Posted by alan on August 22, 2002, at 12:29:02
In reply to Re: Valium induced anxiety?? » alan, posted by hildi on August 21, 2002, at 11:54:35
> > 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.
> >
> > 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.
> >
> > Alan
>
> Hi 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
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Xanax has, in studies, proven to have a mild AD effect. I suspect it is because it works so well for anxiety, the depression resulting from the anxiety lessens.I guess the question is whether you've been self medicating for an anxiety disorder as primary or depression as primary. Once you can decipher what is primary by seeing how you feel on eithr ssri's OR bzds (kind of using them as diagnostic tools - known in the profession as "listening to the drug"), then you can more properly treat your accurately diagnosed disorder. It may end up being a combo of both types of medicines or a drug like neurontin (mood stabiliser) in place of the ssri. One just doesn't know.
One thing is sure in your case. The doctor has to be highly skilled with these medications and working without the prejudice or misinformation that some Calvanistic members of AA you mention seem to do. They should be closely helping you manage your meds too. No going a month at a time without keeping in touch anyway.
If you in any way want the medication for a high or buzz, that should tell you and your doc that that particular med is not for you. The drug shoul help you feel as normal as possible without a desire to consume more except to alleviate symptoms.
Alan
poster:alan
thread:116952
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117391.html