[Sad_Chelsea]

This is urgent and hopefully I can get a response. I was put on a prescription for clonazepam which I've been taking for several months. I'm no longer under the care of the neurologist who prescribed this medication and I'm terrified of having to quitting cold turkey as I've heard it can be dangerous. I've been trying to contact my family physician to make an appointment but this past week I called about 100 times and only got an answering machine that says patients aren't able to leave a message and are expected to call back. After trying that many times I gave up and called another medical office to ask if they have doctors taking patients. Obviously it's not ideal to switch doctors so abruptly as I have an undiagnosed problem with my pituitary gland and after having a ct scan, my doctor sent in a requisition to have an MRI. I know a patient isn't supposed to have multiple doctors but I've been really sick and didn't know what else to do.

I have an upcoming appointment with my psychiatrist this Monday, July 13th. Is it possible that I can ask him to write me a prescription for clonazepam? The reason why I take clonazepam is because I have a movement disorder called cervical dystonia. Although my dystonia is still bothersome, I find that taking clonazepam is better than nothing at all. I want to try a medication called artane which is also prescribed for dystonia but I don't know if a psychiatrist can prescribe this since dystonia is a condition that's treated by neurologists. I've looked up all the information I need as far as the dose that's typically prescribed and most people take between 4mg to 10mg a day depending on what they need. Should I just try and ask him about this anyway?

[Angelique67]

Hi, if you're no longer under the care of the prescribing physician for the clonazepam then yes, you should speak to your pdoc about it. It's most commonly prescribed for anxiety. He should be able to taper you off it, if he's not a jerk.

The other medication I'm not sure of, maybe you should wait to get that from the PCP. But there's no reason you shouldn't ask your pdoc about that too. Good luck. I had to come off Klonopin on my own without a taper, it was not good.

[Sad_Chelsea]

I didn't want to have to be this way that I'm asking my psychiatrist for help with my physical health problems but I'm at a loss and don't know what else to do. I can't go to my neurologist anymore because of an altercation that occurred..he agreed to send me for an MRI after I insisted on it and then I came to find out he didn't follow through. At my second and last appointment ever, he was verbally abusive towards me. He told me I'm stupid and I don't know anything and my problems are imaginary because I'm a woman and women are not right in the head. My family doctor sent me for a brain CT scan, he didn't explain to me what's wrong just said my pituitary gland looks different from how a normal one looks. I don't know what that even means and I'm not going to continue asking questions when I never get answers anyway. I refuse to wait months for an MRI as waiting means that I have to suffer and get worse in the meantime. I'm planning to end my life by driving my car into oncoming traffic, people have told me this is a bad idea but I have no other options.

[Angelique67]

Sad Chelsea I'm so sorry you're feeling this way. Please try to be safe. If you are feeling like you're going to do anything drastic, please call 1-(800)-273-8255. Just to talk to someone who might be able to help.

What the neurologist said was terrible. I wonder how doctors like that are never held to account for their terrible behavior. Anyway, you know that what he said is untrue. Please take loving, gentle care of yourself and keep posting.

[dancinglady]

I have had very similar experience. Neurologists suck big time.

[Sad_Chelsea]

Well the psychiatrist appointment was a waste of time. I explained the situation that I'm running out of clonazepam that the neurologist prescribed for my dystonia. He said he wouldn't write me a prescription and I'll just have to quit cold turkey.. just great, I'm really looking forward to what will surely be a horrific withdrawal. I said that at the point when my dystonia comes back I'll be forced to take my life. I talked to an intake worker and she said I have to go see a counsellor on Wednesday and if I don't follow through she'll have the police do a wellness check on me. What a joke, it still doesn't solve the problem that I have no treatment for my dystonia. I will die before I will let that evil disease cripple and disable me.

[Angelique67]

Originally Posted by Sad_Chelsea

Well the psychiatrist appointment was a waste of time. I explained the situation that I'm running out of clonazepam that the neurologist prescribed for my dystonia. He said he wouldn't write me a prescription and I'll just have to quit cold turkey.. just great, I'm really looking forward to what will surely be a horrific withdrawal. I said that at the point when my dystonia comes back I'll be forced to take my life. I talked to an intake worker and she said I have to go see a counsellor on Wednesday and if I don't follow through she'll have the police do a wellness check on me. What a joke, it still doesn't solve the problem that I have no treatment for my dystonia. I will die before I will let that evil disease cripple and disable me.

I suspected it would go like that. They don't write it unless you never bring it up or don't want it. I'm really sorry you're in this situation. If possible, find a rehab center now, before you run out. Once you run out you wont be well enough to look and they might detox you in the hospital but it won't be really more than barely adequate. Best of luck and best wishes.

Originally Posted by Sad_Chelsea

I didn't want to have to be this way that I'm asking my psychiatrist for help with my physical health problems but I'm at a loss and don't know what else to do. I can't go to my neurologist anymore because of an altercation that occurred..he agreed to send me for an MRI after I insisted on it and then I came to find out he didn't follow through. At my second and last appointment ever, he was verbally abusive towards me. He told me I'm stupid and I don't know anything and my problems are imaginary because I'm a woman and women are not right in the head.

Chelsea, I'm really sorry that your at your wits end. It is so frustrating when you are crying out for help and it seems that no one is listening. And that the people that do listen don't care. But everyone does not feel like that. Please don't give up on yourself just because an imperfect system with imperfect people have let you down. There are some of those in the medical profession that got there by - well who knows. Unfortunately all you need is knowledge to be a medical health worker, there are no requirements to be a compassion or empathetic person. Their opinion of you is just that, their opinion, and it counts for didly squat. Just because they have one, doesn't mean it's right.Don't base your self worth on someone who doesn't know you.

My family doctor sent me for a brain CT scan, he didn't explain to me what's wrong just said my pituitary gland looks different from how a normal one looks. I don't know what that even means and I'm not going to continue asking questions when I never get answers anyway. I refuse to wait months for an MRI as waiting means that I have to suffer and get worse in the meantime. I'm planning to end my life by driving my car into oncoming traffic, people have told me this is a bad idea but I have no other options.

There's a saying that I try really hard to keep in mind, well two actually. One is that suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. That sounds great, when your in a place that you can think of tomorrow. But don't give up, there will be a tomorrow, and with the passing of each day comes new hope. The thing is whilst you are breathing, there is a chance that things will get better. The same cannot be said once you stop breathing. The fact that you are fighting to get better, feel angry at those that have let you down - these should tell you that there is a person inside of you that wants to get better, and that you are worth fighting for. Listen to that voice.

The second is Suicide doesn't end the pain, it merely passes it on to someone who loves you. You may think there is no one in your life that cares, and it may seem like that. But I guarantee that there is. There will be lives that you have touched, people that have thanked you for being you, people that smile at you when you walk down the street and smile at them. Don't give up on these ones that care. Even if you have got to a point where you don't care what happens, there are those that do. And you don't want to hurt them, even if you want to hurt yourself. This may sound like a guilt trip, but knowing that others care and depend on your existence, it can give you reason to keep fighting when all else seems lost.

Don't give up. Don't let the system win. Fight.

And please keep posting. I for one would like to know that you are ok.

xXx

[lorna]

I have a generalized form of dystonia. I was prescribed clonazapam and baclofen. I understand the pain connected to this disorder. This year I decided to stop all my meds, and I will say it had some down time, was on it for at least 3 years. I just feel different without the meds. If you feel you can't do this see you Primary Care Doctor- they will have notes from the Neurologist. At minimum you need to have help with tapering or need another doc to prescribe the medications you need. You may want to contact the Dystonia Foundation or go to a Hospital that deals with neurological disorders. I am from Canada as well, and there are dystonia support groups, just go to the website. I understand the long waits to see a movement neurologist but its a good idea that you are followed.