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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
Can anyone tell me - in their experience - what is the most effective benzo for daytime panic and GAD?? I'm currently taking 10mg of Valium/diazepam for panic attacks and, although it's helping a bit, it's just not cutting it. Should I switch to something like Klonopin/clonazepam? I need something strong, long lasting and very effective!! Please help!
Posted by Phillipa on February 8, 2010, at 12:50:34
In reply to The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
I found klonopin depressing but that's me. Valium was better but for panic xanax is best. Would you doc let you take valium and then xanax as needed? I take low doses of both? Phillipa
Posted by obsidian on February 8, 2010, at 20:52:05
In reply to The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
I like klonopin, though the only other benzo I've taken is ativan
klonopin does have the benefit of having a longer half life, so you don't feel the upsurge of anxiety again as it wears off as easily as you might have it with another benzo
Posted by CareBear04 on February 9, 2010, at 0:04:33
In reply to The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
xanax works best for me, but a lot of doctors don't like it because it does seem to cause more dependency than other benzos. it kicks in pretty fast, works like a charm for a few hours, then wears off noticeably, leaving you wanting the next dose. withdrawal is beyond unpleasant to the point of being medically dangerous. klonopin is supposed to last up to 8 hours, and it's more subtle, so if it works for you, that might be preferable. it wasn't until my pdoc was convinced that i would be on benzos long-term that he agreed to prescribe xanax. good luck!
CB
Posted by manic666 on February 9, 2010, at 5:16:33
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety?? » jms600, posted by CareBear04 on February 9, 2010, at 0:04:33
ativan is the fastest to act maby 10 t0 20 minutes .even quicker under the tounge. but the most addictive.
Posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2010, at 20:02:05
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety?? » jms600, posted by CareBear04 on February 9, 2010, at 0:04:33
Carebear in all the years I've used xanax I've changed doses very often never a problem like now take lmg at bed and then no more til next night? Phillipa
Posted by manic666 on February 10, 2010, at 4:50:09
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety?? » CareBear04, posted by Phillipa on February 9, 2010, at 20:02:05
phillipa you dont go to bed till 2 am. the 1mg of xanax is a crutch like my ativan,///// i carnt get off 4 mg ativan but 1mg xanax should not be hard, have a nice whisky toddy before bed, mmmmmmmmmmmmm dream land .
Posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2010, at 20:39:14
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by manic666 on February 10, 2010, at 4:50:09
Stopped drinking 15 years ago. No drinking. Low doses of benzos are less harmful than many other meds. Doc wants me to take more I say no. We go to sleep at 3am after posting ebay. Phillipa
Posted by Abby Cunningham on February 10, 2010, at 23:28:01
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety?? » manic666, posted by Phillipa on February 10, 2010, at 20:39:14
I prefer xanax. I have been on it for many years and don't raise the dosage. In fact have come down in dosage from 3mg. a day to 1.5 or 1.75 mg. per day. It also lasts all day from 7am until my next dose at 9pm. Maybe I metabolize it differently.
It is quite addictive though and I've made peace with the fact I'll probably be on it for life at 1.5mg. or less. Withdrawal is pure hell.
Posted by floatingbridge on February 11, 2010, at 3:02:16
In reply to The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
Jms600,
Klonopin is great for long lasting, 'deep' control. It has mild mood stabilizing properties. I also found it had a depressive effect on my mood.
Xanax has always been my emergency med--it works very well, and is a muscle
relaxant--good for opening the chest and
breathing. For all day control I take generic Xanax XR usually twice a day. I take it prophalactivally twice a
day. Release is sustained and smooth without discernible peaks and valleys. I've blind tested generic vs brand Xanax xr and sensed no difference.
Instant release Xanax is still my emergency med.Librium--has anyone had success with that? Not I!
Ativan I thought of for acute panic--that's the only time I had it administered by injection.
Valium--I haven't tried it.
good luck!
Posted by Phillipa on February 11, 2010, at 20:10:13
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety?? » jms600, posted by floatingbridge on February 11, 2010, at 3:02:16
FB when very young and given the 5mg valium three times a day at the time xanax and ativan didn't exist nor klonopin that I know of. Tried librium nothing. I was once given the long acting xanax and it did nothing both generic and brand. But and this is a huge but the doc had just taken me off the 50mg of luvox cold turkey. Yes low dose but after 14 years? I think my brain is hooked. Ativan was fine too. Love Phillipa
Posted by djmmm on February 12, 2010, at 14:54:07
In reply to The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by jms600 on February 8, 2010, at 12:03:03
> Can anyone tell me - in their experience - what is the most effective benzo for daytime panic and GAD?? I'm currently taking 10mg of Valium/diazepam for panic attacks and, although it's helping a bit, it's just not cutting it. Should I switch to something like Klonopin/clonazepam? I need something strong, long lasting and very effective!! Please help!
I find Klonopin, more effective than valium, and xanax. Ativan is superior for panic, however, I would suggest you stay away from the short acting benzos if you plan on taking them long term. The longer acting benzos (Klonopin, Valium) are "easier" on your brain, because of the lack of rebound anxiety, which, for some, is a considerable problem associated with the shorter acting/multiple dose benzos.
Posted by DStupid on February 14, 2010, at 16:52:45
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by djmmm on February 12, 2010, at 14:54:07
Xanax (brand) 2 mg -- you can break it into 4 parts or "cubes" .5 mg each, and I take 1 or 2 cubes as needed. Xanax XR is a different animal from regular Xanax, and I didn't like Xanax XR at all. Klonopin wasn't good for me, same for Valium. Ativan was the worst in my humble opinion. There's also Halcyon (the shortest-acting benzo), but I haven't tried it.
Posted by CareBear04 on February 14, 2010, at 21:43:08
In reply to Re: The best benzo for anxiety??, posted by DStupid on February 14, 2010, at 16:52:45
DStupid--
do you notice a difference between brand Xanax and generic? I actually haven't tried the brand, but for most psych meds, i notice a big difference. i agree with you about xanax xr, though-- it was a big disappointment.
thanks,
cb
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