Dr. gave valium RX for Ashton xanax taper

[rosebuddy]

I truly want to get off of xanax which i have been on since 1996. I take 3.5 mg a day: 0.5 mg 3 x day and 2 mg at night. When i approached my doctor 2 weeks ago, he prescribed klonopin 0.5 mg. I gathered lots of information on Klonopin and decided not to taper with it, mostly due to the withdrawal symptoms.

I went to see my psychiatrist today to see if he would prescribe valium so i could follow the crossover and taper schedule as specified in the Ashton Manual.

He didn't want to do it. That was clear. It helped that i had the taper schedule and the benzo equivilency chart. He was not impressed with Dr. Ashton's CV, stating bluntly that she was not an MD and later referred to her as a pharmacist. I also gave him an article titled Klonopin vs. Valium. (He had wanted me to taper off of xanax with Klonopin). and an article titled "Why Valium". I even wore a suitdress and heels instead of my usual jeans. He said he would do it but thought the valium mgs were too high but eventually gave in.

I am pretty excited about being able to use this method of tapering. It will take at least 6 months, maybe more. I will keep you posted on this thread about how it goes and my withdrawal symptoms.

Donna

[encoreunfois]

Hi Donna
What fabulous news! I loved your power clothes - did this doctor ever have a chance?? LOL
As for Ashton - well your doctor couldnt be more wrong. She is far from being a pharmacist and is now an emeritus Professor at Newcastle University. Previously amongst other things she is: Professor C Heather Ashton MB ChB, DM, FRCP - a Doctor of Medicine and Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists - a very well respected member of the international community. She constantly lobbies the UK govt over benzos....... and many papers have been drawn up using her proposals.
I wont go on - she is there on the internet for anyone to research. She needs no advocate.
I rather suspect she is much more qualified than your doctor! But - no point getting into the professional jealousy cat fights?? LOLOL
Great news about the valium.
Take it easy with the cross over? Read your Ashton - she suggests cross over should take weeks - depending on your start up doses. When you stabilise then you can start on one of her tapering regimes. She has specific pages for withdrawal from klonopin - which I am sure you know.
Hopefully Blasterboy will be along to cheer you on from the sidelines too!
Good luck - you are doing just the right thing.
Keep your eyes on the prize...............
It took me about 6 months - but the taper kind of faded into the background of my life - just became part of me - and really the withdrawal was completely bearable - some drops I never noticed - altho it got a little harder at the end - but the trick is to slow up and do it at your own pace.
Looking forward to hearing how you are doing.
Well done you!! You'll never regret this!
encore

[encoreunfois]

Couldnt resist: for your doctor:

Chrystal Heather Ashton DM, FRCP is Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychopharmacology at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Professor Ashton is a graduate of the University of Oxford and obtained a First Class Honours Degree (BA) in Physiology in 1951. She qualified in Medicine (BM, BCh, MA) in 1954 and gained a postgraduate Doctor of Medicine (DM) in 1956. She qualified as MRCP (Member of the Royal College of Physicians, London) in 1958 and was elected FRCP (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, London) in 1975. She also became National Health Service Consultant in Clinical Psychopharmacology in 1975 and National Health Service Consultant in Psychiatry in 1994.

She has worked at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne as researcher (Lecturer, Senior Lecturer, Reader and Professor) and clinician since 1965, first in the Department of Pharmacology and latterly in the Department of Psychiatry. Her research has centred, and continues, on the effects of psychotropic drugs (nicotine, cannabis, benzodiazepines, antidepressants and others) on the brain and behaviour in man. Her main clinical work was in running a benzodiazepine withdrawal clinic for 12 years from 1982-1994.

At present she is involved with the North East Council for Addictions (NECA) of which she is former Vice-Chairman of the Executive Committee on which she still serves. She continues to give advice on benzodiazepine problems to counsellors and is patron of the Bristol & District Tranquilliser Project. She was generic expert in the UK benzodiazepine litigation in the 1980s and has been involved with the UK organisation Victims of Tranquillisers (VOT). She has submitted evidence about benzodiazepines to the House of Commons Health Select Committee.

Professor has published approximately 250 papers in professional journals, books and chapters in books on psychotropic drugs of which over 50 concern benzodiazepines. She has given evidence to various Government committees on tobacco smoking, cannabis and benzodiazepines and has given invited lectures on benzodiazepines in the UK, Australia, Sweden, Switzerland and other countries.

[kindspirit]

Congrats to You Donna!!!! I think I made it too with finally getting my dalmane, similar to valium. What a differance! No xanax for 2 days now, and sleeping so much better. The first night I had to take a large amt, but that was due to the 3 wks of withdrawal hell, no sleep etc too wired. My Pysch sd she will call in 20 more 15mg pills and if I run out she will have to "re-evalute" so I hope I get this under control by then? From what I read dalmane and valium are very similar, good luck and YOU GO GIRL, thumbs up for standing your ground!!!

[mpvt]

That's great news,I always refer people to The Ashton Manual who are trying to kick benzo's.One thing to remember,go slow,don't rush it.You've been on these for a good 10 years so it's going to take time to change.Good luck to you and follow the manual.....Dave