Convincing a doc to script benzos?

[Halif]

he told us that in American med schools, doctors are not trained in weaning patients off them

Literal insanity.

Considering how commonly prescribed benzos are, and the serious consequences involved in coming off them too quickly (or even cold turkey), I find it insane that GPs so often seem to lack knowledge and compassion in that area.

Many times before on this forum, I've mentioned my sick and twisted (not beautiful) fantasy that all doctors-in-training are required to go through a minor benzo rebound/withdrawal. Yeah, it's unethical and dangerous and just a fantasy of sorts, but there's no substitute for actual lived experience and I think there should be a reduction in these cases of casual cruelty.

 

[vision conque]

Literal insanity.

Considering how commonly prescribed benzos are, and the serious consequences involved in coming off them too quickly (or even cold turkey), I find it insane that GPs so often seem to lack knowledge and compassion in that area.

Many times before on this forum, I've mentioned my sick and twisted (not beautiful) fantasy that all doctors-in-training are required to go through a minor benzo rebound/withdrawal. Yeah, it's unethical and dangerous and just a fantasy of sorts, but there's no substitute for actual lived experience and I think there should be a reduction in these cases of casual cruelty.

As you said man, it would never happen, however it would be an excellent idea.

In my opinion all substances should be readily available to those who want them...prohibition causes far more harm than the substances themselves.

A bit off topic but just for something interesting...in the land down under if someone wants to work for guide dogs or blind citizens, at least if they want to work as an o&m/orientation amd mobility trainer, it is a requirment that they have to spend a few days at the main training centre living under blindfold.
There is no better way to understand what it's like to be totally blind than to spend a few days living with zero sight.

 

[Heman]

As you said man, it would never happen, however it would be an excellent idea.

In my opinion all substances should be readily available to those who want them...prohibition causes far more harm than the substances themselves.

A bit off topic but just for something interesting...in the land down under if someone wants to work for guide dogs or blind citizens, at least if they want to work as an o&m/orientation amd mobility trainer, it is a requirment that they have to spend a few days at the main training centre living under blindfold.
There is no better way to understand what it's like to be totally blind than to spend a few days living with zero sight.

Good point, you can really only appreciate what is in your experience. Pity it's not a requirement for more positions of responsibility.

 

[pureresearch]

If it's not been mentioned, and you're serious about this. The first step is see your PCP, and talk it through with them. Ask for a referral to a good psychiatrist and then talk to he/she about anxiety symptoms. Be honest about how you have constant anxiety and have tried: busprione, hydroxizine, propranolol, etc. (Meds that help anxiety that aren't benzos) and that you have taken xyz years ago and it helped. Any good psych will provide a decent script of Clonazepam. This is a good safe long acting option that will be the first go to.

Like others said, the short acting benzos will be a go to for a short time period, but don't expect year supplies of xanax anymore. The rules about that have gotten stricter, and any younger provider will be more cautious because training now days push against prescribing short acting benzos for more than 3 months max. BUT, if you can find an old school doc then you're good.

Old school doc - any PCP that is a good ol boy. My clinic has a partner doc who still scripts fynt patches, and benzos loosly. It really just depends on who you can find. Do your research about docs in your area. A lot of info is online.

But the psych path is a sure way to get what you need for long term care.