Bipolar and benzodiazepines

[Goodwill999]

Most all of the doctor's nurse practitioner psychiatric are not giving out benzodiazepine. Are psychiatrist also going to stop giving that out?

[Unstrung Harp]

I think it depends on your psychiatrist and where you are. Mine continues to prescribe them to me, though I have never hit high doses and almost always take less frequently than prescribed, and I have seen him for twenty years, so I don't know if he hesitates with higher doses or new patients. My state does now have a mandate that he has to prescribe online through a system that verifies I'm not doctor shopping, and sends the script directly to the pharmacy. 

[kittyloaf]

I also think it depends on the doctor and where you live. I live in a very anti-benzo, anti-stimulant area. I believe my state (Missouri) is the only state without a prescription monitoring program, so that could have something to do with it.

[netsavy006]

I agree that it depends on your doctor.  I've been on benzos (mostly xanax) for over 10 years and have not had any trouble getting my script each month.  (I'm in NY)

[CrazyRedhead]

I also think it just depends on your doc, or maybe the area you live in.....My state also has the prescription monitoring program (PMP).....As @kittyloaf said, most all states have the PMP now.....Some states even have their PMP system linked up with other surrounding states.

I've never had a problem getting benzos prescribed, and have been on a benzo about 7 years now. (Klonopin)

Edited February 21, 2020 by CrazyRedhead

[0112358]

If definitely depends on where you live, the practice you go to, and the individual you're seeing. No doubt it's a growing trend to not prescribe benzos, and there are legitimate concerns about long-term effects. It's likely people are just less willing to prescribe them because of the PMPs.

I have a prescription for clonazepam, and at one point I was at a practice that tried to replace it with gabapentin (this does not work, by the way, at least if you're me). Most practices I've been a patient at, however, have not had concerns.

 

[Goodwill999]

Thanks what are pmps

[sook]

prescription monitoring program (PMP)

[psychwardjesus]

On 2/20/2020 at 11:29 AM, Goodwill999 said:

Most all of the doctor's nurse practitioner psychiatric are not giving out benzodiazepine. Are psychiatrist also going to stop giving that out?

There's no way for any of us to know because it depends on a lot of factors — your doctor specifically, your history of using benzos, the current state of opiates where you live (because a lot of people like to mix opiates and benzos, which makes people much more likely to stop breathing and die, so the DEA is likely tracking not just opiate prescribing practices but also benzos, etc.), and the specific benzos you take or are asking to be prescribed. 

My psychiatrist prescribes me clonazepam as a PRN for anxiety and it doesn't seem to be an issue. I've also worked with him for 4-5 years he I think me trusts me. If anything, I think he thinks I underuse them. Where I work too, the impression I get is that they're not against prescribing them as long as it's appropriate and ultimately therapeutic for the patient in the long run. But they're also much less likely to prescribe certain ones like Xanax, especially the 2mg bars, both in general and for high maintenance doses and/or large quantities per prescription, as well as some of the more potent opiates that typically aren't used long-term or for things like anxiety e.g. triazolam, midazolam, temazepam, etc.