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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by TylerJ on February 17, 2006, at 12:54:23
I am currently taking 6mgs. of ativan daily for anxiety- since I started Parnate 9 DAYS AGO I'm already feeling much less anxiety (practically none) so I'm going to try to reduce or go off ativan very slowly (My pdoc is cool with this just say's do it VERY SLOWLY I know how difficult this can be as I tried it before about 7 years ago. I heard high doses of Niacin can help withdrawal symptoms. Any other advice would be greatly apreciated (please, remember I'm on an MAOI) thank you in advance.
Tyler
Posted by blueberry on February 17, 2006, at 18:12:46
In reply to Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal?, posted by TylerJ on February 17, 2006, at 12:54:23
Magnesium glycinate helped me a lot in withdrawing from xanax. I was actually able to cut my dose in half almost immediately. The magnesium itself is somewhat calming, but I think it was the glycine in it particularly that worked. Niacinimide (not just plain ole niacin) supposedly bonds to the benzo receptors and in high doses can help, though probably subtle. I was going to suggest a few herbs, but considering your medication that probably wouldn't be a good idea.
Posted by TylerJ on February 17, 2006, at 20:24:30
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal?, posted by blueberry on February 17, 2006, at 18:12:46
Thanks BB,
Very helpful! And I have all of these vits. Magnesium glycinate gives me diarrhea at too high a dose, what dose of niacinimide do you recommend? And, were you able to go all the way off Xanax? Thanks for the great info bud.Tyler
Posted by blueberry on February 18, 2006, at 6:15:53
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » blueberry, posted by TylerJ on February 17, 2006, at 20:24:30
Yeah, I was able to go all the way off xanax. It took about 3 weeks total. Each day I would use a razor blade to shave off a tiny amount from the pills.
Other things that can help are taurine, gaba, and inositol. There are products at the health food store that have all of them combined. Or you can take them one at a time or mix them in your own way.
None of these things will make it an easy ride. But they can make it smoother, easier, and less painful. In addition to these supplements, probably the signle best method is to wean off over a long period of time and to whittle down the doses in eensy weensy tiny steps.
Posted by TylerJ on February 18, 2006, at 9:40:14
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal?, posted by blueberry on February 18, 2006, at 6:15:53
good for you...you know the last year has been pretty miserable for me so I think I'm going to try to get down to about 4mgs then just stay there for awhile because I'm just starting Parnate. Take care.
Posted by nolvas on February 18, 2006, at 18:25:07
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » blueberry, posted by TylerJ on February 18, 2006, at 9:40:14
I find GABA Relaxer works well for me. I take just half the dose so 1 pill instead of 2.
http://store.yahoo.com/iherb/gabarelax.html
It has all the ingredients to naturally raise GABA level or effectiveness in the brain. It probably helps with Serotonin synthesis as well. But please check with your pdoc that all the ingredients are safe to take with an MAOI. I don't see any probs but it's always better to be safe.
I think for people such as us severe anxiety is a way of life and it's learning what works to manage it. I definitely feel better taking GABA Relaxer, it's not a cure but it takes the edge off the anxiety which is always helpful. The full dosage makes me feel a bit breathless and this can be a side effect of taking GABA. I suppose I have some sensitivity to it. However one pill seems to help so I leave it at that.
iherb is so much cheaper for me that buying in the UK this product is 3 times more expensive in the UK. Whilst I'm on the subject can any one recommend any other stores which are like iherb? It seems a great store to me but I do like to have alternatives in case they don't have in stock what I require. Thanks.
Posted by TylerJ on February 18, 2006, at 19:06:49
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal?, posted by nolvas on February 18, 2006, at 18:25:07
Thanks so very much I'm going to check out that website- but, I will also ask my Pdoc before I try it. As far as your health store question, I'm sorry I can't help you, but I bet "Blueberry" can. He's very knowledgeable and very kind. Thanks again and I wish you the very best.
Tyler
Posted by Simus on February 19, 2006, at 1:05:39
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal?, posted by blueberry on February 18, 2006, at 6:15:53
> Yeah, I was able to go all the way off xanax. It took about 3 weeks total.
Do you mind if I ask you what dosage you were at when you started, and how long you had been taking it before you went off it? Thanks.
Posted by blueberry on February 19, 2006, at 9:02:01
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » blueberry, posted by Simus on February 19, 2006, at 1:05:39
I was on 2mg xanax for about 3 months. My body was definitely "hooked" after the first day and I knew it. I could feel it. I think if someone had been on a higher dose or had taken it for a longer time, the tapering process would be a lot slower. It's nice to know that natural things can help though. I couldn't imagine trying to do it without any assistance at all.
Posted by Simus on February 19, 2006, at 11:51:43
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » Simus, posted by blueberry on February 19, 2006, at 9:02:01
> I was on 2mg xanax for about 3 months. My body was definitely "hooked" after the first day and I knew it. I could feel it. I think if someone had been on a higher dose or had taken it for a longer time, the tapering process would be a lot slower. It's nice to know that natural things can help though. I couldn't imagine trying to do it without any assistance at all.
Thanks. That gives me hope. I am on less than 0.75mg, but I have been on Xanax for over 10 years now. The last two decreases were rough (down from 1mg). I used taurine and magnesium with the last decrease and it definitely helped. I will keep plugging away at it as courage allows. Thanks again.
Posted by TylerJ on February 21, 2006, at 11:55:01
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » blueberry, posted by TylerJ on February 18, 2006, at 9:40:14
I'm confused about something concerning B Vitamins. Everything I read says you should take all B's at the same dose, i.e., B compex 50 mgs of all the B's. But then the same books say for certain conditions like depression/anxiety take (just a rough example), take extra 200 mgs of niacin a day,200 mgs of b1 a day, 100mgs of
b6 daily, and 100 mgs of b12 daily, 400 mgs of folic acid daily-etc,etc. Isn't this a hell of a lot of b-vitamins when my mega multi has 100mgs of all the b's as well? And doesn't the extra individual b's they say to take contradict what they say about taking all your b's at the same dose? I'm really confused and need your expert advice please. Thanks bud.Hope you are doing well,
Tyler
Posted by TylerJ on February 21, 2006, at 12:16:06
In reply to Re: Vitamins/Minerals for Benzo Withdrawal? » TylerJ, posted by TylerJ on February 21, 2006, at 11:55:01
Sorry blueberry, the above post re:vits/mins for benzo withdrawal I posted today 2/21 was ment for YOU not "ME" This parnate is making me a real space dog. Take care, Ty
This is the end of the thread.
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