Klonopin - going to run out because of recent severe panic and anxiety. Help!

[Unccmike49]

Ok so I lost my job about 2 weeks ago, and I've been taking Klonopin since last spring. He prescribed 120 0.5mg tabs written for 2x twice daily, and up until now I rarely took up to 4 a day. Well since I lost my job my anxiety/stress level has skyrocketed....I've been waking up alot with my heart racing, feeling like I am about to have a heart attack. In fact, I dont wake up but THIS is what wakes me up. And needless to say, I've had to take it more than prescribed. I now have one left and the pharmacy can't fill it until October 7th....ie 8 days. I am TERRIFIED of the withdrawal, which I've been through before, and it is the WORST thing a human being can go through. Talked to my doctor this morning and he said he is not going to authorize any sort of dose change or early refill, basically just told me "too bad". I mentioned that I'm gonna go through withdrawal and it'll get to the point to where I cannot leave the house, and his advice was to go to the hospital, to the ER. I dont have insurance, how am I supposed to afford that?!?? Please help! I'm scared to death and don't know what to do! I'm considering going in tomorrow but it might just turn out to be a waste of time and money.

The worst part about all this is that I have a history of substance abuse, first with opiates then barbiturates. However I can honestly say that since I started taking Klonopin I NEVER abused it. I guess this story sounds like a classic story of abusing it, but like I said, since I lost my job my anxiety level has skyrocketed, and I've many times been on the verge of plunging into a panic attack. I'm just really really REALLY scared right now, and am dreading this upcoming week like never before. Any and all advice would be welcome! Please help!

[alankay]

If you need to go to the ER, they have to treat you. You will be billed but maybe they can give you a schedule to taper off or down on the dose and some klonopin to do it with. They may give you a benzo to switch to and taper off of like clorazepate or valium after a pdoc talks with you. I'm sorry your doc won't meet you half way and switch you to valium/clorazepate and begin tappering down slowly. You'll need to move on after the job lose. I know it's not easy.
Atarax is an RX antihistamine that helps anxiety that might help you they could also consider. Alankay

[alankay]

You also should be on a ssri/TCA or at least begin one on a low dose and taper up IMHO. One like zoloft is dirty cheap in generic. Alakay.

[Unccmike49]

Thanks again yall for the advice.

Alankar: first off, thanks for the feedback; as far as the SSRI, my psychiatrist HATES antidepressants, bc he's convinced I have bipolar. I'm not too convinced, but he's one of the top in that field, and been with him since 09, and we are starting to see some progress. He likes to push medications, bc honestly I think they pay his bills. Currently I'm on Neurontin, Lamictal, and Klonopin. Perhaps I should talk to him about Zoloft, bc we've tried that before, and I've read that its the mildest of the SSRIs. We tried Effexor, but didnt see really any effect. I tapered off that and it went smooth. Sometimes I do forget to take my Lamictal, but I've made it a point to take it regulary, and Im starting to see an effect for the positive. As far as job loss, I am moving on, with the support of many good friends, and Ive put in more applications than I can count within the past two weeks; whats frustrating is that pretty much EVERYTHING now is online. I've been told several times that "Sorry, we cannot accept resumes, because you need to do it online, where you can upload it. But I am moving on, and help with friends has really helped. Hopefully I'll get called for an interview soon, as places are hiring this time of year for Chistmas.

Just please keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you again everyone!