I don't mind, its just a way of getting my meds. I prefer a doc who is flexible. As far as someone who cares, i'll definitely choose the right therapist.

Don't worry i'm definitely not gonna be taking it 2-3 times a day as prescribed. He wants to see me again in a month. I only plan to take them a few times a week. And at 0.5, I don't think it should be a problem. I took one yesterday and I felt much better, it helped the pain and I almost felt normal again.

Glad to hear it Tunaboy. Stay resolute on your plan!

Benzos can cause neuropathy
http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/in...topic=109107.0

So what DOESN'T cause neuropathy? Just when I found something to ease my symptoms. I wonder if infrequent (2-3 times a week) doses long term is enough to cause these issues. Anyone had luck with St. John's Wort?

The half life of Klonopin is very long:

It is still in your system when you skip days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clonaz...and_withdrawal


18-50 hrs half life... That means 1/2 of your dose is gone in 18 hrs. Depending on liver enzyme status and DNA mutations and kidney functioning this may be as long as 50 hrs.

It is the up and down mini withdrawals of the drug off receptors that creates the rebound pain. With time the body makes MORE receptors to drugs that sit on receptors, so that when you stop the drug you have MORE sites to fill with natural neurotransmitters, which can no longer meet the need so that the perception of pain (or whatever else ) is magnified.

It is not an easy situation, and I am explained out --it remains your decision in the end anyway to use them or not.

Mrs D I'm really curious. Are there doctors who use stimulants for pain and does it work? I thought it would make it worse because it would stimulate the nerves more. I know someone who takes a lot of meds for her neuropathy and recently started adderall to be able to stay awake during the day. I was worried for her that it would make the pain worse?

I think the action of the Adderall is to increase dopamine levels.
Increasing those does help with pain. The antidepressant Wellbutrin is used in a similar way with some PNers. There has also been some concern that chronic use of amphetamine type drugs will deplete dopamine leading to Parkinson's. And also the rebound when they wear off leads to depression. And of course they are addicting to some, and habituating to most others.

Stimulants also seem to release norepi too..and that might be less helpful for the PN.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11071707

Stimulants are often given in pain management to counter sedation, but they tend to raise blood pressure in adults, and that can limit their use. They might also lead to strokes/heart attacks in people with high risk for those.

My thoughts exactly Mrs D this woman has had 2 heart attacks and a stroke in the past!

I clicked on that link and I decided not to read it. My guess is that maybe they are addicts and heavily drink alcohol as well. I just don't know about that- I've been taking it as needed for 10 months and my nerves aren't worse, they are somewhat better and I am extremely sensitive to drugs.

I have a prescription for valium because it is the only drug that calms down severe muscle spams. It does nothing for actual nerve pain-just maybe for the anxiety that the nerve pain causes imo.

I was terrified to get this prescription but used very carefully and responsibly it saves me from ER visits. I am not scared of it anymore but I still despise taking it.
Be careful.

healthgirl,

I just want to mention:

I have often found some SSRI meds to help with some chronic muscle spasms (and anxiety and chronic pain).

Muscle relaxants can also help wit spasms; yet I cannot tolerate most meds currently in this drug class.

I am very sensitive to medications.

Mrs.D- So many thanks to you for caring so much, for working so long and hard to educate, to protect, to advocate. Your knowledge, your concern and your Pure Love for anyone seeking help/hope/relief/proper diagnosis/proper care -- is immense. I both admire and appreciate you tremendously. You are one of Earth's Angels!

We each must remain mindful of potential trade-offs with any medication- as well as with any approach.

To Our Healing,
DejaVu

Thank you DejaVu,
Are ssri meds safer than valium? Are they take as needed or do they need to build up?