Posted by blueberry on February 22, 2006, at 17:35:05
In reply to Lexapro/Klonopin - GAD and Insomnia, posted by Comet on February 22, 2006, at 13:33:41
If you are fortunate enough to find something that works with few or no side effects, I think maybe it is best not to mess with it. Some people have been on K for many years with continued effectiveness, improved lives, and no dose escalation.
Docs don't want you to be on a benzo for a long time. But they are perfectly fine putting you on an antipsychotic or antidepressant for a long time, both of which I personally think tinker with the brain chemistry much more profoundly than benzos do. Compare withdrawals from K, effexor, or zyprexa after say maybe 5 years on any one of them. They would all be viscious. Why they single out benzos I have no idea.
The tinnitus, insomnia, and rebound anxiety were common withdrawals. If you want to get off K, you could do it very slowly over a period of months. Low doses of some calming herbs and some magnesium glycinate and maybe some taurine supplements can help take the edge off.
If you are used to the way K helps you out, I don't think lexapro will come anywhere near as good. Maybe others might disagree, not sure, but I don't think the ssri's come anywhere near the benzos. And like you said, the side effects that go along with them kind of take away from the quality of life that docs are supposed to be trying to improve, not hinder. Doesn't sound to me like K was hindering you in any way.
poster:blueberry
thread:612082
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060219/msgs/612155.html