Posted by Paul on August 14, 1999, at 1:55:14
In reply to Re: Questions for GS , posted by GS on August 12, 1999, at 20:21:17
> > > >
> > > > > LOW dosages of course wouldn't disrupt the natural sleep archetecture but when treating anxiety disorders at higher dosages, it can. Treating sleep disorders with low dosages of benzos is safe and common as I understand it...as long as there is not another underlying problem causing the insomnia - either psychological or physiological.
> > > > >
> > > > > GS
> > > >
> > > > What do you consider a low dose? Is .50 mg Xanax a low dose?
> > > > Susan
> > > ***********************************************
> > > Heavens Yes! You would have to be up over 2 or more mg to disrupt sleep to the point that you would notice "sleep deprivation" during the middle of the day (due to poor sleep archetechture).
> > >
> > > The problem is that 1 mg to me would't equate to 1 mg. to you. It's a highly variable thing from person to person. Just look at a table of half-lifes for just one single type of benzo and you begin to understand that the range is ENORMOUS because they are processed by each person differently.
> > >
> > > For instance, my doc told me that 1 = 1 generally Xanax to Ativan....but when I took them it was more like .5 Xanax = 1 Ativan TO ME. I know of a friend with stage fright and is a top artist in their field that takes 5 - 6 Xanax before a performance for performance anxiety. So you see how awful a disease they have...and that's on top of a healthy dose of the sedating antidepressant Imipramine!! If I took that much, I'd probably sleep for a week. So it's by trial and error for each individual for benzos.
> > >
> > > I think that is why it is almost an art form unto itself to prescribe and manage these things successfully...that is why they seem so "dangerous" to so many docs I think. The controversy is not at the dose and purpose for which you take them - at the higher dosages for treatment of anxiety disorders - yes there is as I mentioned in my first post on 8/4/99.
> > > Am I making any sense Susan?
> > >
> > > GS
> >
> > To GS: Thanks for your benzo. related posts. Where do you get your info. on benzos disrupting sleep quality? I'm not disputing your info., just wondering where you found it. I'm having a hell of a time taking Klonopin to function "out in the world" then crashing when I get home. It seems that Prozac may accentuate this, whereas Zoloft may not? (At least according to the info. I've read. I'd be interested in your source for sleep & benzo info & if this disruption would show up in a sleep study. Thanks, Paul
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> A Dr. at Rush St. Lukes, a leader in psy. med. research told me of the disruption caused by benzos. Results would probably show up in a sleep study, yes. Not enough of a certain stage of sleep will cause the brain to try to "compensate" by making up for lost time so to speak. Benzos throw out of proportion these stages so I imagine that this would show up on a COMPLETE NIGHTS sleep study.
>
> GSThanks a lot for the info GS. I'm going to get on Medline tomorrow and try to find some research articles. I've been on Prozac and Klonopin for 10+ years now, and have had great problems with fatigue, especially after my doc. added Effexor. This effect of the benzos seems strange seeing that many seem to be successfully prescribed for sleep disorders. I'm only recently learning of the SSRI's disruption/elimination of REM stage sleep. Could this be the reason that so many people experience fatigue, memory, and word finding difficulties on these meds? But then again, many experience increased energy. I wish I could find a site where patients could get knowledgeable answers from docs online. I realize that Dr. Bob will occasionally answer a question on this site, but only about 10%. I'm sure he's barely got time to answer these. It seems that psychiatry is the toughest specialty to find a competent practitioner in. I think lower pay, managed care probably explains that. I've found many professionals hesitant to give an online opinion because of the possibility of a lawsuit, but hell, I'll sign a waiver. Thanks again GS, and all other contributors for their helpful advice. I'll try to pass on any more info. I find on this topic. Paul
poster:Paul
thread:9160
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990914/msgs/10073.html