Posted by Christ_empowered on June 7, 2011, at 15:40:38
In reply to Re: med update » Christ_empowered, posted by floatingbridge on June 7, 2011, at 0:13:46
I'm not really sure why restoril is considered to be more problematic than other benzos. I was given the medication in a detox facility. Can't be that bad, right? (Honestly, I think they were willing to give me anything to make me shut up).
In some countries (I think the UK, not sure), restoril is more tightly regulated than other benzos. It comes in a breakaway capsule, so some people have injected it. Maybe that's it? Anyway, its definitely not a long-term, every night sort of thing (I doubt most benzo sleeping pills are), but it is nice now and then to get some good sleep and also get that benzo-induced muscle relaxation.
I wouldn't worry about being "non-compliant." Even though Valium has a bad reputation ("Mother's Little Helper," etc. etc.), its a very safe, effective medication, and its not as potent as xanax or klonopin. I think the rule is 10mgs valium=.5mgs klonopin or xanax. I could be wrong, though. Valium is also easier to taper than the newer, higher-potency benzos. For some reason, though, everyone I know on Valium gets the 5mgs pills, not the 10mgs pills. I wonder what's up with that? Its like, docs will load you up on Klonopin, but they try to under-dose Valium. Weird. (Actually, I think the same thing happens with antipsychotics; people end up on reasonable doses of low-potency drugs, but relatively high doses of high potency antipsychotics.)
I hope things get better. Have you tried supplements? I don't want to force my vitamin-popping lifestyle on you, but since I'm in a benzo-free environment (public health, gotta love it), I've had to treat my anxiety with "alternative" remedies. My magic combo: 3 grams niacinamde (I do 2 doses, lots of people do 3+) and 6 grams taurine (1 dose at night). I take other stuff, too, but its those two that really seem to keep the agitation+anxiety away. Niacinamide makes benzos and anticonvulsants work better (something about "potentiating" them through GABAergic something or other...I dunno, it worked when I took it w/ Klonopin+depakote), so you might get more mileage out of your Rx if you take an adequate amount of niacinamide. Taurine is apparently something of an anti-manic; I wouldn't say it helps anxiety per se, but it does help with the agitation I used to get.
I really hope you can find relief.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:987292
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20110529/msgs/987377.html