Posted by JahL on April 7, 2003, at 20:24:08
In reply to Re: Does anyone from the UK take rivotril/klonopin? » JahL, posted by Jackster on April 7, 2003, at 2:10:35
> Hi Jah
>
> Thanks for the advice. Can only a psychiatrist prescribe rivotril - or can family doc prescribe it as well?
>
> Thanks++++++++++++++++++++
Hi Jackie.
General practitioners (GPs - family docs) are notoriously conservative when it comes to scheduled substances - far more so than their American counterparts. The 'Dr Death' scandal (I don't know if you're aware of the 'Dr' Harold Shipman story) has not helped in this regard.
I have always had chronic sleeping problems but before I saw a psychiatrist, the best I could do was a single, 5 day course of Diazepam, *1*mg. So a GP *can* prescribe benzos, but in reality it's like getting blood from a stone.
I guess I'm saying that, on the balance of probabilities, you're going to need to see a psychiatrist. That said, if you have been receiving the drug in the States on a regular basis, you would have some case to present to your GP. There are a few sensible ones out there.
If you're intending to come here (and I don't particularly recommend it...), it might be an idea to contact the health authority relevant to where you'd be staying to see whether they have a GP who is willing to prescribe.
If you get no joy, it might be worth, funds permitting, to see someone privately. You'll wait forever (3-6 months) to see a pdoc in the UK, especially if you're considered a 'non-urgent' case. Once you have that private prescription, it should be relatively to convince a GP to co-operate.
Does this help?
Ta,
Jah.
poster:JahL
thread:216717
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030407/msgs/217200.html