Doc's prescribing Clonazepam off label for pain?

[Rafterman]

I suffered a crushing chest injury back in 1982, and it led to a case of costochondritis. That's an inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone. When it flares up, you get pain every time you draw a breath because the rib cage expands and stretches the damaged cartilage. The condition is known to last a lifetime because the cartilage never really heals. I happened to be at the doctor in 2007, for an unrelated issue, and he asked me if I have ever used Clonazepam for the costochondritis. I was shocked. At that time, I had used it a few times in the past for anxiety, but never for anything physical. He explained to me that it is probably the one drug that successfully relaxes the muscles in the chest and that he thought it could give me some relief. He said that it had been used in sports medicine, off label, for decades. He gave me a script for 45, with 3 refills (1mg size). He had no worries about potential habituation issues. He asked me about it during the next visit (6 months later). When I told him how well it was working, he threw me another 45, with 3 refills. This went on for nearly 3 years, until my doc left the business and became a med school professor. All this to say that I try never to forget that there are off-label uses for Clonazepam and other anxiolytic's and also for AD's. If you find the right doctor, preferably on Orthopedist, or Physical Medicine specialist...you may walk out with a script. You can not actually see costochondritis with your eyes, or with imaging....if you get what I am saying. A doctor just takes your word for it.  If you have a legit need for Clonazepam and your benzophobic doc doesn't agree, you may just be able to get one by switching docs and developing costochondritis. 'Nuff said.

[Rafterman]

Brand new info to me as well as many,I am sure. I have posted threads with advice on how too keep Clonazepam scripts coming with the ever increasing "Benzophobic" Doc's out there. My concern would be that there are other med's now available and you may get something you do not want or need? Too busy right now to research costochondritis but hope you are well and this may help your condition, if you still have it. Thanks for the Tip as we need all the help we can get these days with the uncertainty of reliable OP's-FF

Thanks, Fishfarmer
I very much appreciate your well wishes and I think that you raise a great point when wondering if there is now a new medication for something like CC that might be offered instead of the C-Pam. In my experience, there really isn't anything better and safer...but leave it to a benzophobic doc to come up with something!  I would imagine that a person might be offered Lyrica or Neurontin, but taking either for CC would be like using a sledgehammer to kill a fly. And with the rising recreational use of those two drugs, especially Lyrica, they may soon be thrown in the benzo boat by prescribers. I do not think that there is anything as effective at slowing motor neuron communication than a benzo. They allow your overactive, over-communicating nerves to get a break, which allows your muscles to get a break. They have helped me with my CC, and with muscle hyperactivity related to a disease that I have. A Godsend, to be sure. I would love to see them in the hands of every person who legitimately needs them. Have a great night.

[Rafterman]

I suffered a crushing chest injury back in 1982, and it led to a case of costochondritis. That's an inflammation of the cartilage that attaches the ribs to the breastbone. When it flares up, you get pain every time you draw a breath because the rib cage expands and stretches the damaged cartilage. The condition is known to last a lifetime because the cartilage never really heals. I happened to be at the doctor in 2007, for an unrelated issue, and he asked me if I have ever used Clonazepam for the costochondritis. I was shocked. At that time, I had used it a few times in the past for anxiety, but never for anything physical. He explained to me that it is probably the one drug that successfully relaxes the muscles in the chest and that he thought it could give me some relief. He said that it had been used in sports medicine, off label, for decades. He gave me a script for 45, with 3 refills (1mg size). He had no worries about potential habituation issues. He asked me about it during the next visit (6 months later). When I told him how well it was working, he threw me another 45, with 3 refills. This went on for nearly 3 years, until my doc left the business and became a med school professor. All this to say that I try never to forget that there are off-label uses for Clonazepam and other anxiolytic's and also for AD's. If you find the right doctor, preferably on Orthopedist, or Physical Medicine specialist...you may walk out with a script. You can not actually see costochondritis with your eyes, or with imaging....if you get what I am saying. A doctor just takes your word for it.  If you have a legit need for Clonazepam and your benzophobic doc doesn't agree, you may just be able to get one by switching docs and developing costochondritis. 'Nuff said.

I had to spend years Doctor jumping, due to they were very by the book. My Psychiatrist would give me an off-label med, it would help, then my GP doctor would freak out and decide that they would not prescribe. I would go to another doctor with understanding and get the off-label med. 
I hope it is still working out for you and you don't bump into a random by the silly book rules distribution, overriding other medical professionals actions.

There are so many other uses for medications that are off-label for a diagnosis, just need to find a doctor who isn't in the dark ages.  

I so very much agree with you, Slipmat. I might even venture to say that I believe that there are more constructive and effective off-label uses for each medication, than there are "indicated" use for each medication. Instead of embracing that fact, the FDA gets  offended because it is afraid to lose even a modicum of power and control over our lives. In my case, I was able to hook up with a primary who now prescribes me the C-Pam for anxiety. He knows how long I was in the field and respected the fact that I know a lot of in's and out's. He knew that I could just go to a sports doc and get them prescribed for my chostochondritis, so he scripted them for me instead. Like many GP's, he doesn't know psych too well. He kind of defers to on those matters, which is really cool (in light of the fact that he has more education than I do). But I was counseling clients while he was in 3rd grade..lol. Maybe that's what did it.