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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SteelyDan on February 15, 2008, at 18:35:21
Just wondering if anyone with a depressive/anxiety disorder is doing well on just an antidepressant, or a cocktail w/out a Benzodiazepine?
-Dan
Posted by dbc on February 15, 2008, at 18:57:38
In reply to Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by SteelyDan on February 15, 2008, at 18:35:21
I've managed to replace my heavy benzo use for panic disorder with lamictal. Apparently years of doctors have overlooked the fact that my mind destroying panic might be the result of some form of mania and it went away right after i went on a mood stabilizer.
As for the co-morbid depression and dysthymia i cant really comment yet.
Posted by Phillipa on February 15, 2008, at 19:46:14
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by dbc on February 15, 2008, at 18:57:38
No and tried lamictal and it did nothing but cause excess salivation. Phillipa
Posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on February 16, 2008, at 11:15:20
In reply to Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by SteelyDan on February 15, 2008, at 18:35:21
> Just wondering if anyone with a depressive/anxiety disorder is doing well on just an antidepressant, or a cocktail w/out a Benzodiazepine?
>
> -Dan
No, absolutely not. Have been on benzos for 12-14 years, same dose, even lower at times, (and have gone for many month-long 'breaks') and works always as well. Benzos are increadible, misunderstood meds that really, saved my life many times.Jay
Posted by Merge on February 16, 2008, at 12:53:40
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine? » SteelyDan, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on February 16, 2008, at 11:15:20
I've tried a variety of antidepressants and none of them really helped with my anxiety. I've been on Buspar for about a year and it has helped a lot - my anxiety isn't gone but it's much better. It takes several weeks/months to feel the full effects of Buspar, as Buspar is not as fast acting as a benzo.
Posted by your#1fan on February 17, 2008, at 23:57:46
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by Merge on February 16, 2008, at 12:53:40
i would would have to be sedated at the ER if i was on benzo's.
I have panic's but you know i learned how to cope with them. Its only at the point, Like tonight i just has been through a warp hole,
Xanax doesnt help very much when im panic, because usally its because i lost keys, bag, phone, mind.....etc, something.....and Xanax wont help me find it. Or something that really upset me to the point of peak that i take 2mg-3mg of Xanax.
I cover up my anxiety very much with people, there like are ok? im like "oh fine, just some things on my mind" when really im absolutely killing myself inside with thoughts.
I have a bad anxiety disorder no one knows about. Exept my doctor, and my mother, and some friends i've had panic attacks around.
I admit many people have seen me at my peak. But most of the time im acting normal, hint the clue "acting".
your fan
Posted by Jedi on February 18, 2008, at 3:18:39
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by your#1fan on February 17, 2008, at 23:57:46
Hi #1,
I'm sure you've heard the term, "fake it til you make it". Well, I've been faking it for 35 years, because anxiety and depression are still not socially acceptable in males; especially in the workplace. The meds help, but it sure would be nice to be just comfortable.
Good luck,
Jedi
> i would would have to be sedated at the ER if i was on benzo's.
>
> I have panic's but you know i learned how to cope with them. Its only at the point, Like tonight i just has been through a warp hole,
>
> Xanax doesnt help very much when im panic, because usally its because i lost keys, bag, phone, mind.....etc, something.....and Xanax wont help me find it. Or something that really upset me to the point of peak that i take 2mg-3mg of Xanax.
>
> I cover up my anxiety very much with people, there like are ok? im like "oh fine, just some things on my mind" when really im absolutely killing myself inside with thoughts.
>
> I have a bad anxiety disorder no one knows about. Exept my doctor, and my mother, and some friends i've had panic attacks around.
>
> I admit many people have seen me at my peak. But most of the time im acting normal, hint the clue "acting".
>
> your fan
Posted by your#1fan on February 18, 2008, at 13:21:07
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine? » your#1fan, posted by Jedi on February 18, 2008, at 3:18:39
Oh yes, i wish there was just a place you could just "go" to, to get away from life's problems.
I've seen many people cope with problems much better than in my own since. Like when taking tests, people finish much faster than me, its because it takes me a longer time to "absorb" what the question is asking me.
So its kinda like that with life. It takes me longer, and more stressful to "absorb" and think about whats happening.
Thanks for responding!
your1fan
Posted by phoenix1 on February 23, 2008, at 12:12:54
In reply to Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by SteelyDan on February 15, 2008, at 18:35:21
> Just wondering if anyone with a depressive/anxiety disorder is doing well on just an antidepressant, or a cocktail w/out a Benzodiazepine?
>
> -Dan
I'm doing well with no benzos. The Nardil seems to have completely substituted the anti-anxiety that i depended on the benzos for before.
Posted by krycek on February 27, 2008, at 11:18:30
In reply to Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by SteelyDan on February 15, 2008, at 18:35:21
> Just wondering if anyone with a depressive/anxiety disorder is doing well on just an antidepressant, or a cocktail w/out a Benzodiazepine?
>
> -DanIt seems almost cyclical with me. I was fine on Effexor w/o benzos for about 5 years, but now I am in a place again where I need to reevaluate.
I would really like to be okay with just the Effexor, but I am constantly on edge again and not sleeping.
I also have tried Lamictal, but it was discontinued because I didn't see any benefit among the weird side effects.
I have GAD, btw.
-krycek
Posted by Bud on February 27, 2008, at 21:22:51
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine? » SteelyDan, posted by Jay_Bravest_Face on February 16, 2008, at 11:15:20
Jay, how can you be on benzo's for so long and still be able to take months off. Do you have to taper off?
Posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2008, at 22:08:09
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by Bud on February 27, 2008, at 21:22:51
Done the same many times myself depends on if life is going smoothly or get hit with a lot of stress was benzo free for months then went back when thyroid went. No withdrawal or tappering. Phillipa
Posted by Bud on March 1, 2008, at 16:46:42
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine? » Bud, posted by Phillipa on February 27, 2008, at 22:08:09
Phillipa, before you go off benzo's, how long and what amount were you on? What drug? Any info would be a great help.
Posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2008, at 18:58:25
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine?, posted by Bud on March 1, 2008, at 16:46:42
Bud it was always changing for me originally age 24 first major panic attack stabalized on mebrobamate and valium l5mg. When felt relaxed a few months later just stopped the mepbrobabmate knew nothing about meds at the time. No withdrawal for me was fine. When ativan came out took small dose of it and then was med free for about six month. Then xanax out and .25mg three times a day working now and going through divorce and moving to new state. Stayed at that dose for years then decided to cut to .125 every other day doc said it was a placebo but it wasn't as it would start coming back if didn't take the .125. Then move to NC and up went the dose a bit and then a year later whammo thyroid went ad's do nothing except the small dose of luvox I take and now on valium for about 5years now. My goal is not to give up benzos entirely unless life becomes calm again or a new med for only anxiety come out. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bud on March 2, 2008, at 20:43:35
In reply to Re: Anyone doing well without a Benzodiazepine? » Bud, posted by Phillipa on March 1, 2008, at 18:58:25
Phillipa, it seems keeping on a small doses maybe the secret. Thanks for the response.
This is the end of the thread.
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