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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Paul Smith on February 2, 2005, at 20:26:57
What are the chances that I will wind up on mega doses and still be suffering breakthrough withdrawal symptoms? I came off these meds as my doc thought it was time to do so, but I had yet to develop tolerance to the anti-anxiety effects, only the sleep inducing effects. Have been off many months and am still in another world. Running out of money, have to work, looking like I have no choice but to go back on. Some claim you cannot go back on successfully once you have been off and in withdrawal for months, but I know people that have... Thanks.
Posted by SadDoggie on February 2, 2005, at 21:57:02
In reply to benzos and tolerance, posted by Paul Smith on February 2, 2005, at 20:26:57
Did he taper you off slowly? You're not supposed to stop suddenly at once. I think you should be able to go back on with no problem, especially if you've been off them for months.
SadDoggie
> What are the chances that I will wind up on mega doses and still be suffering breakthrough withdrawal symptoms? I came off these meds as my doc thought it was time to do so, but I had yet to develop tolerance to the anti-anxiety effects, only the sleep inducing effects. Have been off many months and am still in another world. Running out of money, have to work, looking like I have no choice but to go back on. Some claim you cannot go back on successfully once you have been off and in withdrawal for months, but I know people that have... Thanks.
Posted by Paul Smith on February 2, 2005, at 22:15:25
In reply to Re: benzos and tolerance, posted by SadDoggie on February 2, 2005, at 21:57:02
<<Did he taper you off slowly? You're not supposed to stop suddenly at once. I think you should be able to go back on with no problem, especially if you've been off them for months.>>
Thanks. :-) But does anyone know any probabilties regarding building tolerance? I never want to try and get off benzos again....I went off suddenly the first time, back on in a few weeks then tapered off slow over about 8 months, still in withdrawals months down the road. From what I have experienced and read, coming off slowly is no guarantee of avoiding being put out of commission long term with these withdrawals. It is unbelieveable, and no doc I have found will call it what it is, protracted withdrawal. They say I got "GAD" but I was nothing even remotely like this before these meds. Nonetheless, I am no martyr. Is no one to pay my bills so looks like I have to go back on.
Posted by SadDoggie on February 2, 2005, at 22:35:05
In reply to Re: benzos and tolerance, posted by Paul Smith on February 2, 2005, at 22:15:25
I've never gone through withdrawals because I've always kept the doses low, the benzos stop working for me but I refuse to keep raising them. So I don't know what it's like to go through withdrawals and how long they last, maybe someone else here could answer this question better. But it is very odd to taper off over 8 months and still continue to have withdrawals. You might as well go back on a benzo because it looks like you need it (sticking to a low dose preferred) or you should try an antidepressant, maybe that'll help.
Good Luck,
SadDoggie
> <<Did he taper you off slowly? You're not supposed to stop suddenly at once. I think you should be able to go back on with no problem, especially if you've been off them for months.>>
>
> Thanks. :-) But does anyone know any probabilties regarding building tolerance? I never want to try and get off benzos again....I went off suddenly the first time, back on in a few weeks then tapered off slow over about 8 months, still in withdrawals months down the road. From what I have experienced and read, coming off slowly is no guarantee of avoiding being put out of commission long term with these withdrawals. It is unbelieveable, and no doc I have found will call it what it is, protracted withdrawal. They say I got "GAD" but I was nothing even remotely like this before these meds. Nonetheless, I am no martyr. Is no one to pay my bills so looks like I have to go back on.
>
>
Posted by Glydin on February 3, 2005, at 7:53:11
In reply to benzos and tolerance, posted by Paul Smith on February 2, 2005, at 20:26:57
I've been low dose for 3 years. I've been off twice with tapers each time. I did not attribute my return to benzo use on w/d or rebound but on a return of my anxiety disorder. I'm just better on the benzo I use than not. Taking it improves my quality of life and functioning.In terms of who can "do" benzo's (whether initially, single use therapy, in combo, as a restart, etc..) successfully and without pitfalls, I'm not really sure if they have developed a good way to predict that, which is quite unfortunate.
Posted by mattw84 on February 3, 2005, at 10:32:15
In reply to Re: benzos and tolerance » Paul Smith, posted by Glydin on February 3, 2005, at 7:53:11
You should try the search function at the bottom of the thread list... this topic has been addressed far too frequently. Regardless, my personal experience started with Klonopin and my dose went from .25 mg bid (.5 mg total) to 1 mg bid (2 mg total) in the first month. At which point the pdoc elected to switch me to Xanax XR @ 3mg daily. That didn't seem to last all day, so we went with Xanax XR 2 mg bid (4mg total). Shortly after we combined a 3 mg XR and a 2 mg XR later in the day (5 mg total daily); but at the cost of one RX for these, this was an expensive way to things. So I am, and have been for the last 4 months or so, on Xanax XR 3mg bid (6 mg total) which seems to work very well. I don't know how much longer I plan I taking the Xanax XR... but I am definately not looking forward to tapering off -- thanks to the horror stories I have heard. Either way, I refuse to go any higher than my current dose; but have no need to. I think most people reach an effective dose for longer-term purposes on benzos, but I still don't think benzos are an ideal life-long solution... Good luck.
Matt
Posted by Paul Smith on February 3, 2005, at 11:33:22
In reply to Re: Benzodiazepine Tolerance..., posted by mattw84 on February 3, 2005, at 10:32:15
<<You should try the search function at the bottom of the thread list... this topic has been addressed far too frequently. Regardless, my personal experience started with Klonopin and my dose went from .25 mg bid (.5 mg total) to 1 mg bid (2 mg total) in the first month. At which point the pdoc elected to switch me to Xanax XR @ 3mg daily. That didn't seem to last all day, so we went with Xanax XR 2 mg bid (4mg total). Shortly after we combined a 3 mg XR and a 2 mg XR later in the day (5 mg total daily); but at the cost of one RX for these, this was an expensive way to things. So I am, and have been for the last 4 months or so, on Xanax XR 3mg bid (6 mg total) which seems to work very well. I don't know how much longer I plan I taking the Xanax XR... but I am definately not looking forward to tapering off -- thanks to the horror stories I have heard. Either way, I refuse to go any higher than my current dose; but have no need to. I think most people reach an effective dose for longer-term purposes on benzos, but I still don't think benzos are an ideal life-long solution...>> Good luck.
Matt
Thanks Matt. I will say this, I would think twice before tapering off at all unless it is truly necessary. My doc insisted I taper off even though I was stable at a dose. Had I known what I know now I would have found someone else to prescribe. As once world war III is set off it is hard to rein in back in....
Posted by Phillipa on February 3, 2005, at 16:24:47
In reply to Re: Benzodiazepine Tolerance..., posted by Paul Smith on February 3, 2005, at 11:33:22
You're so lucky they work for you. I've been on them so many years, that they don't reduce my anxiety, and the combo I'm taking for sleep now is unbelievable! I don't think my digestion is working properly. Fondly, Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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