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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 23 of 23. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 14:01:49
As Im getting older, I wonder if it's wise to switch to an ssri from a long term benzo for gad/panic? I was on zoloft along with my benzo for several yrs,never by itself, and I tapered the zoloft to lose weight. Ive lost the weight, realize how my eating contributed to it,and now, wonder if zoloft should be given a chance by itself? I felt I had a good response to zoloft, again, though I was also always on klonopin with it.
Posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 14:31:45
In reply to Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 14:01:49
ssri works for panic attacks but takes 3 to 6 months to actually get results
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 14:39:49
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 14:31:45
I no longer have panic attacks, luckily. But I do realize they will wax and wane over time. I mainly have gad now.
Posted by Phillipa on April 22, 2013, at 15:46:04
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Jeroen, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 14:39:49
Gadchik you know what I will say. So more important what do you feel is best over time? Personally trying to get rid of the SSRI's as long term effects from what I've read can be worse than klonopin. Some people take klonopin up to 20mg a day for life due to seizures? P
Posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 15:57:48
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Jeroen, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 14:39:49
try lexapro 10mg its from lundbeck
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:40:44
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on April 22, 2013, at 15:46:04
Yes, I know P! If it aint broke...yet, I always am trying to think of doing something different. I have heard that its prescribed up to 20mg daily,wow, and Im only on a 1/2 mg. I think part of my issues is Im never just ok with the status quo...researching too much, thinking something else is better.If we didnt have this internet, I would only be discussing with my pdoc!
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:42:33
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 15:57:48
I did give lexapro a try once, and it knocked my sox off, in a bad way, at 5mg. I felt like crap under crap.I only took one pill. It was STRONG.
Posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 16:45:48
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Jeroen, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:42:33
sorry about your bad experience with lexapro
ssri are pretty powerfull
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:51:34
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 16:45:48
I know, it wasnt ahhhh, like with klonopin! Zoloft want too bad though. All the drs wanted me to try Paxil, and I never would. I was terrified of withdrawal, now look at me-been on a benzo for 4 1/2yrs. Thats the withdrawal to be afraid of.
Posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 17:34:33
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Jeroen, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:51:34
Man, I'd rather take my chances on Klonopin any day of the week before going on another SSRI or SNRI.
Apathy city. Complete sexual not happening and weight gain. But we got you off that nasty Klonopin!!
My aunt was on Valium for ten years or so in the 70's. About 25 years later she said, wouldn't mind having that again. We cracked up.
I'm just not worried about Klonopin, that one Dr site a guy said substitute antipsychotics(seriously) Gain 50 pounds in four months. How do you feel? Not too goddamn good Dr.
I'm like, are you f*ck*ng people crazy?
Posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 17:34:55
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Jeroen, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 16:51:34
im 5 years on ativan too
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 22, 2013, at 18:00:17
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 17:34:55
If an SSRI doesnt work for your anxiety, mirtazapine might, it works in a different way and has gotten some very good reports.
It would make sense to take your antidepressant of choice every day, but also to have a few tabs of Valium, Ativan or Xanax on hand to take when the anxiety was especialy bad, in the same way that an arthritis patient would take an antiinflamatory every day, but also have Tylenol on hand for breakthrough pain
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 18:21:45
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » gadchik, posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 17:34:33
I hear ya, Phil-always putting things into perspective!!! I probably would gain the 30lbs back that I lost. I wonder if I will still be posting 20 yrs from now-"should i stay on a benzo long term?"
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 18:23:21
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by Jeroen on April 22, 2013, at 17:34:55
What are your plans for ativan? Just stay on, or keep researching other options, like me?
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 18:29:26
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 22, 2013, at 18:00:17
What you posted about pain is a good idea when dealing with panic. I used to take remeron 7.5mg at night with my zoloft and klonopin. I didnt know whether to attribute that or zoloft to my 30lb weight gain. But it is a wonderful sleep aid and a small piece of it now only occasionally,helps me if I get extra anxious and cant sleep. It keeps me from having to take extra klonopin. So thats how I use it, very small piece every once in a while.
Posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 18:34:15
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 22, 2013, at 18:00:17
jono, serious question. Why put a non-depressed person on an SSRI or similar to treat GAD when .5mg Klonopin is taking care of it? I'm sure most doctors would prefer to go that route but tolerability wise, for me, Klonopin is easy, SSRI's sucked.
Amyway I had to take a screen shot of this because it was a PDF file in big bold print.[URL=http://s297.photobucket.com/user/pearljo/media/Capturebenzo_zpsb94d6295.png.html][IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/pearljo/Capturebenzo_zpsb94d6295.png[/IMG][/URL]
Posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 18:56:16
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 18:29:26
The doctor quoted my previous post is a very prominent addiction psychiatrist.
Still gadchik I think you should get off of it. I don't think you're going to be happy till you do and we all here to be happy.
Posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 19:31:29
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » gadchik, posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 18:56:16
Ultimately, that is my task. To accept this drug or to taper this drug. I have been raised to think that taking any medicine for anything is a sign of weakness. I let myself get psychotic before I'd give in and take a pill. Thats crazy to me now, that I put myself through such suffering, refusing any meds for relief.Is that what Im now doing? Rejecting an effective med only to suffer so that I can say Im not weak.Or take an ssri because thats considered the right pill for mental illness, the politically correct pill. I can tell any dr Im on an ssri, and they dont blink an eye. Well, mention that Im on a benzo everyday for 4 1/2 yrs and we all know how that goes...
Posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 19:45:24
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » Phil, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 19:31:29
Out of three doctors Klonopin is never even talked about. It's a given to them. But this is Austin, liberal and not small town Texas.
I think they look at my chart and go...this guys been through hell. If he's still standing then don't change it. I would fire my doc if he wanted me off of it. But I'm having the struggle with Seroquel too. Same thing. What to do?
Posted by Zyprexa on April 23, 2013, at 5:28:13
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by gadchik on April 22, 2013, at 18:29:26
I think its much more likely the remeron that caused your weight gain.
Posted by gadchik on April 23, 2013, at 15:35:34
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » gadchik, posted by Zyprexa on April 23, 2013, at 5:28:13
exactly what my pdoc says-z!
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 23, 2013, at 17:56:28
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful???? » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phil on April 22, 2013, at 18:34:15
Because she asked about substituting an AD for a benzo - I didnt say that I thought she should do it, but if she was going to, I thought I'd offer some advice.
Benzos hve issues with tolorance and dependence for some users, where as SSRI's and Remeron dont, so if either of these drugs worked, they might be worth exploring as an alternative to long term benzo therapy.
What gadchick chooses to do it totaly down to her, i was just offering some tips if she did choose to go down a certain path
> jono, serious question. Why put a non-depressed person on an SSRI or similar to treat GAD when .5mg Klonopin is taking care of it? I'm sure most doctors would prefer to go that route but tolerability wise, for me, Klonopin is easy, SSRI's sucked.
> Amyway I had to take a screen shot of this because it was a PDF file in big bold print.
>
> [URL=http://s297.photobucket.com/user/pearljo/media/Capturebenzo_zpsb94d6295.png.html][IMG]http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm216/pearljo/Capturebenzo_zpsb94d6295.png[/IMG][/URL]
Posted by gadchik on April 23, 2013, at 18:13:02
In reply to Re: Benzo to SSRI 4 Anxiety? Was it Successful????, posted by jono_in_adelaide on April 23, 2013, at 17:56:28
thanks jono. i appreciate ur advice. i like to get everyone's opinion and see if that broadens my perspective.
This is the end of the thread.
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