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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
I'm at a crossroads. I'm 35 years old and I've been taking valium 15 mgs daily for 6 years. I tried everything before it. The SSRis did not help me one bit. Ativan made me severely depressed. Klonopin had the same effect. I felt I was backed into a corner. I had to do something in order to function daily.
I don't misuse my medication. I take the same dose at the same time every day. It controls my over anxious brain from burning anxiety and the random moments of terror that used to plague me. I feel good. I feel normal. I feel like I have a life free of abnormal anxiety, and yet I'm scared. I'm scared of the day that will come when a doctor will no longer prescribe it for me. I'm fearful of the day when it will no longer work... That I will become tolerant to its anti-anxiety properties. I'm scared of the withdrawals... I think of these things every day. What will I replace it with? I've tried most everything else. I have had panic attacks and anxiety since I was 9 years old. I feel like an addict talking about it like this. I'm just ashamed that I ever even started it.
I don't know where to go from here. I have not found anyone with anything positive to say about longterm benzodiazepine use. The literature and common medical belief doesn't support me. It seems that I am damned no matter what decision I make. Do I taper now or wait for tolerance and really experience hell? I need some help...
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on October 18, 2012, at 2:12:36
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
There is quite a bit of evidence about benzodiazepines maintaining their effectiveness long term (mainly with klonazepam and alprazolam in panic disorder)
If anyone ever wants to withdraw you, seek referal to a different, more sympathetic psychiatrist. Given your record of not abusing the drug, I think most psychs would be happy to keep prescribing to keep you a functional member of the comunity.
If it stops working or tolorance sets in, drugs that block the 5HT2A receptor would be worth a look, and there are newer anxiolytics in the pipeline
Posted by gadchik on October 18, 2012, at 9:37:46
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
Theres alot of us panic people that do well on daily,longterm benzos and nothing else.Ive felt all that you mentioned...its tough,but we have to make sure these drs know that this is what works for us. I think that a person who doesnt keep raising the dose,feels well, should not be denied a pill that to me, has far fewer side effects than all the other psych meds. Ive found things online and in books that are positive about longterm,daily benzos for some people.I will look for the ones I found and post if youd like.
Posted by phillipa on October 18, 2012, at 11:00:56
In reply to Re: Need help (benzodiazepine questions) » jcowen, posted by gadchik on October 18, 2012, at 9:37:46
Mine worked for about 40 years well then tolerance began. Jono didn't know ativan or klonopin acted longer long term. I can't even begin to think that somehow this anxiety could be reduced again to where I'm not just blocking out life? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on October 18, 2012, at 12:32:44
In reply to Re: Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by phillipa on October 18, 2012, at 11:00:56
P, I just read some good things about trazodone for anxiety. Have you ever tried a low dose of it?
Posted by phidippus on October 20, 2012, at 18:00:54
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
>I'm 35 years old and I've been taking valium 15 mgs daily for 6 years
That is a very normal dose. Neither high nor low.
>The SSRis did not help me one bit
Did you try any other antidepressants?
>I'm scared of the day that will come when a doctor will no longer prescribe it for me
Why would your doctor stop prescribing it?
>I'm fearful of the day when it will no longer work
My father has been taking Klonopin for 30 years and it has never failed him.
>That I will become tolerant to its anti-anxiety properties. I'm scared of the withdrawals... I think of these things every day.
Does it do you good to think of these things every day? How can you turn your thoughts elsewhere?
>What will I replace it with? I've tried most everything else
Have you tried Prazosin, Keppra or Gabitril? Besides Valium there's dozens of benzodiazapines as well.
>I'm just ashamed that I ever even started it.
Never be ashamed of your mental ilness. There's no room for that here. Focus on dealing with your anxiety.
>I don't know where to go from here. I have not found anyone with anything positive to say about longterm benzodiazepine use
Many people use benzos for many years and don't suffer tolerance or addiction issues. You are overly worried about the consequences of using this class of drugs.
>It seems that I am damned no matter what decision I make.
I didn't know you had a decision to make. Are you already convinced you will become tolerant to the Valium?
>Do I taper now or wait for tolerance and really experience hell?
Ignore the horror stories and keep up with what you're doing.
Eric
Posted by phillipa on October 20, 2012, at 21:31:54
In reply to Re: Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by phidippus on October 20, 2012, at 18:00:54
Eric in all seriousness since tolerant to xanax and valium as getting reverse from what it used to do after 43 years. Do you feel that ativan might work and just relax? Especially since on luvox which is contraindicated with valium & xanax. As you know increases strength of those benzos but ativan doesn't? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Raisinb on October 21, 2012, at 21:18:25
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
Many people (including myself) take benzos long term and don't need more to get the same effect. I've been taking Xanax to sleep for over three years, always the same dose. Don't freak out so much. The horror stories about benzos and addiction are way overblown in my opinion. For some, yes, they can be addictive, just as alcohol, for some, can be addictive, but there are many more people who can use the substance in moderation.
Posted by sukarno on October 28, 2012, at 12:09:04
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
"I don't misuse my medication. I take the same dose at the same time every day. It controls my over anxious brain from burning anxiety and the random moments of terror that used to plague me. I feel good. I feel normal. I feel like I have a life free of abnormal anxiety..."
Hi! :-) It sounds like your medication is working very well. I've been on BZDs for 22 years and they've always maintained their effectiveness for my anxiety and panic attacks.
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. ;-)
This is the end of the thread.
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