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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 Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:30:48
Okay, the trouble began a bit over a month ago. Clonazepam stopped working for me; even worth, they started causing anxiety. That was just the Teva brand. The Actavis brand caused anxiety, panic attacks, anhedonic depression, and even delirium. Got an ER rx for hydroxyzine. It may have caused brain damage, but it worked for a time on anxiety. Now I'm on Ativan, which seems to help the depression, but that's about it.
Went to a psych ward for six days and all I really got out of it was a prescription for Ativan. Their psychiatrist wasn't talkative, brushed things off, and basically shrugged his shoulders alot. Had to go to an ER again today for the Ativan panic attack and had to argue with the staff psych that Ativan was helping with depression.
Basically my body is not reacting to medications as it should be and nobody seems interested in finding out why. My best guesses are possibly mold or possibly a high nortriptyline serum level (they only bothered to take blood for it on the last day.) Please! I need to hear some other ideas for this.
Posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:33:52
In reply to Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:30:48
I should probably add that the ward psychiatrist didn't seem to grasp the concept of the nortriptyline therapeutic window.
Posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:57:16
In reply to Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:30:48
It could be helpful if someone familiar with the method of action by which Ativan combats depression could suggest a non-benzo alternative that works the same way, and alternately, a drug that combats anxiety through a different method than that of a benzo. Hydroxyzine seemed somewhat effective on anxiety, but was much too strong of a drug for me.
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 2:22:49
In reply to Re: Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Schlepo on November 15, 2018, at 15:57:16
It could be the addictive nature of benzos! Maybe your panic attack is to be interpreted as a craving for more. Benzos commonly lose their effectiveness if you take them regularly.
Posted by Schlepo on November 16, 2018, at 9:38:03
In reply to Re: Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 2:22:49
But it was only my second steady day on Ativan.
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 10:02:05
In reply to Re: Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Schlepo on November 16, 2018, at 9:38:03
thats weird. The CNS meds are kind of unpredictable unfortunately.
Posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 10:06:01
In reply to Re: Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Schlepo on November 16, 2018, at 9:38:03
thats weird. The CNS meds are kind of unpredictable unfortunately.
Posted by Tony P on January 13, 2019, at 11:50:38
In reply to Re: Extreme trouble with benzos, please help., posted by Lamdage22 on November 16, 2018, at 10:06:01
Haven't had that problem myself, except (as Lamdage mentions) tolerance/withdrawal anxiety. Some benzos are more stimulating than others (yes, stimulating! or at any rate activating and euphoric) Ativan can make me hypomanic, while good ol' Valium is completely sedating.
I find kava-kava is a safe alternative to the benzos, some activation (a mild MAOI antidepressant) but with its strong tranquilizing effect it works well for me. Non-addictive, no tolerance build-up! Check out the Alternative board, I believe I posted a while back on kava, would be happy to share more.
This is the end of the thread.
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