Posted by gilbert on June 8, 2001, at 12:27:19
In reply to Re: Xanax vs Klonopin--Greg, posted by tina on June 8, 2001, at 9:35:20
It is of funny to me about the concern over benzo addiction. Of course we all know the dependecy vs addiction argument. I am very addictive. I have been to rehab three times and have been sober for 15 years now. I find that I feel way more stoned on an ssri or like I am on speed on Wellbutrin than being on xanax. The xanax just makes me feel "normal" for lack of a better word. The huge push for ssris for anxiety disorders did coincide with patents on benzos running out and new expensive drugs being pushed for panic that benzos were treating with a fair amount of success. All of the truly serious anxiety websites recommend benzo use and show it's efficacy superior to ssri treatment. I.E. Tapir, anxities.com, Dr Shipko and the Panic institute. The studies showing ssri efficacy on panic if you dig deep enough are usually sponsored by drug companies or paid for by drug companies with an interest in ssris. The ssri school of thought that benzos are addictive and your brain will shrink and memory will go is scare tactics to sell more ssris. I am not foolish enough to think that their are not those out there who abuse benzos...there are. There are people out ther abusing turpentine, there are people out there abusing ssris too. But study after study proves otherwise it is a very small minority. We are also finding out that the ssri's have dependecy problems, tolerance problems and withdrawal problems of their own. In my experience over the past 2 years of trying everthing and I mean everything the ssris have been the least cleanest drugs to get away from. The rebound depression and jones for some extra seratonin reminds me of my cocaine withdrawal and my jonesing days off the powder. I have detoxed off of vodka....cocaine....and other various substances and beilive me when I say this that coming off of antidepressants has mimicked those awful detox sysmtoms closer than any benzo withdrawal. I have come off xanax without much difficulty at all. Now I know some people have had a really hard time coming off benzos too so I don't want too sound pompous here. I just think that the stigma surrounding benzo use actually forced me to try drugs that made my condtion worse. I did not have the self esteem or fortitude to stand up for myself. My peers in AA and friends would say Gil get off xanax and try an antidepressant before the xanax leads you back to drinking.....what a joke. The closest I cam to drinking in the past 15 years was prior to getting xanax I was wound so tight I wanted to self medicate. I think my point is be carefull what is being sold to you. Very rarely do you find the right solution without doing plenty of homework on your own. Your body will tell you when it is right.
P.S. Grapebubblegum.....The doc said let's stick with what works stay on the xanax leave the rest alone see ya in 3 months so that is where I am today....Oh yeah also that vet study on klonopin and impotence I went back and looked 46 % of the klonopin users experienced impotence but the dose was like enough to knock out an elephant. I think it was from 3 to 5 grams per day. That would make everthing limp even my neck my head would be falling into my lap.
Gil
poster:gilbert
thread:65576
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010605/msgs/65781.html