Shown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 13:28:05
Can anyone comment? Thanks.
Posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 15:41:21
In reply to How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP?, posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 13:28:05
Well, I've tried nearly all the meds on the market for my SP and here is my verdict on the great SSRI/benzo debate.
I'd rate benzos as being the only reliably effective drugs for this condition. The SSRIs will probably give some relief but at the expense of emotional sensitivity and the ability to enjoy sex. The SSRIs also tend to leave a chronic low-level niggle of nervous tension/anxiety which can be perceived as good (stimulating, alerting) or bad (a constant irritation that disturbs sleep) depending on the person.
There is the accusation of sedation/apathy with benzos, but people can become tired and indifferent on both benzos and SSRIs. The benzos usually have fewer troublesome side effects and are generally better tolerated than SSRIs. Disinhibition and aggression has been a problem for me with benzos, probably because I abused them. SSRIs are said to lack abuse potential. Depression can also occur during long term benzo monotherapy and is one reason to suggest adding an antidepressant, though not necessarily an SSRI.
Addiction is obviously the main problem with benzos if we choose it to be, but to my mind since I'm likely to be taking any effective med for the rest of my life, dependence and addiction does not bother me. I'd rather have my human feelings and sexuality intact.
On the other hand it is always possible to combine the two at low doses to minimise the worst effects of benzo-induced depression and SSRI induced agitation.
Q
Posted by blueberry on November 24, 2006, at 17:01:53
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » saturn, posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 15:41:21
You mentioned that benzos do not affect your sex life. A friend of mine has taken 1.5mg lorazepam for quite a while and says sex life has been negatively affected. I realize mileage varies.
I was wondering, are you male or female. And what benzo was it that did not affect your sex life and at what dose. That may be the benzo I want. :-)
Thanks!
Posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 17:17:00
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Quintal, posted by blueberry on November 24, 2006, at 17:01:53
Hi blueberry,
I mostly took clonazepam (Klonopin). I think lorazepam may have dulled my sex drive slightly, and perhaps clonazepam too in the beginning when I was sedated, but that wore off and was in line with the general depressant effect. It is quite different from the anoragsmia caused by the SSRIs - paroxetine in particular blocked pleasurable sensations completely - I felt numb. It lead to much frustration and soreness.............
I'm male, so perhaps there's a gender difference in benzo sexual dysfunction?
Q
Posted by blueberry on November 24, 2006, at 17:17:54
In reply to How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP?, posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 13:28:05
>
> Can anyone comment? Thanks.
>
>
Benzos are reliably effective and work almost immediately. Ssris are sometimes effective, but take weeks or months to work.To find a plateua where a dose keeps working, the benzo will probably be increased rapidly in the first few weeks and maybe slightly more in months. After that people I know have gone many years on the same dose without loss of effectiveness. I've never seen an ssri go nearly as long. Dose increases with ssris will be slower, but eventually they just produce more side effects and no more gain, at least from what I've seen.
At some point ssris just seem to not work anymore. I mean, I can't remember the last time I heard of someone going years on an ssri without problems. But there have been plenty of people that go years with a benzo.
Disclaimier: Mileage varies.
Benzos and ssris involve physical dependence. Weaning off of them is a slow painful process.
A benzo can be used for short term use, or for situational as-needed use, but ssris won't work that way. Benzos require a degree of responsibility to not abuse them, and to focus on the treatment goals.
Posted by ace on November 24, 2006, at 20:28:25
In reply to How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP?, posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 13:28:05
>
> Can anyone comment? Thanks.
>
>CAVEAT: MY opinion only. People get very hyped about benzos!
The Benzo's are far more efficacious, present fewer side/effects, have LESS of a discontinuation syndrome in many case (titrate SLOW), and have a much more localised effect, which is a good thing!
Ace
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 20:48:16
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » saturn, posted by ace on November 24, 2006, at 20:28:25
I agree l00% as I've often taken less down to .l25 of xanax when life was not full of stress. The SSRI's always made and make me feel awful. Best is subtheraputic dose of SSRI and a benzo. Love Phillipa
Posted by ace on November 24, 2006, at 21:02:50
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » saturn » ace, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 20:48:16
> I agree l00% as I've often taken less down to .l25 of xanax when life was not full of stress. The SSRI's always made and make me feel awful. Best is subtheraputic dose of SSRI and a benzo. Love Phillipa
Hey:)
Yeah, SSRI's, with the exception of Fluvoxamine for OCD have, statistically, proved inferior to all the other AD's. I have a real problem with the SSRI's, and the most naive theory behind their use, but maybe another day!I can't say enough good things about Benzos!
Ace
Posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 21:06:37
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » saturn » ace, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 20:48:16
>>I agree l00% as I've often taken less down to .l25 of xanax when life was not full of stress. The SSRI's always made and make me feel awful. Best is subtheraputic dose of SSRI and a benzo. Love Phillipa
Why a subtherapeutic dose of SSRI (with benzo)? It sounds like an interesting combo. Peace...Saturn.
Posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 21:23:32
In reply to Phillipa and Ace, posted by saturn on November 24, 2006, at 21:06:37
For me that's what the psychiatrists always managed to get me to tolerate a low dose of an SSRI as a high dose makes me more anxious and since my depression is fueled by anxiety it makes sense to cure or help the anxiety first and eliminate the depression. Love Phillipa ps but still want to try EMSAM as it's there to see and you can take it off. Psychologically that is better for me.
Posted by ace on November 24, 2006, at 21:39:25
In reply to Re: Phillipa and Ace » saturn, posted by Phillipa on November 24, 2006, at 21:23:32
All I can say is that SSRI's, when they work, seem to work at low doses!
Posted by Squiggles on November 26, 2006, at 8:14:07
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » saturn, posted by Quintal on November 24, 2006, at 15:41:21
I think that's a good post. Some benzos
are addicting but do not have the same
tolerance problems as others. As horrible
as the withdrawal effects can be with some
benzos, from what i am reading they just
don't compare to SSRI withdrawal. Also,
benzos offer some peace of mind, and the
agitation that results from SSRIs would not
be worth it i think.I was offered SSRIs when I complained about
Xanax addiction, but i declined. It turns
out I did not need the extra benzo anyway
as the cause of my anxiety was thyroxine-induced anxiety. That was all fixed a long time ago, thank God. But you can see that benzo/SSRI choices seem to be a clinical-guide-algorithm type option.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2006, at 18:37:37
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Quintal, posted by Squiggles on November 26, 2006, at 8:14:07
Squiggles are you saying your thyroid caused your anxiety or depression symtoms? And was it high or low. I started a thread I'm so upset about what's going on with mine. Thanks Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on November 26, 2006, at 19:09:12
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2006, at 18:37:37
> Squiggles are you saying your thyroid caused your anxiety or depression symtoms? And was it high or low. I started a thread I'm so upset about what's going on with mine. Thanks Love Phillipa
My guess is that the Synthroid dose required for
lithium treatment was too high, resulting
in anxiety. Lowering it worked. The bp is
unrelated.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2006, at 21:30:11
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on November 26, 2006, at 19:09:12
Squggles thanks with the lowered dose about how long did it take for the anxiety to lessen? Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on November 27, 2006, at 1:24:37
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2006, at 21:30:11
I can't remember clearly. It was so long ago.
I think it became evident after withdrawing
from Xanax and having the Synthroid dose readjusted. I guess about 6 mo. to a yr.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2006, at 19:19:33
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Squiggles, posted by Phillipa on November 26, 2006, at 21:30:11
Seriously that long?Uggggg Love Phillipa
Posted by Squiggles on November 27, 2006, at 20:09:44
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Phillipa, posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2006, at 19:19:33
> Seriously that long?Uggggg Love Phillipa
Well, the thyroid adjustment took longer than
the Xanax withdrawal. My doctor helped me
get out of that jam with both, to his credit.Squiggles
Posted by Phillipa on November 27, 2006, at 21:32:18
In reply to Re: How do SSRI's compare to benzos for SP? » Phillipa, posted by Squiggles on November 27, 2006, at 20:09:44
Squiggles more endo bloodwork tomorrow. He agrees I should feel better not worse and less anxiety on the lower dose. A year? Love Phillipa
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