SecondTime: Hello! Need some advice

[Shep]

15 hours ago, SecondTime said:

  I was able  to finally find a new doc, but they put me Klonopin and want me to taper off in 3 weeks.  The crossover was horrible.  I know this isn't a benzo group, but I am totally lost.

 

We're a polypharmacy group so we do have some working knowledge of benzo withdrawal.

 

What dose of Klonopin are you on?  Note that Ativan is half as potent as Klonopin according to the benzo equivalency chart. 

 

Please let us know what dose you're currently taking and maybe we can make some suggestions to help mitigate some of the symptoms. 

 

You may want to show your doctor the latest to come out of the FDA regarding benzos:

 

FDA requiring Boxed Warning updated to improve safe use of benzodiazepine drug class

 

Also, please see the advice given in this thread regarding how to talking to a doc about withdrawal: 

 

How do you talk to a doctor about tapering and withdrawal?

 

Here is a list of recommended doctors in case any of them are within a range you can safely navigate to. Also, some doctors are using Skype now due to COVID, so you may be able to schedule something with a doctor further away. 

 

SA's recommended doctors

 

And here is the MiA Provider Directory which lists doctors knowledgable about withdrawal. 

 

Mad in America Provider Directory

 

Even if you find someone who's a therapist and not able to prescribe, it might be worth reaching out to see if they know of any prescribers in your area who could get you ongoing prescriptions for a taper. 

 

 

[SecondTime]

.375 Klonopin only at night. I will update my signature 

 

Luckily, I have a friend who’s doctor helped him get off Zoloft and Klonopin. I reached out to him last night. I am going to call her. He said she allowed him to take his time.

 

 

[Shep]

Glad to hear you've got a lead on a new doctor. Let us know what you find out. 

[SecondTime]

I have been in a poly-drugged night mare.  Got suicidal  on February 27 and then went into in-patient.  I was cold turkey off Zoloft and Klonopin.  Then, put on 1000 mg of depakote.  Three days out of inpatient, I immediately dropped to 500 mg of depakote since my concentration is way off.  I have had severe akathisia since.  My depakote is DR so I don't know how to taper off of it.  My doc will only prescribe DR or ER.   This has been horrible and still looking for advice.