Doctor Shopping for Prescription Medication

[Prankmonkey650]

Ok I've been on Xanax for the last 6-7 years. Seen my current doctor Steve for the last 5 years. He have me 3 refills so it's lasted me awhile. Well I moved about 70 miles away. I know I must find a new doctor that is closer. I saw dr "Mike" about 2.5 weeks ago and said I need a new dr. He said he doesn't proscribe Xanax. He gave me 50 without refill. I fell and fractured my ribs the same day I saw him. He didn't give me anything for pain. My wife and I called him and asked for pain meds, his nurse called 5 days later to Check on me. I said in a lot of pain, and dr gave me a 10 day supply of tramadol.

So I'm about to run out of Xanax within 5 days. dr Steve gave me 120 pills for 30 days. I didn't really care for dr mike very much and want to find another doctor. So I drove the 70 miles to see dr Steve. Told him about the tramadol I was given for my fall. He wrote me a paper prescription for my Xanax. I won't take it to the drug store until I need it. Now my in laws are telling I might go to prison for doctor shopping.

If dr Steve had even refilled my Xanax at 50 then I would have no reason to see another doctor. But I have panic attacks and need Xanax. So did I accidentally do something wrong? I am just going to stay with dr Steve and drive the 70 miles every 4 months as he is treating my blood pressure. I had no intent on doing anything. Just really didn't like dr mile.

[qwaspolk69]

So did I accidentally do something wrong? I am just going to stay with dr Steve and drive the 70 miles every 4 months as he is treating my blood pressure. I had no intent on doing anything. Just really didn't like dr mile.

No you didn't like that Dr Mike wouldn't give you narcotics.

[geek]

Why would your in-laws even bring up the subject? Are they concerned about your medication use? What led to the fall where you broke ribs?

You don't mention your state, but FYI some states track schedule (controlled) drug prescriptions and multiple prescriptions from different doctors can raise a red flag.

[llworking]

Ok I've been on Xanax for the last 6-7 years. Seen my current doctor Steve for the last 5 years. He have me 3 refills so it's lasted me awhile. Well I moved about 70 miles away. I know I must find a new doctor that is closer. I saw dr "Mike" about 2.5 weeks ago and said I need a new dr. He said he doesn't proscribe Xanax. He gave me 50 without refill. I fell and fractured my ribs the same day I saw him. He didn't give me anything for pain. My wife and I called him and asked for pain meds, his nurse called 5 days later to Check on me. I said in a lot of pain, and dr gave me a 10 day supply of tramadol.

So I'm about to run out of Xanax within 5 days. dr Steve gave me 120 pills for 30 days. I didn't really care for dr mike very much and want to find another doctor. So I drove the 70 miles to see dr Steve. Told him about the tramadol I was given for my fall. He wrote me a paper prescription for my Xanax. I won't take it to the drug store until I need it. Now my in laws are telling I might go to prison for doctor shopping.

If dr Steve had even refilled my Xanax at 50 then I would have no reason to see another doctor. But I have panic attacks and need Xanax. So did I accidentally do something wrong? I am just going to stay with dr Steve and drive the 70 miles every 4 months as he is treating my blood pressure. I had no intent on doing anything. Just really didn't like dr mile.

That, in my opinion, is not doctor shopping. You went to a new doctor because you moved and that doctor refused to prescribe your normal medication, so you went back to your old doctor, who knew your medical history and was comfortable prescribing for you.

Xanax is a valid anxiety medication. Yes, it can be abused, but its still a valid anxiety medication that actually works very well.

Go ahead and get your paper prescription filled. You should not delay filling those kinds of prescriptions because that does look strange.

[geek]

That, in my opinion, is not doctor shopping. You went to a new doctor because you moved and that doctor refused to prescribe your normal medication, so you went back to your old doctor, who knew your medical history and was comfortable prescribing for you.

Xanax is a valid anxiety medication. Yes, it can be abused, but its still a valid anxiety medication that actually works very well.

Go ahead and get your paper prescription filled. You should not delay filling those kinds of prescriptions because that does look strange.

One thing the OP doesn't want to do is run out.

Xanax withdrawal is brutal (even from therapeutic doses).

[llworking]

One thing the OP doesn't want to do is run out.

Xanax withdrawal is brutal (even from therapeutic doses).

Well, I agree that Xanax withdrawal could maybe be brutal if you are taking high doses, but it wasn't for me at all. I went from taking it twice a day for six months, to taking it only occasionally, without any negative effects at all other than a little bit of insomnia...and not really much of that.

[geek]

Well, I agree that Xanax withdrawal could maybe be brutal if you are taking high doses, but it wasn't for me at all. I went from taking it twice a day for six months, to taking it only occasionally, without any negative effects at all other than a little bit of insomnia...and not really much of that.

I was on .75 mg for over a decade. My doctor and I decided to take me off of it. It took me over six months to taper off by cutting those tiny pills into smaller and smaller slivers. It was hell on earth to go faster than that. I am not an outlier, either- many have had similar experiences. Xanax is not a benign drug. Read the product literature. In fact sudden (cold turkey) discontinuation can lead to seizures, rebound anxiety and skyrocketing blood pressure.

Perhaps you were not on it as long as I was, or the OP. The OP says he/she has been on it for several years. Length of time makes a big difference.

[llworking]

I was on .75 mg for over a decade. My doctor and I decided to take me off of it. It took me over six months to taper off by cutting those tiny pills into smaller and smaller slivers. It was hell on earth to go faster than that. I am not an outlier, either- many have had similar experiences. Xanax is not a benign drug. Read the product literature. In fact sudden (cold turkey) discontinuation can lead to seizures, rebound anxiety and skyrocketing blood pressure.

Perhaps you were not on it as long as I was, or the OP. The OP says he/she has been on it for several years. Length of time makes a big difference.

I was only on a daily dose of it for about six months. Since then, its only occasionally, and by occasionally I mean that 30 .5s last me six months. I think its been more like 15 years for me, but I have gone a couple of months without taking any at least once a year since the original six months.

[geek]

I was only on a daily dose of it for about six months. Since then, its only occasionally, and by occasionally I mean that 30 .5s last me six months. I think its been more like 15 years for me, but I have gone a couple of months without taking any at least once a year since the original six months.

Yeah, use the you describe is actually the intended use of the drug. Extended use (like my experience) leads to a lot of changes in the brain as the receptors adapt. Sometimes the changes are irreversible. I seem to have few ill effects from long term use, other than some tinnitus, but I guess I lucked out. It took a long time to feel really well, though.

[jdbofky]

Abrupt cessation of benzodiazepines after long-term use can actually be very dangerous medically.