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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 13:55:33
I don't get it but for all the 37 years was on benzos didn't have trouble cutting which every one was on in half if I didn't like it. So why these slow tapers. I 'm so tired on these Benzos and only 10mg of valium and .5 of xanax at night. Luvox at 75mg. In the past was always told by various pdocs a benzos is a benzos. So why can't I cut the valium in half again? A while back was on 20mg of valium xanax, and lunesta with insomnia. Insomnia is gone. At one time was down and on nothing but .125 of xanax every other day? Love Phillipa
Posted by Zana on March 25, 2009, at 15:04:21
In reply to Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 13:55:33
Posted by myco on March 25, 2009, at 19:39:35
In reply to Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 13:55:33
Why not just try Jan. Just make sure Dr oks it. Why not cut it down and sit there and wait for, I would think, a few months perhaps...watching for bad effect. If you find a way to divide the benzo up into tiny lots (a compound pharmacy would do it but expensive) you could ease down at a smaller rate faster. Perhaps valium is soluble (crush it up and mix) in water or juice....then you could measure the juice before and take out measured lots. Just make sure Dr says tapering at a bit faster speed is ok...my understanding is after years on benzo's your brain is so accustomed to them you should go slow...well as slow as you can handle at least. Just be careful. If youve cut off valium before with no effect you could do it again. Jan perhaps it's time to look into a long term AD for that anxiety mabye? instead of benzo's - youve told me yourself that those benzo's dont even do what you want them to do anymore anyway...so why bother.
> I don't get it but for all the 37 years was on benzos didn't have trouble cutting which every one was on in half if I didn't like it. So why these slow tapers. I 'm so tired on these Benzos and only 10mg of valium and .5 of xanax at night. Luvox at 75mg. In the past was always told by various pdocs a benzos is a benzos. So why can't I cut the valium in half again? A while back was on 20mg of valium xanax, and lunesta with insomnia. Insomnia is gone. At one time was down and on nothing but .125 of xanax every other day? Love Phillipa
Posted by myco on March 25, 2009, at 19:41:41
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S » Phillipa, posted by myco on March 25, 2009, at 19:39:35
may have misread the post lol. youre not asking how to get off your stating you can do it fast with no problem. my bad lol. but again hun...why bother with them...you told me they dont do much anyway....AD time mabye? something longterm for anxiety
> Why not just try Jan. Just make sure Dr oks it. Why not cut it down and sit there and wait for, I would think, a few months perhaps...watching for bad effect. If you find a way to divide the benzo up into tiny lots (a compound pharmacy would do it but expensive) you could ease down at a smaller rate faster. Perhaps valium is soluble (crush it up and mix) in water or juice....then you could measure the juice before and take out measured lots. Just make sure Dr says tapering at a bit faster speed is ok...my understanding is after years on benzo's your brain is so accustomed to them you should go slow...well as slow as you can handle at least. Just be careful. If youve cut off valium before with no effect you could do it again. Jan perhaps it's time to look into a long term AD for that anxiety mabye? instead of benzo's - youve told me yourself that those benzo's dont even do what you want them to do anymore anyway...so why bother.
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> > I don't get it but for all the 37 years was on benzos didn't have trouble cutting which every one was on in half if I didn't like it. So why these slow tapers. I 'm so tired on these Benzos and only 10mg of valium and .5 of xanax at night. Luvox at 75mg. In the past was always told by various pdocs a benzos is a benzos. So why can't I cut the valium in half again? A while back was on 20mg of valium xanax, and lunesta with insomnia. Insomnia is gone. At one time was down and on nothing but .125 of xanax every other day? Love Phillipa
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Posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 19:48:19
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S » myco, posted by myco on March 25, 2009, at 19:41:41
I'm wondering if need anything. For some reason my brain like luvox so wierd? used to take only .125 xanax a day. Only the change in getting thyroid disease neccesitating me raising the dose. Love Jan
Posted by manic666 on March 26, 2009, at 7:29:49
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S » myco, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 19:48:19
try to find a way , if you on edge all the time , your luvox raise to 100mg that will make you tierd an keep 20mg valium 10 at night 10 in the morning ,you wont be wound up, but you wont be happy as a loto winner neither
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2009, at 19:54:02
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S, posted by manic666 on March 26, 2009, at 7:29:49
Winning the loto would assure the very best of medical care now that would make me happy. Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on March 27, 2009, at 3:07:48
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S » manic666, posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2009, at 19:54:02
various hormones are allostataic modulators of the gaba receptors. Not sure if you are currently at hormone replacement? i'm not sure if that would include thing things like allopregnanolone and the enzymes that convert the main hormones in teh brain. but something with taht might be changing your response.
-d/r
Posted by metric on March 27, 2009, at 9:31:20
In reply to Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit One S, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2009, at 13:55:33
> I don't get it but for all the 37 years was on benzos didn't have trouble cutting which every one was on in half if I didn't like it. So why these slow tapers. I 'm so tired on these Benzos and only 10mg of valium and .5 of xanax at night. Luvox at 75mg. In the past was always told by various pdocs a benzos is a benzos. So why can't I cut the valium in half again? A while back was on 20mg of valium xanax, and lunesta with insomnia. Insomnia is gone. At one time was down and on nothing but .125 of xanax every other day? Love Phillipa
It sounds to me like you're struggling with a lot of anxiety. If *I* were your doctor (no, I'm not a doctor), I would take you off the Luvox and Valium, and see how you did on Xanax monotherapy (with your consent -- I would not *force* you to discontinue Valium or Luvox, though I'm sure you'd happily drop the latter). Luvox (an SSRI) is loaded with side-effects, including fatigue, and Valium has an active metabolite that can become a problem particularly in older individuals. Xanax is short-acting enough that you should be able tailor the timing and dose size to fit your needs.
Have you ever tried Xanax by itself? You might have more energy at the appropriate dose of Xanax than off it. Anxiety is sedating and dysphorigenic.
If you want off benzos I suggest replacing Valium and Xanax with clonazepam (Klonopin). Take it as a single dose before bedtime, and gradually reduce it from there.
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2009, at 20:50:31
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit O » Phillipa, posted by metric on March 27, 2009, at 9:31:20
Took xanax for many years low doses. Since been on benzos so many years have been on them all. Used to be said by the docs that a benzos is a benzo and if you don't know the difference they are as switched many times no problems. A pdoc here put me on just extended release 3mg xanax twice a day and took me off the luvox . Long story short didn't sleep for two weeks, Er and docs said something in luvox your brain needs go back on it and the valium. Now last night I cut to l0mg of valium and .25 of xanax. Notice nothing different. Soon will stop it. Then begin cutting down on luvox. Also seeing a bioidentical doc on Tuesday for bio hormones blood test first and then separate the two good estrogens and progesterone separately and maybe testerone. Depends on blood test results. Supposed to help with anxiety/depression. Love Phillipa
Posted by desolationrower on March 28, 2009, at 20:09:09
In reply to Re: Why Can't I Just Cut Benzos In Half Or Quit O » metric, posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2009, at 20:50:31
> Took xanax for many years low doses. Since been on benzos so many years have been on them all. Used to be said by the docs that a benzos is a benzo and if you don't know the difference they are as switched many times no problems. A pdoc here put me on just extended release 3mg xanax twice a day and took me off the luvox . Long story short didn't sleep for two weeks, Er and docs said something in luvox your brain needs go back on it and the valium. Now last night I cut to l0mg of valium and .25 of xanax. Notice nothing different. Soon will stop it. Then begin cutting down on luvox. Also seeing a bioidentical doc on Tuesday for bio hormones blood test first and then separate the two good estrogens and progesterone separately and maybe testerone. Depends on blood test results. Supposed to help with anxiety/depression. Love Phillipa
yes, it might be good to see how the change in hormones affects things before changing anything. but i think hormonal changes could change how you find the various benzos. also it sounds like you had a bad experience, but changing a few things at once? especially if someone is more med sensitive, multiple changes can be a bad idea. xanax with luvox might work, or something like that.
-d/r
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