I think it depends on the meds.
I take my ltihium, lamictal in the a.m.
At night I take Citolapram, Elavil, Trazadone, Lithium all at once.

Benzo's klonopin, xanax - work great for anxiety, but easy to abuse - so if you're taking any med wrong, or recreationally - it doesn't work well, you run out, and benzos have physical dependence, which again, makes it easy to be addictive or misused!

((((BIG HUG)))) I have never heard a happy camper, when their most effective drug is pulled!

sorta on the same theme - addictions, alcohol, pot, playing with your meds - all beats Bipolar.

So, if you drink, take lots of extra pills - and crash, I don't think its depression, and I can't see how you can work on depression!

Just thoughts - not necessary for you, but great topics - like yours, lots of people read, so you don't know who it can help! Not just answer your question, which I"m not sure if I did! LOL

Klonopin and Xanax are in the same Benzo family.

I am RXed 4 a day, as needed

Sometimes I go all day with out needing any at all.

Some days I take 2 or 3, a few hours apart.

Some days I take 2 all at once.

My Pdoc doesn't see me as having a dependence issue.

I think the dependence issue comes in, when you are taking more than is prescribed

I take my Depakote and Buspar at night.

My alcoholism has helped me stay on guard about meds like Klonopin. I am prescribed it and just picked up my most recent bottle just the other day..only pick it up about every 3 months. I break the klonopin down into halves or fourths when needed...and first before taking the pill I acknowledge the feeling of anxiety and the secondary feeling underneath which many times seems to be some sort of powerlessness. This really really helps because after acknowledging sometimes there is no need for the drug.

Hope you find the answers your seeking...take care.

What DD said.

If it's all in the same day, I don't see (and haven't felt) the harm.

I have 4x .5mg tablets to use as needed in a day or not.

That has been my secondary med for...7yrs?

And counting.

I have to say again, so many Pdocs apparently complain that BP peeps won't take their meds, and then so many Pdocs complain that their BP peeps are addicted to their meds (usually Benzos)...

And I don't see the problem in being physically addicted to your BP meds.* It's a moot/academic argument.

If you have a Pdoc that enjoys academic arguments more than results, perhaps you should think about test-driving another Pdoc at some point when you feel stable.

Xx,
beep.

*Unless you are abusing them. Which you (and likely your Pdoc) would figure out really fast if you ran out before your next refill and had Benzo withdrawal.

Oh. And in that seven years, I have gone *down* from 5x .5mg tablets a day to 4x.

Another argument against using Benzos long term is that you need more to get the same effect.

I have not found that to be true in my experience over my long haul.

Xx,
beep.

PS MayIsMerry has a great approach, too. Was writing while that was being posted...

Beep great that you have been able to go down! Good for you :)

It is always nice to have the option to use the meds if needed and sometimes they just are...but it is okay to struggle a bit, a way of building mastery, to try and overcome a situation if possible. My pdoc and I were just talking about that yesterday. Right now (and for the past several months) I struggle with overly emotional mind because I am trying to become less isolated and back into the world more. It is hard some days and I feel dyregulated, almost hypomanic, it seems several times per month. My pdoc was saying that she wanted me to try and handle these "situational" triggers if I possibly could without an increase in meds. Of course if I say I need one she will give me one without question..but right now I am trying to build mastery and with that comes discomfort. I have to use my boundaries, acknowledge those emotions, get my sleep, and eat regularly for this whole approach to keep working. Some days it is hard...but I believe it will benefit me in the later future.

I have been working hard now for many years on using skills as much as I can to keep lower med doses with the complete supervision of my pdoc and therapist...and think that is how this plan needs to be executed in a safe manner.

I have abused my medication in the past, mainly AD's and Seroquel but no way would I tell my pdoc.

thank you all for the replies and help. i appreciate it. :)

I find xanax much better than klonopin. xanax has a much more relaxing affect.

I've been taking at least one of the benzos for 20 yrs or so. I've had to switch which one because I would develop tolerance - easy to do. I'm now on 40mg diazepam (valium) a day to take as needed. My Pdoc doesn't think I have any dependency issues so she doesn't make a deal out of my asking for additional pills. For your own safety, be careful of how much you take and what you're taking together. Take care!

It depends on the doc , and if you have a history of drinking alcohol or have had a overdose , accidental or deliberate .

Benzo's are now controlled substances just to add so the medical professionals are really careful about giving it out...

You could discuss it again with him if you wanted... You could ask if you could have a small amount to have in order to take prn or as necessary ... Let him know that you weren't aware of the abuse possibility and you'll be responsible in the future ...He may or may not be willing to provide it... Again it's now a regulated drug... Big hug for you...x

Did your doctor give you another benzo, You cant cut some one off all together when it comes to benzos, You will have serious with drawl symtoms, My insurance does not want to cover Klonopin for me any more and I dont know why, Klonopin is a long acting benzo Xanax and Ativan are shorter acting, Have you ever thought of taking Valuim that is longer acting but that is just a suggestion, Some times what the doctors dont know is for the better, Because then they think we are abusing the drugs and that is a red flag in there book, I am just saying, I dont tell my doctor every thing unless I am really having a mental break down or she might take my benzos away and I cant live with out them

Why dont you tell your doctor that it was a one time thing and you were very anxious or some thing maybe your doctor will let you have them back, Good luck to you but dont let them take your benzos away from you the with drawl is hell