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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 Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Please no letures about how caffeine use makes anxiety worse as I know that. I was wondering if anyone has successfully used or returned to using caffeine if a benzo makes you sleepy. Does this just negate the action of the benzo ? Benzos use has generally always been a little sedating for me even after using them with regularity and *long term*. The effect faded some but not altogether. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on March 27, 2003, at 14:06:47
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
I've found the sedating action and the anti-anxiety action of benzos to be completely separate. After all, if you take a benzo regularly for long enough the sedation disappears, leaving behind the anxiolytic action. I'd say the benzo negates the axiogenic effect of the caffeine, not the other way around.
Posted by Janelle on March 27, 2003, at 14:32:36
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Caffeine, in the form of 1 to 2 cups of coffee in the am after breakfast has *saved* me from benzo and other sedating med hangover. I take my *heavy* meds at night and find it hard to wake up and FEEL AWAKE without some coffee. With coffee, I feel just fine all day.
So, I'd say that at least in my case, this does negate the action of the benzo and the other sedating meds I take at night.
I don't know how I'd feel if I just took the benzo only (and at this rate, I don't want to risk it)
Posted by linkadge on March 27, 2003, at 19:24:50
In reply to Re: Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Janelle on March 27, 2003, at 14:32:36
the caffiene shouldn't undo the antianxiety
from a benzo. The caffine increases dopamine
while the benzo increases gaba thus decreasing
glutamine. I don't believe caffine has any
effect on gaba.
Note - if you are taking the benzos for purposes other than anxiety, ie mania etc, then the caffien could undo the antimanic effects of certain benzos like lorazepam.Linkadge
Posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 20:41:23
In reply to Re: Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by linkadge on March 27, 2003, at 19:24:50
I take it for the anxiety thing. Sometimes, I wish for a little manic phase once in a while - just kidding - could get more done, though. I was a Java Junkie and dropped it all. I am now pretty well controlled and would like to at least try it. I really miss it. Thanks to all who responded, the info was really helpful.
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 23:14:26
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Hi Dragonslayer,
Just saw your post, I have recenmtly started on Lamictal and notice that it has made me very sleepy during the day, causing me to drink more caffeine just to be awake-I've been taking a lot of naps.
As far as a benzo, I'm on Klonopin and yes, I have felt the need to drink more caffeine in forms of soda to feel more awake.
I also wonder if it negates the effects of a benzo too, this is a good question, wish I could help ya beter.
Take care, Kristen
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> Please no letures about how caffeine use makes anxiety worse as I know that. I was wondering if anyone has successfully used or returned to using caffeine if a benzo makes you sleepy. Does this just negate the action of the benzo ? Benzos use has generally always been a little sedating for me even after using them with regularity and *long term*. The effect faded some but not altogether. Thanks in advance.
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 23:16:06
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Posted by Krissy P on March 27, 2003, at 23:18:46
In reply to Re: Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by linkadge on March 27, 2003, at 19:24:50
hi linkadge,
this reminds me. I took a quiz today at a site about GABA, DOPAMINE, and all that good stuff.
At the end, I was evaluated and it said I would benefit from High dopamine, high GABA and of course serotonin-raising meds can you list any here that fit this description??? PLEASE
I see my doc tomorrow and will be having a long chat about my current med cocktail.
Thanks so much!
Kristen
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> the caffiene shouldn't undo the antianxiety
> from a benzo. The caffine increases dopamine
> while the benzo increases gaba thus decreasing
> glutamine. I don't believe caffine has any
> effect on gaba.
>
>
> Note - if you are taking the benzos for purposes other than anxiety, ie mania etc, then the caffien could undo the antimanic effects of certain benzos like lorazepam.
>
> Linkadge
>
Posted by Willow on March 28, 2003, at 8:27:45
In reply to Thanks All, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 20:41:23
Could you try a decaf product?
Posted by Dragonslayer on March 28, 2003, at 9:30:11
In reply to Java junkie » Dragonslayer, posted by Willow on March 28, 2003, at 8:27:45
I do use that - if it was just the coffee taste I was going for, that would be ok. Unfortunately, I'm really going for the *Dag, I feel more alert* property of the caffeine. Even trying to convience myself of that and get a placebo effect doesn't really work.
Posted by Dinah on March 28, 2003, at 10:33:30
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Posted by fairnymph on March 28, 2003, at 16:38:08
In reply to Caffeine use and Benzos, posted by Dragonslayer on March 27, 2003, at 13:55:40
Caffeine has never been strong enough to negate benzo sedation for me....unless I lower my dose of the benzo, which lowers the sedation of course as well.
I've never found that caffeine gives me anxiety, unless I take really high doses...in fact, moderate doses give me confidence and supress anxiety.
fn
This is the end of the thread.
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