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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 12:02:24
Has anyone taken the same med _continuously _
for Social Anxiety (SA) for more than 3
years? If yes, which med? Also, if yes,
what was the dose pattern over the years.I take benzos, stimulants and
beta-blockers on an as-needed basis for SA and
find them VERY effective.However, I am still searching for chronic,
continuous relief.I picked 3 years because
a) I have noticed that a lot of people take
a medication for several months and then stop.
Either they were 'cured' or the medication
became ineffective or the side effects became
intolerable or tolerance set in.b) If you have taken the same med for more
than 3 years, then it has probably reached
a level of stability (benefits vs. side effects
vs. tolerance) for you.ps) Obviously 3 years is somewhat arbitrary..
If you have taken the same med for 2.2 years,
please post too! lol..
Posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:14:57
In reply to Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 12:02:24
MAOI users quite often report long term use. I don't know of anyone who still remains on the same SSRI (at therapeutic doses - usually to augment something else) for years. Not sure about TCA's but i've yet to meet any long term users of TCA's (again apart from small dose as augment therapy for another med). For SA, MAOI's are more convincing I think, benzos also...many people on benzos for decades.
> Has anyone taken the same med _continuously _
> for Social Anxiety (SA) for more than 3
> years? If yes, which med? Also, if yes,
> what was the dose pattern over the years.
>
> I take benzos, stimulants and
> beta-blockers on an as-needed basis for SA and
> find them VERY effective.
>
> However, I am still searching for chronic,
> continuous relief.
>
> I picked 3 years because
> a) I have noticed that a lot of people take
> a medication for several months and then stop.
> Either they were 'cured' or the medication
> became ineffective or the side effects became
> intolerable or tolerance set in.
>
> b) If you have taken the same med for more
> than 3 years, then it has probably reached
> a level of stability (benefits vs. side effects
> vs. tolerance) for you.
>
> ps) Obviously 3 years is somewhat arbitrary..
> If you have taken the same med for 2.2 years,
> please post too! lol..
>
>
>
Posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 12:26:37
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years? » breakman, posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:14:57
I have taken benzos and beta-blockers
for more than 15 years. However, I take
them only on an as-needed basis. I might
average once a week. That way I have
not built up tolerance and the effect
is always like the first time.Are you suggesting that people have taken
benzos _continuously_ for decades? My
impression was that tolerance builds up
and the dose keeps escalating.Maybe the dose escalation stops at some point.
Posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:39:29
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 12:26:37
What I am suggesting is that "tolerance" may not exist as how you think of it...there is a stabilization point in many benzos (particularly valium and restoril - no/low tolerance shown in studies - also ask phillipa - she has lowered valium dose after decades on it). Many benzos will lose that "peak" that happens in the beginning but the real effect is subtle...that slow decline that happens after peak. I cant remember the exact wording here but my old pdoc was explaining it...she didnt believe in tolerance to benzos. She said most people on them dont understand how they work...they chase after that initial peak of effect that knocks you out or relaxes you very fast then the peak dies and the dose stabilizes and declines slow - that slow decline, very subtle for low doses, is the actual benzo effect. She says thats how you use them properly, you adjust dosage correctly so that slow descent is enough to maintain a therapeutic "background" effect - the peak, in her mind, is merely a side effect than diminishes over time....making people think aww it stopped working when it hasnt, it's just gone "subtle". This is what scares gp's...patient comes back thinking its stopped working (no more peak) - dose is raised - again back - raised again - back again - no more. The benzo should be adjusted with a plan from the start and dosage escalation until you reach that stabilization (slow gradual descent) is expected and how you use it properly.
myco
> Are you suggesting that people have taken
> benzos _continuously_ for decades? My
> impression was that tolerance builds up
> and the dose keeps escalating.
>
> Maybe the dose escalation stops at some point.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 13:02:07
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years? » breakman, posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:39:29
Hi I'm here Phillipa benzos for now I guess 38 years there were no SSRI's when got first panic attack. Given 5mg valium three times a day with then miltown 400mg I think so long ago. Worked well no tiredness just got better and then after can't really remember six months a year just stopped the miltown no side effects no withdrawal nothing. The pdoc at the time was amazed I was in early 20's knew nothing about meds so think at times for me anyway withdrawal is in the mind. Meanwhile was bringing up three kids, running aerobic dance business, going through divorce. And going to RN school. I'd go up and down on the valium. Also did drink beer then at times three a night if did. When new benzos came out the different pdocs over the years just would do a switch. Ended up back on valium. Now down to l0mg at night with .5xanax. But was on only .125 of xanax and no alchohol for a long time. No ads either. Ad's only after thyroid discovered hasimotos. Now I take luvox and the benzos. Notice nothing if change doses except now instead of panic I'm very tired. So that's my story. Love Phillipa ps did go through all the SSRI's and SNRI's bad timing menopause time then. Couldn't handle side effects and always went off after about a week.
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 13:03:15
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 13:02:07
And Breakman welcome to babble see your new. Glad to have you. Love Phillipa
Posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 13:20:43
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 13:03:15
Hi phillipa,
thanks for the welcome and thanks for your story.
Actually, I have lurked on babble for more than
10 years, so I feel I already know you, even
though you don't know me! lol...I did try going 'continuous' on benzos
(clonazepam) once
and I had this odd reaction. I started feeling
cold (even in warm weather). Maybe it slowed
things down too much... Maybe the dose was
too high (1 mg, once a day).Maybe I should try valium. Wonder what the
equivalent dose would be.
Posted by jms600 on March 15, 2009, at 15:27:38
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 13:20:43
Although I haven't tried it, your could consider Clomipramine. It's supposed to be the gold standard for phobias; however, due to it's anticholigenic effects it's kept as a second line treatment.
I believe it is effective in the long term.
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 19:31:43
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 13:20:43
Well I'll be darned spying on me!!!! Just kidding. Used to be an equilency chart on this site. Let Me see what I can find out used to know forgot. Alzheimers???? Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 20:03:29
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years? » breakman, posted by Phillipa on March 15, 2009, at 19:31:43
Breakman can't find it did a search only info found said 1mg of klonopin equals 20mg of valium. Don't know if correct. Love Phillipa
Posted by sam K on March 17, 2009, at 15:05:46
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years? » breakman, posted by myco on March 15, 2009, at 12:39:29
exactly.....
everyone wants the feeling when they first took it. where they talk to everyone and do everything. so they keep escalating. the high. that was good myco cya
Posted by myco on March 17, 2009, at 15:47:02
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years?, posted by breakman on March 15, 2009, at 13:20:43
You mentioned you started to get "cold"....benzo's will effect respiration rate and lower your blood pressure = feeling of coldness..lack of proper blood flow
> Hi phillipa,
>
> thanks for the welcome and thanks for your story.
> Actually, I have lurked on babble for more than
> 10 years, so I feel I already know you, even
> though you don't know me! lol...
>
> I did try going 'continuous' on benzos
> (clonazepam) once
> and I had this odd reaction. I started feeling
> cold (even in warm weather). Maybe it slowed
> things down too much... Maybe the dose was
> too high (1 mg, once a day).
>
> Maybe I should try valium. Wonder what the
> equivalent dose would be.
>
>
Posted by Phillipa on March 17, 2009, at 20:57:45
In reply to Re: Same med for SA for more than 3 years? » breakman, posted by myco on March 17, 2009, at 15:47:02
Where are the equivalency charts? I think my info is wrong. And need to post a thread on benzos myself. Problems. Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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