Posted by jerrympls on May 14, 2003, at 22:54:14
In reply to Jack - benzos effective for *almost* all anxiety, posted by mattdds on May 14, 2003, at 21:46:46
Benzos have been the ONLY meds that have effectively help treat my anxiety. I'm major depression w/ GAD - mostly anticipatory - not so much social phobia. Anyway, I've been on Valium, Klonopin, Ativan, Cerax, Librium for anxiety and Halcion, restoril, and Dalmane for insomnia - all thoughout various times during the past 11 years (I'm 31 now). Anyway, no SSRI or any other add-on like Atarax (an antihistamine) or Benedryl. Ativan, Klonopin and Xanax have worked the best for me. I'm currently on Xanax .5 3x daily. Xanax also helps a little with my depressive symptoms--well actually it helps ALOT with my depressive symptoms. It doesn't cloud my mind - doesn't make me sleepy - doesn't make me crave more - doesn't cause memory problems (I think? haha) - basically it helps calms my overactive biological anxiety circuits and help ease anticipatory anxiety and catastrophic thinking.
I wrote in another post that I think I'm lucky because when I've gone off of a benzo I've NEVER had withdrawl of any kinda - minus a little rebound anxiety.
My experience w/ Doctor's: I've seen about 8 different psychiatrists over the past 11 years and here's how some of them stacked up on attitudes towards benzos for anxiety:
--One doc treated my depression with ONLY xanax for a while and said it was a great medication and had anti-depressant properties. He was a great doc - willing to work with me to find anything that worked. We eventually switched to a "new" SSRI (Luvox) when it came out which helped some...yada yada yada...
--Another doc would make excuses for not prescribing them like "I'll lose my license..."
--One doc was so incredibly, horrifyingly without compassion, that when I called her on route to the hospital because I was having a severe panic attack she said: "Oh you're not having a panic attack - take a hot bath or go for a walk and if you need to you can take Benedryl." After which she hung up on me. Prior to this, during our first appt. she basically told me that I was - or would be an addict. Why? To this day I have no clue. She had full access to my medical records - none of which had ever indicated any problems abusin ANY substance. Found out later that she routinely gossiped about her patients to other patients and doctors in the clinic. She wasn't employeed for too long.
--One Doc was pretty good and I really liked him. However, during outpatient visits he would readily have a prescription almost already written out for 2 months worth of Adderall (an amphetamine) but would NOT budge on EVER prescribing benzos giving this excuse: "All benzos are basically alcohol in a pill and EVERYONE gets SEVERELY addicted to them, then I have to take up my time trying to get them off of them. You'll get addicted and I don't want to have to take the time to get you off them." After which he handed me my 2 month supply of Adderall. I was completely speechless and didn't see him again after that.
--FInally I saw a an experienced and confident psychiatrist at a major Big Ten University hospital. He was/is also involved in research for new depression and anxiety meds. He has had no problem prescribing benzos and goes by the "If we can find something that works - then we'll go with it. The goal is to get you better." He listens to me and even encourages me to do my own research and actually READS stuff I find and bring in to him during my appointments.
The only meds I have ever had terrible withdrawl were/are the SSRIs.
Sure, some people do have problems with addiction and yes, they have terrible withdrawl as well - but no one ever stands up for the majority (in my opinion) of anxiety sufferers out there who benefits soley from meds like Xanax, Klonopin, etc. Over the past 11 years in and out of hosptials, support groups, therapists, etc - I have talkedd with many people and I would say 98% of them never abused these meds and many are only able to work, be social, and participate in LIFE due to the help of benzos.
Both my parents are alcoholics and I've never, never, ever had problems with addiction - abuse - or ANy substance. I do not drug seek, I do not buy meds illegally - none of that.
Sorry for the long winded post - but I just wanted to share my experiences and opinions on this matter.
Thanks for reading - and good luck!
Jerry
poster:jerrympls
thread:226535
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030514/msgs/226740.html