Posted by phidippus on October 20, 2012, at 18:00:54
In reply to Need help (benzodiazepine questions), posted by jcowen on October 17, 2012, at 23:10:30
>I'm 35 years old and I've been taking valium 15 mgs daily for 6 years
That is a very normal dose. Neither high nor low.
>The SSRis did not help me one bit
Did you try any other antidepressants?
>I'm scared of the day that will come when a doctor will no longer prescribe it for me
Why would your doctor stop prescribing it?
>I'm fearful of the day when it will no longer work
My father has been taking Klonopin for 30 years and it has never failed him.
>That I will become tolerant to its anti-anxiety properties. I'm scared of the withdrawals... I think of these things every day.
Does it do you good to think of these things every day? How can you turn your thoughts elsewhere?
>What will I replace it with? I've tried most everything else
Have you tried Prazosin, Keppra or Gabitril? Besides Valium there's dozens of benzodiazapines as well.
>I'm just ashamed that I ever even started it.
Never be ashamed of your mental ilness. There's no room for that here. Focus on dealing with your anxiety.
>I don't know where to go from here. I have not found anyone with anything positive to say about longterm benzodiazepine use
Many people use benzos for many years and don't suffer tolerance or addiction issues. You are overly worried about the consequences of using this class of drugs.
>It seems that I am damned no matter what decision I make.
I didn't know you had a decision to make. Are you already convinced you will become tolerant to the Valium?
>Do I taper now or wait for tolerance and really experience hell?
Ignore the horror stories and keep up with what you're doing.
Eric
poster:phidippus
thread:1029012
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20121018/msgs/1029257.html