Going to doc. on Monday for weaning off clonazepam:any advice?

[Tab]

Hi..I actually did not want to go to my original doc. because I just have it in my head that he does not know what he's doing.So I called every other family doc. and psychiatrist in my area and do you know what they all told me?.....That I had to go to inpatient rehab....What a load of crap!!!! Thank god my husband came home early before I lost it...I told my husband "Well, my doc. got me into this, he's going to get me out!!" So I called up and talked to the nurse and told her to tell him that I want a slow controlled taper off of this drug,and that I have some info. that some members (and I'm greatfull for all of you!!)...P.M.ed me that I printed out.She told me to bring the paper work in and to come in on Monday...I was relevied but now I'm anxious. Which I'm sure is self induced(again a member said that this might happen)...I just have it in my head that he does not know what he's doing or he'll see the paper work and "belittle it"....Any last minute addvise before I go and see him??

[nicemom]

Why do you feel the need to convice him and have him help you taper? If I were you I would keep the appt and tell him what you are GOING to do. Be careful shoving information at them because they get very defensive. I would just taper on my own. Why do you feel like you need his approval?

Simply tell him that it is documented that 'discontinuation syndrom' is actually w/d and some people have a very difficult time getting off this drug and you would like his support in this. There is nothing they can do for you while you taper anyhow. There is no magic prescription that takes away the symptoms, etc. I would let him know also that you will be asking for liquid for down the road and would like his support when that time comes.

[Tab]

I'm to tired to do any more research.I know that there is no magic precription but I also know the hell I went through when I weaned myself off of paxil in a month.(Which I know was my fault)The smallest ammount available in the U.S. is 0.5 mg.It is available in 0.25 in Canada.A member here has a doc. that knows what he's doing and has her pills made into capsules contaning small doses made from a compounding pharmacist.I don't know if my doc. is willing to do this.I know that there will be w/d and I'm O.K. with that.I would just like the smallest ammount of w/d. Does anyone know what supplements I can take and that are safe to take while I'm going through w/d on clonazepam??

[palm]

Originally Posted by Tab

Hi..I actually did not want to go to my original doc. because I just have it in my head that he does not know what he's doing.So I called every other family doc. and psychiatrist in my area and do you know what they all told me?.....That I had to go to inpatient rehab....What a load of crap!!!! Thank god my husband came home early before I lost it...I told my husband "Well, my doc. got me into this, he's going to get me out!!" So I called up and talked to the nurse and told her to tell him that I want a slow controlled taper off of this drug,and that I have some info. that some members (and I'm greatfull for all of you!!)...P.M.ed me that I printed out.She told me to bring the paper work in and to come in on Monday...I was relevied but now I'm anxious. Which I'm sure is self induced(again a member said that this might happen)...I just have it in my head that he does not know what he's doing or he'll see the paper work and "belittle it"....Any last minute addvise before I go and see him??

Hi Tab,

I am on 4 medications and started tapering before I told my psychiatrist. I decided that when I saw him, I would simply say that I had decided to get off this medication. Initially, he seemed surprised and not real happy. But when I told him that I welcomed his opinions, then his attitude changed. Of course, that didn't mean I had to accept what he said <smile>.

He has been superb in doing what I want. It is certainly not what he is used to as in the past when we discussed transitioning to other drugs, he would do the fast and crazy tapers that we all know don't work so well. But now, when I talk about increasing more than 10% (don't worry, I only go a little higher just because it is easier), he makes sure that is what I want to do.

I think initially he doubted whether I would stick with the program but I think after two followup visits to when I said I was getting off the meds, he is beginning to realize that I mean business.

I haven't discussed with him all that other stuff because I simply felt it was pointless as he was just going to get more defensive. Besides, I don't want to piss off the guy who I need to prescribe my drugs <smile>. All jokes aside, I figure the way I can make the most difference is to tell as many people as possible about the dangers of psych meds.

Obviously, I can't promise you that that this method will work with your doctor. But it just seems that your main focus should be to make sure they are willing to presribe the meds in the way you want them prescribed. Who cares if they don't agree as long as they do what you want.

Now if he refuses to cooperate, then I would move on to doctor B.

Lots of luck.

Palm

[nicemom]

Originally Posted by palm

Hi Tab,

I figure the way I can make the most difference is to tell as many people as possible about the dangers of psych meds.

Now if he refuses to cooperate, then I would move on to doctor B.

Amen!

[texgirl]

Tab, I think you've done all you can to prepare and now you just have to relax and mentally psych yourself up for the visit. (BTW, I think Diane misread your original post. I'm pretty sure there's no liquid clonazepam, at least not in the US.) It sounds like you don't have a lot of healthcare options if every doc in your in your area is recommending inpatient rehab. This isn't usually a good option anyway, as those places tend to wean you off too fast, i.e., 2-4 weeks. Just be prepared to stand firm in your decision. My therapist gave me some advice that was really helpful when I went in to meet my new doctor for the first time. She suggested I tell him I was looking for a "friendly ally" to help me with a slow, controlled taper. Those words tend to make the doctor less defensive and establish you as in control of the situation. And you ARE in control! This is your body and your decision. Don't be scared, but don't let him force you into doing something you know is unhealthy or unwise, or wrong for you in any way.

I was able to locate a compounding pharmacy in my city by doing a Google search. You might think about how far you're prepared to drive if there isn't one close by. Your doctor can still write the script for you, but it will be up to you to choose where to take it to be filled.

[texgirl]

I think there are also pharmacies who will fill compounded scripts by mail. Again, try Google.

[Sage]

I had no problems taperng slowly off of Klonopin.

[texgirl]

My taper is going pretty well, too. For me, the strongest side effects (muscle fatigue, headache, shakiness) come in the first 1-3 days after a dose drop, not weeks later, as often happens with Paxil. I think this is another situation where everyone is different. But it shouldn't be scary or overwhelming. I know I anticipated much worse before starting than has actually come to pass (at least so far!). As long as you wean in small increments and give your brain enough time between drops to catch up, you should be fine, even if you end up doing it on your own without a doctor's support.