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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by waterfall on March 29, 2004, at 18:01:27
Does anyone else - who does use benzos on a somewhat regular basis - feel like they should use Klonipin and Ativan sparingly? Not because of fear of addiction but just becuase its better to handle anxiety without drugs if possible? If anyone else feels this way could you tell me what kind of standards or thresholds you use with yourself for when you do take benzos? I end up feeling guilty when I take them and I really don't like that. I was thinking if I could come up with some permission system I would feel differently about it.
Posted by HOPEDREAM on March 29, 2004, at 22:09:23
In reply to using Klonipin and Ativan, posted by waterfall on March 29, 2004, at 18:01:27
yes I was just telling my boyfriend
feel guilty about taking them because maybe ia not dealing with whatever is causing the anxiety attacks. I been rushed ot the hostipal 3 times for panic attacks this month and it is the worst feeling. I take my meds and i feel good. Maybe you should just take the meds as if you need them like peope take any meds for a sickness. I feel guilty as well like i am covering up something or not dealing with the anxiety naturally. I am trying to figure out where my overwhelming anxiety is coming from and stop it. My Klonopin has been a life saver this month and has allowed me to be more prodcuttive, but I feel guilty as well
Hope
Posted by gheld on March 30, 2004, at 8:10:11
In reply to Re: using Klonipin and Ativan, posted by HOPEDREAM on March 29, 2004, at 22:09:23
I wonder why you are mixing your benzo's. One has a short half life (Ativan) and the other (Klonopin) much longer. Why not just use one of them regularly until you get enough reduction of symptoms on a regular basis to feel back in control?
It seems to me that the usual goal is, rather than taking the benzo on a PRN basis if the panic is frequent, to take enough of the benzo on a regular scheduled basis so that your symptoms become minimal and controllable.
Once you achieve stability your mind should be able to accept therapy and you can start playing with dosage or substitutes. Don't worry about taking too much until you've taken enough to settle your mind.
Personally. I like Klonoin because it only needs taking once or twice per day, doesn't have a whoosh in and out and helps me sleep when taken at night.
Posted by PsychoSage on March 30, 2004, at 20:31:46
In reply to Re: using Klonipin and Ativan, posted by gheld on March 30, 2004, at 8:10:11
I only took Ativan before bed, and I took it for maybe half a year or so. Only once did I take it as needed it during the day, but I got off it because I just felt like I could not sleep without it because the withdrawal is a little uncomfortable.
Less is better because at leat you will have your wits more.
"As needed" can be complicated for those of us who take that to mean any sign of discomfort.
i would follow the advice above and take it regularly and not think about it, so you don't have this mental relationship with the drug and your ideas about what you think it does for you more than the actually effect. It can be like a reverse placebo effect I guess when you believe you need a drug, so you end up taking this drug a lot but you cause a lot more anxiety with this cycle of thinking about the drug and feeling better knowing it's in you. That's the mental component to unhealthy dependence, and it's not unusual.
I didn't like taking it anymore because I realized that it was not giving me the same effect, and i did not want to increase because it dulls me after I wake up. I already have my mood stabilizer for that job.
That's another idea. Mood stabilizers like Trileptal are used for anxiety.
I got spoiled of having a very nice way to fall asleep, so I did not like the idea of taking as needed because my body wouldn't like it if one night it got ativan and the next night it was looking forward to it, but it gets nothing.
Keep your benzos, but think about meditation and exercise. A nice hobby you can be repetitive with and successful {key word} can help you build some counteracting positive emotion.
Increasing my zoloft was a horrible idea for my anxiety. That just made me apathetic.
Posted by waterfall on March 31, 2004, at 20:21:10
In reply to Re: using Klonipin and Ativan, posted by PsychoSage on March 30, 2004, at 20:31:46
Thank you everyone for your comments. I think my biggest problem is that I can't decide what kind of relationship I want to have with these drugs. My biggest desire is to not want or need them. I've used Klonipin daily in the past and while I don't want to go there again, I feel a lot more comfortable when I just take it every morning. I use ATivan and Klonipin because I'm also picky. If I've already had Klonipin in a day I'm less likely to take more because it takes so long to wear off, hence the Ativan.
This is the end of the thread.
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