![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 31. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sgirl58 on November 3, 2004, at 8:29:15
Hi-have another question here-what have you taken with good results for anxiety? I am currently on celexa and trazodone (For nightime) and they are both pooping out big time. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow. Also what would be a good combo with Celexa, if I stay on it for anxiety and to help with sleeping?
thanks
sgirl
Posted by dazed on November 3, 2004, at 12:05:16
In reply to anxiety, posted by sgirl58 on November 3, 2004, at 8:29:15
I have same problem and wonder what else could work.
Posted by mattw84 on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:22
In reply to anxiety, posted by sgirl58 on November 3, 2004, at 8:29:15
Are benzodiazapines out of the question? I would recommend Xanax XR or Klonopin if nothing else. If that class is not feasible, might give buspar a trial.. or zoloft/effexor. Though I personally have had no luck with any ssri/snri I have heard some have -- not to mention undesirable side effects. Don't know much about Buspar, also could discuss Miltown. Good luck.
Matt
Posted by jboud24 on November 4, 2004, at 9:21:36
In reply to Re: anxiety, posted by mattw84 on November 3, 2004, at 12:21:22
sgirl and others,
I have taken Paxil, Celexa, Lexapro, and I'm finally now on Zoloft. In my opinion Zoloft blows the other AD's I've taken out the water. Lexapro actually induced panic attacks in me. They are all fairly similar IMHO for helping with anxiety, but Zoloft has this calming, anxiety-blunting effect that the others lacked.
I have also taken Ativan, xanax, and now klonopin for my social anxiety, panic, and generalized anxiety. Xanax and Klonopin have been the best by far. (As an aside, I've actually taken every benzo, including midazolam, with the exception of Rohypnol off the records:-) Here is the difference between Klonopin and Xanax that I've noticed:
1. Xanax will always subjectively 'feel' like it is calming you down more than klonopin will, I believe this is due to a euphoria-like effect of the xanax. This effect for me is what made xanax really good at quelling anxiety. It is better for panic attacks than it was for social anxiety. I can feel xanax working VERY quick, in about 15 minutes if I let it dissolve under my tongue. I've found that I get no real additive anti-anxiety effect from it at single doses above 2mg. Above 2mg only adds more of the euphoria effect, not the anxiolytic one. This extra-calming euphoria is the first thing I gained tolerance to, in about 3 months unfortunately. After that period of daily use, xanax was really no better than any other benzo at equipotwnt doses for anxiety reduction. I took xanax for 1 and 1/2 years without a break. Some people have gone much longer than this, however, claiming sustained anti-anxiety effects so YMMV. Xanax will always be the US markets best feel-good/party/euphoric benzo until another drug may eventually succeed it.
I know take Klonopin, started 2 days ago, and I'll compare it to the xanax. It takes about 1-2 hours to reach full effect, although with more experience I'll be able to narrow that time frame down some more. Whereas xanax only lasted about 3-4 hours tops before the effects would fade, Klonopin seems to be lasting MUCH longer, which is consistent with its pharmacokinetics. I can't yet tell exactly how long it lasts (again I'll know better in more time), but I'd say pretty much full strength effect is felt for a good 8-10 hours if not more. I know my 2mg dose yesterday which I took at 7pm coukd still be felt at about 1/2 its peak strentgth at 8am this morning. With xanax, a 7pm dose would leave me either up all night because I didn;t have any left to cover me for nightime (until I discovered my magical remeron). If I did take one to sleep at like 10-11pm, I would wake up wide awake at about 4 in the am. Subjectively, Klonopin lacks any noticeable euphoria, has anti-anxiety benefits equal to xanax on a mg for mg basis (ie 1mg X = 1mg K), and covers you for a heck of a lot longer.
Also, I experienced rebound anxiety on xanax btween doses. For this, my old pdoc gave me an XR xanax in addition to the immediate release formulations to smooth out the effects. It did not work at all. I found xanax xr to be a weaker version of xanax that lasted only 1-2hours longer than the IR formulation (12 hours duration my ass!) If you decide to go with xanax, avoid the xanax XR, just trust me on it. Really, I promise.
One last thing for ya'll:
Every generic xanax I;ve taken (purepac is the only one I believe) has been about 30-40 % weaker than the brand-name stuff. Just a little FYI. I only have experience with the generic purepac Klonopin right now, but I will post a futre update on the efficacies between purepac, teva, and roche(the name-brand) Klonopin in the future so stay tuned fellow babblers. So far, I'm fairly impressed with purepac's Klonopin, but again, I have no experience yet with other brands.I hope this helps you in your decision, and I;d be happy to try to answer any other questions anyone may have.
Best wishes,
Justin
Posted by darkhorse on November 5, 2004, at 5:29:18
In reply to Re: anxiety, posted by jboud24 on November 4, 2004, at 9:21:36
Hi,
I agree that Xanax has a nice euphoric/antianxiety effect which is why is so attractive and popular.Ativan is another excellent benzo for GAD/Panic
Also Bromazepam is another Excellent one and unfortunatly is not available in the states and that is why it is not talked about much...
IMO,Bromazepam beats Clonazepam because is also long acting,but less sedating,dose not cause DEPRESSION,and much easy to get off.
Bromazepam 3mg = Clonazepam 0.5 = Ativan 1mg = Xanax 0.5 = Valium 5mg
BTW,I also took lots of benzos :
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Bentazepam
- Brotizolam
- Bromazepam (Lexotan)
- Cinolazepam
- Cloxazolam
- Clobazam (Frisium)
- Chlordiazepoxide (Librium)
- Clorazepate (Tranxene)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin/Rivotril)
- Delorazepam (E.N.)
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Estazolam
- Flunitrazepam (Rhoypnol)
- Ketazolam
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Lormetazepam
- Midazolam
- Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
- Oxazepam
- Prazepam (Centrax/Demetrin)
- Triazolam (Halcion)
- Tetrazepam
- Tofisopam (Grandaxin)
- Zopiclone
- Zolpidem
+ Meprobamate (Miltown) and Phenobarbital .and my top 3 are Bromazepam,Alprazolam and Lorazepam.
Posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2004, at 11:57:28
In reply to Re: anxiety Benzo talk, posted by darkhorse on November 5, 2004, at 5:29:18
Wow, that's amazing! Why have you taken so many different benzos? I've taken a few but not nearly as many as you. (I have never taken a benzo long term, just on an 'as required' basis)
Here are my opinions....Diazepam (Valium). 15mg when needed.... very effective muscle relaxant. Can be mildly euphoric. Maximum effect about an hour after taking a dose. Anxiolytic effect lasts about 3 hours followed by mild residual drowsiness and depressive ideas.
Lorazepam (Ativan). 3mg prn..... Very effective with little drowsiness, max effect after about 2 hours. Lasts about 6 hours for me. Small doses didn't work at all. Overall, my favourite benzo.
Clobazam (Frisium). 20mg......Rubbish, didn't reduce my anxiety at all, infact it seemed to make it worse!
Alprazolam (Xanax)... 1mg prn...... brain felt foggy, wasn't very relaxed. Was very aware of the cognitive impairment it caused
Clonazepam (Klonopin/Rivotril)... 2mg prn........strangely, Rivotril doesn't seem to make me drowsy, but dose cause me to fall asleep unexpectedly.
BTW, What was you experience with Frisium??
Ed
Posted by jujube on November 6, 2004, at 17:23:00
In reply to anxiety, posted by sgirl58 on November 3, 2004, at 8:29:15
Hi.
If you are looking for an anti-depressant, in the past, I found Paxil to be excellent for anxiety and panic disorder. Of course everybody is different in how they respond to meds, but for me, Paxil was a life saver. It was first prescribed for me 8 years ago, and it put a lid on my anxiety. I made the mistake of stopping it, and a couple of years ago, the anxiety came back in full force. Unfortunately, I did not respond to Paxil the second time around. I did not find it sedating (after the initial start-up side effects wore off), and I never suffered any brain fog or cognitive impairment.
If you are looking for a benzo, the only one I have experience with is Xanax, which I take occasionally. I find it very good. When I experience really bad anxiety, I get very tired and worn out. The Xanax seems to lift me up, and does not make me groggy at all.
Good luck to you.
Tamara
> Hi-have another question here-what have you taken with good results for anxiety? I am currently on celexa and trazodone (For nightime) and they are both pooping out big time. I am seeing the doctor tomorrow. Also what would be a good combo with Celexa, if I stay on it for anxiety and to help with sleeping?
> thanks
> sgirl
Posted by darkhorse on November 8, 2004, at 7:11:50
In reply to Re: anxiety Benzo talk, posted by ed_uk on November 5, 2004, at 11:57:28
> Wow, that's amazing! Why have you taken so many different benzos? I've taken a few but not nearly as many as you. (I have never taken a benzo long term, just on an 'as required' basis)
Sorry for my dely and here is what I think :
After trying so many ADs I ended with benzos,because they are the cleanest and do not cause weight gain...I guess u might say that I wanted to try all benzos to see the best ones for me,and what helped is that I lived in many countries (Peru,Egypt,Sudan,Austria..etc)and found all those benzos..
>
> Here are my opinions....
>
> Diazepam (Valium). 15mg when needed.... very effective muscle relaxant. Can be mildly euphoric. Maximum effect about an hour after taking a dose. Anxiolytic effect lasts about 3 hours followed by mild residual drowsiness and depressive ideas.I can not agree more..I had the exact same effect from diazepam,and I guess I might add that taking diazepam long term gives lots of daytime sedation and difficulty in concentration.The only nice thing you get is this nice little buzz you get in the 1st 1-3 hours,but again it does not provide sustained mood without the cost of sedation.
>
> Lorazepam (Ativan). 3mg prn..... Very effective with little drowsiness, max effect after about 2 hours. Lasts about 6 hours for me. Small doses didn't work at all. Overall, my favourite benzo.I also agree that its effect is more sustained and for me it lasts for 12 hours and 1-2 mg twice a day is all that I need.I can not agree more that it is one of the best.Only drawback is the strong amnestic effect..when I stop it long term,I feel that I can not recall many things,so I always use Bromazepam to withdraw from lorazepam,which makes it very smooth.
>
> Clobazam (Frisium). 20mg......Rubbish, didn't reduce my anxiety at all, infact it seemed to make it worse!Again,I have the exact opinion.Even though it has no sedative effect at all,it was very bad,it made me more anxious and edgy and artifical..it is the worst BZ,maybe bec it is also chemically differen : 1,5 benzo.
>
> Alprazolam (Xanax)... 1mg prn...... brain felt foggy, wasn't very relaxed. Was very aware of the cognitive impairment it causedYes, this is a main difference I got if you compare Ativan with Xanax..with X I "felt" more impaired...however,the advantage of Xanax is that it gives more of a "happy" feeling (euphoria),while lorazepam is more stable...so I sometimes use X when I'm mor to the depressed side,and within 3 days I'm sociable,happy and talkative,but I take the bromazepam road when withdrawing from X.
>
> Clonazepam (Klonopin/Rivotril)... 2mg prn........strangely, Rivotril doesn't seem to make me drowsy, but dose cause me to fall asleep unexpectedly.Clonazepam : I tried to love this medication because of its reputation for social phobia,mbut unfortunatly,even though it did not make me drowsy, I still felt very tired and what is worse it made me so antisocial and very depressed.. I tried different dose (0.5,1,1.5,2) but nothing..and actually I found alprazolam and bromazepam very pro-social when taken for a few days-weeks (lorazepam does not but gives you this feeling of being content inside yourself with no depressive symptoms!).
>
> BTW, What was you experience with Frisium??So,for me, I think the worst three were Frisium,Rivotril and Tranxene,while the best are Lexotanil(bromazepam ) : mood-elevating proporties,less sedation and amnesia,pro-social,and easy to withdraw from.Xanax (Alprazolam) : euphoric/happy effects and last but not least Ativan/Temesta(Lorazepam ) : stable mood and anxiety-killer without disinhibition .
> Ed
Posted by ed_uk on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:28
In reply to Re: anxiety Benzo talk » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on November 8, 2004, at 7:11:50
Hello,
Thank you for your response. I'll add a few more of my experiences....
Diazepam... The funny thing about UK doctors is that they always prefer diazepam to other benzos because it's easier to taper from than other benzos like lorazepam. They seem to ignore the fact that it's generally thought to have a higher abuse potential due to its barbiturate-like effects.Lorazepam... I like it because I can 'function' on it without feeling like a zombie. The amnesia has never really been a problem since I only take it occasionally.
Alprazolam... I couldn't go to work on Xanax. Feels a bit too much like I'm drunk or something... that in itself is enough to increase annxiety. Don't know why people bother to abuse it though because alcohol is a lot more fun.
Clobazam..... I didn't make me sleepy as such but certainly caused a strong feeling of cognitive impairment. I had a panic attack about an hour after I took the first dose. Yuck.
Bromazepam isn't available in the UK anymore. I guess I'd try it if I went abroad!! It used to be called Lexotan in England.
All the best...
Ed
Posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 3:47:43
In reply to Re: Hi Adam, posted by ed_uk on November 8, 2004, at 8:42:28
> Hello,
> Thank you for your response. I'll add a few more of my experiences....
> Diazepam... The funny thing about UK doctors is that they always prefer diazepam to other benzos because it's easier to taper from than other benzos like lorazepam. They seem to ignore the fact that it's generally thought to have a higher abuse potential due to its barbiturate-like effects.
>
> Lorazepam... I like it because I can 'function' on it without feeling like a zombie. The amnesia has never really been a problem since I only take it occasionally.
>
> Alprazolam... I couldn't go to work on Xanax. Feels a bit too much like I'm drunk or something... that in itself is enough to increase annxiety. Don't know why people bother to abuse it though because alcohol is a lot more fun.
>
> Clobazam..... I didn't make me sleepy as such but certainly caused a strong feeling of cognitive impairment. I had a panic attack about an hour after I took the first dose. Yuck.
>
> Bromazepam isn't available in the UK anymore. I guess I'd try it if I went abroad!! It used to be called Lexotan in England.
>
> All the best...
> EdHello Ed,
It is really nice to have somemone who's got very similar opinions.(Benzos &AP)You know that Austria is the opposite : doctors/pharmacists have valium phobia,while they are much more relaxed to give you any other benzo!,while in Egypt bromazepam and alprazolam are easeier to prescribe, and diazepam is hardly prescribed while Ativan is not found anymore and if you ask for it is like asking for a devil drug !
But in Peru,well you can get ANY medication anytime and benzos are so popular and is easer to get a benzo than an asprin except for triazolam (don't ask me why!).A question : why Lexotan is not available anymore in the UK...it is a very popular benzo in lots of other countries (Austria,France,Spain,Egypt,Peru,Japan,Malasya,India..personal observations ) except the U.S. where people hardly know it and do not know what they are missing?
Adam
P.S. I'm now on Lorazepam and ,wow, don't I love this medicantion!
Posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2004, at 7:23:04
In reply to Re: Hi Adam:Benzo talk » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 3:47:43
Hello again...
Diazepam seems to be the most popular benzo in the UK because in the 1980s the Committee on safety of medicines (a government organisation) handed out guidance to doctors in England about the use of benzos. They stated that diazepam was useful because it is easier to taper than the other benzos available in the UK. They said that it was easier to taper because it has a long half life and comes in 2mg tablets- facilitating a slow withdrawal.
Most doctors seem to be under the bizarre impression that diazepam has a much lower abuse potential than other benzos! Who are they kidding! They don't seem to understand the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence. My pdoc says he never prescribes lorazepam because he is convinced diazepam is much less likely to be abused!
Bromazepam was 'black-listed' by the National Health Service many years ago. It was black-listed because there were several cheaper benzos on the market at the time. This means that it was only available on a private prescription, ie. not on the NHS. As a result, very little Lexotan was dispensed in the UK. Recently, the manufacturer discontinued it in the UK altogether- presumably because of low sales.
Lorazepam seems to be thought of as a dangerous benzo in England because it received a lot of media attention for causing severe withdrawal symtoms. This isn't a good reason not to use it prn though, is it?
Please tell me more about your experience with clobazam...
All the best........
Ed
Posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 7:50:15
In reply to Re: Hi Adam:Benzo talk, posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2004, at 7:23:04
> Hello again...
>
> Diazepam seems to be the most popular benzo in the UK because in the 1980s the Committee on safety of medicines (a government organisation) handed out guidance to doctors in England about the use of benzos. They stated that diazepam was useful because it is easier to taper than the other benzos available in the UK. They said that it was easier to taper because it has a long half life and comes in 2mg tablets- facilitating a slow withdrawal.
>
> Most doctors seem to be under the bizarre impression that diazepam has a much lower abuse potential than other benzos! Who are they kidding! They don't seem to understand the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence. My pdoc says he never prescribes lorazepam because he is convinced diazepam is much less likely to be abused!
>
> Bromazepam was 'black-listed' by the National Health Service many years ago. It was black-listed because there were several cheaper benzos on the market at the time. This means that it was only available on a private prescription, ie. not on the NHS. As a result, very little Lexotan was dispensed in the UK. Recently, the manufacturer discontinued it in the UK altogether- presumably because of low sales.
>
> Lorazepam seems to be thought of as a dangerous benzo in England because it received a lot of media attention for causing severe withdrawal symtoms. This isn't a good reason not to use it prn though, is it?
>
> Please tell me more about your experience with clobazam...
>
> All the best........
> EdHello Ed,
I'm not sure I understood this black list issue..is it some kind of monopoly to let Roche buy less and get rid of its product? and isn't Xanax more expensive? I do not understand this policy......
- I fully agree that Lorazepam is being treated unfairly....I also agree that you can taper with other long acting benzos :
in my experience, after taking lorazepam for a long period I switched to Diazepam which was OK,but then as soon as I got to 5mg a day and less it gave me what you mentioned before depressive ideas crying etc...so I switched to bromazepam....with bromazepam one can taper to less than 1.5 mg which is like 2mg of diazepam without having the diazepam sedation and its depression- like effect at lower doses.- Clobazam : I tried it at 10 mg and felt very bad and so I increased the dose until I reached 80-90 mg just to feel a little better,but soon I found out that I got much worse mentally and that it gave me wired,unpleasan effects...so I stopped after few days...it is a very strange BZ which is very different in its effects than all other BZ...it is also the only BZ that gave me insomnia and no sedative effect at all.
- Another atypical BZ is Tofisopam :at 100mg it gives a stimulating effect not unlike Selegiline,and I think it is more of a dopamine agonist than a GABA agonist....you won't find much about it in the litretaure bec it was invented in the eastern block and sold in eastern countries..even though it is an interesting compound.
Best Regards,
Adam
Posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2004, at 8:28:09
In reply to Re: Hi Adam:Benzo talk, posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 7:50:15
In England, certain drugs cannot be prescribed on a National Health Service(NHS) prescription, these drugs are said to be black-listed. When a drug is prescribed on an NHS script we pay £6.40 whatever the drug may be. To be treated with a drug on the black list requires a prescription from a private doctor. If we get a private script you have to pay the full cost of the drug plus an additional pharmacy charge which is worked out using a formula. The black list was introduced to save money for the NHS.
A drug is placed on the black list when it is thought that cheaper alternatives are available, this was applied to the benzos because so many were originally marketed in the UK.Benzos on the Black List....
Bromazepam (Now discontinued in UK)
Alprazolam (Hardly anyone in UK has heard of Xanax!)
Clorazepate dipotassium
FlurazepamHope this is an ok explanation! People always talk about the health system in the US in this forum and I don't understand at all!
Ed
Posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 8:40:04
In reply to Re: Black listed drugs, posted by ed_uk on November 9, 2004, at 8:28:09
Posted by paulbwell on November 10, 2004, at 21:46:05
In reply to Re: Black listed drugs:Thanx for the info Ed (nm), posted by darkhorse on November 9, 2004, at 8:40:04
Hi Darkhorse
You sound like you have travelled alot. I was wondering which countries, you have been to, where someone can simply walk into a pharmacy, and purchase these Benzos? Opiods? Stimulants? (sans script or pre doctor visit)
Cheers
Posted by darkhorse on November 11, 2004, at 4:16:22
In reply to Re: Black listed drugs:Thanx for the info Ed, posted by paulbwell on November 10, 2004, at 21:46:05
> Hi Darkhorse
>
> You sound like you have travelled alot. I was wondering which countries, you have been to, where someone can simply walk into a pharmacy, and purchase these Benzos? Opiods? Stimulants? (sans script or pre doctor visit)
>
> CheersWell I lived for short periods in USA,UK,Japan,Malasya,Spain,Canada,Lebanon.
and for longer periods in Peru,Sudan,Qatar,Austria and Egypt.
The clue is : when pharmacist know that you are a foreigner they tend to be much easy to give you what you want as long as you are willing to pay . However in Peru,things are really easy,anyone can get what he wants ,but I must tell you that what I bought was mainly from benzo,AD , AP family + some stimulants (in Peru) : Ritalin,Fenproporix,Mazindol,Ditheylpropion,psedoephedrine....but I never asked for a medication that contains Opiod derevative....my Major Psychotropics were always what is labeled a benzo or Antidepressant.Adam.
Posted by ed_uk on November 11, 2004, at 9:11:12
In reply to Re: Black listed drugs:Thanx for the info Ed, posted by darkhorse on November 11, 2004, at 4:16:22
Hello!
I just wanted to ask whether your anxiety/depression is under control at the moment? Hope so.All the best...
EdPS. Why have you lived in so many different countries? You've been almost everywhere!
Posted by darkhorse on November 12, 2004, at 4:46:17
In reply to Re: To Adam, posted by ed_uk on November 11, 2004, at 9:11:12
> Hello!
> I just wanted to ask whether your anxiety/depression is under control at the moment? Hope so.
>
> All the best...
> Ed
>
> PS. Why have you lived in so many different countries? You've been almost everywhere!
Hi Ed,Thank you so much for your care....Happily I did not have another episode of major depression for the last 2 years (in mycase they come out of the blue and in episodes),but residual anxiety I sure have plenty of ! so right now I take Lorazepam (Temesta)and I keep packs of tofranil& prozac just in case I get depression..
I have a question :
I do not know why I keep taking other benzos from time to time even though I know that lorazepam bromazepam and alprazolam are the ones for me....but I feel that I have the desire to have an oxazepam,diazepam,prazepam,clonazepam..etc pill from time to time....
do you think I'm psychologicaly obsessesd/dependant on benzos...because I know that those other benzos are not for me and I do not like their effects,and that the other 3 are more than enough,and when I get rid of a box of clonazepam for example,I go and buy another box within 2 weeks,even though I have 10's of packs of Lorazepam,Xanax and Lexotan ????
What is my problem,and how can I get rid of this situation and be thankful that the 3 benzos mentioned are very effective??
Thanx a lot
Adam .
P.S. I lived in all those places because of my job.
Posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2004, at 8:03:33
In reply to Re: To Adam: benzo psychlogic dependence? » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on November 12, 2004, at 4:46:17
Hello!
I'm very glad to hear that you're not depressed at the moment. It's funny how much you remind me of myself. I've always had a tendency to take tablets that I don't really need, sometimes even tablets that I don't like the effect of. I think I do it partly because I'm not entirely satisfied with the way I'm feeling, so I take a pill so that I'll feel different- even though I know that I'm unlikely to be satisfied with the effects. Maybe you are a little bit obsessed with drugs, but so am I so I can't really say anything!
Posted by ed_uk on November 12, 2004, at 9:14:16
In reply to Re: anxiety Benzo talk, posted by darkhorse on November 5, 2004, at 5:29:18
Adam, what was your experience with tofisopam (Grandaxin). What effects did it have? Apparantly it's a Hungarian drug.
Ed
Posted by Lazarus on November 12, 2004, at 20:18:32
In reply to Re: anxiety Benzo talk » ed_uk, posted by darkhorse on November 8, 2004, at 7:11:50
I have taken both Librium and Valium.
Librium, 10 mg, gives you an anti-anxiety feeling without drowsiness.
Valium, 5 mg, gives you a greater anti-anxiety effect but with some "dullness". It also has a stronger muscle relaxant effect (librium has almost none).
Overall I prefer Librium but I take whatever my pdoc feels is best for me.
Lazarus
Posted by violetskyye on November 30, 2004, at 14:02:49
In reply to anxiety, posted by sgirl58 on November 3, 2004, at 8:29:15
I'm a long-time reader, 1st time poster. Have suffered over 20 years with severe anxiety, OCD & panic attacks. I have tried Xanax and Ativan, and have the following observations:
Xanax, even .25 mg, puts me to sleep. On .5 of Ativan [Lorazepam], it calms me down but allows me to function with a clear head. I'm a trial lawyer [yeah, I know, great profession for someone with anxiety and panic, but I'm pretty good at it], and took an Ativan the other day on my way into court, aand was fine.
By the way, also take 15mg of Remerom at night and 100mg of Wellbutrin SR in the AM. The Remeron has left me fatigued and hung over every day, but since I haven't had a severe panic attack in quite some time, I'm afraid to stop it. Anyone else take Remeron for anxiety?
Posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 14:58:55
In reply to Re: anxiety, posted by violetskyye on November 30, 2004, at 14:02:49
Hi!
I also find lorazepam less sedating than alprazolam. I've never tried Remeron for anxiety myself but many people have. I presume you've tried an SSRI (... probably lots of them!)
Do you find that the Wellbutrin makes your anxiety worse?
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by violetskyye on November 30, 2004, at 18:50:43
In reply to Re: anxiety, posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 14:58:55
Re: >Do you find that the Wellbutrin makes your anxiety worse?
Regards,
Ed.When I first started on Wellbutrin, and when I first went to 100mg, it made me jittery, and my ears rang, but it dissipated with time, and now I think it has the least side- effects of the many meds I've tried.
Going up to 150mg in the a.m. tomorrow, so we'll see how I do. If I get the jitters, I'll try to control it with Ativan till I get used to it. I'll keep you posted.
Violet.
Posted by corafree on December 1, 2004, at 0:25:44
In reply to Re: anxiety, posted by ed_uk on November 30, 2004, at 14:58:55
Hey, it's winter now, huh?
Glad to find your post here; facing difficulty with sun-up-to-down anxiety and less frequent, panic attacks (prob' because I have been so agoraphobic).
I've sat across from a new P shaking his finger at me, hurrily blurting out unrecognizable words, about my wanting to destroy my life, when I discuss benzos. No, I won't be with him much longer.
I have anxiety, tremors, and panic attacks. PTSD, borderline personality, very agoraphobic lately; am in dialectical behavioral therapy.
Was on Xanax for a long stretch in the past. Then, I decided to get off it and checked in to detox. I did. Well, they took it as a sign of weakness I guess; was really trying to better myself for my now passed away Dad. Since then they've been pushing Klonopin at me, in miniscule amounts, threatening to d.c. any benzo. I belong to a state health program where my chart follows me, and can't afford to go outside it.
Why do you think I have never been offered lorazepam (Ativan)?
I did not abuse either of the priors.
Sounds Ativan is safer and more effective.
Too small a dose of alprazolam (Xanax .5 mg), feels like, triggers panic. And, like you all discuss, clonazepam (Klonopin 2mg x3 day) makes me weary and unable to take care of my ADLs properly.
This P wants me to pick one or the other. Says I cannot be on both.
Klonopin is ineffective for panic. Xanax is ineffective for GAD, as is 'in and out' of my body within an hour. Neither really works. He will not allow me both.
Would be nice to hear back. I see this P for the second to last time Friday!
THANKS, cf
> Hi!
>
> I also find lorazepam less sedating than alprazolam. I've never tried Remeron for anxiety myself but many people have. I presume you've tried an SSRI (... probably lots of them!)
>
> Do you find that the Wellbutrin makes your anxiety worse?
>
> Regards,
> Ed.
>
>
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