new laws on prescribing xanax and methadone?

[Sharon4951]

I've been having epileptic seizures for 12yrs; however, in 2008 I had one while driving (I was alone & hit a ditch--no one else was hurt). I broke my ribs (all totaled with multiple fractions included), my neck, my back, but most importantly both upper arms required rods (nerve damage to left wrist & a plate in lower right arm). Both lungs punctured, partical liver removed (fun fact, it regenerates), spline, gallbladder... The works. So I was told to see about 5 specialists, but after all that time with doctors I was reluctant & skeptical. Before my disability hearing I saw a bunch of doctors; most were idiots--one argued that Klonopin doesn't treat seizures, I said check WebMD & he actually did, smh. So I've been seeing this one doctor for everything; including my panic attacks that generally send me into seizures. He reluctantly took me on & at 1st I was on Klonopin, methadone, Norco, & he gave me a few Xanax for rough days... Then, I was assaulted, ended up hospitalized with a broken jaw, & my doctor switched me to just the Xanax no more klonopin--meant to be temporary. Also, I had surgery to remove the rods (didn't work), my pain was unbearable and Norco became Vicodin. After a year on the Xanax I asked about switching, but he said he's never seen a patient do so well on this combination & I can't gradually come off Xanax with klonopin it's one or the other--so I stayed. Now with all these new laws, my doctor wants to drop me & I've got a month to find a new one!!! I can't think of any doctor that would take me on, with my medical history & the meds I've been on; however, without Xanax I will have seizures & without methadone I'll wish I was dead (and since my pains been increasing I cannot imagine not having them as a crutch)... I'm lost, I don't know if I should look to private practice, internal medicine, or pain management... Even if I wanted to see all the different specialists I can't afford it! I'm on medicare & health springs, but its not enough... Where do I go from here? How is it okay for a doctor to put me on all of this and then drop me with a letter???  

[Sharon4951]

That's my problem... Clonazepam was the only seizure medication that worked; and I'm pretty sure it's because that medication is for anxiety &/or seizures. However, with my injuries I also need pain medication; and I've just found out they're not suppose to be prescribed simultaneously. I got a letter discharging me from my doctor this month, but it said I'd have a month to find a new one. I called to try and get my refills to make it to a few doctors, but he's given no reason for discharge and his nurse said she'd call around to transfer me to a new doctor. I think of doctor patient relationship as sacred, like finding a life partner or speaking with your priest--I'm suppose to trust this person with my health, my life... I can't just pick a name outta the yellow pages; not to mention, I'm chronic pain with seizures and severe anxiety--no doctor in their right mind would want to take on a patient like me (primarily, because I've been in treatment, but the doctor I trusted is dropping me)!!! I know there are laws against this dismissal and likely laws against these medications, but I can't do anything. Threaten him, no way, I'm going to be seeing doctors for the rest of my life and I'm not getting blacklisted from private physicians (not by choice)--I've been to public clinics, they're a joke. That's what it seems to be coming down to... Without these refills I'm going to end up in the hospital and he is still my doctor; so when they ask how the hell I got there, and what idiot put me on these doses his name's going to come up. I knew the effects when I began, but the pain starts screaming and I just wanted to shut it up. I knew it was wrong, I knew it was dangerous, but that's what was written and I just wanted to feel normal, to be functional... At this point, I'm just praying he'll call in my refills one last time; and I can begin auditions for a new doctor.

[Paxiled]

I know of no law preventing the prescribing of benzos in the US -- they are very hard to get in the UK because most of the negative research on them has been done there, but the only difficulty in the US is with pain medications, or more properly their abuse.  So I'm not sure where your doctor is getting this from unless you have abused drugs at some point.  You also can't stop taking Xanax abruptly -- that can cause seizures in people who've never had one.  Now, there are other medications for seizures, and I don't think benzos are a primary tool for that -- they're mostly used for anxiety problems, and Xanax is generally not advised to be used regularly because it's addictive.  I think you need to find another doctor and perhaps a psychiatrist who will be more knowledgeable about this and more attentive to your particular situation.  In no circumstances should you quit this abruptly, and if you don't have another doctor before this doctor tries to cut you off I'd threaten this doctor with disciplinary action and a lawsuit, because as I say, even people who don't get seizures are warned not to quit benzos abruptly partly because of the seizure possibility.  And if you're on medicare, I'd think getting another doc should be doable more so than many insurance plans.

[jenny06xx]

I wish I could say something to help you but I'm not in your country so I don't understand all your healthcare problems with doctors , it just doesn't happen here in the uk
I just wanted to drop a few lines to say that  I have read your post and your not alone
I'm afraid people may not know how to help you so won't post anything
Sending u hugs