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I bet the refills were only for 4 or 5 refills. That is how my primary doctor has my prescription. Thus, it makes me need to go see her for a check-up.
I would Google "xanax withdrawal" and check Mayo Clinic and Web MD for accurate information.
Does mom's insurance company have a nurse line you can call?
Put a call into the doctors office tomorrow and talk to her or him about what needs to happen to get a new script.
Can you speak to the DR. About putting your Mom on something non-addictive & with little side effects before just quitting cold turkey?
I cannot find out what you are supposed to do if your provider is not available to be talked to. You can't call the doctor's office, today, now, and keep ringing until you get an answer from somebody qualified as to what you're supposed to do?
Most DEA controlled substances need a doctors script every month. They can not be called in and at one time they could not be faxed, but that may have been changed. I worked for a Pharmaceutical company. Pharmacies would have to send in DEA forms for certain Drugs. Their records had to show what was ordered had a prescription to fill. No stocking the item.
Not a do-it-yourself project.
Personally, until you have walked in my shoes and felt MY anxiety and insomnia and pain, you don't KNOW what I'm feeling. Sometimes you have to dr shop to find one who is willing to help you and do so in a compassionate manner.
My KIDS were super, super judgmental about my need for a mild benzo, until THEY started having anxiety problems. Shoe on the other foot changed it all for them.
We do not know another's person's pain and problems. Don't judge.
No suggestion on what doctor or specialist in town I should go to for them. She acknowledged I should not just stop after 10 years at same dose.
I'm a retired MHP, and I know the danger. This is hurting patients.
My former, and I stress former, internist also did this to me, ignoring CDC guidelines for weaning, ignoring the good the drug was doing, ignoring that I was a model patient, never requested an increased dosage, never abused or sold my medications. The doctor did not discuss at my office visit, just simply didn’t renew, and refused to renew a medication I had benefitted from, for close to 15 years.
It caused an horrific withdrawal, with such bad diarrhea, that it threw my heart into tachycardia, caused by dehydration from unrelenting vomiting and diarrhea. Only with intervention from my own gastro, did I avoid heart attack and death, from the severe electrolyte depletion. The internist wouldn’t even take my calls due to severe dehydration, which she caused.
There are elderly people who are dying from the abrupt withdrawals from some of these medications. Exactly why the CDC put out the cautionary memo to prescribers, as doctors are misinterpreting the new laws and medical guidelines, and people are dying from the withdrawal. The dosage may be very low, but being elderly is a major factor in the medical crises people are being thrown into. My doctor said she thought I would benefit from pain management. That was the day (May 2, 2019) she decided to not renew the prescription. The issue is that there are aren’t enough pain management doctors out there, certainly not sufficient to see all the patients who are being thrown off their pain/controlled medicines. I am still waiting, will be two more months until I can get into a pain management doctor. So, instead of helping the patient until they can get a pain management appointment, the doctors are running like a flock of sheep, and not even discussing what they can do for the patient, what alternatives can be safely used until one can begin the pain management treatment.
It May be that state law has tied the doctor’s hands. But there is no excuse for the doctor being negligent. Even very low doses of these medications need tapered.
Make an Appointment and Talk Turkey to Tom when he is Back in the office. Or Find Quick another Doctor who will Help you. Anyone under the Sun, Hun, Who is on this Sort of Mind Drug, Need to be Weened OFF. Or CUT DOWN.
Since you were able to have the rheumatologist fill the rx this time, will that physician continue writing it? Or, have you thought of having your Mom see a psychiatrist who could manage it? Just an FYI to you and everyone, if you would like, you can use a telepsychiatrist for a visit. There are various websites with tele medical practitioners as well as tele psychiatric visits. It's a great alternative to having to go in person, possibly with a long wait for an initial visit.
I myself have been using Xanax as 0.25mg prn (once in awhile) due to all the recent stress of multiple issues with my mom/home. It is a very useful/helpful medication when used properly. Good luck with your Mom!
But if the PC feels that she should no longer take it, I will honor that decision. My concern was taking her off so quickly. I'm waiting to hear back. My hope is that she will remain on her usual dose until her geriatric assessment next week.....and then make necessary changes if need be.
That SAID-this class of drugs (which includes Ativan, Klonopin, Valium and Xanax) is like Booze. Going off too fast is very dangerous. You need to wean them.
Many people can benefit from melatonin as the brain produces it to naturally relax the body for sleep at night. But in this world sometimes we need help, right? This is cheap and effective too.
God Bless!