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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 4:35:59
What happens if you take a benzo and you aren't particulary anxious, you're just taking it to pre-empt the anxiety that comes on?
How do they affect sleep? Will you feel groggy the next day? Do they actually help you to sleep better?
Its just I have 60 snow white pills of 15mg oxazepam, and the pdocs instructions are to take 0.5-1 tablet 1-2 times a day when necessary, but I'm having trouble with the 'when necessary' bit. I've never taken a benzo in my life.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by SLS on December 6, 2006, at 6:25:34
In reply to Some questions re: benzo use, some help please?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 4:35:59
Hi.
> What happens if you take a benzo and you aren't particulary anxious, you're just taking it to pre-empt the anxiety that comes on?
I guess that depends on what condition you are treating. Do you suffer from an anxiety disorder like GAD (generalized anxiety disorder)? Do you experience anticipatory anxiety? How about panic attacks?
> How do they affect sleep?
Some are good to help reduce the time it takes for someone to fall asleep, while others excel in helping people stay asleep. Oxazepam (Serax) isn't really known for being a hypnotic (sleep inducer), though. It is generally prescribed for anxiety and to help with alcohol withdrawal. However, your doctor may have had success using the drug for insomnia.
> Will you feel groggy the next day?
The half-life of oxazepam is 8 hours. This should be short enough for you not to feel too groggy in the morning. I can't imagine it would persist into the day.
> Do they actually help you to sleep better?
Generally speaking, yes. However, benzodiazepines affect something known as sleep architecture - the composition of the stages of sleep. They reduce stage 1, which is good, but reduce stage 4, which is bad. Stage 4 is deep, restorative sleep. I really can't predict how this would affect you. I took Ativan for several years, and I never felt that I suffered during waking hours. The newer hypnotics like Ambien, Sonata, and Lunesta are not supposed to affect sleep architecture adversely.
> Its just I have 60 snow white pills of 15mg oxazepam, and the pdocs instructions are to take 0.5-1 tablet 1-2 times a day when necessary, but I'm having trouble with the 'when necessary' bit. I've never taken a benzo in my life.In the absence of a constant background anxiety, I think I would limit my use of a benzodiazepine to an as-needed PRN basis. I see nothing wrong with taking one if you know you are going to enter a situation that will provoke anxiety - a preemtive treatment.
How would you describe your insomnia?
- Scott
Posted by tensor on December 6, 2006, at 7:01:49
In reply to Some questions re: benzo use, some help please?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 4:35:59
Hi Meri-Tuuli,
try *one* pill and you will have the answers to your questions :-)
Kind regards,
Mattias
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 9:00:41
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please, posted by SLS on December 6, 2006, at 6:25:34
Hi Scott, thanks very much for taking the time to reply to my post.
> I guess that depends on what condition you are treating. Do you suffer from an anxiety disorder like GAD (generalized anxiety disorder)? Do you experience anticipatory anxiety? How about panic attacks?
I don't know what I suffer from, my pdoc has never given me her conclusions. Suffice to say I don't have bipolar, or schizophrenia. I have recurrent major depression, um, and some OCD and anxiety issues. Sometimes I feel as if I have GAD and at other times I can panic. I don't have social phobia through. I have contaimination fears, hence my reluctance to try these Oxazepam pills. My anxiety gets alot worse in the evenings. I generally don't have insomnia, although at times its difficult to fall asleep and if I have a big event the next day that I'm nervous about, my sleep quality will be quite poor.
I'm thinking along the lines that I will take it on a PRN basis. I just don't really know when, as strange as that sounds. Well obviously if I'm having a major panic, but what about just general apprehension? Where is the line drawn?
I'm pretty med-phobic to be honest. And my poisoning myself fears really don't help when you're trying to take a new med......sigh.
So what would happen if you took one and there was no anxiety present, it was as a preemptive move, but the anxiety didn't come on as predicted (but not because you've just taken a benzo, it simply didn't turn up as expected)? Is it just like having a glass of wine or two?
Because to kind of get over my fears of taking this med, I was going to do it in a controlled situation for the first time, when my anxiety was quite low and nothing much was happening. Would this be wise?
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 9:05:09
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » Meri-Tuuli, posted by tensor on December 6, 2006, at 7:01:49
Lol, I know I know, but I just *can't* !! Its crazy I know. I'm totaly afraid of meds. Even vitamin pills I have trouble taking. Its a right pain in the butt.
Posted by laima on December 6, 2006, at 10:03:45
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » tensor, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 9:05:09
Meri! That's good news you finally got a prescription! You'll be fine. Or chop it in half to be extra cautious. The worst thing likely to possibly happen would be that you feel fuzzy or tired. I would personally urge you to be cautious about using them routinely when you are not anxious, as that can be a really hard habit to break, and can set one down the road to tolerance plus other trouble--but really, that takes some time. (Since I had some issues, of course I think of this.) Yes, will work pre-emptively. I also agree that they can in a sense help sleep, though they also mess with the normal sleep stages. I think you'll be fine.> Lol, I know I know, but I just *can't* !! Its crazy I know. I'm totaly afraid of meds. Even vitamin pills I have trouble taking. Its a right pain in the butt.
Posted by Quintal on December 6, 2006, at 10:17:07
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » SLS, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 9:00:41
The benzo will probably just make you feel a bit sleepy if you're not too anxious when you take it. The oxazepam isn't really strong enough to knock you out unless you're very sensitive to alcohol or something. Low dose benzos can be euphoric for someone who has been suffering from low level nervous tension for a long time - it's such a relief to feel relaxed.
>Well obviously if I'm having a major panic, but what about just general apprehension? Where is the line drawn?
That is *the* question with benzos taken PRN and there's no easy answer because the more often you take them to deal with anxiety and apprehension, your own ability to handle stress tends to decrease. It's a psychological safety behaviour thing, though it can result in physical tolerance and dependence. You sound as though you're in enough control to recognise if that is happening though.
>I was going to do it in a controlled situation for the first time, when my anxiety was quite low and nothing much was happening. Would this be wise?
Sounds like a good idea. Why not just enjoy it? Try watching your favourite programme, a movie or your favourite music and just chill out?
Q
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 10:46:29
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » Meri-Tuuli, posted by laima on December 6, 2006, at 10:03:45
Hey!
> Meri! That's good news you finally got a prescription! You'll be fine. Or chop it in half to be extra cautious.
I was going to actually take 1/4 of 15mg, which is a ridiculously low dose I know, but just to be sure and careful.
>The worst thing likely to possibly happen would be that you feel fuzzy or tired.
Thats good to know, I'm kinda worried I'll take one and go out cold or something and wake up 12 hours later....
Kind regardsMeri
Posted by Phillipa on December 6, 2006, at 10:53:11
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » laima, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 10:46:29
Merri try half you will be find it's not like that other med you took where you got the rash. Love Phillipa
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 10:54:18
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Quintal on December 6, 2006, at 10:17:07
Hello!
Thanks for the advice.
> The benzo will probably just make you feel a bit sleepy if you're not too anxious when you take it. The oxazepam isn't really strong enough to knock you out unless you're very sensitive to alcohol or something.
This is very reassuring to hear.
> That is *the* question with benzos taken PRN and there's no easy answer because the more often you take them to deal with anxiety and apprehension, your own ability to handle stress tends to decrease. It's a psychological safety behaviour thing, though it can result in physical tolerance and dependence.
This is what I'm struggling with, apart from my general med phobia. I mean, I reckon I can survive without them, but then again, its not a very good quality of life.... hmmm. I'm actually abit less anxious than I was a week ago, just having these pills is actually reassuring.
Argh, I'm too scared just to enjoy it! Well maybe once I get the chemical in my body it might be a different story....
How would you compare, say red wine and benzos? I kinda self medicate with alcohol to be honest. One small 250ml bottle of red wine is just enough to do the trick.....hmmm. Obviously I shouldn't take them together, but which is worst?
Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 11:02:01
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Quintal on December 6, 2006, at 10:17:07
So this is what I've learnt:
1) Benzos aren't particulary dangerous, if you're taking them sensibly.
2) If you're not particulary anxious and you take one, the worst that can happen is that you get abit sleepy.
I plan to take one on Friday evening, actually 1/2 a 15mg pill, but I might make it 1/4 of a pill. I don't know if I'll be particulary anxious, but well. I have to try it once in a controlled way, just so if/when I get worse, I won't be extra freaked out by having to take a totally new medication, if you see what I mean. And then I'll just, take it easy and not do anything.
Thanks for all the kind support and advice, I realise that this might seem a tad irrational to people who are used to taking benzos!
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by Quintal on December 6, 2006, at 11:09:17
In reply to Re: Some questions re: benzo use, some help please, posted by Meri-Tuuli on December 6, 2006, at 10:54:18
Yes, when you've actually taken it you'll no doubt be wondering what you were so worried about!
I'd say red wine is stronger. The benzo sedation is softer and gentler somehow - like falling into warm cotton wool. The red wine also has the toxic metabolites of alcohol like formic acid (related to formaldehyde - the pickling chemical) which kills brain cells. There are a few more sinister by-products of alcohol metabolism I think, so I'd say the benzos are safer. Someone on here suggested a while ago that a short-acting benzo be used to replace alcoholic drinks to save the livers of people who abuse alcohol, which I think is a good idea!
Q
This is the end of the thread.
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