Cut off Xanax; how to seek help for benzo withdrawal?

[ZoeCat]

Original thread title: Dr. / nurse medically negligent??

Today I phone my general Dr's office to explain I was now officially addicted to Xanax, and needed help to get off. I had printed up some of the Ashton Manuel to bring in and discuss. I explain I was all out of medicine ( Xanax) as my tolerance had built up and took more per day then the .5 mg she has prescribed for two years. She had me on .25 for two years before that. The up the dose to .5 for 2 years. It was the nurse practitioner I saw, not the head Dr. The nurse said I needed to go to the emergency room, she would "not take any responsibility for my problem." She also stated when I inquired why she gave another patient I know of enough pain medication for their addiction - until they could get to an out patient clinic she referred her to - she was not willing to help me in the same manner. I was told " That's different and I do not have to explain myself to you."

My question is this - as this is the nurse who wrote the script for over 3-4 years, and one must get a referral to see anyone through their physician. Is this ethical - to just dump me and my problem-addiction, and send me out into the night to any hospital I find on my own????

A friend has given me enough medicine that I can hold out until tomorrow, while I try to find a clinic or Dr. who treats addiction disorders and will see me right away. Should I inform the head Dr. that her nurse claimed "no responsibility" for a patient she has been treating on Xanax for @ 4 years?

I am desperate for help, and can not get my Dr.s office to even give me the name of a Dr. for addition in my area, much less enough medicine to keep me from shock. I was basically told to piss off and find an emergency room on my own. This seems medical negligent and a clear case of medical misconduct - what can I do?? How do I get proper help??

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

If you are in benzo withdrawal, you need to seek medical attention. That's horrible that your doctor refuses to give it to you. Even if the medical attention is going to the emergency room, then you need to seek that medical attention.

There are referral services and other options available to you in regards to finding another doctor. The staff in the emergency room may be able to refer to a specialist to help you get off benzos.

 

[ZoeCat]

I managed to get enough medicine to make it through the night. Found a clinic close by that dose both in patient and out patient treatments. Am calling them first thing in the morning. I am just still furious that a dr. Or nurse in my GP practice put me on this medicine for years - then says it is not their responsibility when I call asking for a referral to a dr. Or treatment center and just enough Xanax to keep from withdrawal until I can be seen by dr. or clinic. Failing to provide even the name of a hospital to go to!!!! Do they not have a responsibility to at least provide a referral - as insurance demands you go through GO before seeing specialists? I will avoid hospitals like the plague - they are what started me taking Xanax in the first place - as I spent years (if you add all the various surgeries) standing by bedsides of my dearest - most loved family members - watching them suffer, and in one case watching them disconnect from life support! I have a deep deep terror of hospitals and would rather die then enter one again. The last time was 3 months going every day as my sister struggled through a massive aneurysm. She then was cut loose by the hospital - I got her to another specialist at another hospital, who found a second aneurysm - missed by the first hospital. These events are what started me taking Xanax. Ah irony!

 

[ZoeCat]

Addiction Dr. Or clinic recommendation????

I just posted a thread on how my GP took no responsibility for having put me on Xanax for around 3-4 years. Called for referral to treatment center and just enough medicine to keep me from horrid withdrawal. I was told I "was not her responsibility." Another friend was treated by them - at least given enough medication to get to the clinic they recommended - when I brought this point up was told nurse "did not have to explain herself to me!" And just dumped me cold.

Any ways my point is this, I need help!!!! Has anyone used a addiction specialist who knows the Ashton Manuel? In New York Westchester co., Putnam County or Dutchess Co? My friend went to Ames Acres, anyone heard of this treatment center - they have several branches, and offer out patient treatment - which is best for me due to my hospital phobias.

Please help! I need to see someone tomorrow as my drs practice is taking no responsibility for me!

<mod note: merged with this thread>

 

[NeighborhoodThreat]

We really can't do this for you, sorry. Did you speak to somebody outside your doctor's office?

Worst case scenario, go to the ER and tell them you are suffering from alcohol withdrawal.

 

[laCster]

Go to the ER if things get shitty, I feel for you, your doctor sucks by randomly taking you off, he should have atleast done a taper...may I ask why he suddenly took you off?


Try to find another doctor in the mean time, idk I can't give you advice but going in demanding benzodiazepines because you are in withdrawal will make you loook like a drug abuser

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Honestly, many people I know said they found going to the ER was better/faster than trying to find a good affordable compassionate outpatient detox on your own. You may really want to consider inpatient detox, I know it's terrifying, but they tend to be more willing to give you meds.

I assume you mean Arms Acres, not Ames Acres? Never been there myself but Arms Acres is actually supposed to be good. But if your insurance doesn't cover it can be extremely expensive. Peruse their website for more info.

As NT said, we can't really recommend doctors. I would just try to find a new doctor, maybe ask your friends if they have a good doctor or look up addiction specialists in your area. And think carefully about how exactly you ask for treatment, explain your situation and difficulties, try to be humble and polite and not come across as telling them what to do or demanding drugs.

 

[ZoeCat]

My Dr dumped me because I followed what I thought what was protocol. I called my drs. Office said I was addicted to Xanax, needed a referral to a dr. Or treatment clinic, and enough medicine to make it through until I could get accepted by addiction dr. Or clinic - which ever takes my insurance. As going cold turkey was very dangerous. The nurse practitioner who has been writing the scripts for my xanax 4times a day .5 mg for last 2 years said she was "not responsible" gave no referral and said go to the ER. Didn't even give a suggestion to which ER - we are very rural! So one ER might be much better equips to help then another. But ironically my biggest tigger for massive anxiety attacks are hospitals!

 

[ZoeCat]

Thank you Swimming dancer. I found the clinic which treated my friend. They have out patient treatment - and she said they were kind. I phoned tonight but they said out patient treatment did not take calls that late (8 pm.m.) and needed to call in the morning. My only concern is if my insurance will pay for this place. I know it was very helpful to my friend - who became addicted to precoset (sp?) - was taking 27 a day. Guess who prescribed them - the very nurse practitioner whose had me on Xanax for years. But with my friend the nurse helped her, gave her referral to clinic and enough medicine until she could get to the dr. At the clinic. When I asked the nurse why she helped friend/patient x and not me - just said "it was different, I do not have to explain myself to you!" Feel like I was dumped like a piece of garbage - when I am trying to do the right thing. I have an utter phobia is drs so it took so much strength on my part just to call and then to get no help was crushing! I do not know how to approach the clinic dr. Or if they will help. Have already begun emailing all my friends asking for the name of their drs. But what GP is going to help an addict coming for help? Am calling the head Dr. Of my practice on her private cell tomorrow to politely ask why they are not helping a patient when sick! Admitting they are sick and asking for help!

 

[ZoeCat]

Oh - as for meds. Friends who do not want to see me die are helping with just enough not to get really sick - but still much lower then the nurse practitioner had me on daily. So up all night, loosing weight fast as I can't eat, and just want to find a specialist with compassion to treat me using the Ashton Manuel methods.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

I know exactly how you feel, some health care providers seem really not compassionate and it just reinforces the fear of seeking help. There ARE some great doctors out there though. It can take patience to find the right one, hang in there. I hope you can get into that clinic that your friend liked

Also make sure you are super polite and don't seem like you were just trying to get more drugs or something, explain how you really want help getting OFF them. Not all doctors are experienced with getting people off drugs unfortunately or understand how hard it is and that you can't just suck it up and bear the withdrawals. There are some good kind and experienced ones out there - don't give up hope

Why did your nurse practitioner cut you off? EDIT: It's explained in other thread: Benzo cut off

 

[ZoeCat]

NeighborhoodThreat - why say I am suffering alcohol withdrawal? Sorry if stupid question. Will I get better help at the hospital admitting this or they will percribe the Xanax I need until I can see if clinic takes me insurance.

Swimming dancer - thank you so much. Just a kind word from a total stranger is causing me to cry right now. It was so so horrible being treated by dirt by the nurse when I asked for her help. I had pages printed up from the Ashton Manuel to bring in and show how much I wanted off the Xanax - but slow and safe! Instead was literally kicked in the face by the very person who supplied the medicine that I am now addicted to. Thank you for kindness!!!!!!

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Aw, hang in there . I'll send you some good vibes and hope it works out with the clinic tomorrow for you. Don't give up on trying to get help.

I'm guessing NT probably said to go to the ER saying you are in alcohol withdrawal because when someone in alcohol WD goes to the ER they are usually given benzos, and doctors might not be as knowledgeable/understanding about benzo WD or might treat you like an addict just trying to get more drugs? Not that we usually condone lying to health care providers, but in this case it might be harm reduction since benzo WD is serious. But I don't know whether or not it could be better just to be honest with them...

 

[ZoeCat]

Thank you - I tried honesty with the nurse practitioner who wrote my Benzo scripts - and she just treated my like trash! I am calling my Gyn today and the head dr. - who practice the nurse works for to see if any if them will help - write a script for just enough Xanax until I can get into clinic - and if they don't take my insurance a dr. Who specious use in addictions - who will treat me. It may take a few days to a week to find a place that can treat me - so just praying head dr. At practice sees her nurse was not responsible to her patient - if she too treats me like dirt and refuses to help - perhaps my Gyn will have a heart. I can not go to hospital. All I have are flash backs to what put me on Benzos in the first place. Watching my father take his last breath and turn yellow as he was dead. Watching my sister whose head was cut open ear to ear - all day - every day for a month as liquid drained out from her Brian through a tube and into a collection vial by the side if her bed. Had to keep moving her up the bed so the liquid would drain at the right angle. I can not go into a hospital!!!!!!!! The terror is overwhelming! Praying for a kind dr. Today who will help me!!!!!!

Sorry lots of typos in last post - am not my best right now

Oh it was not nurse who said say I was on alcohol. She just said "I'm not her responsibility" and "go to ER!" Ummmmm - I thought as they put me on this medicine - and I am being honest I am now addicted. They are the ones who help you! They make sure you have enough meds and they get you a dr. Or clinic to treat you. It is what she did for the last patient she got addicted to and is a friend. But when I asked why the friend got help and I didn't she just said it was "different" as friend had opiate addiction and mine was Benzo addiction. That makes utterly no sense. But we call the nurse "Crazy Terry" for a reason!

 

[T. Calderone]

Benzo withdrawal can cause serious sickness, even seizures. Go to the hospital and explain what's happened.
I did this with alcohol withdrawal and they gave me librium. They won't harrass or judge you. You need help!

 

[Pagey]

Definitely go to the hospital. I quit benzos cold turkey and had two seizures.
I do have to warn you though, I disagree with T. Calderone, it's very possible that they'll judge you. When I was taken to the hospital after the second seizure I can assure you they were horrible to me. Obviously you HAVE to go, but I just think you should be warned - don't expect them to be nice or sympathetic, IME doctors can be ridiculously judgmental about addiction. But you need to go and get help immediately. It's messed up that the nurse wouldn't take responsibility.

 

[T. Calderone]

I know what you're saying Pagey. Everytime I go to hospital now, it's all in their computers "I'm Red Flagged" even though it happened four years ago. But last week when I had a mini-stroke, the staff very quickly admitted me, ran numurous tests and were very compassionate. They could see from the bloodwork that I was not on any drugs or drunk. It would be helpful for the OP to bring in prescription receipts to show that he was legitimately prescribed these drugs and not getting them from the streets. Of course, they take a hard stance on people getting addicted but they have to treat you.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Also using the words "physically dependent", from taking your Xanax as prescribed, is better than saying "addicted". "Addicted" might make them think you abuse Xanax or got on it illegally or it's just a mental problem and have less sympathy. If you explain that you were legitimately prescribed Xanax for years and then suddenly cut off through no fault of your own is going to get you better treatment than if you just say "I'm addicted to benzos". You can explain that, now your practitioner is no longer prescribing, you are having severe withdrawal symptoms and you need some help to be able to taper off them or get onto a supervised taper/detox program. Being prescribed benzos for years is going to leave anyone physically dependent, it's not a matter of mental addiction (even if you may very well be mentally addicted as well). Physiological dependence is not something you could have avoided, they can't blame you for that.

 

[Foreigner]

The doctor was not being neglient by refusing to give you more Xanax, but I believe he was in error for not trying to take some other kind of action to ease your withdrawal symptoms.

I agree with Swimmingdancer that your wording will impact how you are treated. Call it physical dependence. Make it clear you are trying to get away from this drug and it was not your intention to become dependent on it in the first place. Describe what it was originally given to you for and how it has now impacted your body. The more innocent you appear the less likely you will be treated with the "you did this to yourself" attitude.

 

[Swimmingdancer]

Oh it was not nurse who said say I was on alcohol. She just said "I'm not her responsibility" and "go to ER!"

I know it wasn't the nurse, I meant "NT" as in short for NeighborhoodThreat

Because he had said:

Worst case scenario, go to the ER and tell them you are suffering from alcohol withdrawal.

and you'd asked why.

. . . . . .

By the way, you do have a lot of threads on very similar topics. It's generally best to stick to one thread when the topics are all related. Right now you have 4 threads open about this whole issue:
Addiction Dr. Or clinic recommendation????
Dr. / nurse medically negligent??
Benzo cut off
Advice on how to taper off Xanax using Valium?

I think I am going to merge the first 2 and then see if a senior mod wants to merge them with your "Benzo cut off" thread (in Other Drugs). That will make it a easier for people to follow and keep you from having to repeat yourself in each separate thread.

UPDATE: I've merged your threads "Addiction Dr. Or clinic recommendation????" and "Dr. / nurse medically negligent??" into one (this one) and have changed the title to "Cut off Xanax; how to seek help for benzo withdrawal?". Please let me know if you would prefer a different title.