My pdoc recently prescribed Klonopin for me to help with sleep problems (not sleeping at all and waking up with horrible nightmares), and with daytime panic attacks.

Sooo.... I recently found myself sitting in my car outside my Rite-Aid pharmacy, first prescription in hand, having a complete panic attack over getting the prescription filled.  I am sitting there, breathing like I'm running a marathon, clutching the steering wheel, sweating like it's summer in Utah (oh, wait, it is summer in Utah) thinking "I can't fill this, I'm going to get addicted (never mind that I have never been addicted to any drug, ever), the pharmacist will think I'm a druggie when I drop off the scrip, I can't go in there, everyone will know I'm crazy", etc., etc., etc.

That's when it hits me... having a panic attack over getting a benzo prescription filled?  Um, guess that means I really need the stuff, huh?

Has anyone else had this experience?

absolutely.  that's when i realized i really did need the benzo.  cuz i could have used it at that very moment!  damn, scripts take too long to fill.

It got so bad for me
I have my stuff mailed to me

Yes can relate 100 %  I have to say the stuff is working because Pdoc wanted to move me from .50 to .75  to help more with waking up.  I made my usual question I won't be addicted right ???  he said no and I could fluctuate down again if I wanted.  I didn't panic and just said OK sounds good. 

The first night after I got my script and I had the bottle with me on the internet searching thousands of sites for information..I was freaked out that this doc wanted me on this powerful drug   I guess I was a little obsessed. 

Bottom line is I feel better, I sleep better, I worry less, and in general it has mad a postive difference so I guess that cancels out the worry.

Nicole

Thanks Guys!  I worry alot about being addicted.  But heck, I worry about becoming a total agoraphobic too so if this will help... I'll take it.  I have noticed that I'm sleeping better (and not waking up screaming or sobbing in the middle of the night, which can only be a good thing!)

Kristin

Hi 

I say trust  your pdoc on this, but you know your self better. You will know if you become addicted to the med. And in this case, the side effects/possible negative consequences out weight the possible theraputic benefits of your benzo. I have been taking a benzo for over a year and I have not formed an addiction (yet?). Hope you find some help and confort with your meds, and not another source of anxiety.


Best Wishes,

S

One of the interesting things that few people mention about addiction is that, if one's dosage is correct, and the correct med is being applied to one's condition, addiction usually does not occur.

Example:

Extreme pain occuring in cancer patients: a doctor can give a large amount of narcotics over an extended period of time and cause no "addiction".  Why?  Because the administration of narcotics, to a patient in extreme pain, causes no "high"; it merely brings the patient back to "normal". 

In terms of psychotropics, if the drug one is receiving is the "right" one for one's condition, and one is taking it as prescribed (as opposed to "oh, I think an extra amount would make things even better"), one's body is simply getting what it needs to be "normal".

Obviously, as Chimpmaster can tell you, that doesn't mean that coming off of the drug will be a cake-walk.  One's body becomes accustomed to receiving a medication and has to readjust if the medication is stopped.  That is not the same as addiction, which is a complex psychological and physiological condition.

YMMV

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