Posted by verne on August 14, 2004, at 7:37:21
In reply to Re: Verne, posted by mcp on August 14, 2004, at 3:32:36
Mcp,
After I finally got off benzos, I bounced back and forth between health supplements and the non-addictive meds with very little success. I actually pleaded for a return to benzo treatment but couldn't find a doctor or psychdoc willing to prescribe them. (I live in a conservative part of the midwest that doesn't believe in "controlled substances")
Just to name a tiny fraction of the herbs and supplements I took: Suma Root, rhodiola, bach remedies, schizandra, curcuma, astragalus, calamus, passion flower, theanine, gaba, taurine, relora, valerian... Finding little or no relief I abused alcohol. (I guess it's perfectly acceptable for me to drink myself to death than risk the hazards of benzo-dependency)
When I wasn't experimenting with herbs, I'd go back to the doc to try another drug. A small dose of zyprexa put me on my back for 24 hours - I couldn't get out of bed let alone function. When the doc ran out of alternatives he dreamed up drugs that might remotely deal with anxiety. The last laugh was prochlorperazine which is prescribed for nausea but might help with anxiety. It didn't help either.
After years of needless suffering, spending, and self-destructive behavior I recently started inderal which actually does work. I remember taking it briefly while in the hospital 12 years ago and it worked then too. I had forgotten about it since it's "approved" use is for high blood pressure. The higher dosed, time-released, long-acting version is best for me.
Unlike most drugs with the anti-cholergeric effect, inderal is just the opposite. The anti-cholergeric (sp) effect equals feeling crappier than a hangover for me. Inderal, instead, works on the para-sympathetic nervous system and calms at a deep level in a no-nonsense way like a benzo. It seems though some people don't tolerate it well due to the heart-rate lowering effect. It's made-to-order for me though.
I agree with you on the "non-addictive" meds. I'd rather eat roots and leaves than take stuff like neurotin again. It masquerades as a anti-anxiety med but finally leaves you feeling more agitated. Very insidious. Within 2 weeks my whole day revolved around: "what's the neurotin doing to me now?" Quitting wasn't easy and it was some sort of "withdrawal". My body objected when I stopped and I felt like crap for days.
I went through much the same on all the other politically-correct benzo replacements.
poster:verne
thread:377353
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040811/msgs/377481.html