Wouldn't say I had a bad experience with this doctor, but certainly not an honest one. I moved from NY and on acct of being diagnosed and 100% service connected with the VA for a TBI I sustained in Baghdad Iraq from an IED blast that constitutes seizures, severe combat related PTSD, and bilateral hand lacerations on both hands that required skin grafts, I'm completely disabled. Unfortunately the substantial amount of narcotic pain med prescribed to me, I developed a tourtourous addiction that required me to seek medication assisted treatment w/ Methadone.
Before being prescribed Methadone in May 2015 (I've been sober since June 2015), I was prescribed Valium in 2007 for anxiety, panic attacks, and the suppression of siezures by my Army Brigade doctor, while I was still active duty. It's a class of anti anxiety/sedative medication called Benzodiazapams. I ETSed from the Army and began seeing a VA doctor that began prescribing Xanax, another benzodiazapam. I realized the Xanax was making me extremely lathargic so My doctor switched me to Klonopin, also a benzodiazapam, which had a longer half life that made everyday functioning tolerable. BTW, benzodiazapams are extremely addicting. I have grand maul withdrawal seizures when I forget to take my dose or circumstances render me from taking. On Christmas of 2016 and 2017 I spent Christmas night and a cple more days in the cardiology unit of the hospital after suffering a withdrawal seizure that stopped my heart until paramedics resusitated me. Believe it or not, This happened 2 Christmases in a row. My family calls it the Christmas curse.
Fast forward to 2022. I've been on benzodiazapams going on 15 years. Any doctor will tell you, abruptly stopping this medication, after 15 straight years WILL CAUSE MALIGNANT WITHDRAWALS. I moved to St Petersburg from Albany NY where for 6 years I've been on Methadone along with the Klonopin and I'm very responsible with my medication. The head doctor at Bay pines Methadone clinic in Pinellas Park, FL, highly suggested Dr Fitzgerald. She said, as long as you're working the program with clean urinalysis, he'll prescribe your meds while being very involved with your treatment. My doctor at the methadone clinic has clients that utilize his medical services and he prescribes this particular drug. My Casac counselor also has clients on her case load that use him as well.. however when I went, I began explaining that I'm on Methadone and I've also been on benzos, particularly Klonopin for, at the time,14 years. He immediately cut me off without listening and said "Can't do it...it against the law for me to prescribe benzos with Methadone."
Dr Fitzgerald was courteous enough to refund my money but I left his office confused and petrified because the withdrawals were starting. I had a withdrawal seizure the next morning that sent me to the ER and a I got a temporary prescription but when I told the doctor at the methadone clinic and my case manager what he said, especially cause it's, in fact, NOT against the law. they were both surprised, knowing their are numerous patients in the same boat as me that he prescribes them to with no problem.. I don't know why he decided to give me the boot but not the many patients my methadone doctor and case manager referred him too. Me and my case manager plan on calling him on Monday, May 2...Other than that, He's a good doctor, down to earth, talks to you like a human rather than most doctors, serious, formal and creepy voice...I'm hoping my experience was just a misunderstanding. read more
