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1589929 tn?1310066922

Klonopin taper...Benzo dependency?!?!?!?!?! HELP?!?!?!?!?!?!?

I have been taking benzos for about 3 years and I'm currently on 5mg of Klonopin a day as needed but I don't take 5mg a day. I often take less and sometimes I skip a few days. Well after I told my Doctor last month that I want to wean off of it he basically refused to prescribe me benzos anymore and I saw him today and he prescribed me all of my meds except for the klonopin (I guess he's still on the fence about it because they told me to call back in an hour to see if he writes my prescription.)

I don't see how a Doctor can just refuse you treatment especially when they know how dangerous it is to quit cold turkey. But I was put on a new medication (Depakote) I know it's an anti-convulsant and my question is can I just stop taking the klonopin (like if he doesn't prescribe it to me and I can't find another Doctor who will) and go through the withdrawals except for the convulsions because I'm on the Depakote because honestly if I can do that and not have to worry about having a convulsion and end up being completely off the benzo then I would do it because I want off of this med so bad!!!

The dosage of Depakote I was prescribed is 1 pill twice a day and they're 250mg a pill. Can someone please tell me if this will work??? I'd love nothing more than to be free of the benzo and finally be able to stop seeing my Psychiatrist and worrying about taking meds just to keep withdrawal symptoms away.
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1696489 tn?1370821974
I agree with Greenlydia.  I am also familiar with Depakote, as my daughter had to take quite high doses of this for several years due to adolescent epilepsy.  She is no longer epileptic, and has not taken Depakote for over two years now. :)  From what I was told by her doctor, Depakote can 'rewire' the brain over time and 'reteach' the brain to behave normally, as it has done with my daughter.  I am not sure that it would work in the same way when used for anxiety combined with convulsions.  This medication is EXPENSIVE, and can cause weight-gain and the growth of extra body hair.  It did both to my girl, but her body returned to normal after stopping the Depakote.  And these side effects were not severe, and only mild.  I hope this information is helpful, and please definitely find a new doctor... this one sounds quackish, and looking for a kickback from prescribing Depakote.  No doctor good doctor I know of would prescribe something most people cant afford, unless this was the only option.
Helpful - 0
370181 tn?1595629445
I also can't understand what the hell your doctor is doing. If he is unaware that you can't cold turkey off Klonopin, then I suggest you find a doctor who knows what he's doing with psychotropic meds. But, since I'm NOT a pharmacist, perhaps there IS validity in stopping the Klonopin CT and going directly onto the Depakote. Irregardless of that, his refusal to prescribe any more Klonopin, his staff telling you to call back later as he may have changed his mind...........sounds like quackery to me.
I suggest calling a pharmacist and discussing this with him/her. Unlike doctors, they do not get kick backs from the pharmaceutical houses so they have nothing to gain or lose by telling you the truth. They ARE Doctors of Pharmacology and they know what meds need to be tapered and they will know if you can do a straight cross-over to Depakote. Your psychiatrist should also be able to advise you about your doctors plan. If they say you can't or shouldn't, please run, don't walk, and find yourself a new doctor.
I wish you the best. Stand up for yourself.
Peace
Greenlydia
Helpful - 0
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