’t want to stop them unless they stop working for me.

@jimhd I have posted before that much like you I have been taking 1mg twice a day of clonazepam for over 30 years. That along with Sertraline, Buspar and Wellbutrin has enabled me to have a very successful sales career and a nice retirement.
Every time I get my yearly physical I talk with my PCP about my use of Clonazepam. The answer is always the same. It is a big “ Why” I tell her about this site and she says to stop reading the horror stories. Everyone is different. I don’t drink or smoke and exercise six days a week. Her practice is entirely senior citizens and there are people she has to take off clonazepam because they refuse to quit drinking or because they start to increase their dosage.
I am speaking only for myself when I say depression is something you are born with and all the talk therapy is not going to make it go away. It is inherited from someone in your family. In my case it was my mother and she chose to self medicate with alcohol. She lived a very troubled and sad life and I chose not to do that once depression started to rear its ugly head. Find what combination of medications work and stick with them. My first psychiatrist always told me “ If it isn’t broke don’t fix it” Every time try to fix it I realized how terrible it was falling back in that black hole of depression. I still have some bad days as everyone does but overall I am very happy with my life.
Just realize you suffer from depression or anxiety like others suffer from other diseases and rather than curse big pharma think what it must have been like before they made all their breakthroughs.
I also struggle with hearing loss and I am so grateful for all the advances in hearing aid technology.
Things could be so much worse.
Good luck to everyone and listen to your PCP. There are good ones out there. You just have to find the right one. I will be 75 years old soon and just want to enjoy the time I have and live in the moment. I hope you all do as well.

@frouke Sadly 😥 I am a professional Peer Recovery Advocate due to the fact I have first and second hand experience in addiction and mental health. There are so many different keys to chemical dependency.. First and foremost it depends on why your stopping the Benzo whether your doing it on your own choosing/Want to Stop taking it or being forced too.. Also matters why ur taking it in the first place is it just to get high or do you need it for severe CPTSD and Panic disorder like myself I take a .5 mgclonazapam and break it in half which makes it a .25 mg only when im having a actual panic attack its better than the equivalent of Ativan I believe anyways and the best thing u can do if u actually need them is to get put on prazosin

@frouke I am the same way. I only take the amount I am supposed to. I only take it for the reason it was given, and I've never asked to have the dosage upped. I'm afraid it will be taken away, and it really does help me sleep. I'm on a very small dose, thankfully.

@daveshaw
I have had depression, sometimes major, since I was 16.
The only ways to hold it at bay is exercise and being around other people. All the talk therapy and medications in the world won’t help, long term. Mine was inherited from my father. We have to accept the reality that depression is a permanent condition and cannot be cured. But, if you are willing to do the work it can be managed. This is what I have learned over the 80 years of my life.

@dollyjaneprenzel I could not have said it better. I had my first major episode my freshman year of college.
Depression is inherited just like arthritis and so many other things. Never stop exercising and keep taking your medication and you can live an exceptional life.
It sounds like you have and will continue to live an excellent life.
I am never afraid to talk about my depression with others. No stigma should ever be attached to it.
I find your post very uplifting.

@daveshaw

Thank you so much, Dave. I do appreciate the feedback. I try to be very honest on this site so as to let others know they are okay and there are things we can all do to enrich our lives. When I had my first severe experience with depression, I did not know what was happening to me. I was ashamed. At that time, very little was written about depression, but I persevered and gradually figured it out. Thanks for making this Easter eve a wonderful day. Dolly