Benzos Doctor visit for refill

[LogicalPoop]

Hey guys, I had a little question regarding my Valium prescription. First off a little history, I've been prescribed it since last December, only 30 5mg pills per month, by a new doctor since I moved to a new area, but he will not up my dosage since I have built up a little tolerance to it (also he prescribed it to me just by me asking basically). I'm currently taking lexapro for my daily anxiety for about a year but I still have mild panic attacks at work. Before I started lexapro, I was on klonopin for over a year as well, but I went to an out-patient rehab center for 2 months due to other hard substances abused, so I had to switch to Buspar, which didn't help alot. I've also smoked weed for a very long time, but had to stop while in rehab. After rehab I still smoked weed up until the 15th of May of this year, which is the day I had an appointment with my old doctor who had prescribed lexapro, I still had half my script of Valium and I was going to be switched to Celexa since I felt the lexapro wasn't working anymore. My old doctor told me that I'd need to take a drug test to get my script refilled/changed for my Valium, I ended up not taking the test that day since I still had half my script left. So now I've stopped smoking weed and I have an appointment on Tuesday (June 6th), I have been self drug testing and I still test positive for THC, today the line on my test barely showed up (which is considered negative) but I had to drink alot of water to achieve it. I have also been taking creatine supplements to help out since they check for that I believe. I only weigh about 150 pounds. So my question is, should I be upfront with my doctor about smoking weed? My doctor asked me what drugs I abused that made me go to rehab, which was cocaine and opiates. Or should I just try to dilute my urine more and hope for the best? I'm not sure which kind of drug test it could be, either urine or blood. I know benzo withdrawals are terrible and I'm scared that my script will not be renewed. Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

 

[falsifiedhypothesi]

We don't allow drug test questions so this will probably get closed soon.

I would say be upfront with your doc about the weed if you are hellbent on continuing to smoke. It's only a matter of time before you test positive for weed if these are regular tests and you are constantly smoking. That won't look very good to your doctor and they may start to distrust you, or in the worst case cancel your benzo script.

 

[Slow_Mobius]

Just FYI we don't usually allow drug testing questions. However, since it seems like you're not just asking how to beat your test but asking what your best course of action would be, I'll leave the discussion open for now.

IMO, it's best to have a doctor with whom you can be completely honest. If they're willing to kick you out because you tell them you've also been using weed, then they're a crappy doctor who doesn't have your best interest mind. That said, if you do get kicked out, you may end up on your own dealing with benzo WD.

I honestly have no idea what your best course of action would be here, but I would do everything you can now to try to have a plan B in case you do get kicked out. Would it be possible to call around and explain your current situation and see if another place will take your case? If you can find another doc thats willing to work with you, then you can try being honest with your current doc without having as much to worry about.

Fortunately it sounds like you don't have a really high tolerance to benzos, so if you do end up in a WD situation, it might be relatively manageable.

 

[LogicalPoop]

Just FYI we don't usually allow drug testing questions. However, since it seems like you're not just asking how to beat your test but asking what your best course of action would be, I'll leave the discussion open for now.

IMO, it's best to have a doctor with whom you can be completely honest. If they're willing to kick you out because you tell them you've also been using weed, then they're a crappy doctor who doesn't have your best interest mind. That said, if you do get kicked out, you may end up on your own dealing with benzo WD.

I honestly have no idea what your best course of action would be here, but I would do everything you can now to try to have a plan B in case you do get kicked out. Would it be possible to call around and explain your current situation and see if another place will take your case? If you can find another doc thats willing to work with you, then you can try being honest with your current doc without having as much to worry about.

Fortunately it sounds like you don't have a really high tolerance to benzos, so if you do end up in a WD situation, it might be relatively manageable.

Thanks for the information, and my apologies about passing drug test stuff. I've been around the bush alot so I know what to do as regards to that. I've had benzo withdrawals before from my klonopin and it wasn't very pleasant, but then again I was prescribed 90 of them per refill. I'm kind of hoping they do a blood test since in my circumstances, I would be fine.

Also I'm not hellbent on smoking weed, I realized that contributed to my anxiety and I have been experiencing withdrawal from it. Honestly I'm just trying to feel better because each day that passes it seems like it gets worse. Its hard to do my job, I am a sales rep for a wireless carrier and most of the time my anxiety gets in the way. The new doctor I went to, prescribed it to me without hesitation, and when I asked to have it up'ed, he said no because he could get in trouble.

 

[Slow_Mobius]

That's really bizarre that he said he would get in trouble for upping your dose. Sounds like that doc is more interested in covering his own ass than really trying to help you. Have you seen any psych specialists for your anxiety? I have a family member who had really bad anxiety and chronic pain, but she was able to help control both with the help of a psych specialist that used biofeedback and CBT. I don't want to be an asshole that just tells you to suck it up and that you don't need meds, but it might help to explore other options to maybe make yourself less reliant on benzos.

 

[LogicalPoop]

That's really bizarre that he said he would get in trouble for upping your dose. Sounds like that doc is more interested in covering his own ass than really trying to help you. Have you seen any psych specialists for your anxiety? I have a family member who had really bad anxiety and chronic pain, but she was able to help control both with the help of a psych specialist that used biofeedback and CBT. I don't want to be an asshole that just tells you to suck it up and that you don't need meds, but it might help to explore other options to maybe make yourself less reliant on benzos.

Literally the first time I had an appointment with the new doc, he just stand in the doorway and asked me what I wanted. I explained my situation to him and then just prescribed it to me. It felt really awkward and uncomfortable so thats why I dont want to see him again. I havn't seen a psych specialist, mainly because idk how my insurance will cover it. Right now I just have $30 co pay with my GP. My old doctor I have been go ever since I was little, with some staff changes here and there. When I'm going their on Tuesday, I was going to ask about not going to celexa and instead going with mirtazapine. Hopefully things will be okay. I really appreciate your advice.

 

[Slow_Mobius]

It might be worth asking your insurance rep about it. I think it's often covered if you get a referral.

That does seem like a really strange experience with your new doc.

 

[keeping]

That does seem like a really strange experience with your new doc.

possible brand kickbacks?
i once had a GP who got cautioned for trying to push Zoloft too hard

 

[carkatz]

I would just be honest. that's how you're gonna help true help