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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 15:02:06
Hi everyone,
Just spoke to my doctor today after trying several SSRI's over 4 months. He wanted to now put me on Depakote (not sure I want to try it).
Just stopped Lexapro after 5 weeks. But I also took Effexor for 5 weeks before that, Paxil, etc.
I have bad dizziness, sweats and irritability since stopping everyone. This doctor says "THIS IS UNHEARD OF". Can you believe it. He tells me I need to see a GP and get checked out!! He also told me he can't prescibe Klonopin alone....it's illegal!! So he says I need to decide the next drug I want to try. Anyone ever hear of this one. I take K as needed but want to try it once a day for awhile being nothing else has helped. Think I need to see a new pdoc???Please help!
Capri
Posted by stjames on August 8, 2003, at 15:07:24
In reply to PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 15:02:06
If that is a doc here in the states, then that is NOT true.
Posted by Essence on August 8, 2003, at 17:16:33
In reply to Re: PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by stjames on August 8, 2003, at 15:07:24
It is not illegal to prescribe Benzo's alone in Canada either. I work in a hospital and see it done all the time.
Ess
Posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 23:25:51
In reply to Re: PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by stjames on August 8, 2003, at 15:07:24
He is in the good old USA!
Posted by Viridis on August 9, 2003, at 2:31:39
In reply to Re: PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal?? » stjames, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 23:25:51
That sounds very odd, unless it's some state-specific law (which I doubt). My guess is that he's just afraid to prescribe it, in which case he should say so and explain why. You might ask politely about the legal specifics, but my inclination would be to see another pdoc. This one sounds weird.
Posted by Dinah on August 9, 2003, at 8:50:29
In reply to Re: PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal?? » stjames, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 23:25:51
I don't think I could trust myself to a pdoc who's proven he lies deliberately.
I had a psychologist who did that once and I let her know I knew before leaving.
Can you ask for clarification to make sure he flat out lied to you?
Posted by Capri on August 9, 2003, at 9:38:31
In reply to Re: PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal?? » Capri, posted by Dinah on August 9, 2003, at 8:50:29
Just the few months that I've seen this doc, I believe he is a big AD pusher (not for nothing). He thinks I'm his personal guinnea pig.
My insurance will change in January and I will look for someone else. From my experience I cannot find a good pdoc under my HMO plan. Most of the doctors (who are exceptionally good) do not take HMO's. In fact they take the traditional plan (you pay them and get reimbursed by your insurance co).
Thanks everyone for shedding some light on this subject of Klonopin. I really didn't think it was illegal but wanted to check with you all.
Capri
Posted by janelle on August 9, 2003, at 18:24:53
In reply to PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 15:02:06
The only reason I can think of for your pdoc to be saying that Klonopin is illegal in this manner is confusion because it is classified a bit strictly (I don't know the exact number) by the FDA as a CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE because it is a benzo, and therefore can be addicting. So it is supposed to be used more cautiously than other meds which don't have these properties.
HOWEVER, again, I could see this causing your pdoc to be CAUTIOUS about prescribing it and explaining that to you, but to say it's illegal? That makes no sense. It's hard to believe your pdoc would lie to you and it's scary to think he or she would be so mis-informed as to think Klonopin is illegal in the US!
Posted by galkeepinon on August 10, 2003, at 0:37:38
In reply to PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 15:02:06
ABSURD!!!!! LOL I bet you that the doctor was maybe a little incompetent to know that it IS legal to prescribe Klonopin alone whether for seizure disorders, panic disorders, or anxiety???? Glad to know you can choose to find a new doctor.
good luck!
> Hi everyone,
>
> Just spoke to my doctor today after trying several SSRI's over 4 months. He wanted to now put me on Depakote (not sure I want to try it).
>
> Just stopped Lexapro after 5 weeks. But I also took Effexor for 5 weeks before that, Paxil, etc.
> I have bad dizziness, sweats and irritability since stopping everyone. This doctor says "THIS IS UNHEARD OF". Can you believe it. He tells me I need to see a GP and get checked out!! He also told me he can't prescibe Klonopin alone....it's illegal!! So he says I need to decide the next drug I want to try. Anyone ever hear of this one. I take K as needed but want to try it once a day for awhile being nothing else has helped. Think I need to see a new pdoc???
>
> Please help!
> Capri
Posted by pianolady on August 10, 2003, at 23:49:35
In reply to PDOC says can't prescribe Klonopin alone-illegal??, posted by Capri on August 8, 2003, at 15:02:06
Hey, two possibilities that haven't been mentioned. First, he might be concerned that you could be "asking for drugs" since Klonopin may have addictive properties (some people say yes, some say no, but I think it's pretty safe to say there's a reasonable potential there if it is used excessively).
The second reason could be that he has lost his license to prescribe controlled substances (Klonopin is controlled but there are many psychiatric drugs that are not controlled substances). Most states have a website where you can trace down whether a doc has a clear medical license or not. I've had to trace proceedings on one of my docs before, but I don't remember the website I used and I do know that it is different for each state. Try looking up your State Medical Board's website if you think that could be a potential issue. Otherwise, try a different pdoc! Just don't go in asking for Klonopin the first thing or you could very well be labeled an addict whether that is a problem for you or not. I suppose addiction is such a common problem that they look for that quickly in this field.
This is the end of the thread.
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