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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 21 of 21. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by KaraS on July 20, 2005, at 14:09:11
I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
Posted by med_empowered on July 20, 2005, at 18:35:02
In reply to Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by KaraS on July 20, 2005, at 14:09:11
hey! Convulsions really arent that common when you withdraw from sedatives, even long term. The big problem is with the barbiturates--long-term ,high dose withdrawal can lead to fata seizures, even when withdrawal is medically supervised. From what I understand, if you're on high-end benzo doses and you've been on them for a while, you won't go into convulsions until a little bit after the med is completely out of your system. So...if you're on Klonopin, Tranxene, or other long-acting ones, you have a couple days for the stuff to leave your system, and then a little while after that for the "rebound" of brain activity to reach a point at which you experience convulsions. Even then, people on high-end benzos doses dont always experience convulsions, and the convulsions that do occur usually aren't fatal, as they often are with barbiturate withdrawal. If you drink heavily, have a pre-existing seizure condition, or take meds that lower the seizure threshold (antidepressants, antipsychotics, stimulants), your risk jumps somewhat...I believe the risk also jumps if you have a brain injury, but im not entirely sure about this. If you get sick and have to be hospitalized w/o your meds, just make sure the docs know what you're taking...whenever possible, its a good idea to bring any and all RX bottles with you to the hospital. Once you're in the hospital, the docs there would be responsible for making sure you dont go into withdrawal. Since Ativan is available as an injection for sedation and anaesthesia, they'd probably do a conversion of your medication into ativan and dose up appropriately. Again: the seizure risk with all sedatives (even barbiturates) is way over-exagerrated. Unless you abuse sedatives for a long timee and/or have risk factors for convulsions, the odds of experiencing seizures are pretty low, and the odds that any convulsions you do experience will be fatal is very low (at least for BZDs..barbiturates are another story entirely). Good luck!
Posted by Declan on July 20, 2005, at 21:00:54
In reply to Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by KaraS on July 20, 2005, at 14:09:11
Hi Kara
Way before you get seizures you would get all sorts of unpleasant fear, anxiety, tension etc reactions that would eventually become so unpleasant that you'd do something about them, though obviously this is dose and time dependant.
No need for an IV drip. Sublingual is as quick as an IM.
Declan
Posted by Phillipa on July 21, 2005, at 15:25:20
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by Declan on July 20, 2005, at 21:00:54
Kara, I agree with the above posts. But if you ever need surgery make sure the surgeon reorders your benzo after the surgery. I once had a pt on 4mg xanax whom the surgeon forgot to reorder his xanax. He became extremely agitated and had to be restrained. He was out of it. When I returned the next day his xanax had been resumed and he was himself again. This wouldn't happen with the longer acting benzos like klonopin or valium, etc. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by KaraS on July 21, 2005, at 18:31:46
In reply to Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by KaraS on July 20, 2005, at 14:09:11
Thanks everyone. I feel less scared now about starting on the Klonopin.
k
Posted by ace on July 21, 2005, at 21:42:26
In reply to Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by KaraS on July 20, 2005, at 14:09:11
> I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
Ace
Posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 0:31:16
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by ace on July 21, 2005, at 21:42:26
> > I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
>
> ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
>
> Ace
Hi Ace,I KNOW it's dangerous to stop them cold turkey. That's why I was worried about what would happen if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning and COULDN'T take the benzo for a while.
Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down? If so, what did you do? Maybe it makes sense to have at least a few of the sublingual ones on hand although even those might be difficult to take if you're really sick.
Kara
Posted by Declan on July 22, 2005, at 1:36:45
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » ace, posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 0:31:16
Hey Kara
You don't need sublingual ones. You just put them under your tongue, or if they're tough into your mouth and chew them.
Declan
Posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 14:22:32
In reply to Sublingual, posted by Declan on July 22, 2005, at 1:36:45
> Hey Kara
> You don't need sublingual ones. You just put them under your tongue, or if they're tough into your mouth and chew them.
> Declan
You're saying chew it and then leave it under your tongue to try to absorb it that way? I wonder if I could even do that now that I remember the terrible stomach flus I've had. But it would certainly be worth trying before trying to get to an ER.k
Posted by ed_uk on July 22, 2005, at 14:31:23
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » ace, posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 0:31:16
Hi Kara,
>Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down? If so, what did you do?
If you were vomiting, you could use diazepam suppositories to substitute for the clonazepam..........assuming that they're available in the US.
Ed x
Posted by Declan on July 22, 2005, at 15:57:47
In reply to Re: Sublingual » Declan, posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 14:22:32
Posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 19:04:21
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on July 22, 2005, at 14:31:23
Thanks. It's nice to know there's another option. I'm still kind of scared about creating a dependence on the Klonopin. I wish I weren't such a benzophobe. :(
k
Posted by ed_uk on July 23, 2005, at 7:17:11
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » ed_uk, posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 19:04:21
> It's nice to know there's another option.
But are the suppositories available in the US? I've got a feeling that the rectal gel is available but not the suppositories.
~Ed x
Posted by KaraS on July 23, 2005, at 14:29:34
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by ed_uk on July 23, 2005, at 7:17:11
> > It's nice to know there's another option.
>
> But are the suppositories available in the US? I've got a feeling that the rectal gel is available but not the suppositories.
>
> ~Ed x
I don't think so. I just went to two on-line pharmacy sites and only found the gel.
K
Posted by ed_uk on July 23, 2005, at 14:45:50
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » ed_uk, posted by KaraS on July 23, 2005, at 14:29:34
Oh well. I guess you could use the gel for a couple of days to treat/prevent acute withdrawal symptoms if oral intake was impossible.
ed xx
Posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 0:29:42
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » ace, posted by KaraS on July 22, 2005, at 0:31:16
> > > I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
> >
> > ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
> >
> > Ace
>
>
> Hi Ace,
>
> I KNOW it's dangerous to stop them cold turkey. That's why I was worried about what would happen if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning and COULDN'T take the benzo for a while.
>
> Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down?NO. I always keep Xaxnax down...do you mean throwing up or something?
If so, what did you do? Maybe it makes sense to have at least a few of the sublingual ones on hand although even those might be difficult to take if you're really sick.
>
> Kara
Posted by KaraS on July 24, 2005, at 3:43:02
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly?, posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 0:29:42
> > > > I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
> > >
> > > ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
> > >
> > > Ace
> >
> >
> > Hi Ace,
> >
> > I KNOW it's dangerous to stop them cold turkey. That's why I was worried about what would happen if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning and COULDN'T take the benzo for a while.
> >
> > Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down?
>
> NO. I always keep Xaxnax down...do you mean throwing up or something?
Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I've had stomach flus where I couldn't keep food down for a few days at a time. I probably shouldn't worry about such things. (I'm a little neurotic, can you tell?)k
Posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 22:25:08
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? ?ace, posted by KaraS on July 24, 2005, at 3:43:02
> > > > > I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
> > > >
> > > > ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
> > > >
> > > > Ace
> > >
> > >
> > > Hi Ace,
> > >
> > > I KNOW it's dangerous to stop them cold turkey. That's why I was worried about what would happen if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning and COULDN'T take the benzo for a while.
> > >
> > > Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down?
> >
> > NO. I always keep Xaxnax down...do you mean throwing up or something?
>
>
>
> Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I've had stomach flus where I couldn't keep food down for a few days at a time. I probably shouldn't worry about such things. (I'm a little neurotic, can you tell?)
>
> k
>
> I can't see how that is related to Xanax...Xanax is very mild on the stomach...hmmm, let me do some detective work!Ace
>
>
>
>
>
Posted by 4WD on July 24, 2005, at 22:47:07
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 22:25:08
Kara,
When I take my Klonopin I don't even swallow it. I just let it dissolve under my tongue. It works quicker that way. And it has a slightly minty taste - not bad at all. It's not a sublingual form, just the regular Klonopin. It works fine like that.
Marsha
Posted by KaraS on July 25, 2005, at 0:36:50
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by ace on July 24, 2005, at 22:25:08
> > > > > > I know that there's a strong risk of seizures if you've been on a benzo for a while and you stop taking it abruptly. How long before you stop taking it does this become a problem? I'm worried that if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning, would I have to get myself to an emergency room ASAP in order to have an IV drip of the medication?
> > > > >
> > > > > ALWAYS stop a benzo EXTREMELY slowly. Some people CAN drop them cold turkey, but better to be safe then sorry...
> > > > >
> > > > > Ace
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Hi Ace,
> > > >
> > > > I KNOW it's dangerous to stop them cold turkey. That's why I was worried about what would happen if I got a stomach flu or food poisoning and COULDN'T take the benzo for a while.
> > > >
> > > > Has that ever happened to you where you couldn't keep a pill down?
> > >
> > > NO. I always keep Xaxnax down...do you mean throwing up or something?
> >
> >
> >
> > Yes, that's exactly what I mean. I've had stomach flus where I couldn't keep food down for a few days at a time. I probably shouldn't worry about such things. (I'm a little neurotic, can you tell?)
> >
> > k
> >
> > I can't see how that is related to Xanax...Xanax is very mild on the stomach...hmmm, let me do some detective work!
>
> AceHi Ace,
This is becoming a comedy of errors. I didn't mean that the Xanax would CAUSE the stomach upset. I'm just saying that sometimes, independend of the medication, a person can get a horrible flu or food poisoning and because of that, they can't keep anything down - not food or pills. I was wondering what a person should do in that situation in order to take their medication.
Don't trouble yourself over it. I'm just being very neurotic to even think of such a situation.
Take care,
Kara
Posted by KaraS on July 25, 2005, at 0:38:01
In reply to Re: Stopping a benzo abruptly? » KaraS, posted by 4WD on July 24, 2005, at 22:47:07
> Kara,
>
> When I take my Klonopin I don't even swallow it. I just let it dissolve under my tongue. It works quicker that way. And it has a slightly minty taste - not bad at all. It's not a sublingual form, just the regular Klonopin. It works fine like that.
>
> Marsha
Good to know! Thanks. Do you mind if I ask you how much you take and how long you've been taking it for? Overall, how do you like it?K
This is the end of the thread.
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