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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Essence on March 13, 2002, at 7:50:51
My pdoc has prescribed me Clonazepam, .5 x 3 a day. I am also taking remeron for depression and Nozinan ( for weird thoughts etc). I had been on Xanax for 7 yrs, my pdoc took me off of it two years ago. Since then my depression (he also took me off of Effexor at that time) and anxiety/panic got worse. The remeron has lifted me out of this last depression somewhat, I still have no energy or motivation to do anything tho. Anyhow, I found this website on another message board about benzo's and am now terrified to go on them again. http://www.benzo.org.uk/ I can't take the anxiety, panic and bizarre thoughts much longer but am so afraid of what I just read about benzo's. I need some positive feedback.
Posted by Alan on March 13, 2002, at 8:37:26
In reply to Afraid to start Benzo's., posted by Essence on March 13, 2002, at 7:50:51
> My pdoc has prescribed me Clonazepam, .5 x 3 a day. I am also taking remeron for depression and Nozinan ( for weird thoughts etc). I had been on Xanax for 7 yrs, my pdoc took me off of it two years ago. Since then my depression (he also took me off of Effexor at that time) and anxiety/panic got worse. The remeron has lifted me out of this last depression somewhat, I still have no energy or motivation to do anything tho. Anyhow, I found this website on another message board about benzo's and am now terrified to go on them again. http://www.benzo.org.uk/ I can't take the anxiety, panic and bizarre thoughts much longer but am so afraid of what I just read about benzo's. I need some positive feedback.
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I believe that anyone should be informed about ALL of their options with their doctor before taking any medication, and that includes informing of proportional risk for each medication for each individual.Unfortunately the website you mention is one of a ring of several anti-benzo/anti-med sites that have as their agenda information posted that is hyperbole and tabloid in nature and is not backed up with scientific fact or evidence about these drugs.They are notorious amongst specialists that treat these disorders as political and moralistic organisations set out to needlessly scare potential candidates for use of these extremely safe drugs - that is, with proper diagnosis, prescribing, and follow through on the doctor's part.
These sites are commonly referred to by specialists that understand and treat with these medications as laughable (if it weren't so tragic) and the owners of these sites are composed of a small, strident minority of non-specialist, non MD's intent on taking their own personal experience and generalising about the entire population as to risk - a sure path to zealotry.
Their theories about "protracted withdrawl syndrome" for example is nowhere to be found in the medical litererature or textbooks and is a misinterpretation of the symptoms that they experience. Basically the whole movement is akin to Scientology and other cults that give no medical evidence for what in the end being scare tactics because or their statement as fact - disproportional risks that are unfounded in the literature and in clinical experience. The VAST MAJORITY of those with legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorders that take BZD's short OR long term find them to be the most effective meds on the market despite this cult's outlandish claims.
Believe me, I was on the receiving end of their scare tactics for years until I had wasted 10 or so years of my life avoiding them with all of the guilt and stigma that they set out to instill and perpetuate in their followers, so my experience with the years of medical research taken in toto with these groups boil down to the following 2 sites that explain the modern day thinking about these drugs. BZD's were overprescribed at first in the early 70's (valium) for something other than anxiety disorders and henceforth received a bad name. Just recently are these misconceptions, misdiagnosis, and lack of understand being exposed about these most effective of drugs designed especially for anxiety (anxiolytics) in a way to allow the patient and their doctor to consider clinical trials on equal footing with the present rage of ssri's given to treat anxiety and panic.
Please read these two links:
http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
Please read it all since it is some of the most complete and well written information out there regarding meds and the whole panic issue. Longinsh but WELL worth understanding - especially about the benzodiazapines.
AND:
http://panicdisorder.about.com/library/weekly/aa031997.htm
Please don't let these fringe groups influence you and your doc's decisions - taking away your freedom of choice that gives you the best chance of recovery.
You didn't explain why you were taken off the original regimen of meds in the first place. Were they not working?
You may want to refer to my other thread slightly above this entitled "DR's UNDER THE INFLUENCE - INTERESTNG ARTICLE" to read more about possible (I know from first hand experience, probable)prescribing practicies of some physicians.
Please ask more questions if you feel so inclined....
Best,
Alan
Posted by Essence on March 13, 2002, at 12:52:37
In reply to Re: Afraid to start Benzo's., posted by Alan on March 13, 2002, at 8:37:26
Alan, thank you so very much for your post. It has alleviated so much fear and confusion. Thnx also for the two web sites.
You asked why my doctor had taken me off the xanax two years ago....well the reason was this, he felt that being on them 7 yrs was long enough. At the time he took me off them, I had relapsed and was in another depression, the Effexor no longer worked for me. However, I feel the Xanax was still working as I didn't have any anxiety or panic or weird thoughts even tho I was depressed. He had tried to treat the depression and anxiety two years ago with Amitryptoline(sp) and Risperdal. Worked initially for about 6 mos, then I spent 18 mos on the sofa in a deep funk. He took me off the Risperdal and Amitryptoline about 5 mos ago. Now I'm back to battling the anxiety and weird thoughts again. The depression has lifted with Remeron (30 mg) but I have such low energy and motivation still. I barely function. Anyhow, I wrote more than I thought I would...thnx for replying to my previous post.
Posted by andyboy on March 13, 2002, at 15:30:03
In reply to Re: Afraid to start Benzo's. - Alan, posted by Essence on March 13, 2002, at 12:52:37
Yes its true, I too was a little aprehensive about benzos at first, but I did a ton of research on my own. Do not be disheartened by individuals or groups who are extremely "anti-benzo". Alan is extremely knowledgeable based on his postings and offers alot of substantiated advice. For me, my sole expertise is based on the fact that Clonazepam(klonopin) has done wonders for me, and I cannot stress that enough. SSRIs (zoloft/paxil) didnt quite do it for me, so I now have single med therapy for my panic/anxiety. Have not had an attack since I started taking it and my head is so much clearer. I dont get dizzy in the mall, groups, etc. any longer. Its been about a year of 2mg/day. No need to increase. Status quo. And as far as tolerance and/or addiction is concerned-I dont even consider it an issue. I cannot however say this is the case for evryone, but from what I have learned benzos are perhaps the most effective med for panic/anxiety. Good luck and "Be not afraid..."
Andy
Posted by gilbert on March 13, 2002, at 18:43:52
In reply to Re: Afraid to start Benzo's. - Alan » Essence, posted by andyboy on March 13, 2002, at 15:30:03
Don't be afraid to get well just make sure you are not like I was (addictive by nature) then I would still try benzos but tread very slowly. I got into trouble with xanax but I would say I am in the minority not the majority plus I am a sober cross addicted person so I pretty much could get addicted to anything even rabbit farts.
Gil;
Posted by JohnX2 on March 17, 2002, at 4:25:40
In reply to Re: Afraid to start Benzo's. - Alan » Essence, posted by andyboy on March 13, 2002, at 15:30:03
Andy,Did you follow a dosing strategy on the SSRIs that I have seen Frankie mention. I.E go slow with augmention of a benzodiazepine for many months and then taper off the benzo. What snag did you hit with the SSRIs? This is the strategy I see working for panic. Have had a brief bout of attacks I needed to take benzos while getting onto paxil (which worked fine).
John
> Yes its true, I too was a little aprehensive about benzos at first, but I did a ton of research on my own. Do not be disheartened by individuals or groups who are extremely "anti-benzo". Alan is extremely knowledgeable based on his postings and offers alot of substantiated advice. For me, my sole expertise is based on the fact that Clonazepam(klonopin) has done wonders for me, and I cannot stress that enough. SSRIs (zoloft/paxil) didnt quite do it for me, so I now have single med therapy for my panic/anxiety. Have not had an attack since I started taking it and my head is so much clearer. I dont get dizzy in the mall, groups, etc. any longer. Its been about a year of 2mg/day. No need to increase. Status quo. And as far as tolerance and/or addiction is concerned-I dont even consider it an issue. I cannot however say this is the case for evryone, but from what I have learned benzos are perhaps the most effective med for panic/anxiety. Good luck and "Be not afraid..."
> Andy
Posted by andyboy on March 18, 2002, at 18:58:03
In reply to Re: Afraid to start Benzo's. - Alan » andyboy, posted by JohnX2 on March 17, 2002, at 4:25:40
When I first saw my doc, he prescribed Zoloft and Xanax. I felt more anxious than ever. The biggest problem for me (I stress "for me" because we all react differently) was loss of appetite. The reason I say this is growing up I was always a slim kid. In the past 2 years I had finally filled out phsysically and I did not want to lose weight-so I was all set with the Zoloft. Tried the Xanax alone-it worked well for the anxiety, but for some reason, I would break out in hives when I would exercise, tanning, housework, etc. That led me to Klonopin-and its been "all good" ever since. You see, there has never been any degree of depression in my instance-it has always been basically an inability for my mind and body to relax. Textbook anxiety/occasional panic.
Take care
Andy
andy
This is the end of the thread.
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