The Stark Reality Of Benzodiazepine Dependence & Availability (Page 2) (Top voted first)

When it comes to anxiety, the truth is that coping mechanisms (medically & behaviorally) are different for everyone. There are some who wholeheartedly feel that anxiety meds are not the answer, and while they may relish in other forms of distraction, we all share common a desire to make ourselves feel better in the moment through whatever means we respectfully deem necessary. Individual rights to one's perceived sense of adequate treatment should not be infringed upon by another's skewed perception of what only works best for his or herself.

So in a rather complex and controversial outlook to the way anxiety should be treated, it seems that doctors and psychiatrists alike have taken a timid stance to prescribing benzo's - But is it really ethical and fair to the well-being of so many patients who have already become dependent over the course of several months or years? A roadblock in the supply chain could turn out to be life-threatening for countless individuals who'd suddenly be at risk of seizures and other diabolical maladies...

[1] Are mainstream doctors consciously aware of the sheer magnitude of benzodiazepine withdrawal? Are physicians trained to face and solve the real traumas of everyday human beings or are they simply textbook smart, generously appointed the M.D. crown for memorizing information throughout their education? These are important questions we sometimes have to ask ourselves, as many of these doctors have earned our deepest trust. When they recommend something, we are the ones who try it.

Some would say that society's perception of anxiety has an effect on the availability/accessibility of mental health services and treatment. For if we truly understood how different our brains operated at the level of each individual, anxiety and its multidimensional array of treatment options (specifically benzos) would inherently be accepted in a nonjudgmental and open-arms manner, despite the odious acts of those who misuse them.

I write all of this in the belief that benzodiazepine addiction & dependence should be treated with increased availability and access to proper tapering methods instead of just yanking the rug out from underneath our feet. Without proper protocol in place, black markets flourish with counterfeits, that only put more lives at risk. Similar to the current opioid epidemic, here we stand at the Mordor of capitalism; when one ember fades (doctors) another begins (dealers). [2] There are many solutions to the same problem, but which one have you chosen?

[1] Management of benzodiazepine misuse and dependence:
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4657308

[2] Do benzodiazepines still deserve a major role in the treatment of psychiatric disorders?
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22521806

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Re: Vickki1000 (# 2)

I find your story heartbreaking.

It's very unfair of doctors (or "modern science" in general) to say to you "Well, when we first gave it to you it was a miracle drug. Now we found maybe there are some problems, so you have to bail out NOW!

Are you sure that *you're* the one having addiction problems? Or were you just told you were?

See, to me the difference is all in the fact that every drug produces side-effects. Some will be devastating, others you don't mind much...

But if this has you rendered bed-ridden and the other things you were going through trying to *withdraw* - trust me, your side effects would have to have been so much worse!! Like, being a vampire and unable to keep daylight hours...

It sounds ridiculous I know, but you don't HAVE TO follow your doctor's advice (esp since they seem younger & younger these days).
If it's your disorder; then YOU are the expert. You choose. Especially with that "you're not making progress fast enough for me". You poor woman! It's almost like they have a quota to fill & your illness is getting in the way!
Ridiculous!!

I'd like to tell you all the true story of the billionaire Howard Hughes at the end of his life.
As far as they can figure, he was the longest-lived chronic pain patient (self medicated at that) in history!

He was rich enough to keep himself pain managed for over 50yrs by himself with 3 items: Codiene, Valium, and a type of analgesic with caffeine called Emperin.

Guess which one killed him? The bloody aspirin! After all the abuse it put him into renal failure.

Really makes you think, doesn't it?

Anyway, feel better & take care of yourself. -Lauralee ?

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What alternative medications are there to Xanax? There's one that started with the letter "C", that was a short word, but I don't remember the name...

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Is Xanax being taken off the market? My psychiatrist said he would no longer prescribe Xanax after January and it could only be done by my physician.

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Re: Sheila (# 22)

I haven't heard that...how can a million plus lose their pills?

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Hi. I've been taking benzodiazepines for 6 years. Last year my doctor here in the UK stopped or he refused actually to prescribe my medication from the psychiatric doctor's say so. My doctor claims he doesn't wanna supply diazepam or my zolpidem. My surgery has 4 doctors and the others were ok with it, but one day I got unlucky with this doctor and now he deals personally with me only so he can keep watching. I can't get another doctor.

I worry that I'll be then up s*** creek after being on it for 6 years. I've got borderline personality disorder and many others I'm in and out of respite and hospitals. I also worry about the social government with medicals before your entitled to sickness benefits. Because my doctor stopped diazepam and zolpidem, that doesn't look good to the assessment people.

Anyone else having trouble with their benzodiazepine prescriptions?

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Re: Sunny (# 8)

I have taken both prescribed the generics are just as effective accept npt a fan of the round ones thdy dont last as long.

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Re: Dizzyshell83 (# 25)

I've been on benzos for 5 yrs. I got hooked on them. My fault they got to the point of tolerance withdrawal, so I wanted to stop but no one would help taper me the appropriate way 2 to 5% of max dosage drop every 7 days. I found a company online called point of return. My Dr died. I'm almost done and no one will give me a last refill to finish 2 yrs of tapering to get off this crap. I'm at the end and going thru withdrawal. I tried detox and they leave u cold turkey and even a low dose is BRUTAL. I know I didn't help u but was sharing my experience about the lack of help after they give it to u way longer than what's appropriate. 2-4 weeks can start to cause withdrawal and I was never told that. Most doctors do not know how to taper correctly. People, please beware of the dependence as getting off them is nearly impossible. God bless all in this trap.

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Re: Dave (# 17)

I am right where your at. I am on suboxone, and because of a tragic event I got hooked on klonopin. Also, I found a tapering program (point of return) tapering u correctly over a 9 to 12 month period; 5% drop per week. I got from 4.0ml to .40ml which is a liquid conversion because liquid enables small drops. I was a month and half from being done. Then my doctor with this program died, the compound pharmacy told me I needed a new script for the last refill, of coarse because of the suboxone I'm having trouble getting the last amount needed. I've been using what I have left lesser than needed causing withdrawal.... I fail to see the issue. Suboxone has a ceiling and the klonopin is a taper. It's going down not up. It doesn't make sense why they wouldn't help the devastation with anxiety and withdrawal. Can be worse than the opiate epidemic but doctors are uninformed. And uneducated. David if u see this post please tell me what has happened with your situation. Thanks. {edited for privacy}

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Re: Vickki1000 (# 2)

Viki your assessment was fantastic. I am one of those suffering. I was on a slow taper 2.5% / .05 ml drop per week from 2ml every twelve hrs. I was doing well and got down to .50 twice a day. Then my Dr died who was helping people taper through the POINT OF RETURN. I called the compound pharmacy and they told me I needed a new refill to finish off my tapering program. I've been to 3 doctors and none would help me.... I believe they don't realize how close of being done I am or they say they don't do that because I believe they think they have to do the compound script which is not correct. The pharmacy takes .50 mg twice a day to the appropriate liquid drop. I am desperate and suffering. Even if I get klonopin illegally u can't taper correctly with pills. Can anybody help me? If there are any doctors out there please help.

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Re: Hamster (# 1)

I could have written your exact post!

My Doc did the same thing..1mg 3 times a day for 2 years and had to stop cold Turkey as the guy refused to refill and I was in Europe.

The brain zaps we're the worst...took almost 1 year to feel ok. Klonopin is the WORST benzo to take. If you need a Benzo take the Xanax XR. They are very weak and they exit your system quickly.

Unfortunately I had to go back and it's the Xanax XR. I have been on 3mg per day but down to 2mg. Much easier than Klonopin!

Bottom line is GP Docs should never prescribe any benzo! They have no clue about tapering, withdrawing, etc.

I know what you went through. HELL!

Good luck!

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RE: Klonopin / other Benzodiazepines - I do not believe that a drug is harmful OR addictive IF you need it. The problem is being honest with your doctors & yourself to evaluate if you do. Sure, I've had ***** doctors that like to yell at me that "I'm addicted to Benzodiazepines"; but if they're not an expert in panic attacks - then I'm the expert! About 20yrs ago I was prescribed Klonopin. It didn't work for me cos it took to long to feel any relief, and also made me tired! They are NOT sleeping pills, ppl!! They're for intense anxiety, panic attacks and dyspnea. Unfortunately our gov't (Aussie) has been making it hard to get xanax, and even with a prescription- the chemist was out of stock for almost 2 mos! I spent those 2mos in bed totally.

I've been taking valium or xanax for the past 20yrs and have developed NO addiction problems.

The first thing is to only take them when you need them, and not at a specific time of day everyday cos addiction could arise from your body "expecting" it.

I had my first major panic attack at age 3. I was attempting to play a jukebox at a bar my mum took me to; and I couldn't read too well; didn't know about "reset" and was horrified when all the colored lights lit up and it just sat there. I was *sure* it was gonna blow up! Maybe it was the time I grew up in with the Cuban missile crisis; or could've been the severe child abuse I grew up with; but as a kid, this went on for months - and me so afraid I'd throw up if I heard police sirens in the distance. Finally we went there and I just knew there'd be a bomb hole in the ground & be arrested. But, as everything looked ok, I finally snuck a peek at the jukebox & it was back to normal. I was so relieved, I couldn't believe my luck! Another time it happened at a hall in a bar where I took dancing lessons and thought I stuffed up the pool table; again afraid they'd find me! I had no-one I could even ask about this; all these episodes and more were a lot of being screamed in the face to "CALM DOWN!". How is anyone to calm down while you're being screamed at? And unfortunately it would take for me til I was 18 & looking out for myself to seek therapy (as we lived in America and were always told by my mum we had no $ for docs)!

Now, after a long life of more abuse and a problem that'll never go away; I developed Emphysema 17yrs ago (even though I quit back then) and now have dyspnea when I can't breathe! It feels like you're choking to death, then you get SO scared that you panic, and on the cycle goes unless you can break it as quickly as possible with something that works. Puffers don't work on emphysema; so I need xanax to even be able to talk again!

And, n/o but just wondering why all these ppl are worrying about how long it remains in your blood? I get blood work & U/A's often and of course they see it - I'm *prescribed* it!! It's not an illegal drug, it's a restricted drug. Jeez, if you can go 72hrs without using it to wait for blood work- I doubt you need it in the first place! When my panic attacks happen they feel like heart failure, so - when that happens, blood work be damned! I have long, long, ago stopped feeling that first-time euphoria, no matter how much I take.

I can still drive, pay bills, etc so why worry?

So, there you have maybe the difference between an addictive state or not. I'd die if they ever take it off the market, cos nothing else works fast enough to help you breathe again; & comes down to the end of the day - not breathing is the most serious thing I know! What pisses me off is people who want a prescription for the wrong reason; thereby making it harder for *me* to stay alive. I only have 2-3yrs left anyway.. I hope the gov't can't do anything that drastic in that short a time! Please leave the xanax for us out here who need them! If all you need is a good night's sleep, then take Seroquel! I was given a pile of that crap to try and it's useless for anything except putting you half in a coma!

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