Posted by med_empowered on June 17, 2007, at 18:00:42
In reply to Re: Zyprexa or Geodon? » med_empowered, posted by Phillipa on June 16, 2007, at 19:25:53
I think it really depends...how high is your dose? Some docs give 4, 6, 8mgs/day of Klonopin (and sometimes xanax), so it may just be your doc. I personally think that if you've been on benzos for a long time, you're not abusing them or involved in other substance abuse, and you're still having anxiety, a dosage increase (to a point) shouldn't be a big deal, unless higher doses cause problems (cognitive impairment, rage reactions, disinhibtion, that kind of thing) for you.
Antipsychotics might "work," but they work more by inducing apathy and numbing overall consciousness and emotions, rather than by sedating or allowing for relaxation, which is what benzos, miltown, and the barbiturates do. "Addiction" aside, benzos are much safer and cheaper than antipsychotics, and I think most antidpressants.
What's causing the stress? If its situational stuff, try addressing it, maybe enlisting the aid of a therapist/counsellor if that helps. Are you taking any other medications that cause anxiety? Tolernace to the benzos might be part of the anxiety problem if you're going through mini-withdrawals (common with xanax) or if your panic attacks are worse now than before the benzos. I think in those cases you're supposed to taper or go on a higher dose.
Anyway...it kind of sucks, but maybe BuSpar? I imagine that WITH a benzo it might be helpful; alone, it isn't so great. Antidepressants help some people...I read a case study where a patient with treatment-resistant panic attacks got better on Surmontil (an old tricyclic) after other antidepressants had failed.Good luck.
poster:med_empowered
thread:763578
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