i need some advice on how to get prescribed benzos (not for recreational use)

[heronflow]

So, recently I have been going through a really hard breakup, among other things. It has gotten to the point where I literally cannot sleep at night. My mind will just not shut down. I was seeing a psychiatrist who had me on gabapentin (which I'm still on, and helps to a degree, and I still would like to continue taking it) but despite me trying to tell him what I was going through, he kept trying to prescribe drugs like Zyprexa, Remeron and Seroquel, and other drugs in the same class. I tried all of them, and they simply just do not work for me. They only make the problem worse, and just make me drowsy, but I still couldnt sleep, or so drowsy that I wake up even more tired than before, which is the case for Seroquel. He refused to prescribe benzos, because in the past, I had problems managing them because I was drug seeking. However, I have been clean for almost 2 years now, and have no desire to "get high" I just want some peace of mind. I recently acquired some Xanax bars from a friend, and that seems to be the only thing that calms my mind down enough to sleep. I also tried to suggest Lyrica, since it's in the same class as gabapentin, which he was willing to prescribe, but he refused the Lyrica as well. The thing is, I've tried all the Zyprexa, Trazadone, Seroquel type drugs and they really fuck with my head. Like I said, I'm not looking for a fix, I'm just looking for some peace of mind. I am about to see a new Psych on Wednesday, and from the reviews I have read about him, everyone said he actually listens, and lets the patients have input in their treatment. However, when I do see him, I just want to be able to come and be able to explain to him my situation, and not have him just try to give me more of the same. It's getting to the point where I can't afford to keep coming back every week if some random medication doesn't work. I want something I know for a fact will work, and I know benzos work, and I have a feeling Lyrica will too, just because of how gabapentin works for me. I am tired of seeing the sun come up and down everyday. It's really wearing on me. So I was wondering if anyone had any tips on what I can say to this new doctor to help him understand my situation, and that I am not drug seeking, I just want to be able to function normally again without constantly thinking about my ex. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[Pugsy]

To put it bluntly it seems like you're using this one event as an excuse. Drugs are never a good bandaid for psychological pain. If you can't sleep there are plenty of safer alternatives, and antidepressants would be the solution if the depression was more than bad feels due to breakup.

Benzos are for anxiety, if you have panic attacks then your doc might prescribe benzos.

 

[heronflow]

Well I do have insane anxiety, that is what is causing me to not sleep, and be depressed. I wouldn't be depressed if I could just calm my mind down. I've tried literally every anti depressant available, all with horrible side effects... And like I said, the breakup, AMONG OTHER THINGS. I don't want to be on benzos long term, or even lyrica, I just want to get back into a sleeping pattern and get off them, there's no way in hell I am going back into long term use of any drug. But yeah, thanks for the advice.

 

[NullAndVoid]

You want something like Zopiclone. These have the same effect as benzos but are targeted towards treating insomnia. I've taken both diazepam and Zopiclone to get to sleep and they seem equally effective. However doctors are generally no longer happy to prescribe benzos for sleep any more.

Before you go to the doctor look up sleep hygiene as they will probably talk about this first and ask you to follow the guidelines for it. If you have already travelled this path without results then you are more likely to be prescribed a short term solution like Zopiclone. As for getting them you can simply ask for something to help you get to sleep. There are many other prescription only meds that have sedation as a side effect.

 

[《Plasticity》]

You say you only want to use benzos to get you back on track but you're only gonna find it harder and harder to sleep without them once you start taking them with any regularity. This and the fact that you have "insane anxiety" sounds like a recipe for a benzo addiction, trust me you don't want to go there. As someone with GAD benzo withdrawal was 3 solid months of torture. Please try to be open minded with your dr, be willing to look into other less addictive alternatives.

Anyways it's actually against the rules to give advice on how to go about getting scripts, even if it's for therapeutic use. All you can do is explain your situation and hope your doctor empathizes with you or go through the assorted medications he/she recommends until you either get what you wanted or find a suitable alternative, good luck.

 

[T. Calderone]

I have to close this because we can't advise you what to say in order to get a prescription.