HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease And Severe Depression

Hello: I have been taking 1 mg of Clonazepam for nearly 23 years. My psychiatrist does not take my insurance - Medicare which I was switched to because I m on medical disability with degenerative disc disease - have had several surgeries and have had pretty severe depression most of my life. I was prescribed xanax in the mid-1980 s for panic attacks. I had no idea about asking if this was an addictive medicine. I am not an addict. The attacks were terrible but did subside with the help of a psychologist. I figured I no longer needed the 3 mg daily dose that I d been prescribed so I stopped taking the medicine. I have since learned of course what a mistake that was. I tried to wean off the medicine twice about 15 years ago but had seizures both times. I have been taking 1mg only every day for 5 years now. Because of disability, I m now under the care of a behavioral health clinic for indigent people, I have never seen a psychiatrist in the nearly 2 years I ve been going there. I know this probably seems odd to you but I can t find any help. The problem is that I was told in a very abrasive manner that I would no longer be taking the Clonazepam as it did not fit with their image, This is crazy, This doctor was talking to me via VIDEO on TV - I don t even know her name of the state she is in. She said she would be prescribing hydroxcline for me. This can t be OK - can a doctor really make a patient stop their meds? Thank you, Carolyn
Fri, 30 Oct 2015
Report Abuse
Psychiatrist, Child 's  Response
FROM THE INFO PROVIDED BY U, U SEEM TO HAVE A CHRONIC DEPRESSION WITH PAST HISTORY OF PANIC ATTACKS WHICH HAVE SUBSIDED. CLONAZEPAM IS A SAFE DRUG FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS. IT IS A LONG ACTING BENZODIAZEPINE. IT IS NOT REALLY ADDICTIVE BUT IT CAN BE HABIT-FORMING. BUT IT IS HARDLY ADEQUATE FOR TREATING CHRONIC DEPRESSION. I HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS-
1.KINDLY CONSULT WITH A PSYCHIATRIST WHO WILL PUT U ON AN ADEQUATE DOSE OF A GOOD ANTI-DEPRESSANT. U CAN TRY FLUOXETINE 20 MG AND INCREASE THE DOSE ACCORDING TO RESPONSE.
2. TRY TAPERING OFF CLONAZEPAM VERY SLOWLY. U CAN TAPER OFF BY 25% OF PREVIOUS DOSAGE EVERY WEEK. U CAN CONTINUE A MAINTENANCE DOSE BETWEEN 0.25 MG TO 0.5 MG DAILY
3.THERE IS A STRONG LINK BETWEEN DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE AND DEPRESSION. I SUGGEST U SEE A SPINAL SURGEON/ORTHOPEDICIAN FOR DISC PROBLEM

DO NOT WORRY..DEPRESSION IS TOTALLY TREATABLE.

DR SMRITHI
I find this answer helpful

1 Doctor agrees with this answer


Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
Suggest Treatment For Degenerative Disc Disease And Severe Depression

FROM THE INFO PROVIDED BY U, U SEEM TO HAVE A CHRONIC DEPRESSION WITH PAST HISTORY OF PANIC ATTACKS WHICH HAVE SUBSIDED. CLONAZEPAM IS A SAFE DRUG FOR ANXIETY DISORDERS. IT IS A LONG ACTING BENZODIAZEPINE. IT IS NOT REALLY ADDICTIVE BUT IT CAN BE HABIT-FORMING. BUT IT IS HARDLY ADEQUATE FOR TREATING CHRONIC DEPRESSION. I HAVE THE FOLLOWING SUGGESTIONS- 1.KINDLY CONSULT WITH A PSYCHIATRIST WHO WILL PUT U ON AN ADEQUATE DOSE OF A GOOD ANTI-DEPRESSANT. U CAN TRY FLUOXETINE 20 MG AND INCREASE THE DOSE ACCORDING TO RESPONSE. 2. TRY TAPERING OFF CLONAZEPAM VERY SLOWLY. U CAN TAPER OFF BY 25% OF PREVIOUS DOSAGE EVERY WEEK. U CAN CONTINUE A MAINTENANCE DOSE BETWEEN 0.25 MG TO 0.5 MG DAILY 3.THERE IS A STRONG LINK BETWEEN DEGENERATIVE DISC DISEASE AND DEPRESSION. I SUGGEST U SEE A SPINAL SURGEON/ORTHOPEDICIAN FOR DISC PROBLEM DO NOT WORRY..DEPRESSION IS TOTALLY TREATABLE. DR SMRITHI