Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 85819

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 15:36:27


Every month like clockwork I run out of
klonopin 3-4 days before the refill, then I
can't hunt down my doctor to get a short term
script and I feel so miserable I just want to
die.

So I keep broaching this Klonopin addiction
with my pdoc, but he has been more concerned with
stabilizing my mood and doesn't want to touch
the klonopin dose. So my mood is stablized but I
continually grow more tolerant to klonopin. Granted
I seem to have more of a problem with this than
most people. I am addicted to 6 mg/day Klonopin
that I am using primarily to treat myofacial pain.
The pain is *SOOO* excruciating. I'm thinking my
Klonopin poop-out may have more related to its
anti-convulsant than anti-anxiety effects as I have
read that the anti-convulsant effect tends to wear
off after a number of months, but the anti-anxiety
effect is less addictive.

I finally got into see a good neurologist, and
he started me on Zanaflex (tizanidine) which
is the 1st med besides serzone that really seems
to alleviate my pain. But I still have to taper
the klonopin, and I is out of klonopin. Shit,
literally scrounging around my house to see if
I dropped a few crumbs.

I can't wait for the day I am off Klonopin. I'm
going to throw a big party and get wasted on
alcohol. ;)

-john

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by bob on December 2, 2001, at 18:45:22

In reply to Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 15:36:27

John:

I am worried about being stuck on Klonopin also, although I take very small amounts of it. Any change in the dose is bothersome to me.

One thing I've always tried to do in order to not run out of meds is to ask my pdoc for a larger prescription than I'm actually going to have to take. For instance, if I'm taking .5mg BID, than I would ask for .5mg 3 or 4 times daily WITH REFILLS. That way, you start to build up a reserve stash, and the pharmacy is none-the-wiser. It is unacceptable to me that the amount of pills is controlled so exactly -- especially with drugs that are so hard to stop taking. I can't imagine how you feel when you run out of that stuff!!! Of course, this method depends on an understanding doctor who will be willing to cooperate. The pharmacies and insurance companies will let you die before you're allowed to break their rules. I remember once I had a prescription for 150mg Trileptal. I went to my first line pharmacy and all they had was 300mg scored tablets. I said, let me check to see if any other pharmacies have the 150s so that I don't have to break the pills. I called three other pharmacies - and none had it. They all said they could order it and have it in a couple days. (That's always fun for refills, by the way). Finally, I went to a fifth pharmacy and said, I can't find anyone who has this drug in 150mg levels, how about if I just get half as many of the 300mg tabs and split them? They said, no way -- not without a new prescription from the doctor. I finally convinced them to call the doctor and they resolved it over the phone. There isn't any playing around with the pharmacies.

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl ยป JohnX2

Posted by judy1 on December 2, 2001, at 19:55:09

In reply to Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 15:36:27

That's the dose I'm on- 2mg tid- and if I run out I'll have seizures within 3 days. That's a dangerous game your doc is playing. I've never developed tolerance for panic disorder in 4 years but it sounds like for your purpose it's different. I did taper off during a pregnancy about 2 years ago, and it was hell. I did 10%/week reduction and used clonidine for anxiety. My pharmacist has given me a few klonopin if I ever run out because it's DANGEROUS at that dose- if you use the same pharmacy can you ask? And the dr. or ER should give you a few because seizures are a real possibility at 6mg/day. Good luck-judy

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 22:26:15

In reply to Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 15:36:27

Bob/JudyL,

Thanks for the feedback. If I have to I'll
camp out at my pdocs office tomorrow. He's
usually good about calling me back, but last
time I left 2 messages over 2 days and got no
call back until the 2nd night. I called the
emergency doctor on call and he wouldn't even
authorize a 3 day script, saying it was
"a controlled substance" and he couldn't do
it. Total bullshit according to TX law.
Fortunately my pdoc called me back that same night
I was at the pharmacy picking up other meds
I ran out on (I was outrunning my zyprexa to
alleviate the tolerance anxiety on the klonopin
too).

Most of my other pdocs i saw bi-weekly. This
guy I see once a month, so this exact dosing
has been much more problematic. Ugh.

Insane that I can buy all the alcohol and
cigarretes and lots of dangerous herbs if I
want, but the system freaks out over a benign substance like
klonopin.

-john


>
> Every month like clockwork I run out of
> klonopin 3-4 days before the refill, then I
> can't hunt down my doctor to get a short term
> script and I feel so miserable I just want to
> die.
>
> So I keep broaching this Klonopin addiction
> with my pdoc, but he has been more concerned with
> stabilizing my mood and doesn't want to touch
> the klonopin dose. So my mood is stablized but I
> continually grow more tolerant to klonopin. Granted
> I seem to have more of a problem with this than
> most people. I am addicted to 6 mg/day Klonopin
> that I am using primarily to treat myofacial pain.
> The pain is *SOOO* excruciating. I'm thinking my
> Klonopin poop-out may have more related to its
> anti-convulsant than anti-anxiety effects as I have
> read that the anti-convulsant effect tends to wear
> off after a number of months, but the anti-anxiety
> effect is less addictive.
>
> I finally got into see a good neurologist, and
> he started me on Zanaflex (tizanidine) which
> is the 1st med besides serzone that really seems
> to alleviate my pain. But I still have to taper
> the klonopin, and I is out of klonopin. Shit,
> literally scrounging around my house to see if
> I dropped a few crumbs.
>
> I can't wait for the day I am off Klonopin. I'm
> going to throw a big party and get wasted on
> alcohol. ;)
>
> -john

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by bob on December 2, 2001, at 23:08:39

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 2, 2001, at 22:26:15

Again, John... talk to your doc about an "over prescription". Even if it's just slight, it will allow you to build up a slight reserve. He only has to do it once, really. If he gets uptight about it, make sure he understands what the hell you go through when you run out, and that the pharmacies will cut no slack. With this max 30 day supply crap... what the heck happens if you lose a pill, or God forbid... you lose the bottle???

 

Re: Whoa is me- Klonopin withdrawl JohnX2

Posted by AnneL on December 3, 2001, at 0:12:28

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by bob on December 2, 2001, at 23:08:39

Hi John,

I don't understand why your physician will not give you refills. My GP wrote me a script for Klonopin 1 mg. tablets #30 x 12 months. Now we all know that this is a controlled substance which means that it cannot be written for more than 6 months at a time (according to my pharmacy). I understand that there is a big difference in our usage, mine at 1 mg. daily and yours at 6 mg. daily, but if that is your prescription than you should have refills available to you. You might want to discuss this with your Pdoc and find out why he/she is not giving you refills. Have you thought about seeing a pain management specialist in addition to your Pdoc? :) AnneL

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by JohnDoenut on December 3, 2001, at 4:27:55

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by bob on December 2, 2001, at 18:45:22

> One thing I've always tried to do in order to not run out of meds is to ask my pdoc for a larger prescription than I'm actually going to have to take. For instance, if I'm taking .5mg BID, than I would ask for .5mg 3 or 4 times daily WITH REFILLS. That way, you start to build up a reserve stash, and the pharmacy is none-the-wiser.
> >

A reserve stash! I see Im not alone in that method. :)


 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:25:40

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnDoenut on December 3, 2001, at 4:27:55


Thanks for all the feedback.

The problem is that I generally reserve
a stash on all my medicines and this almost
always solves any medication issues. I usually
get a prescription for a dose that is slightly
above what I "secretly" require.

The problem with Klonopin is specific.
I have a 3 month refill for 6 mg/day which
is a high dose. The problem is that every
month I have been raising the dose due
to tolerance, so to "build" a stash I would
have to ask for a dose that is significantly
higher than the previous dose. This is a
hard sell and I have bitched to the pdoc
that he needs to address the klonopin tolerance
issue, but he hasn't wanted to touch it until
my depression is stabilized (which it is).
He's really open on the prescription,
he just doesn't call back right away. The
other solution is to find a 2nd doctor, get
2 scripts and fill them at different pharmacies.
I'd probably have to pay cash for one of them
because the insurance provider would wig out.

Anyways this Zanaflex is working great, so I
suspect this will be my last month with this
problem. But I'm going to get the full refills
on Klonopin even if I don't need it with
the Zanaflex for future.

Thanks,
John


> > One thing I've always tried to do in order to not run out of meds is to ask my pdoc for a larger prescription than I'm actually going to have to take. For instance, if I'm taking .5mg BID, than I would ask for .5mg 3 or 4 times daily WITH REFILLS. That way, you start to build up a reserve stash, and the pharmacy is none-the-wiser.
> > >
>
> A reserve stash! I see Im not alone in that method. :)

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by Twain on December 3, 2001, at 11:43:31

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:25:40

When I was hooked on ativan I took my reserve stash into the hospital when I was admitted for ativan withdrawal - among other things.

I had pills and pieces of pills hidden all over the place. Ativan was hell to get off of.

On the second week I was smuggling kava kava and valerian root into the hospital. They found and confiscated my chamomile tea. I would have sold my mother for more ativan.

I'm a firm believer in hoarding one's meds. I was up to a whopping 100mgs. of librium a day but really only took about 50mgs. I had banked several months' worth in no time.

One day I finally ran out and couldn't find any doctor to help me. Librium withdrawal is hell too.

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by Alan on December 3, 2001, at 21:35:13

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by JohnX2 on December 3, 2001, at 7:25:40

>
> Thanks for all the feedback.
>
> The problem is that I generally reserve
> a stash on all my medicines and this almost
> always solves any medication issues. I usually
> get a prescription for a dose that is slightly
> above what I "secretly" require.
>
> The problem with Klonopin is specific.
> I have a 3 month refill for 6 mg/day which
> is a high dose. The problem is that every
> month I have been raising the dose due
> to tolerance, so to "build" a stash I would
> have to ask for a dose that is significantly
> higher than the previous dose. This is a
> hard sell and I have bitched to the pdoc
> that he needs to address the klonopin tolerance
> issue, but he hasn't wanted to touch it until
> my depression is stabilized (which it is).
> He's really open on the prescription,
> he just doesn't call back right away. The
> other solution is to find a 2nd doctor, get
> 2 scripts and fill them at different pharmacies.
> I'd probably have to pay cash for one of them
> because the insurance provider would wig out.
>
> Anyways this Zanaflex is working great, so I
> suspect this will be my last month with this
> problem. But I'm going to get the full refills
> on Klonopin even if I don't need it with
> the Zanaflex for future.
>
> Thanks,
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > > One thing I've always tried to do in order to not run out of meds is to ask my pdoc for a larger prescription than I'm actually going to have to take. For instance, if I'm taking .5mg BID, than I would ask for .5mg 3 or 4 times daily WITH REFILLS. That way, you start to build up a reserve stash, and the pharmacy is none-the-wiser.
> > > >
> >
> > A reserve stash! I see Im not alone in that method. :)

**********************************************

Isn't it pathetic that one has to worry about this kind of thing basically because of the stigmatisation of BZD's? Try not having enough Paxil or effexor or an antiseizure med - no problem! We'll give you a bit extra in case you get in trouble. Ever try to come off of one of those "nonaddictive" meds? Right. Sure. Big difference it makes.

The hyperbole about the "potential" risk of escallating doses while on BZD's have been so outrageous. If you have legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorder they're perfectly safe. It's as if the F****** doctors don't trust their own diagnosis!!!

Alan

 

Re: I wanna new drug

Posted by gilbert on December 5, 2001, at 18:04:16

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by Alan on December 3, 2001, at 21:35:13

I am tapering off xanax right now and yowza......I have been off of it twice before....this time my doc wants me off for good due to sleep disturbances. I just cut back that one little peach pill for the last 2 days. My maintenance dose was 2.5mg per day and I am dropping .5 per week for a 5 week total. I may have to string it out to 10 weeks. I never had this problem before.........benzos are soooo effective when your on them and such a bummer to go off of. Good luck John, 6mg of klonopin go slow if you decide to go off, My mom has been on 30mg valium for 3 years she can't even cut back one half a pill without severe withdrawal. I have been very pro benzo since joining this board I may be starting to lean the other way a tad. All those posts about dependence vs. addiction whilst I was comfortabley maintenance dosed. The darn problem is the alternatives suck so bad your almost forced to pick the benzo just for the quality of life issue. Where is that magical pill that is non addicitive and yet still does the trick. I have debated to the bitter end in defense of my benzos and now find myself in the middle of coming off of them and thinking.....hmmm maybe I was wrong.

Rattling teeth and shakey bones,

Gil

 

Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl

Posted by JGalt on December 6, 2001, at 10:43:36

In reply to Re: Whoa is me - Klonopin withdrawl, posted by Twain on December 3, 2001, at 11:43:31

John,

I think the easiest solution would have been to order some generic klonopin overseas (usually quite cheap) and keep them in an old klonopin pill bottle that you have.


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