I Need Help !!

[Shellbell53]

My doctor lost his DEA privileges, and he prescribed my anxiety meds. I have been taking Ativan 2.5 daily. So, I went to see another psychiatrist, and they won't prescribe me Ativan. They prescribed Klonapin .5mg. 2x daily but only 30 pills. I'm so scared because I'm afraid I dont have enough medication to last. I don't know what to do. , and have lupus and heart issues. I'm freaking out and I wonder if this has happened to anyone else. I've been on Ativan since the 80s. I'm panicking. What should I do? I don't want to seem like I'm not following instructions. Please help!!!

[BlueSky125]

The mg equivalent from Ativan to Klonapin is a lot lower. So you can’t compare 2.5 to 1.0. It’s close to the amount that you where taking before.

[Shellbell53 in reply to BlueSky125]

Thank you for the reply.

[Ironj]

The good news is your still on a benzodiazepine. Your Ativan is a much faster acting benzodiazepine but has a very short half Life of 12 hours . The good news is the Klonopin has a very long half life at 40 hours. You’ll notice after a week that you’ll have less highs and lows on klonopin. My point is don’t knock it till you have tried it. You may find that you may not need the med 2 times a day and can put some aside in the event you stop seeing this Dr. or find a new Dr if your not satisfied with this change.

[Shellbell53 in reply to Ironj]

Thank you. I just need a little higher dosage, I think. It's been two weeks, also.

[Dolphin14]

I agree with Ironj

A longer acting benzo should work better for you.

You have been on the Ativan a long time. We don't like change. I made the transition. I was nervous coming out of my comfort zone. But had no problem.

Hang in there.

[Shellbell53 in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you so much!! I'm just so scared. It took me along time to find Ativan. It saved my life, really!

[Ironj in reply to Shellbell53]

The Klonopin will be effective for you and maybe you may need an increase adjustment. If you believe this let your Dr know you believe your dose needs to be increased.

Just remember the Ativan works fast and hard kinda like a sprinter , your klonopin is the marathon medication. That being said your not going to feel that immediate calming but a steady sense of reduced anxiety. Once your body gets used to that feeling I think you’ll be fine. Use the other tools like breathing exercises, positive dialogue about how this new medication is very effective and is a benzodiazepine just like Ativan.

You will be fine believe that try and relax and let this medication work. It may take over a month until you get used to the new med.

Best wishes John.

[Samson1953]

you can also call your pharmacy to see if they can refill or if u take your prescriptions bottles in they can give you a few to hold you over.

[Ladysuisei]

After reading your post, I am not medically qualified but benzos are included in my cocktail of psych meds.

Because you sound incredibly anxious my advice would be to contact the crisis team who are responsible for your care - I'm just making the assumption that you are under the care of the Mental health services?

My carers advice is if he's worried about decline in my mental health is to contact the community MHT or possibly at this time, the crisis team.

I'm only suggesting the crisis team so you can get some reassurance and hopefully you will feel a little bit better. Take care. I know how it feels to have chronic instability. My first mental breakdown happened around 1986 ( I was 22) and my life has been chaotic ever since, indispursed with acute mental crises of varying severity. Hang in there and speak to someone who can reassure you based on medical knowledge not anecdotes. I am not being rude here to anyone BUT I know from my own experience that tge only reassurances I ever trust are those from my mental health team xx

[Ladysuisei]

Please excuse my shocking typos xx