Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 214353

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

benzo users help???

Posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

i take a benzo 2.5 mg's 3x' a day(diazapam) with 10mgs of LEX for anxiety, my ?-can i take this benzo daily for a long time? its working i dont abuse it and wont go off it cold turkey ,so how long can i use it has anyone been on benzo long term for anxiety does it still work for you anti-anxiety purpose,thanks

 

Re: benzo users help??? » male34

Posted by manhattom on March 30, 2003, at 11:01:37

In reply to benzo users help???, posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

you aren't on an especially large dose. many people have been taking valium for years without any side effects. you just have to be very careful about overdosing and addiction.

 

Re: benzo users help???male 34

Posted by lostsailor on March 30, 2003, at 11:05:46

In reply to benzo users help???, posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

As long as you follow directions and don't use benzo for sleep only for a LONG time (for me almost 7 years now)...I personally alternate. When I am haveing a lot of anxiety/panic I take xanax 6-8mg daily (10) doc said is ok on a rare basis or if REALLY needed.

When I am a bit better...I go back to valium 60 mg daily (20 x 3) and can take 10-20 for crisis.

I also am always on a ssri/ssnri too.

Yes, you can't go off cold turkey, but when it's time doc will ween you off gradually...

Hope this helps a bit
~tony

 

Re: benzo users help???

Posted by Dragonslayer on March 30, 2003, at 11:24:18

In reply to Re: benzo users help??? » male34, posted by manhattom on March 30, 2003, at 11:01:37

A number of people do use them very safely and with good results for quite a while. Doses used for anxiety control are generally found pretty quick and most maintain a range that gives them good results without increasing and increasing to receive the same benefit. There are risks, but extememely great benefits, too. Better quality of your life and avoiding the pitfalls some find with using a benzo is when you know it is really for you. On the question of an indivdual using them long term - A lot may depend on your Dr.'s feeling on the long term use of Benzo's. Some think with proper monitoring it's great and some will only want to advocate for short term and PRN use. It's a decision between you and your Dr. I suggest you find out where your Dr. stands on this issue, since that is who prescribed it for you and who will do your refills. Good Luck.

 

Re: benzo users help???

Posted by Viridis on March 30, 2003, at 23:39:01

In reply to benzo users help???, posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

Benzos are generally safe for long-term use, and for most anxiety patients once the dose that alleviates anxiety is identified, it remains effective indefinitely. This has been the case for me so far (nearing 2 years) with Klonopin, and many others report similar results.

Long-term studies have shown that benzos are remarkably safe, reliable meds for those who need them, and many people have taken them for decades with no trouble.

The real issue is whether your doctor is willing to keep you on them. If they're working, improving your quality of life, and you're not experiencing side effects or craving etc., then there's little reason not to continue use. But there is a strong anti-benzo sentiment out there (foolish, in my opinion), and a lot of doctors buy into this.

If you do have to discontinue this class of meds, of course you should do so gradually. But again, if Valium is working and not causing you any problems, then I'd stick with it if you can -- stress and anxiety are much worse for your mental and physical health.

 

Re: benzo users help???

Posted by bretbe on March 30, 2003, at 23:55:12

In reply to benzo users help???, posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

Careful! Long-term benzo use means you may be taking them for life due to well researched dependance...not addiction but your brain has difficulty without them causing aggravation of original symptoms, e.g., high anxiety, dysphoria, etc. I've taken for 6 years and trying to get off by tapering over 2 years!! It is very difficult and painful. This is not just misinformation on doctor's...there is legitimate reason to be hesitant in using more than a few weeks if you are at all interested in some day going off of them. I would try other things first and see Benzo's as last line. They are effective if you really need them and nothing else works but you won't be getting off of them very easily if at all

> i take a benzo 2.5 mg's 3x' a day(diazapam) with 10mgs of LEX for anxiety, my ?-can i take this benzo daily for a long time? its working i dont abuse it and wont go off it cold turkey ,so how long can i use it has anyone been on benzo long term for anxiety does it still work for you anti-anxiety purpose,thanks

 

Re: benzo users help??? » bretbe

Posted by Viridis on March 31, 2003, at 2:06:39

In reply to Re: benzo users help???, posted by bretbe on March 30, 2003, at 23:55:12

Most ADs etc. have a "discontinuation syndrome" associated with them, so I don't see how this is different from benzos, just more poorly understood. All of these meds affect your brain (as they're supposed to) and change your brain chemisry, so I don't see much difference, except that benzos have a longer track record of safety. ADs rank highest as the most difficult drugs to stop, so aren't benign by any means.

 

Well said, Viridis (nm)

Posted by SBOATRN on March 31, 2003, at 6:31:17

In reply to Re: benzo users help??? » bretbe, posted by Viridis on March 31, 2003, at 2:06:39

 

male 34's reply 2 all

Posted by male34 on March 31, 2003, at 16:03:47

In reply to Well said, Viridis (nm), posted by SBOATRN on March 31, 2003, at 6:31:17

thanks everyone and viridus all well put info for me, as for ad's ssri's ive had a hell of a time coming off paxil so realy how much worse could benzos be, paxil withdrawl was so so bad even gradually ,anyway benzo-diazapam,VALIUM is seeming to be the only thing that helped my years of anxiety and paniac attacks, along with 10mgs of lex i must add also,thats ill see my doc. 4/1/03 ill be back with his reply to all this thamks all , for your input

 

Re: benzo users help???

Posted by paxvox on April 1, 2003, at 16:44:48

In reply to benzo users help???, posted by male34 on March 30, 2003, at 10:27:14

Yes. Benzos are safe an effective for a long time IF you don't increase the dose. If you develop a "tolerance" to the effects, you are essentially "addicted" to the benzo. Now, your doc can switch around from one to another to help you out, but most generally pull the plug on them if you say you "need" a higher dose. Strange how millions of Americans can walk around legally addicted to nicotine ( a non-drug....right) but the benzo-nazis can't have anyone having to take their daily benzos (which do not cause cancer, last time I checked). Anyway, I have been taking the same dose of Tranzene for almost 5 years now. Sure, if I had to stop tomorrow, I would have withdrawal symptoms (which isn't good while taking Wellbutrin). But which is worse? Taking a controlled dose of a benzo that I'm NOT abusing, or living with a whole hell of a lot more stress and anxiety?


PAX

 

Dr's reply,male 34

Posted by male34 on April 1, 2003, at 17:02:27

In reply to Re: benzo users help???, posted by paxvox on April 1, 2003, at 16:44:48

saw my doc he said yes its ok to stay on benzo,while on lexapro for anxiety BUT! he did say id like you to say on benzo for 3 more months till my lifestyle and etc.. passes and i adjust to death in my family etc..new stresses in life blah blah blah, and then he said lets try to slowly litlle by little get me off benzo in july and then stay on lexapro (lex- how long dont know that yet) but im doing better andf thank you all, very nice helpful friends sincerely male 34


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