Want to Handle Anxiety on my own

[mab77]

I have been on anxiety and anti-depressants for the last 6 years, and have finally decided I want my life back with me in control of it instead of some prescription I have to pay for every 3 months.  I plan on weaning my self off of 2 of these myself, and would appreciate any help I can get.   I am on 3 1 mil gram clonazepam a day and 3 100 mil gabapentin a day.   Is there anyone out there who can give me some useful advise?   Thanks

[mab77]

I had tried to make an appointment with a clinic dealing with mental health issues, only to fine that my insurance does not cover them, plus I was told by them they do not prescribe these drugs, which sounds like I would have to come off cold turkey.  I finally called my shrinks office yesterday and told them, I wanted to be weaned off, and she told me when I came to him again in April, I go every three months I could discuss that with him at that time, in the mean time, I have went back to my normal dosage except for cutting back 1 .50 dosage at the lunch time, I have did this before with his blessing and will stay on the rest until I can get to him and have him work with me.  I do not want to make myself work.  The anxiety issues which put me in this place, was during a time in my life where there was nothing but drama, or I call soap opera life, that has been gone now several years and I feel that I can do this but only with the proper help needed to get me off of these safely or at least at a much smaller dosage.  Please keep writing to me you encouragement and help is so much appreciated.  THANKS!!!

[nursegirl6572]

Each person needs to make these kinds of decisions for themselves, and like the above posters suggested, if this is your choice, do it with your doctor's help, do not abruptly stop these meds.

Just one thing, coming from my own personal experience...  Carefully evaluate WHY coming off these meds is important to you and ask yourself some questions.  One, have they and ARE they helping to control your anxiety?  Two, what is your alternate plan for addressing the anxiety?  Are you in therapy?  The only issue with stopping the meds is that we get into a sense of false security that we don't "need" them anymore, or we want to "tough it out" on our own...only to have some pretty awful rebound anxiety as a result.  I've done this to myself a few times....with the mindset of "I'm fine, I don't need them".  I was fine BECAUSE of the meds, I quickly found out.  Some of the post med d/c anxiety was the worst I had ever dealt with, and while I RAN back to the doc to restart the regimen, I had to start almost at square one again....really set myself back.

MANY people do fine without them, and sometimes (as you mentioned, financially), it is important to give it a try....my only advice to you is to REALLY weigh all options and think it through before you take any action...and be SURE to have a non-medication treatment method ready...as you are still going to need to tackle it in some way. Many people are successful without meds...just be realistic that you may have an adjustment period that could be rough at times.  

Best of luck....let us know what you decide and let us know how you are doing!

[cj29]

I agree to definitely not take medication issues into your own hands.  Coming off medications like these needs to be done carefully under the advice of your doctor.  Throughout the years, did you go to counseling as well?  For me, that was the most important step I took in confronting and dealing with my anxiety.

[mammo]

Get your doctor's advice on this as we all respond to these medications differently, as well as getting off them.  One person's experience may not be yours. You want to make sure you do this correctly and only your doctor knows how best to do it.  Good luck and take care!

[imtuppence]

How often do you see your doctor? I'm not sure this is the correct path to take. I'm not sure what the gabapentin is, but the clonazapam seems to be a lot. I take 1 -.25mg and can do a number on me. If anything i would try to decrease one at a time, probably starting with the clonazapam. I'm very sensitive to meds and seem to have reactions to the slightest change. Be prepared for withdrawl, as clonazapam is addictive.

[Alisonj29]

My best advice is have your doctor write out a safe plan to wean off of both drugs. I didnt have any issues stopping Gabapentin cold turkey but that may not be true of everyone. If you dont want to get help from your doctor pharmacists are very good and helping you safely wean off your meds.
When I came off ativan, I would lower it for a week, and then lower it alittle more for a week etc. Just dont go to quickly.
I wish you lots of luck and keep us updated.