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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 Shaner on July 20, 2007, at 12:57:22
I'm wondering if a person could avoid tolerance or dependance by regularly switching between similar medications? For example if a person were taking a stimulant, could they stop every 2 weeks and take Provigil for a week? Or could a person take klonopin 2 weeks and xanax every 3rd week?
Posted by Phillipa on July 20, 2007, at 13:04:23
In reply to Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan, posted by Shaner on July 20, 2007, at 12:57:22
I don't know but I sure do need to know as I am tolerant to the valium now. Love Phillipa
Posted by Maria3667 on July 21, 2007, at 18:03:03
In reply to Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan, posted by Shaner on July 20, 2007, at 12:57:22
Shaner,
Theoretically it should work as long as you switch between different medicine groups. I.e. Ativan and Valium both belong to the group of benzodiazepines, so getting less sensitive to one should theoretically also make you less sensitive to the other.
Switchting between Provigil and a benzo could do the trick as they have a totally different mechanism of action.
When Ativan quit working for me, I took a break from it for about a month. When I continued taking it, it worked like a charm again. After a few months however the tolerance is back and I have to 'detox' from benzo's again.
Please keep us updated if you decide to try out your method.
Good luck.
Maria
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2007, at 20:43:23
In reply to Re: Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan, posted by Maria3667 on July 21, 2007, at 18:03:03
Maria how would providgil act to calm you never taken it and how did you detox and from which benzos? Love Phillipa
Posted by Maria3667 on July 22, 2007, at 15:57:02
In reply to Re: Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan » Maria3667, posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2007, at 20:43:23
> Maria how would providgil act to calm you never taken it and how did you detox and from which benzos? Love Phillipa
Hi Phillipa,
Don't know how calming Provigil is, but it's sometimes prescribed for people with ADD/ADHD. I only meant to reflect on Shaner's question about avoiding the build up of tolerance.
Quitting benzo's was really hard. Especially the first few days. Insominia hit hard and so did intense feelings of anxiety/dispear.
* First week
Cut down from 2 Ativan daily to 1 daily.* Second week
Cut down to half a tablet daily.* Third week
Take half a tablet on alternating days.* Fourth week
Take half a tablet only as an emergency.And so on...
Hope this answers your question.
My best,
Maria
Posted by Phillipa on July 22, 2007, at 19:40:06
In reply to Re: Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan, posted by Maria3667 on July 22, 2007, at 15:57:02
Thanks Maria. You answered my question. Love Phillipa
Posted by Oppycat on July 24, 2007, at 6:58:18
In reply to Question re avoiding tolerance for benzos,stimulan, posted by Shaner on July 20, 2007, at 12:57:22
> I'm wondering if a person could avoid tolerance or dependance by regularly switching between similar medications? For example if a person were taking a stimulant, could they stop every 2 weeks and take Provigil for a week? Or could a person take klonopin 2 weeks and xanax every 3rd week?
I'm not sure about switching between benzos, but I know that switching between stimulants and Provigil did not work for me. A former p-doc wanted me to get off of Adderall XR so prescribed Provigil instead. The only thing it did for me was make me nervous, which Adderall doesn't do. Provigil, of course, is also incredibly expensive.
This is the end of the thread.
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