ptsd No Benzos At San Antonio Vamc

[scarletto66]

I've been told that the new policy at the San Antonio VAMC and surrounding clinics is that no benzos will be prescribed any longer. I have panic disorder with agoraphobia, PTSD, MDD, and the anxiety is literally painful at times. I am in therapy when I can get an appointment, and I've been told that CBT will
"ease" my anxiety. In the interim, I should listen to music when I have a panic attack. ????? I'd love to hear back from other vets to see if this is the case in regions around the country. Peace.

[john999]

I think that is malpractice. What is CBT? You cannot just stop taking benzos cold turkey. The VA must provide you enough to gradually reduce your benzo intake and give you support while you do. I have been on benzos and opiates for ten years. If I stopped taking them next week I would have dangerous withdrawals. The VA cannot get out of their own way when it comes to screwing up. Go see your congressman and see a malpractice lawyer. Sudden withdrawal from Benzos can cause convulsions and maybe death.

John

[scarletto66]

Exactly. Not only that, but CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, takes up to two years. My panic attacks are debilitating. I've been told that the side effects with Clonazapam, the benzo I'm taking, are fuzzy thinking and altered gait. Seriously? I'm OK with a slower thought process and not being able to run a mile in seven minutes vs. hiding in my closet and hyperventilating from panic. I agree that it's malpractice. I've tried to explain that I'm in therapy and that I just need something to help me while I'm in that process. I was told that there is no "quick fix." Wow. Pretty smug to sit there in your office with your Starbucks while I'm still digging trauma out of my skivvies. I've tried patient advocacy and they also told me it's a VA policy. Incidentally, we're on of the VAs being investigated by the FBI. Imagine.

[john999]

Some local crooked psychiatrist I know wrote a letter to the editor of my newspaper saying vets were getting opiates from the VA for chronic pain and selling their drugs. He said chronic pain was easy to fake. I went to this jerk for weight loss. Now I know his attitude I won't be going back let me tell you. I have chronic pain in my feet and shoulders and neck. I have been to tons of doctors. They surgery and treatments have not helped. Opiates help and I don't even use that much except what I need. I have never asked for an increase but I guess I am drug crazed criminal. How many of these vets or servicemen who visit the Whitehouse to get medals are also stoned out of their minds because their broken backs, hips and necks are killing them?

[scarletto66]

So this wasn't a VA doc, right? Why are we getting such a bad rap? Everyone in my family has served, but I've got to be honest; after my experiences when my son wanted to up after college I talked him out of it. He would have been the first officer and I would have been so honored, but jeez, even though he will be the first in our family not to serve I'm OK with it. I read these stories and even though my experiences have been horrible, they're nothing compared to many others. Absolutely heartbreaking. I'm sorry for your pain, both emotional and physical. Can you report that psychiatrist to the AMA? That seems like a violation of Dr./Patient confidentiality.

[john999]

This shrink I used was just speaking in general terms. He was not talking about me. I only saw him once. He charged me a fortune and gave me speed to reduce my appetite. My appetite is not really the problem as it is my lack of being able to walk much and exercise that is the problem I see. I am technically obese, but I don't even think about food and would probably never eat unless I was hungry. It is the injuries I have that cause chronic pain that keep me from burning off calories. If VA would send me to a good massage therapist or chiro I think I would get better, but I need help with this. The VA says I can drive 20 miles to use their pool for 20 minutes. I need permanent PT to stay mobile. I am not getting it via the VA. They sent some idiot here who used to do some PT with me but he was so unreliable I told him not to come back. IF I could just walk without pain I could walk it off. I have been to podiatrists galore. They all say the same thing and have same failed therapy.

John