We’ve been decreasing my Seroquel and Risperdal over the past few months and pdoc put me on Geodon to replace the two. I’m off of Risperdal, but when the Seroquel dropped to 100mg I started getting horrible anxiety. They were panic attacks that lasted hours. The last time I saw her I had written out exactly what I wanted to say and expressed how Klonopin really helps with the anxiety. I’ve been doing awesome recently, but the anxiety was a huge setback as it made it hard to leave the house. My functioning was actually declining. So she raised my Lexapro and wrote a script for 5 0.5mg Klonopin, which I was grateful for. I had expressed how I was doing every coping skill I knew and was not drinking caffeine. I only used the Klonopin after the panic attack had been going on for an hour and after I utilized every coping skill I knew. I called her office and spoke with the nurse, telling her I was really struggling and didn’t know what to do. I did mention that only the Klonopin helped, but I was doing everything I could before taking one. The nurse spoke with pdoc and she basically said I just have to deal with it because she wasn’t going to help me. Those aren’t her exact words but that is basically what she said. I was and still am floored. There are other non-benzo medications and she was not willing to help at all. Needless to say I’m switching to a private psychiatrist because aside from this situation, she also doesn’t listen to my concerns and will tell me one thing and then the next time change it to something else. I really don’t want ECT anymore and was symptomatic in the past despite trying almost every atypical. I wasn’t functioning before ECT and was heading toward living in an institution, either a state hospital (I was a danger to both myself and others) or prison (I had psychosis telling me to kill my mom or set my animals on fire). She had mentioned trying Clozaril, which I had never been on, and I was very hopeful that maybe that would work and I wouldn’t need ECT. Somehow she changed her mind and wanted to try Latuda. I can understand her concern because I am already pre-diabetic and overweight and Clozaril has such harsh side effects. I discovered I had been on Latuda in the past and obviously it hadn’t worked so I convinced her to try Geodon because that had helped me in the past. I don’t think it’s strong enough though for me to stop the ECT. I’m so frustrated!
Her response to my anxiety really hurt my feelings, and the nurse sounded pissed off when she called and told me what pdoc said. I’m afraid they’re going to label me as drug seeking because I said the Klonopin helped. And pdoc will probably assume I’m not going to see her anymore because she won’t prescribe a benzo.
I read someone else’s post about Neurontin and want to bring it up with my PCP. Off label it is used for anxiety and back pain, and it would help the nerve pain I have in my leg. I did a lot of research on it and it would be awesome to get off of the Percocet and Klonopin, especially since Klonopin is so hard to get. It makes me so mad that people have abused benzos and ruined it for people that truly need them. I don’t want to be on Klonopin long term, just long enough to come off of the Seroquel and get stable. I’ve never been addicted to dugs and even had a script for 90 Klonopin from old pdoc that I never filled, now I wish I had filled it.
I have an appointment with pdoc on 21st that I hope I find a new one before then, because I don’t know what I would say to her. I was up until 6:30 this morning playing the conversation I would have with her over and over in my mind. My head would not stop. I ended up getting 2-3 hours of sleep and am really not that tired. When I told my mom what time I had fallen asleep she said I was manic. I have been having grandiose delusions, my head won’t stop, and increased sexual activity. I am Schizoaffective but I don’t think I’ve ever been manic before. I haven’t had any mood problems for over four years, just the psychosis. For a while they all said it was Schizophrenia, but pdoc said if you’ve even had one episode of Depression it’s Schizoaffective. It makes sense, that’s what I was diagnosed with at 13 and really struggled with Depression for years.
I was feeling very hopeless, but have seemed to get my hope back. Sorry this post is so long, I just needed to vent. Thanks for reading.
Personally, I would go see the doc that denied you Klonopin. To clear up any misconceptions she might have about you. If she thinks you’re exhibiting drug seeking behavior, she can note that in your medical records. And then that can haunt you for the rest of your life.
You need to be clear and concise with her about your panic attacks and your reasoning for requesting Klonopin, so that she doesn’t mislable you.
But I would also be on the lookout for a new pdoc. Because this one is obviously lacking in compassion and mutual respect.
Thanks Anthony! I was thinking it would be good to see her one last time and get closure. I would really have to chant to keep my calm and stay focused. I was clear about the panic attacks at our last session. She was impressed with how articulate I was and that was why she prescribed a couple of Klonopin. I find if I write everything down and just read it to them I cover every point I want to make and don’t get side tracked. Hope all is well with you!
There is absolutely no issue with taking a benzo at a relatively low dose - even everyday, I do not see the big deal in doing so. I really need Klonopin for its antianxiety properties and for its mood stabilizing properties - it is a mild mood stabilizer as well. Yeah I do think you should possibly go and find another more responsive pdoc - it doesnt sound like this doctor is on the same page as you - you need to be heard. Dont give up @SunGirl there are plenty of good compassionate psychiatrists out there - I was wondering why you got off of the Risperdal? I take it and swear by its effectiveness and I also have diabetes - it is not so bad for diabetics, better than Seroquel and Zyprexa- well good luck to you, and hang in there, you will be alright
Thanks Wave! I got off of the Risperdal because my Prolactin is high and I haven’t had my period for over a year. I agree that it wouldn’t be a big deal to take Klonopin everyday. Sometimes I wish I could write my own scripts. The new pdoc I’m looking into is an APN and does therapy and prescribes meds. I think this would be great because then she could get to know me. I’m just waiting for a call back. Hope all is well with you!
That sounds great Sungirl! Sounds like it could be a good fit for you - Yeah Risperdal does have some harsh side effects - I know this first hand. I have not taking my new med yet, the Neurontin for anxiety - Have you looked into this med? It is supposed to be good for anxiety and panic and is non addictive - if addiction is a concern for you.
I will start it tomorrow, I wasnt up for it today - I am doing ok except for the anxiety and occasional panic - hopefully this new med will do its job - I wish you all the best with your new pdoc
Hope everything works out for you @SunGirl. You’re such a kind and thoughtful person. I hope you are able to find a good psychiatrist who will work with you. My psychiatrist just upped my dose of Klonopin to 1 mg. twice a day from .5 mg. twice a day. I still have great anxiety, especially about driving.
@Vertigo Yeah that’s the med I was going to ask my PCP about. Thank you for starting that thread as I didn’t know about it. I’m not concerned about addiction, I’m on Percocet and have had the script for months, so addiction isn’t the issue it’s finding a med that will help that doctors won’t be hesitant to prescribe.
@CarolineC Thank you for your kind words. That’s awesome you’re able to have Klonopin. I must say I’m slightly jealous. It helps me so much. I could use the extra help as I’m going through these med changes. I’m sorry you have a lot of anxiety. Have you tried an antidepressant? I’m on Lexapro and that has made a huge difference. I still have anxiety but it’s not as bad. Good luck to you.
I’m on Geodon and Seroquel, and that combination does me pretty good. I’ve been on Klonopin before, but my pdoc took me off it when I told him I gave a couple of my Klonopins to this girl who was withdrawing from heroin. It was a little bit hard to come off Klonopin. It is very habit forming. I don’t know why you would want to come off Seroquel. For me, it has no side effects, and it helps keep me stable.
How much Seroquel are you on? It made me gain a lot of weight. With just reducing it my appetite has gone down. At my worst I was on 1200mg of Seroquel and 8mg of Risperdal and still pretty bad. Still searching for a good med combo where I wouldn’t need ECT. Thanks for your reply.
I am on either 400mg or 800mg of Seroquel, and I think 80mg Geodon twice a day. I worry about my weight too, but I don’t think it was the Seroquel that made me gain weight. I think it was a blood pressure pill that did it. If by “ECT” you mean “electro-convulsive therapy” I would like to try that.
@anon40540444 I never heard of that med. That’s what makes me mad. There are other meds for anxiety that aren’t benzos, and she was just like nope not helping you just deal. @crimby I did mean Electroconvulsive Therapy. I’ve been getting it for two years. It’s amazing the effect it had. It was the only way I felt any relief from my symptoms. It’s usually used for depression, mania, or catonic states but it works great on psychosis.
