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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 Reefer on January 27, 2004, at 9:18:43
The only problem i've had with benzos is my doctors always wanting me to lower the dosage. I was put on diazepam 30 mg/day and felt good maybe a bit oversedated. So i myself lowered the dose to 3x5mg(15mg) daily and that was perfect. After a couple of months my doc insisted on stopping diazepam, so she lowers my dose at around 10% every 2 weeks. Fine no problem except my anxiety gets worse not cause of withdrawal but cause of the anxiety not being helped by any antidepressant i've tried and believe me i've tried many. So i finally get a new doctor cause the one i had couldn't care less about me feeling anxious all the time. Fine! I'm put on 2 mg Xanax XR/day and i feel fine! So what does she do, she wants me to start lowering the dosage and i'm now down to 1.5mg had some withdrawal but that's not a problem, went away after 1 - 2 weeks. but again i feel more anxious. Why do doctors have such trouble understanding i NEED benzos to live. I've never ever misused the stuff, i take it exactly as prescribed. But why the hell can't they just leave me at the dosage that i feel fine at. It's not like i get high from the stuff anyway, no euphoria or other wellbeing effects. Just plain feeling normal! Why can't they offer me to feel normal? I don't care if i need to eat the stuff for the rest of my life. I rather be on benzos than being at home in bed all day feeling anxious. So please can someone clarify to me why i can't just stick to a normal dose of benzo to keep me functioning like a normal human being. It's not tolerance cause i only get tolerant to the sedating effects not the anxiolytic effect.
Posted by Bill LL on January 27, 2004, at 9:58:54
In reply to Benzo problem!, posted by Reefer on January 27, 2004, at 9:18:43
Hang in there. Pick up the phone and try another doc.
Posted by Rainee on January 27, 2004, at 11:18:20
In reply to Re: Benzo problem!, posted by Bill LL on January 27, 2004, at 9:58:54
my advise exactly got to another doc..One cruel trick some docs do is give you benzos for relief than yank you off...
Posted by CarolW on January 28, 2004, at 10:33:45
In reply to Benzo problem!, posted by Reefer on January 27, 2004, at 9:18:43
Problem is that benzo's are very addictive and not a long-term solution for most people. You either need another type of med or need to find other solutions to deal with anxiety. I totally understand what you're going through. I was taking Ativan (another benzo) and went through alot during withdrawal. And, even after two weeks off all meds, I still wish I had a med that would cut the anxious feelings. But, after seeing that I got so addicted, I really don't want to go back to a benzo. So, working on alternatives (meditation, cognitive therapy, hypnosis, etc..) to get better. If you don't have a good therapist, you should find one. Mine works with the doc on what meds I may need or if I need any. Also, docs don't typically spend time working on the reasons you have anxiety, or how to deal with it without meds. Best of luck-
Posted by CareBear04 on January 28, 2004, at 17:24:58
In reply to Benzo problem!, posted by Reefer on January 27, 2004, at 9:18:43
I think you should definitely find another doctor if you feel you really need benzos. My last two doctors have been fine with prescribing a good amount of benzos with no set timeframe in mind. I may be on them for six months, a year, ten years... My doctors before that were uncomfortable prescribing over 1mg of Ativan or .5 of Klonopin a day, which are both really low doses. Therapy can also help, I'm told. I have yet to experience as much calm from therapy as from the drugs, but maybe with time...
Posted by missliz on January 29, 2004, at 2:55:31
In reply to Re: Benzo problem! » Reefer, posted by CareBear04 on January 28, 2004, at 17:24:58
Carol, sweetie, do the math. You apparently don't have true anxiety disorder- or you'd be so anxious you couldn't function in therapy. That's a mean thing to do, getting all preachy. Go lecture the diabetics on their insulin addiction.
Now Reefer, find another doc. Interveiw several, ask about how they feel about benzos, be very clear that you aren't an abuser but you need them to function. For people like us they really are like insulin for diabetics- That's why it's called an illness! Docters get this anti benzo thing from the TV news- that and lousy training.
As a benzo needer myself, I understand. Two thoughts; Xanax ix not a good drug; VERY addictive, Not tolerence making but plain ole street junkie addictive. Taper off it and go to another drug. I was put on a huge dose for no good reason (I really needed a serotonin goose) and it's hell to get off. It's so rosy and sweet and sexy and seductive- It'll give you memory problems, and before the XR came out I would suddenly freeze in the fetal position, too anxious to move ten feet to get my next dose. It's been outlawed in most of the world- there's plenty of benzos that aren't as dirty. Your Valium dose sounded reasonable, and there's a drug called Serax that's a metabolite of Valium, leaves the dirty sedating part out and I'm liking it a lot. I take it in the day and the last bit of Vitamin V at night.
There are other drugs that help, I use Trileptal for mood stabilizing, and it helps my anxiety, but I still need a benzo. Wish I didn't but I feel no shame in it.
>D Suggest to your doc that you come stay at her place while you're off benzos and she can see what goes on. This works well with politicians when they want to cut the Medicaid drug budget. LOL You can hear the hair stand on end over the phone!
Good luck,Lizzy
Posted by Dr. Bob on January 29, 2004, at 17:06:33
In reply to Re: Doctor problem! » Reefer, posted by missliz on January 29, 2004, at 2:55:31
> That's a mean thing to do, getting all preachy.
It's fine to give others feedback as long as its constructive. Please don't post anything that could lead them to feel accused.
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Bob
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