Posted by Rick on February 23, 2004, at 23:02:16
In reply to Re: Klonopin is great, but how do you get off it? » manowar, posted by BryanFromNJ on February 23, 2004, at 16:26:04
> > Hi,
> >
> > 1st of all, if it helps you, don't stop taking it. Why stop taking it, as long as you don't have a problem abusing it?
>
> Good question. I was on Klonipin for about 3 years, I'm now 22. The only thing I've learned about being off of Klonipin, and going through this withdrawal is to grin and bear it.Sorry to hear about your difficulties.
> Obviously I'm not happy about that...but I've found a webpage that explains WhY you should never be on Klonipin ( or any benzo ) for more than a week or two...It's very frightening to think that I was about to ruin my entire life because I simply listened to the doctors, and never educated myself.
Not sure I completely follow...Are you saying it was the article that tipped you off that continued benzo use would have ruined your life? Or are you saying it was the withdrawal that tipped you off? Or a combo of the the two? Or something else entirely?
>
> Here is the website : http://www.benzo.org.uk/FAQ1.1.htmWhy do such a disproportionate amount of benzo warnings come from the UK?
> Here is the information (specifically) which can teach you what Klonipin use does to us (longterm) :
I'd make that "what Klonopin use [might] do to [some] of us".
> Regular benzodiazepine use almost always causes some degree of deterioration in cognitive functioning, which progresses with continued use.
My experience after 5 years on Klonopin: Probably true to some degree, specifically sporadic short-term memory lapses. Not sure really worsening, though.
> Long term benzodiazepine use also causes lethargy and decreased energy levels that result in impairment in work productivity and disinclination towards exercise.
My experience: Hasn't happened.
> Furthermore, benzodiazepines, and all other classes of sedatives, frequently cause and/or worsen depression
My experience: Hasn't happened.
> Benzodiazepines can also cause what is sometimes referred to as a "emotional anaesthesia", or "emotional blunting," in which the user's ability to experience powerful emotions is impaired. This has been described as "the inability to feel pleasure or pain" in the medical literature (e.g. Ashton C H, Toxicity and Adverse Consequences of Benzodiazepine Use, 1995). Long-term benzodiazepine users often describe their experience as "sleepwalking through life".
My experience: More the opposite. I can contemplate and enjoy a sunset much more now than when my mind was constantly filled with worry, pre-benzos. Real-life situations, music, movies, can all elicit emotions that are every bit as intense as before I started Klonopin. Before Klonopin, I could rarely have a "completely happy" day, because of my ever-present severe social anxiety. Now I can.
> Benzodiazepine use can also cause what are referred to as "paradoxical" symptoms in a minority of users. Paradoxical symptoms are contrary to the intended therapeutic purpose, including outbursts of rage, increased anxiety, and sleeplessness. Paradoxical symptoms can be caused by the drug's interaction with the psychological makeup of the user, or may be a biological reaction to use of the drug that people sometimes refer to as "toxicity". Paradoxical symptoms are sometimes mistaken for withdrawal, and vice versa.
My experience: So far, so good. But, um, thanks for the warning.
>
> The above effects occur to varying degrees, depending on the individual. Some individuals may not experience many of the effects at all.My experience: I obviously can't argue with that last statement.
>However, one effect is common to virtually all users: a physical dependency will eventually form. Benzodiazepine dependency is particularly serious as the withdrawal syndrome (see below) can be extremely difficult and protracted.
My experience: Can't say because I've never tried to quit.
My pdocs's 25-year experience (and he is NOT a big benzo proponent): Most (certainly not "all") people on low-dose benzos can withdraw with zero-to-fairly low withdrawal distress, even after long-term usage.>Furthermore, the development of tolerance often makes long term use non-feasible
My experience: No tolerance. Have lowered the dosage over the years, with no decline in effectiveness.
> Benzodiazepines are often misprescribed for conditions to which they are not appropriate, such as depression.I don't think this happens much anymore. Not with big pharma spending mega-bucks promoting AD's and trying to scare doctors away from benzos. (Although Pfizer seems to have had an odd change of heart on the advisability of avoiding benzos. Couldn't have anything to do with the fact that they recently acquired an ON-patent benzo (Xanax XR), could it??)
>Furthermore, they are often prescribed for anxiety conditions for which the individual could be treated effectively with other therapeutic techniques.
...but AS effectively (and economically)?? And sometimes, as in my case, the benzo is tried *after* several of those "other theaputic techniques" proved ineffective for a patient.
> There are, however, legitimate therapeutic benefits for benzodiazepines, particularly if they are used in the short term (no more than 2 weeks of continuous use), or for situational anxiety/panic (for example, one dose of Xanax per month as the need arises.)
This is the kind of statement that medical journal articles supported by an "unrestricted" ;) grant from Zoloft-maker Pfizer would make...until Pfizer also acquired Xanax XR, anyway. Articles supported by "unresticted" ;) grants from other pharmas still make those statements...at least until they come out with their own new ON-PATENT benzo.
>Furthermore, many users of benzodiazepines, including some who have used them regularly for more than a year, are able to discontinue them with little difficulty.
True.
Rick
poster:Rick
thread:89412
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040223/msgs/317038.html