Posted by Rick on December 2, 1999, at 12:49:57
In reply to Re: social anxiety - benzos., posted by Rick on December 2, 1999, at 12:36:37
One more thing worth mentioning: If you read the literature (the serious research, not the "sky is falling" stuff that is way too easy to find on the net), you'll see that that benzo-induced problems with cognition, memory, and motor skills are found primarily in the elderly. So doctors do need to exercise extra caution in prescribing benzos to senior citizens.
But I'm NOT elderly (yet), and Nardil made me fall down several times -- once in a public restroom, and once resulting in a nasty bruise on my head from my own bathroom sink. But I certainly haven't had any such problem on Klonopin.
Rick
Rick
---
> GS is right, and many studies support his assertions.
>
> According to my pdoc (licensed, practicing PhD/MD since 1979), weaning off of Klonopin (if and when I choose to do so) will be no problem whatsoever, as long as I don't exceed 3 mg/day, and taper gradually when the time comes. Now, this was addressed specifically to me; perhaps for someone with a history of alcohol abuse or recreational drug use, the story would be different. Having taken Xanax, Tranxene, and now Klonopin, Xanax was indeed the only one that felt as if it could conceivably lead to addiction by making you "feel good".
>
> This is not to say that my pdoc particularly *likes* Klonopin; he'd prefer that the Nardil had worked for my Social Phobia. But what would *you* choose:
>
> Nardil: Long wait for kick-in + inconsistent effect + anorgasmia + severe hypotension (I started out slightly hypertensive)+ dizziness and falling down + insomnia + urinary problems + occasional spaciness, etc., or
>
> Klonopin: Quick, consistent 75-100% improvement + no side effects (other than fatigue the first week)? And, at least at low doses, cognitive impairment is NO problem for me. In fact, my mind is sharper because I'm focusing on important and/or fun things instead of anxiety. Indeed, my company and my client have recently given me separate awards for creative, impactful business analyses. And when I present or speak in a meeting, I can actually think clearly and express my thoughts instead of freezing up and trembling. If that's "cognitive impairment" and memory loss, then please, impair away!
> Rick
>
> ----
> > > Benzodiazapines with longer half lives already mentioned in this thread such as klonipin and even shorter acting like ativan or xanax are perfectly safe and effective for anxiety disorders. That is what they are made for and why they are named "anti-anxiety".
> > >
> > > Why are these drugs overlooked or simply not mentioned as a first line of treatment???
> > >
> > > GS
> >
> > ***Because they can be addictive and can impair cognition, memory, and motor skills. Apparently the withdrawal from Xanax, in particular, can be quite fearsome (even to the point of involving seizures).
> >
> > -Kevin
poster:Rick
thread:15816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991123/msgs/16086.html