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Anybody taking Klonopin?

Ecksunbeam
0 Recommendations

I went to a new PCP a few days ago. I asked her to double my Xanax from .5 1x daily to .5 2x daily. She went berserko! Accused me of "drug-seeking behavior," and "getting aggressive about Xanax." Aggressive? Then went on to tell me I should be on Klonopin. (And then stomped out of the room without completing the exam.)

I came home and looked it up--and then I went berserko! This looks like a mighty potent med to me! I'm not interested. And thinking I need to find another PCP immediately.

Anybody out there taking it? Side effects, etc.? Do you have extteme anxiety attacks? (I do not.)

Thanks.

Sherrie

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32 replies

Kennarina

Sherrie darling!! I agree - maybe time to find a new doc, if only because "stomping out of the room without completing the exam" is completely intolerable behaviour! Geez Louise, did you also pull a gun on her to warrant that kind of rudeness?

And after you change docs, is there some professional organization you can file a complaint with as well? If she pulls this kind of stunt with you because she's frustrated, my guess is she does this with other patients as well.

Don't know anything about Klonopin but I'll start looking it up....

XOXOXO


http://www.myheartsisters.org

Ecksunbeam

Dear Kennie,

Klonopin looks scary to me! Especially since I live alone--always afraid of tripping and falling.

But it looks far more to me dangerous than Xanax!

I liked her in the beginning. She's Indian. I like Indian doctors, in general, for some reason.

But I felt defensive from the get-go. She has signs all over her walls basically saying "Don't ask for antibiotics," and "Don't ask for controlled substances." YIKES!

For the past week I've been down with some kind of sinus infection. It has affected my gums--also swollen and infected along with an ear infection. (All down my left side from head to stomach.) When my gums swell, I worry about my coronary arteries becoming inflamed. So I had every intention of asking for antibiotics. She saw my ear was infected and throat red, so she agreed to the antibiotics.

I understand her point of view since I am a new patient--I suspect she runs into this every day. But I do not like automatically being reduced to the lowest common denominator and because of the signs all over the walls, you feel like a criminal before she's even entered the exam room.

She told me 1 mg. of Xanax a day is a large dose. I said, "What?" (She also says it has a rebound affect on blood pressure that I will have to check out.) At that point she said she would not deal with patients getting aggressive about Xanax and left the room. The entire exam consisted of looking into my ears and throat and arguing over meds.

Aggressive??????? I don't think so . . . .

Sherrie

Yatchzee

Yikes, Bad bedside manner. Yes, please find new doctor that you can talk to. The signs on the wall are very unusual. Joyce

Winglover

Sherrie,
First and foremost you need to find a new doctor fast! Her behavior is inexcusable. My cardiologist gave me a script for Xanax when my son was first diagnosed without me even asking about it. I would report her lack of professionalism and zero bedside manner too.
To your questions about Klonopin. It is usually prescribed for seizure disorders, but can be used for panic disorder, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia, Parkinson tremors, neuralgias and restless leg syndrome. I can see why you got so frightened when you read about it. It is sedating, but that is not what you were looking for. My father took it at night for his restless leg. It was the greatest thing in the world to him. First good night sleep he had in years since suffering from constant leg movements at night. Not sure why she chose this drug over so many others out there. She sounds kind of out there herself with all of her posters and her behavior alone. Hope that helps. Good luck!

martzj

Dear Sherrie pooh,

"But I felt defensive from the get-go. She has signs all over her walls basically saying "Don't ask for antibiotics," and "Don't ask for controlled substances." YIKES!"

This is mildly amusing considering the US medical community is the number 1 substance abuse population, #3 in doctor suicides. Computerized authorization-only dispensing will be putting a big brake on this behavior....but in the meantime.

I've lived within Indian families and high drama can be the norm, especially if not US acculturated to non-caste system. In this country, however, a patient (especially w insurance) isn't to be considered a walking crime scene first, a relief seeking human second. There is indeed a rise in drug seeking behavior....Heart attack patients don't need to be entering a hostile or punative exam environment. You need help for chronic anxiety symtoms...exacerbated by permanent heart attack damage, ischemia (heart muscle in trouble), and possibly naturally rising bp and CHL numbers in post menopausal females.

I've never had panic attacks either.....what HAS been present since the earlier heart attacks and then sharply rising since night of acute MI, was chronic generalized anxiety.......It's just there all the time. To get an accurate picture of what is going on, blood labs would need to be taken from you at intervals during a 24 hour period and analyzed for cortisol levels, adrenalin and other anxiety provoking hormones pumping nonstop. It took me a year and a half before a doc realized I was living with chronically high levels of this....I had no idea what it was...I walked in covered in hives, asking for help with 'this constant itching, burning skin'. It was the hives. If he hadn't seen that I would probably still be walking around like that. Docs kept telling me I was 'depressed' and urging me to start the latest new SSRIs...which plunged me immediately into a new high in anxiety/agitation from pill 1. Each time I would explain I have a weird SSRI problem and each time the dr would blow me off ....'oh, this one is sleek and has none of those side effects'. Each time I had to live through 3 days of zero sleep, shakes, jitters, face twitching...and the anxiety level stayed reset to a new higher level. Xanax was the only medication that immediately settled this down....the teeniest amount. Half of .25 mg. It used to make me drowsy at first but over time it just quickly seemed to intercept anxiety, ease it back.

Klonopin scares the heck out of me too. I have seen people on long term Klonopin with involuntary neck rolls, eye tics, insatiable appetites. Xanax does none of this to me. I'm on .25mg as needed 4 x day...but have never used an entire supply in a month after the first few months. Take as needed....on worst times of cycle...especially leading up to ovulation, anxiety and chest tightness ramp up to unbearable and I take up to .25mg 4 x day....But not regularly. no maintenance dose. Again, like you, no anxiety attacks/panic attacks ever. But something has damaged my rebound response and it needs help or it will never self-regulate. I've always assumed it was from going so many hours heart attacking, oxygen deprivation...adrenals squeezed within an inch of their life to keep me going.

That doc has issues with something but it wasn't you...she was projecting something in your direction.

Funny, my lastest cardio and my first female cardio (which is why I chose her) was a few years older than me, fascinated with my HA history...and then also threw a tant because I couldn't take Paxil, Plavix or aspirin.....Called me 'non-complaint' in our first visit. Went straight from interrupting me while I was describing how Paxil sent me straight into shrieking agitation, and Plavix causes me to lose consciousness within a few hours of pill 1, aspirin has been banned because of instant GI pain/bleeding. She never heard all that because she went into a tizzy, raised her voice and stomped a foot. I'd never seen anything like it. A cardio response like this because my system cannot tolerate one size fits all meds? I sat there on the exam table and let her run out of steam...watched her calmly until she realized what she'd done and got very quiet, white-faced. My response, "Very interesting." Nothing more. She went even paler. I gave her time to collect herself. I'm still with her because cardios here are interchangable. None of them listen. I no longer care....I just use them to access the testing, which they have nothing to do with beyond interpreting.

google 'klonopin vs xanax' to find patient discussions on-line.

Your infection/inflammation sounds miserable sweetie.....Hope the antibiotics get busy shutting that down swiftly. whew!

Mermie

Lilpnkbnny

I was put on Adivan(sp) when i was diagnosed but soon began to realize that even though i didn't take as many as prescribed I still developed a small addiction that would send me into a panic attack when my morning dose started to wear off. I had to wean myself off slowly but my doctor is very good at giving me something if she thinks I need it. I would sent her an email telling her how her behavior didn't help the situation and that all patients should not be seen as drugseeking just because they are desperate for some calm in their lives. I still long for that peace even though to took my own meds away. I agree, find a new doctor.

martzj

me again Sher,

It just occurred to me.......this cardio may have created a new chart describing you as a 'possible drug seeker'. Get copies soon. This is precisely what bothers me about being a single female patient in the US healthcare system. This doctor can say whatever and write whatever about you....because there are no witnesses. Once this subjective interpretation is entered into computerized databases, it will be almost impossible to remove.

Mermie

gracie62

Sherrie:
Doctors became paranoid after Anna Nicole Smith died because of all the addictive drugs she was able to obtain. There was an escalation in police investigations of pill mills. I was made to feel like a drug addict when I sought pain relief after triple bypass surgery. No one believed my pain was real until that CT scan that I demanded revealed an incomplete fusion of the top 1/2" of my sternum causing a friction callous. My surgeon, even after proof I was in pain, told me he could not prescribe longterm pain medication, even though he anticipated I would be in moderate to severe pain for 6 more months to a year. Why? He could not take the responsbility on.

In seeking treatment for my 16 year old daughter when she is in pain I am asked if anyone in my home has an addiction issue, like I am using her to get drugs. It is sad that people who have legitamate needs for medication of any sort are viewed as possible addicts. I fear this will get worse than ever after the investigation into the death of Michael Jackson is complete. How sad that we pay the price for the addictions of others, both famous and not.

Take care -
Dianna

vrolijk

Hi, Ecksunbeam

Yes, I am taking Klonopin, they start to give it to me for seizures since I could not use the regular anti-seizure drugs. The medications I was taking caused the seizures. This was almost 25 years ago.
Finally I got below 8 mg a day and now am on 3 mg a day.
While I was taking myself down of the Klonopin, I also had my first heart attack and now no doctor will help me taking me off these dang pills.
I have no need for these pills anymore, but when I go down take myself down, I get all kinds of problems with my nerves, like tingling in my feet, pain all over, now I also can get seizures from taking me down and on and on and on. Basically I am addicted to this stuff. I do not have anxiety except for when I see a white coat….. (Called white coat syndrome)
Please do not take any kind of benzodiazepines if you can, if you take anti-depressants sometimes they can make you real anxious!! Get of the anti-depressants slowly…

Here is the full list of what I experience when just not taking half a pill:

• Numbness or tingling
• Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• A rapid heartbeat (tachycardia)
• Heart palpitations
• Memory loss
• Dizziness
• Sensitivity to sound or light
• Fever
• Headaches
• Anxiety
• Tension
• Insomnia
• Restlessness or irritability
• Confusion
• Sweating.

The list is for all people different. I do think I have finally found someone that will take me down but did warn about seizures again when we will do it.

Here is a full book on how to withdrawal from the poison

Do not listen to the doctor get another one!!
Take care, Vrolijk

hisangel

I am on Klonopin for severe dizziness, and have been for over 20 years. I have had no side effects from it, only if I forget to take it. The dizziness comes zooming back. My GP doesn't like me on it but it controls the dizziness and that is more important to me.

Ecksunbeam

Dear Sisters,

Thank you for your replies.

Mermie BRAT!--this is not my new cardio. I love my new cardio! This is my new Primary Care Provider. (My former one, for some reason, is no longer with my insurance carrier, so I had to find a new one.)

However, just 2 or 3 weeks ago I was given a clean bill of health from my cardiologist. She says I am the picture of health. I find it amazing that I have survived sudden cardiac death x 3, cardiogenic shock, seizure and stroke for the past nine years--all without the benefit of Klonopin. And that she would recommend something so potent to a new patient on a first appointment!! And she's worried about Xanax addiction, but would prescribe Klonopin??? Something doesn't add up here.

There will be no Klonopin for me. (Thank you Vrojlik.)

It won't be the first time I have refused a medication my PCP has prescribed. My former PCP at different times prescribed Neurotin, Prednisone, and Fosomax, all of which I have said, NO WAY. But she, too, had a hang-up about Xanax--cut my prescription in half to .5 1 x daily without ever discussing it with me. What I don't understand is how or why these doctors will prescribe extremely potent (and expensive!) drugs like Neurotin and Klonopin, but they have a hang up about 1 mg. of Xanax? (I hate to be so cynical but could it have something to do with the fact that generic Xanax is so cheap--meaning little $ kickback?)

At the moment, my thoughts and feelings are very mixed. I'm trying to give her the benefit of the doubt. One part of me really liked her. The appointment was moving along well until the Xanax discussion came up. Then things quickly deteriorated--so fast that I didn't realize what was going on. I was very calmly sitting on the table and she was 3 or 4 feet across the room from me discussing meds when she said something about "aggressive Xanax-seeking behavior" and she got up and left the room--never to return. I almost had the feeling she was afraid of me! Aggressive? I was in shock. When she did not return to the room to complete the exam, I thought this must be some kind of a joke. (She did, however, prescribe my 1 mg Xanax a day--for two months.)

One part of me wants to judge her very harshly as I feel she misjudged me--and my EGO has been sorely wounded.

Another part of me understands her stance perfectly. (All except for the Klonopin.) Over my lifetime, I have had three doctors, a former PCP, a neurologist (the most brilliant woman I have ever met), and believe it or not, a psychiatrist! tell me their sagas of how difficult it is being a doctor. (Yes, my doctors have turned to ME for solace and comfort.) The one complaint they all had in common (all women, BTW) is that they are always being WATCHED. It's either the insurance companies, patients, patient's families, patient advocates, other doctors, nurses and technicians. They cannot make a single move without someone somewhere second-guessing their decisions. This is good for the patient--but very stressful for the doctor. I suspect that when it comes to prescribing "controlled substances" this is very much true. And, it was my first appointment--she doesn't know me from Adam.

I have a follow-up appointment in two months (for what, I don't know.) I think I will probably give her a second chance. Give her a chance to thoroughy review my medical records, etc. She will discover no "drug seeking behavior" in my medical records. Depending on her attitude at that appointment, I will make that decision--and perhaps provide her with a print-out of this thread if I decide to move on.

After reseaching Klonopin, however, I can see where it might actually be beneficial for some patients--including heart patients. We have a couple of sisters on this board who suffer from PVCs. Supposedly they are believed to be caused by an underlying anxiety disorder. In addition, in the first few months after a major heart "event" the fear can be paralyzing (Lonewolfe comes to mind) and I wonder if taking Klonopin on a [very] short-term basis might help to get that under control. I just wonder, however, if it could be so calming that it masks authentic heart symptoms that need to be addressed and could pose a danger in that respect.

If there is going to be a problem between me and this new doctor, I suspect it has less to do with "drug-seeking bahavior" than the fact that I am a patient who takes control of her own health. I decide what I will and will not take, and I don't always agree with my doctor's opinions. I take everything they say and recommend into serious consideration, do my own research, and then make my own decisions about which way I will fly. I've had nine years to figure out what works and what does not work for me and it's MY LIFE! (Considering that I still have one--so I'm doing something right.) Some doctors are intimidated by that, and if such is the case, we do, indeed, have a problem.

However, there is something else I noticed--the patient population in the waiting room. She accepts Medicaid HMOs and her clientele seems to be somewhat lower middle class. Since I live amongst just such a population of people, I suspect she does, indeed, come across a great deal of "drug seeking behavior" and that she's somewhat paranoid about it.

So, at the moment, I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt.

My recommendation: Maybe she needs some Klonopin! LOL!

Thank you for you responses, Ladies.

Have a good Sunday!

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

Kennarina

Sherrie Baby

Just a reflection on semantics here, from the perspective of the medical folks:

" At that point she said she would not deal with patients getting AGGRESSIVE about Xanax and left the room..."

Okay, leaving the room is a definite NO-NO, but docs do use the word 'aggressive' in different ways than we mere mortals do.

For example, docs refer to 'aggressive curative treatment' in oncology. Doesn't mean that the patient is aggressive, or the docs are aggressive, doesn't have anything to do with emotions or actions - it's just a way of determining whether treatment is full-speed-ahead or not. If you were diagnosed with flesh-eating disease, perish the thought, ALL your treatment would be described on your charts as "aggressive". If you showed up with a scuffed elbow, you'd get a bandaid and maybe a squirt of polysporin which would be charted as non-aggressive.

Trouble is, it's normal for patients in normal life to get our backs up when somebody, especially a doc, throws the word "aggressive" around in our face.

When you go back to her in two months (probably a good move - give her one more shot) make it quite clear to her how her behaviour comes across to patients. Docs need feedback if they are ever to 'get it'.

GOOD LUCK!! And hope the drugs are taking hold to ease up that nasty infection......

XOXOXO

http://www.myheartsisters.org

Ecksunbeam

Dear Kennarina (My Dahling),

THANX for the clarification. Because I was, indeed, interpreting it as though maybe she was expecting some sort of withdrawal crazed drug-seeking aggressor who just might physically attack her person if she did not immediately fulfill my request.

I mean, if I have a doctor who, upon first impression, decides that I need Klonopin, who knows what I may do???????

The more I think on it, I think she was just po'd. Here she gets what appears to be a fairly decent intelligent new patient and, in the final anaylsis, I'm no different than any other drug seeking crazed aggressor from the streets. Damn! What a disappointment!

What this lady does not realize is that I am an angel in disguise. I bring with me referral(s) to the most exclusive hospital in Michigan and a hook-up to the Chief of Interventiional Cardiology as a colleague--in addition to all the patients on my book cart route. She should be very very nice to me! Just give me my Xanax DAMMIT!

I think you all have a point, however. I think doctors need Non-threatening, honest, feedback from their patients. They should read boards like this one. I tell you true tales that several doctors have unburdened their woes on me. In addition, I worked for the Dean of a medical school and in the Counselor's Office with troubled medical students for over four years. I have a friend in our running group who just graduated from medical school. They are really just human, like you and me, and yes--they have their personality quirks and problems like anybody else. In addition, she sounded like she has the same kung-fu crap disease I have. SNORT! It's been over a week and I still feel like CRAP! So, for the moment, I'm going to let her slide. I am in no life-threatening situation (knock on wood) so for today (and that's for today ONLY my dearest, Kennie) I will be a benevolent Her Royal Ass Majesty. After all, I've got my drugs. :--)

I do believe, however, should I not have such a good experience with her on the next go round, I am going to provide her with a printed copy of this thread--and move on. So ya'll feel free to jump on in to the discussion.

May the Blessings Be!

Sherrie

martzj

Dear (Meanie) Big Sis : )
" have a follow-up appointment in two months (for what, I don't know.) I think I will probably give her a second chance. Give her a chance to thoroughy review my medical records, etc."

hahahaha! I'll personally buy your next 5 gallons of chocolate milk if you can find any proof she EVER glanced at your records after she stomped out of that exam room beyond scribbling a prescription.

She gave you clear evidence of the treatment tree she was running in her head while you were trying to explain your needs as a heart attack survivor. She blurted out 'aggressive drug-seeking behavior'...which is a pat phrase bandied about these days. And she revealed her cluelessness about the reality of life with a damaged heart....They actually believe it is FIXED, nor do they really undertstand the nature of complex 'chronic' conditions. Your heart-brain controls the signals/enzymes/hormones that are released, not you.

But what do so many doctors focus on? Not your collective long term conditions and how to ease them carefully....just go straight to an abstract concept like 'drug-seeking'. PCPs are the first line of defense for women with heart problems and I despair our medical culture is ever going to grow out of infancy regarding this.

Ecksunbeam

Dear Brat!

I'm not sure it's even being accused of " aggressive Xanax-seeking behavior" that concerns me most.

It's that doctors "treat" patients with such high-potency completely legal medications! That's the Western medicine solution for everything. I would hope that an Indian doctor would be a touch more Auryvedic, for Gawd's sake! When I read the uses and potential side effects of Klonopin, THAT scares the hell outta' me. Like, "Hello, chemical straight-jacket!" That is certainly not ME! I am an extremely active and independent woman and I'm just the opposite of her "projections." But like I said previously, the signs are all over her outer office walls and her inner office walls. It's like she's all ready standing there with the paddle in her hand no matter who you are. Challenge her signage and she'll swat ya' one! THAT bothers me!

I will openly admit that Xanax has played an important role in my life in terms of keeping me calm and sane. All things have their purpose in moderation. It's one of the most valuable medications for post HA patients that I know of!

But I'm an alternative/herbal gal around here. I'm the last person to dump poisionous chemicals and drugs down my throat!

This woman jumped to some very hasty conclusions and I'm not sure that's such a good attribute in a doctor.

I think I'll do a background check on her--see what comes up? Eh?

May the Blessings Be!

Deliliah

martzj

" I would hope that an Indian doctor would be a touch more Auryvedic, for Gawd's sake!

oh Gawd......I run, not walk the other way when people come at me with this stuff.: ) ....way past anything 'subtle' being helpful physically.

Just saw a report on pediatric psychaitry treatment now being considered 'ok' for 4 year olds diagnosed with ADHD (now it is becoming more popular to call it bi-polar). A 4 year old boy was put on Tryleptol + Focalin + Clonodine. His eyelids are now chronically half-mast....I can't even bear to think what these adult meds are doing to that 4 year old brain (3-4 is when the most massive brain changes are taking place and the brain chooses which cells to discard, which to keep for the rest of life). By 13, his neck was rolling, he had all sorts of tics, moved like a zombie. Beyond tragic.

You are a grown woman and can protect yourself, decline meds that are scary and disabling. Glad you have found your way into the alternative medicine-herbal world. I don't have the patience or aptitude for that.

Do use 'placebo effect' on myself a lot.

ta ta, BRAT!! : )

martzj

yep, me again...

"Anybody out there taking it? Side effects, etc.? Do you have extteme anxiety attacks? (I do not.)
"
Just in case I haven't gone on long enough, ad nauseum.....I never had an anxiety attack in my life.....until I was put on SSRI class antidepressants that sent me into a nerve-shrieking extreme anxiety/agitation reaction that lasted 3 days nonstop. Didn't know WHAT in the world was going on....nor did the doc. He wanted to DOUBLE the dose of Zoloft to help the 'depression'. I ran out!!

Ecksunbeam

Well, my Dear CPAPed and Support-Stockinged Mrs. Mermaid,

I have had my share of panic attacks. They are not fun. I suffered from PTSD before having an MI. That was just more fuel for the fire. And, although my most recent cardiac news is good news, I don't think you ever get over the trauma of sudden cardiac death. Forevermore, it's always on the back burner, and as we all know only too well, the dice can shake in a totally different direction on a moment's notice regardless of the test results. When it's happened to you once, you live with the knowledge on a daily basis that your life can be over in an instant.

I have to say, however, I am a HUGE proponent of Dr. Deepak Chopra. I think I have read every book he has ever written and I would not suggest anyone disturb me if he's speaking on public television. I have indeed, also studied both Auryvedic and Chinese medicine. I like to look at things from many points of view and then incorporate them into my own situation. That approach has served me well. I find Truth in many medical disciplines, as I do in many different religions.

Did any of you watch the documentary on Farah Fawcett? So sad. She fought so hard. But it sure made me think twice about whether I would ever agree to undergo chemotherapy.

It will certainly be interesting to discover the autopsy findings on Michael Jackson. Did the doctor have anything to do with it? My thoughts right now are, "No." But time will tell . . .

Mermie--we both need our beauty rest--especially you.

Good night and sleep tight--

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX

Goldenrod Snapdragon

arizona1

Sherrie..........I have not been attuned to this site as much as I used to because of things going on here, so I did not see this post. You know how I am about drugs, but.........as far as klonopin goes ( or the generic clonazepam) it is Dr Cheney's tried and true tested medication for CFS. It is one of the four that helps CFS people the most. I use it when I get the wired and tired feeling that often accompanies CFS.
I only take it when I have one of those days and am so wired that I can't get to sleep. A tiny portion of a .5 mg pill does the trick. Many CFS people are on it constantly and have no problems. It is highly recommended in the CFS world.

Hugs
Kathi

Ecksunbeam

Dear Kathi,

Hummmmmmm. . . . .

Love,

Sunflower

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