Posted by Alan on March 13, 2002, at 8:37:26
In reply to Afraid to start Benzo's., posted by Essence on March 13, 2002, at 7:50:51
> My pdoc has prescribed me Clonazepam, .5 x 3 a day. I am also taking remeron for depression and Nozinan ( for weird thoughts etc). I had been on Xanax for 7 yrs, my pdoc took me off of it two years ago. Since then my depression (he also took me off of Effexor at that time) and anxiety/panic got worse. The remeron has lifted me out of this last depression somewhat, I still have no energy or motivation to do anything tho. Anyhow, I found this website on another message board about benzo's and am now terrified to go on them again. http://www.benzo.org.uk/ I can't take the anxiety, panic and bizarre thoughts much longer but am so afraid of what I just read about benzo's. I need some positive feedback.
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I believe that anyone should be informed about ALL of their options with their doctor before taking any medication, and that includes informing of proportional risk for each medication for each individual.Unfortunately the website you mention is one of a ring of several anti-benzo/anti-med sites that have as their agenda information posted that is hyperbole and tabloid in nature and is not backed up with scientific fact or evidence about these drugs.They are notorious amongst specialists that treat these disorders as political and moralistic organisations set out to needlessly scare potential candidates for use of these extremely safe drugs - that is, with proper diagnosis, prescribing, and follow through on the doctor's part.
These sites are commonly referred to by specialists that understand and treat with these medications as laughable (if it weren't so tragic) and the owners of these sites are composed of a small, strident minority of non-specialist, non MD's intent on taking their own personal experience and generalising about the entire population as to risk - a sure path to zealotry.
Their theories about "protracted withdrawl syndrome" for example is nowhere to be found in the medical litererature or textbooks and is a misinterpretation of the symptoms that they experience. Basically the whole movement is akin to Scientology and other cults that give no medical evidence for what in the end being scare tactics because or their statement as fact - disproportional risks that are unfounded in the literature and in clinical experience. The VAST MAJORITY of those with legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorders that take BZD's short OR long term find them to be the most effective meds on the market despite this cult's outlandish claims.
Believe me, I was on the receiving end of their scare tactics for years until I had wasted 10 or so years of my life avoiding them with all of the guilt and stigma that they set out to instill and perpetuate in their followers, so my experience with the years of medical research taken in toto with these groups boil down to the following 2 sites that explain the modern day thinking about these drugs. BZD's were overprescribed at first in the early 70's (valium) for something other than anxiety disorders and henceforth received a bad name. Just recently are these misconceptions, misdiagnosis, and lack of understand being exposed about these most effective of drugs designed especially for anxiety (anxiolytics) in a way to allow the patient and their doctor to consider clinical trials on equal footing with the present rage of ssri's given to treat anxiety and panic.
Please read these two links:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
Please read it all since it is some of the most complete and well written information out there regarding meds and the whole panic issue. Longinsh but WELL worth understanding - especially about the benzodiazapines.
AND:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
Please don't let these fringe groups influence you and your doc's decisions - taking away your freedom of choice that gives you the best chance of recovery.
You didn't explain why you were taken off the original regimen of meds in the first place. Were they not working?
You may want to refer to my other thread slightly above this entitled "DR's UNDER THE INFLUENCE - INTERESTNG ARTICLE" to read more about possible (I know from first hand experience, probable)prescribing practicies of some physicians.
Please ask more questions if you feel so inclined....
Best,
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:97765
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020313/msgs/97767.html