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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by blondemoments on December 9, 2010, at 18:28:50
I have dealt with severe anxiety, on/off depression, and PTSD issues for half my life.
After being on SO many drugs & the "fog" zone for so many years, I have felt like I was in a better place in my life and in the past 3 months have successfully slowly tapered off Zoloft & Lamictal. (My most recent cocktail.....I have tried them all).
Now here is my biggest hurdle.....My Benzo problem. I was prescribed Xanax in 1991 after my first real anxiety attack. Little did I know that as much as that little peach pill would feel like my friend, it would grow to become my worst "frenemy". Over the years, I had to take more and more Xanax (hence the "XR") and then finally
approximately 8 years ago, my psych doctor decided
that Klonopin would be an "alternative" drug since it lasts longer.Since I had to have major surgery many years ago to remove parts of my stomach, I do not digest medications normally so I take more than a normal person without feeling the effects.
So here is my current dose:
I take 1 mg of Klonopin 3 times a day.....and
I take 1 Xanax XR (sometimes in a.m. before work)
but always 1 before Bed.I know this sounds like alot of benzos but I never feel hungover, perhaps it's because I have been on it for so many years my body is so use to the dosage. BUT, I do want to try to taper off.
Question is.....I know I will always have this anxiety problem......how can I taper off this large amount and still keep my anxiety under control? (I have a very high stress job)
I take plenty of vitamins, supplements and HAVE attempted to taper off many times before without much success (just an FYI).....I drink plenty of water, eat well, get plenty of exercise, I just have MAJOR anxiety!
Thanks in advance for any advice :)
Posted by Guy on December 9, 2010, at 18:49:34
In reply to Need to get off Klonopin + Xaxan XR..advise please, posted by blondemoments on December 9, 2010, at 18:28:50
I have found that Zyprexa lets me reduce my benzo intake with almost no withdrawal effects. However (and this is a big however) there are hazards such as weight gain, diabetes and general lethargy. Also, there is severe rebound insomnia if you ever decide to quit. Nevertheless, I am suggesting this as a possibility since you seem to be a life-long anxiety sufferer like me. You could go on the lowest dose (2.5 mg)and see how it agrees with you. Who knows, you might be able to get right off the benzos with the help of this minimal dose. Having said that, you must realize that benzos are very safe and that if you are doing well on a certain dosage (even if it is high) who cares? You are living your life as best you can and not hurting anyone. Anything is better than chronic anxiety.
Posted by Phillipa on December 9, 2010, at 19:22:53
In reply to Re: Need to get off Klonopin + Xaxan XR..advise please, posted by Guy on December 9, 2010, at 18:49:34
Have to agree with above to me least benign of the meds available. Phillipa 40 year veteran of benzos who has never raised the dose
Posted by Lou Pilder on December 10, 2010, at 5:32:21
In reply to Need to get off Klonopin + Xaxan XR..advise please, posted by blondemoments on December 9, 2010, at 18:28:50
> I have dealt with severe anxiety, on/off depression, and PTSD issues for half my life.
>
> After being on SO many drugs & the "fog" zone for so many years, I have felt like I was in a better place in my life and in the past 3 months have successfully slowly tapered off Zoloft & Lamictal. (My most recent cocktail.....I have tried them all).
>
> Now here is my biggest hurdle.....My Benzo problem. I was prescribed Xanax in 1991 after my first real anxiety attack. Little did I know that as much as that little peach pill would feel like my friend, it would grow to become my worst "frenemy". Over the years, I had to take more and more Xanax (hence the "XR") and then finally
> approximately 8 years ago, my psych doctor decided
> that Klonopin would be an "alternative" drug since it lasts longer.
>
> Since I had to have major surgery many years ago to remove parts of my stomach, I do not digest medications normally so I take more than a normal person without feeling the effects.
>
> So here is my current dose:
> I take 1 mg of Klonopin 3 times a day.....and
> I take 1 Xanax XR (sometimes in a.m. before work)
> but always 1 before Bed.
>
> I know this sounds like alot of benzos but I never feel hungover, perhaps it's because I have been on it for so many years my body is so use to the dosage. BUT, I do want to try to taper off.
>
> Question is.....I know I will always have this anxiety problem......how can I taper off this large amount and still keep my anxiety under control? (I have a very high stress job)
>
> I take plenty of vitamins, supplements and HAVE attempted to taper off many times before without much success (just an FYI).....I drink plenty of water, eat well, get plenty of exercise, I just have MAJOR anxiety!
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice :)blondmoments,
You wrote,[...advise please...My benzo problem..how can I taper off...MAJOR anxiety...].
I would like for you to read the following article and then I would like to have discussion.
You see, one could die in the situation that you are in and I think that I could offer you information that could have the potential to save your life.
You may see an ongoing aspect of my presence here in relation to that there are numerous outstanding requests from me to Mr. Hsiung. The fact that they continue to be outstanding could IMHO cause a stigmatization of me to the point that there could be the potential IMO for one to disregard what I am posting. That could have the potential IMO for people to die here or get a life-ruining condition as a result IMO of thinking that since my requests remain outstanding, (redacted by respondent).
I would like for you to read to the posts of mine for they come from reliable well-researched articles written by notable psychiatrists, doctors, former drug reps, chemists and researchers and others. Be also understanding that I am not permitted to post here a large body of education that IMHO could save your life and the lives of others. This information is in the historical record and I am unsure as to what I am prohibited from posting about that could epose what could be unbeknownst to you. Also, I am not permitted by the rules of Mr. Hsiung to me to post here where you could find the information that is not permitted by the rules here to be posted. This I am sorry for because the prohibition of posting where you could find the information could result IMO of the death of someone because without the information that I could give here, one could IMHO be led in a direction that has incomplete information due to the prohibition of me to post where you could find information that I think could open up a new realm of understanding that I think could save lives.
Lou
Here is a link to information that I think could save your life.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benzodiazepine_withdrawal_syndrome
Posted by Guy on December 10, 2010, at 13:06:58
In reply to Lou's response-psahyvuhlyph » blondemoments, posted by Lou Pilder on December 10, 2010, at 5:32:21
Lou, the information you provided is no doubt accurate for some people, but keep in mind you are talking to a person who has lived with chronic anxiety for about 20 years. Unless you have experienced this yourself, there is no way you can know how life-robbing such a condition is. It sounds to me like Blondemoments will be on meds for the rest of her life. A small dose of Seroquel or Zyprexa may help her reduce her benzo usage and make her life more bearable.
Posted by Lou Pilder on December 10, 2010, at 17:54:08
In reply to Re: Lou's response-psahyvuhlyph, posted by Guy on December 10, 2010, at 13:06:58
> Lou, the information you provided is no doubt accurate for some people, but keep in mind you are talking to a person who has lived with chronic anxiety for about 20 years. Unless you have experienced this yourself, there is no way you can know how life-robbing such a condition is. It sounds to me like Blondemoments will be on meds for the rest of her life. A small dose of Seroquel or Zyprexa may help her reduce her benzo usage and make her life more bearable.
Guy,
You wrote,[...accurate for some people...umless...there is nn www that you could know...meds for the rest of her life...]
I am unsure as to what you are wanting to mean here. If you could post answers here to thhe following, then I could have the opportunity to respond accordingly.
A. If the facts in the article are accurate for some, would not the facts be accurate for all? If not, and if the subject person does not apply to the facts therin, what facts in the article involving the subject person not apply to?
B.Could someone know that has not experianced it by some other way that could be unbekknownst to you?
C. What criteria do you use to state that the subject person..{meds for the rest of her life}?
D. redacted by respondent.
Lou
Posted by Phillipa on December 10, 2010, at 19:45:14
In reply to Lou's request-phalovrhel » Guy, posted by Lou Pilder on December 10, 2010, at 17:54:08
40 years of low dose benzos still. Phillipa
Posted by 49er on December 15, 2010, at 7:13:36
In reply to Need to get off Klonopin + Xaxan XR..advise please, posted by blondemoments on December 9, 2010, at 18:28:50
Hi,
As one who successfully tapered off of a psych med cocktail of 4 meds, I wanted to chime in. While I didn't taper benzos, I think my advice still applies.
First of all, I would google Heather Ashton as she is the expert on tapering benzos. I think her withdrawal schedule is too fast but I still think she provides valuable information.
Personally, I would not use a med to taper because then you have to eventually get off that med. It defeats the purpose.
I would taper 10% of current dose every 4 to 6 weeks. Yes, it will take longer but you're not saving time by going more fast which causes horrific WD issues.
I relate to your statement about feeling like you will always have anxiety. I feel that way about depression particularly being currently unemployed. But knowing that about yourself is freeing since you now can ask yourself what steps to take so you can live med free.
Have you tried CBT?
Regarding your job being stressful, I know in this economy, changing jobs isn't easy. But is that a possibility or can you find ways to less the stress in your current position?
By the way, I know this all easier said than done. Now that I am off meds, some issues hit me big time that I have to deal with and I am slowly making progress. But it is definitely not easy and it caused me to understand why people chose to be on psych meds.
Just so people know, I feel this has nothing to do with my brain chemistry except for the fact that I feel the meds were numbing me to my problems.
Anyway, I hope this helps and let me know if you have other questions.
As an FYI, sometimes, I forget to check back so if you want to get a hold of me, babble mail me.
49er
> I have dealt with severe anxiety, on/off depression, and PTSD issues for half my life.
>
> After being on SO many drugs & the "fog" zone for so many years, I have felt like I was in a better place in my life and in the past 3 months have successfully slowly tapered off Zoloft & Lamictal. (My most recent cocktail.....I have tried them all).
>
> Now here is my biggest hurdle.....My Benzo problem. I was prescribed Xanax in 1991 after my first real anxiety attack. Little did I know that as much as that little peach pill would feel like my friend, it would grow to become my worst "frenemy". Over the years, I had to take more and more Xanax (hence the "XR") and then finally
> approximately 8 years ago, my psych doctor decided
> that Klonopin would be an "alternative" drug since it lasts longer.
>
> Since I had to have major surgery many years ago to remove parts of my stomach, I do not digest medications normally so I take more than a normal person without feeling the effects.
>
> So here is my current dose:
> I take 1 mg of Klonopin 3 times a day.....and
> I take 1 Xanax XR (sometimes in a.m. before work)
> but always 1 before Bed.
>
> I know this sounds like alot of benzos but I never feel hungover, perhaps it's because I have been on it for so many years my body is so use to the dosage. BUT, I do want to try to taper off.
>
> Question is.....I know I will always have this anxiety problem......how can I taper off this large amount and still keep my anxiety under control? (I have a very high stress job)
>
> I take plenty of vitamins, supplements and HAVE attempted to taper off many times before without much success (just an FYI).....I drink plenty of water, eat well, get plenty of exercise, I just have MAJOR anxiety!
>
> Thanks in advance for any advice :)
This is the end of the thread.
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