Posted by hildi on August 21, 2002, at 11:54:35
In reply to Re: Valium induced anxiety??Help me benzo users! » hildi, posted by alan on August 20, 2002, at 15:55:54
> There are different reactions to the different bzds. There is xanax, ativan, valium, klonopin, and tranxene. Since you know their effect almost immediately (except for a little sedation which wears off after the first week or so) they're easy to try and see which works best for you.
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> I'm taking 1mg daily klonopin and ativan PRN for breakthrough anxiety or panic. Bzd monotherapy for anxiety is the only way to go for me...and seems to be regaining it's popularity after the fad of prescribing AD's for anxiety disorders is proving to be only partially effective at best.
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> AlanHi Alan, thanks for the reply. I've read some of your previous posts, and yours-along with some other posts from benzo users have given me the 'courage' to go this route. I say courage because I'm an alcoholic with eight years sobriety who was always told that benzos were equivilent of drinking again. But then, there are also some in AA who would 'scold' me on the use of AD's, too.
Well, all I know is that I cannot stay sober without meds. Dependence on a drug? So be it. A couple of The AD's I tried have made some improvement with my anxiety and my depression, but as you know they come with a whole set of other problems and side effects.
I am interested in trying benzo therapy alone, but I'm worried about my depression (which doesn't seem to me as bad as my severe anxiety).
I have read some posts that said some benzos can make you MORE depressed- Klonopin ws mentioned.
Also I read that xanaz was one benzo that seems to have AD effects, too. What do you think of this? Is xanax really a 'special' benzo for those with anxiety AND depression? The benzo monotherapy 'seems' to be working for you- Do you also have depression, or mostly anxiety? And further: this combo for you doesn't contribute to breakthrough depression?
I have ordered (by mail-long story why I did it this way rather than through my dr) some Klonopin and some Ativan, just as you take. I have been very excited to try this, but also a little nervious because of the disappointment I feel from the valium (I tried some again last night-took 5 mg. Didn't like it at all). Your post gives me some hope that the valium experience doesn't mean I won't respond to one, or both, of these other meds.
I'm sorry this post is so long, but you seem to have experience in this subject and I really am interested what you have to say about xanax for depression vs. the other benzos.
Thanks Alan,
Hildi
poster:hildi
thread:116952
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117237.html