Posted by laima on August 27, 2006, at 21:04:19
In reply to Re: What does taking a benzo actually feel }} meri, posted by sdb on August 27, 2006, at 18:45:05
Meri,
This post brings up a couple of points which I hadn't mentioned, but in fact "ring true" with my own experience-
When I was on my highest prescribed doses of benzos (3 mg klonopin plus xanax LA ("long acting"-and I can't remember what the dose was), I remember becoming very, very concerned with worries such as, "Am I developing early Alzheimers? Am I turning stupid? Do I have brain damage? Why can everyone else in my grad seminar follow the conversation and understand the readings, while I don't even quite know what they are talking about? Why can't I comprehend any reading the way I used to? Why does my checkbook befuddle me?" etc.
These concerns greatly diminished over time as I tapered away all the way down to my now .5 mg klonopin. I'm definately "smarter" and "sharper" now- though I'm not making any claims of being a geniuous! :) My anxiety is either same-ish or much improved- it varies, as I am still very reactive to stress and a few mild phobias.
One problem I've constantly struggled with, again, is the irresistability of an "easy fix"- which disuaded me from making common sense lifestyle adjustments- ie-why should I follow a reasonable schedule when all I had to do to cope with any stress or tension was to take more bezodiazapines? I started benzos after Sept 2001, (fear of everything, plus starting grad school while working a stressful job)--but never considered any lifestyle adjustments to augment pharmaceutical treatment. I dismissed all adjustments urged to me by mental health professionals, friends, mother- everyone. The benzos "had me in control", you see.
Some of what has helped my taper has been vigorous outdoor excercise, yoga, giving in to "smart" dumb comedy, "doing less"- all kinds of stuff like that.
These sorts of things of course, are not always "an answer" to accute anxiety, or even effective during very strained situations.
For example- I mentioned the *ineffectiveness* of "deep beathing" in an earlier post- a couple of times all that did for me was result in "hyperventilation" and emergency room visits-"cured" with xanax. I've also frantically tried to calm my self down just to make myself even more panicked, ie: "Deep breathe! No! Calm music!! No! Not working, Bath! No! More breathing! No! Oh- where is relaxation tape...oh my god it's lost...another bath! Chamomile!!!" (And later I learned that chamomile is a relative to ragweed, which I am allergic to.)I'm sure my experience does not reflect everyone else's, but I've spent plenty of time in a "trap" that is worth considering and being aware of. I maintain that when used wisely and at lowest dose necessary, benzos are very valuable, safe, and useful drugs.
> I am not entirely sure in your situation. Once you took a benzo it is very likely that you're no more willing to stop the benzo treatment later. Benzos do not have many sideeffects except memory, reaction problems. It could be a problem if you want to study or read difficult things.
poster:laima
thread:679936
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060825/msgs/680672.html