im sure my GP just thinks im just a junkie after more drugs!

[j.refueling]

Hi. I hav just come across this site and finding it v interesting n helpful. Also i think i stumbled on this site several  years ago when there was not many members and it was in bright neon colours. Maybe not same.
Anyway, i smoked h for 20 year and been on meth since prison few years ago.  Im on sertraline for depression and atarax. I have never found my gp to be helpful. Last time i saw him, i was talking to him about how i will be cutting down my meth (as i on 60ml) which is my choice,and i asked him for any other meds that will help me get through symptoms. I asked for quinine for cramps in legs- his response is "thats the meth/h habit why you get cramps" and other symptoms he replies same. So he basicaly refuses to give me anything because its "self brought on" i even asked him for valium as my meth doctor has advised me to ask my gp for when i start cutting down. My gp refused even though i told him atarax not working. Is there any help or what meds can i ask for off gp for usual symptoms like cramps in legs and belly and insomnia etc.  I asked for df118 but he say no.  So what can i get off my gp as i really want to cut down this time and both doctors see things different. It would be diff if my meth doctor would prescribe these extras but he says it has to be from gp. Funny how when i was in prison, i got meds for every sympton with my meth. But outside i cant!

[froude]

Hi ya J.refueling,Welcome to the Alliance,Looks as though you got 2 Doctors that are in different places when you go to see them ,im wondering if your doctor who is giving out your Methadone could prescribe something for you while you are cutting down ,or could he at least write a letter to your other GP asking for him to write a script for you.You mentioned Sertraline and Atarax,the later being a anti-Anxiety drug, Can see Benzo's are going to be hard to get as the powers that be only like to give them out for a short periods,2-3 weeks,if your lucky maybe a bit longer.There is a good thread on here from AngiesimsAKATruegrit its under the heading "Sortin myself out finally" ,she has just come off Methadone Maintenance and is doing well,and its pretty positive and very truefully written ,could be of help to you,the cramps and other ailments you get with detoxing from Methadone.Personally if i didnt have a family id probably go for a little R and R in Prison,now you dont get a paracetamol for every ailment.Hope you succeed in your detox and the very best to you, Froude. 

[simon]

I'd say if you are reducing methadone just do it slowly. Adding other opioids or benzo's will just give you more problems. Stick to the one habit -methadone. I'd say your doctor is being sensible and working within the guidelines.

[sapphire]

Usually GP's will only give benzo's to addicts when they are at the detox stage of withdrawing from methadone, as in when you're down to like taking 2 or 3 ml a day. Apart from that, fuggedaboudit.

They won't give you benzo's whilst you're on 60ml, as by the time you're down to 1ml, you''d also have a benzo habit, so they are being quite sensible really, if you see what I mean?


How abou ttelling the meth doctor to write to the GP to tell him to prescribe, or tell the meth doctor what a pain your GP is being, and then the meth doc might script you.

[Jim]

alternatively you could advise your GP to get advice off the SMMGP discussion forum - which is there for exactly that purpose (obviously not using names)  www.smmgp.org.uk  and go to forums.  If he/she engages with them they will be much more confident as to how to proceed

Jim