Please help

[Sal480]

I have been prescribed clonezapam 1mg 3x daily for social anxiety. I recently missed an appointment with the new Dr. in the office. I rescheduled the appointment, but the earliest they had available is over a month from now. I made the appointment for Jan 3 2011. The Dr. has refused to fill my RX until he sees me in his office.
My question is, can I abruptly stop taking benzodiazepines? Why is that the Dr. not filling the rx?  I am currently experiencing some side effects and i am very worried about the more severe ones that I have read about.
What would your advice be?

Thank you,

[mammo]

Hi. I take Klonopin 1mg 3 x a day as well.  A new doctor normally won't prescribe anything until he sees you, but I see this is just a new doctor in the practice. Try calling your previous doctor and ask him to please speak with the other doctor, they have your records and can see there is no abuse and can give you enough to hold you over.  I personally would just go to the office, tell them what's going on and ask if the previous doctor can help with this or at least speak with the new one.  If the previous doctor is no longer there, they can still refer to your records regarding this.  Don't hesitate to tell the nurse or receptionist that this is not a medication that should be abruptly stopped, and that's why you're there or calling. I think you would gain more by just showing up, telling them how you are feeling due to the doctor not refilling your prescription.  Be nice about it, and tell them you understand where he's coming from, but there was no way you could make that first appt. and now you are having problems. They may even squeeze you in right then. I've worked for doctors where this has happened and we always got them in.  You may have to wait a bit but it's worth it.  There are a lot of people who abuse these types of meds and that may be why he wants to see you first, but he has access to your records, so this should not be a problem.  Good luck, and take care.

[lanvin]

Are you completely out? How long have you been on this dose( which is rather high by the way)? If you have been on less than 6 mths you should be fine, but longer you might have more side effects, none of which are fatal, just very uncomfortable mentally and physically. LOTs of anxiey.THey can't fill them without seeing you because klonopin is regulated by the DEA and they have to make notes saying that they have seen you make notes that you are taking as perscribed and so forth. He shoudl have given you a supply long enough to last until you see him again. Most docs realize the negative  side effects from abrubtly taking this drug and generally don't recommend it. I woudl try to get him on the phone to get some to hold you over until the visit, or if you have some I would cut back like to 1 and half mg a day, that way you won't go into bad side effects. If none of these are possible go to the er if you are experiencing panic or other problems. I would talk to your doc to make sure this doesn't happen again.I woudl also let the nurse know whats going on and your concerns. Good Luck. I have been taking klonopin for a year only 1 mg a day though.