New Controlled Substances Laws In The Usa

[Changing4Best]

I found out today that I would have to see my Dr. every month in person in order to continue taking clonazepam (which I take for anxiety and restless leg syndrome). She told me that it is a controlled substance and the laws for prescribing it changed last October. I had a 3 month script for it, so I did not find this out until today, when I went in to get it refilled.

She would have had to see me every month and write the prescription out for it each month and hand it to me each month. So, instead she is tapering me off the clonazepam and putting me onto something for the restless leg syndrome. I will have to see my psychiatrist to get something for the anxiety. What a royal pain!

I bet this is happening all over our country. Doctors and patients are going to be troubled with this I am sure.

Now I have about 15 clonazepam pills and have to taper off them starting by taking one every other night, then in a few days one every third night and then be off them all together a few days after that! I've been on this stuff for years and I know it helps me sleep and I already have enough trouble sleeping as it is.

This is awful. Are any of you going through this? I feel for you if you are!

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Uhm not good.

I'm not seeing this new law anywhere, not even on the DEA website. You'd think they would need up to date info......it's been three months now.

Are you sure she isn't confused as it's only schedule II drugs that I'm seeing that can't be refilled.

 

[NewDayTomorrow]

I am not sure your doctor is correct...I do have to show my ID when I pick it up, but I was definitely prescribed it after October, I think I filled it in November, and it was for four months all at once. I have also refilled it twice, in different states, with no issue. I did have to show my ID, but they filled it. Maybe I just squeaked by before the law took effect, but that seems very weird. Anyway, thanks for the info. All the more reason to get off it.

I know that for anxiety, the clonazepam results in dependency and tolerance and is only intended for use (to control both anxiety and seizures) up to 3-4 months. Then it stops working and you start to have trouble getting off. I'm at the point where I need to get off. I cut my dose in half this week and I'm doing ok. Give it another week, cut in half again, then another 2 weeks then stop, and I hope I do alright because I moved away from home and I have no psychiatrist right now. If I have trouble, I'll see one, but I want to see if I can taper off on my own first. I will be moving again in a few months so I'm not keen on finding doctors until I'm really settled at my end destination for my job.

So, I am not sure what the deal is. Maybe it has to do with what kind of doctor prescribes it? Primary care versus psychiatrist?

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Maybe your doc has gotten into trouble? It could be her own personal restriction b/c she was too loosey-goosey with handing out the scripts in the past.

I have a pharmacist on speed dial lol. She'll answer my question soon.

Or maybe the law just changed in your state? The DEA website says the laws vary by state.

 

[Rumors]

@SheilaKathy. That is a state law. I remember you posting the state in which you lived and I do know that the law in question was passed last October because of the numerous pain clinics that popped up in that state. It is really to combat the pain clinics and prescription drug usage. I know it is tough, but an unfortunate mess that has been caused by a select few for profit.

 

[Fadeaway]

I am dealing with the same thing upon moving to a new state. They told me is nation wide and was shocked when I told them my previous two states never had this. They also told me it had been going on for years. I was like "You are kidding me, never heard about it before." This was before October BTW.

 

[Friday]

I have a schedule1 drug I do this for. It's easy as cake. I just call 24hrs in advance, walk in, sign for it, and walk out with the paper script. My doc does them PRN, but some of the docs in the clinic have refill days (5th or 20th.... So they just have to sign a big old stack of them all at once). Personal preference, really. (On the doctor's part / which is less of a hassle for them). I'm on contract, meaning I volunteer to make myself available for any random urinalysis or blood test they as of me, and have a real apt every 3 months (which also includes a urinalysis).

 

[shimmerz]

It has been like this in Ontario, Canada for this drug for over a year.

 

[Changing4Best]

Well, the new drug helps me to sleep actually better than the clonazepam did, so maybe there is some kind of silver lining in this cloud. The trouble is, I am still tired when I wake, so much so that I lazed around all morning and went to sleep for another half hour of it as well. I am hoping once I am totally off the clonazepam, that this lessens at least. I did enjoy getting a good night's sleep for once though! That has been a rarity for quite some time now. Maybe one in three or less.

 

[Changing4Best]

The new med almost stopped my urine flow completely for a day and a half! So it is back to the Dr. for another med. I hate this!