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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 0:23:18
I'm on Parnate and it seems to help but by the end of the day (usually 8-9pm) I get a bit anxious so I take 1 or .5 mg of Xanax maybe 3 times a week to calm down . I limit how much I take but I feel I would benefit from taking it more regularly, like 5 or 6 days a week and just at night when I need it for anxiety, not sleep. Would this lead to tolerance issues?
Would anyone recommend Valium instead? I just need something to help me through the later evening hours when the Parnate fades away for me.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 1:18:11
In reply to Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ?, posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 0:23:18
Hi Sailboat,
I believe it would, unfortunately, lead to physical dependence. That could lead to tolerance for you, but at what rate, I couldn't guess.
I have some benzo tolerance which is why I'm posting. I still have my maintenance Xanax and tenazepam, but just added a low dose of neurontin 300mg. It is relaxing. I take it in the evening. I am hoping it doesn't escalate....
I find it relaxing in a way somehow similar to Valium, but not quite as pleasurable. But I think it's a good direction for me to go.
It shouldn't interact with parnate. I received no caution at 9mg of Emsam.
Just a suggestion. Xanax dependence can happen more quickly for some than others. Oh. And no benzo judgements. Heck. I take them every day.
Good luck with this
Posted by Phillipa on September 16, 2011, at 10:49:59
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ? » Sailboat77, posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 1:18:11
I found age seems to effect benzo tolerance also. Seems the older I get the less I need. Maybe takes liver longer to process? I also take both xanax and valium and xanax used to act as an ad for me and didn't need one now seems nothing works well. And no experience with maoi's so no idea how they interact. Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on September 16, 2011, at 13:00:55
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ? » Sailboat77, posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 1:18:11
benzos do tend to produce physical dependence over time. What sucks is that you don't really notice it until...well, for some reason (miss a dose, the need to raise the dose, etc.) you come to see that your body is hooked on the sedative.
Maybe neurontin, like fb suggested, or lyrica if you have good insurance? I think lyrica is a controlled substance, but its not as bad as benzos. If you still have occasional problems, then you could throw in a PRN benzo.
Posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 18:19:52
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ?, posted by Christ_empowered on September 16, 2011, at 13:00:55
Thanks for telling me your own experiences and advice... it really helpful. I'm thinking that my Parnate + Vyvanse regimen may need to be tweaked or changed. It's just not a good sign that every night my mood dips and creates a need to take Xanax in order to relieve the depression even though it barely helps. At times, I'm even tempted to drink alcohol because I hate the feeling of slipping back into a deep depression when throughout the day I felt fine until the clock strikes 7 or 8 (although I only give into the temptation a few times a month, it's still not good at all).
I'm trying to take a rational approach to this so I'm figuring that benzo's won't be the best answer. I might talk to my doctor about Lyrica and see what he says.
Posted by Phillipa on September 16, 2011, at 19:05:01
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ?, posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 18:19:52
Could you be a fast metabolizer and need to spread dose out more? Phillipa
Posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 21:15:46
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ? » Sailboat77, posted by Phillipa on September 16, 2011, at 19:05:01
I actually do have an extremely fast metabolism. I know the liver plays a big role in breaking down and processing medication, but I was unsure how much my metabolism had to do with the effectiveness of my meds. I recall telling my doctor once that I had a fast metabolism but I don't think we discussed it much more than that. Maybe I'll ask him again.
Posted by floatingbridge on September 16, 2011, at 21:47:39
In reply to Re: Small quantities of Xanax or Valium ?, posted by Sailboat77 on September 16, 2011, at 21:15:46
Sailboat, I didn't know that parnate could create peaks and valleys in the moodscape. But I don't know much about parnate. I remember the nightly crash down from Dexedrine spansules. Not pleasant :-/
This is the end of the thread.
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