So instead of believing me she now wants me on gabapentin, hydroxyzine, and an SSRI all of which I've taken at some point in my life and will not do I am down to one prescription, the benzo. I'm a long- term Survivor of terminal illness who might actually die of benzo withdrawals

I'm so sorry you're suffering. 😔 Good for you for continuing to resist additional neurotoxic drugs.

Your story is as awful as any and I just have so much compassion and empathy I see people far worse off than me and it's just so tragic that other humans do this whether by ignorance, lack of empathy, greed, and sometimes sadistic and malicious intent to purposely hurt others.

I would almost rather it's intentional because how fucking dare they be ignorant in a job that affects people's bodies and minds and for which they're more than adequately compensated to perform. #prescribedharm.

I have to agree and I also have to say that their education is useless and where they get their information on medication is usually through the pharmaceutical companies and representatives who are called into the office before the patient. I see that I get verbally loud and rude

Their education has been co-opted by Pharma.

Yes absolutely and not just that but actually the quality of medical education in the United States has been in Decline they do not teach Medical Science they teach I don't know what they teach a lot of bullshit. If a patient is more educated than their MD that's very disturbing.

When it comes to benzodiazepine tapering and withdrawal, I know more than most doctors, and I bet you do too.

I sure have studied a lot about tapering but I think it's highly individualistic as well as longevity of use, tolerance, which benzos, what dosages. Symptoms of panic are not too bad but 8 days in I had two tonic clonic seizures and I am more worried about those. For good reason.

That's the key right there - it's incredibly individualistic. All tapers should be patient led.