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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 Squiggles on July 10, 2005, at 7:48:57
I was wrong about my anti-benzo stance.
I have a friend who has been able to first,
sleep normally, and then begin to live a
normal life without severe anxiety, phobia,
testiness, worry and just being on edge all
the time, through an increase in clonazepam.I only wish this had been done many years ago.
I, too benefitted in using them in the lithium
headache adjustment.While it's true that they can be mismanaged,
e.g. Xanax (should be used for sudden panic
and shock) can be quickly addicting, there are
others which can and should be taken for a long
time.I was wrong, and I have tried to send a message,
including to benzo.org, that I now believe I
was wrong about benzos.Squiggles
Posted by TerraJo on July 10, 2005, at 10:03:58
In reply to BENZOS, posted by Squiggles on July 10, 2005, at 7:48:57
> I was wrong about my anti-benzo stance.
> I have a friend who has been able to first,
> sleep normally, and then begin to live a
> normal life without severe anxiety, phobia,
> testiness, worry and just being on edge all
> the time, through an increase in clonazepam.
>
> I only wish this had been done many years ago.
>
> I, too benefitted in using them in the lithium
> headache adjustment.
>
> While it's true that they can be mismanaged,
> e.g. Xanax (should be used for sudden panic
> and shock) can be quickly addicting, there are
> others which can and should be taken for a long
> time.
>
> I was wrong, and I have tried to send a message,
> including to benzo.org, that I now believe I
> was wrong about benzos.
>
> SquigglesThat is exactly my history. I can now sleep, hold my own confidently socially, and am a pretty good mom again! Being short-fused is for the birds! I wish I'd never come across any "be careful" information about benzos. Would have saved me a few years of anxiety just over taking them! Thanks for writing such a positive post.
T.
Posted by Glydin on July 10, 2005, at 11:38:49
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by TerraJo on July 10, 2005, at 10:03:58
It is nice to hear of successful findings with the use of benzos. It is possible, I am proof of that. While I rarely use them any longer, for several years mine was a Godsend for me. I would not hesitate to use them again if the situation merited it for me.
I think there is misinformation to be found. Unfortunately, when one attempts to research, the stories of the pitfalls and horror stories are the first ones you find - at least that was the case for me. I also had some very discouraging and angry postings when I posted about benzo success. I found that difficult and confusing - especially, from folks whos goal was to achieve some level of mental wellness and who I thought would be supportive.
I don't discredit there are terrible aftermaths for some users and I believe that. The problem I found is folks who take the hard line antibenzo stance don't believe there are successful users. Blanket generalizations I don't think are ever a good idea.
Posted by olysi79 on July 10, 2005, at 11:57:57
In reply to BENZOS, posted by Squiggles on July 10, 2005, at 7:48:57
I myself love benzos, but only use them as needed, a great help for anxiety and sleep.
> I was wrong about my anti-benzo stance.
> I have a friend who has been able to first,
> sleep normally, and then begin to live a
> normal life without severe anxiety, phobia,
> testiness, worry and just being on edge all
> the time, through an increase in clonazepam.
>
> I only wish this had been done many years ago.
>
> I, too benefitted in using them in the lithium
> headache adjustment.
>
> While it's true that they can be mismanaged,
> e.g. Xanax (should be used for sudden panic
> and shock) can be quickly addicting, there are
> others which can and should be taken for a long
> time.
>
> I was wrong, and I have tried to send a message,
> including to benzo.org, that I now believe I
> was wrong about benzos.
>
> Squiggles
Posted by med_empowered on July 10, 2005, at 14:25:14
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by olysi79 on July 10, 2005, at 11:57:57
hey! Its COMPLETELY understandable to be anti-benzos..it seems like the message is: "these drugs are addictive and dangerous...anyone who takes them is a druggy, and if you take them long-term, you're just a weak-willed RX junky." As a former user of Klonopin, I can tell you that's the message you get not only from uninformed people, but also from *psychiatrists*. People forget that these drugs were an absolute miracle when they were introduced; highly tolerable, minimal side effects, low toxicity, so on and so forth. And now, because benzos are so "addictive" some shrinks use antipsychotics for anxiety instead of perfectly safe benzos. There can be huge problems, this is true, but benzos are in Schedule IV...so, basically, the FDA has decided that these drugs are minimally addictive, but you do need a little supervisiion taking them. I once asked my doc why she felt so comfortable RX'ing Adderall, but refused to prescribe benzos; she couldn't answer (and I got a new doc).
Posted by Glydin on July 10, 2005, at 14:46:21
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by med_empowered on July 10, 2005, at 14:25:14
> I once asked my doc why she felt so comfortable RX'ing Adderall, but refused to prescribe benzos; she couldn't answer (and I got a new doc).
Some of my thoughts about that are: most benzos are older and generic thus aren't making anybody any money when they are prescribed. Even the brand name versions of most - well, Xanax extended release is new so it's an exception - are not as costly to the consumer as the newer meds, therefore, decreased profit.
I know there are other more complicated reasons but I can't help thinking money is at least a small factor.
Posted by med_empowered on July 10, 2005, at 15:39:30
In reply to Re: BENZOS » med_empowered, posted by Glydin on July 10, 2005, at 14:46:21
I think you're definitely on to something there. Have you noticed that lots of shrinks, especially the younger ones, love to play with new drugs? They're like 4 year old kids; if its shiny, new, and the drug reps say its wonderful, they RX it to no end. Look at...Cymbalta. OK, it works, but its really, really similar to Effexor..plus, its new, so it should ideally only be used in limited numbers of patients until really good post-marketing data is in. But...no. The whole world is on Cymbalta, or so it seems. And look at Ritalin LA and Focalin. Same deal. And, I've noticed that in the benzo department, lots of people are taking Klonopin now in the form of Klonopin Wafers. Come on. Wafers? Is it that hard to swallow a tiny generic pill? (or chew it, or stick it under your tongue?) Sorry to rant, but you have a definite point--shrinks love new and expensive meds, and often I think patients suffer as a result of their fixation on the newest, latest, greatest innovation.
Posted by Glydin on July 10, 2005, at 16:18:50
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by med_empowered on July 10, 2005, at 15:39:30
> Sorry to rant, but you have a definite point--shrinks love new and expensive meds, and often I think patients suffer as a result of their fixation on the newest, latest, greatest innovation.
~~~Yep, I have thought that for a long while. I don't necessarily have a terrible view of pharmaceutical companies. I have benefited greatly. But, marketing techniques, well, sit in a doc's waiting room watching the rep parade or talk with office staff or talk to a drug rep who'll be straight with you... it can seem to be about money and perks.
Posted by ed_uk on July 10, 2005, at 16:25:40
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by med_empowered on July 10, 2005, at 15:39:30
Hi Med,
>Cymbalta. OK, it works, but its really, really similar to Effexor..plus, its new, so it should ideally only be used in limited numbers of patients until really good post-marketing data is in.
Now that's where the UK is different. Doctors don't prescribe new drugs very much until they've been around for a few years.
~Ed
Posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2005, at 21:07:16
In reply to Re: BENZOS » med_empowered, posted by ed_uk on July 10, 2005, at 16:25:40
The only success I've really ever had has been with benzos. I never abused them. I've been able over the years to cut them out completely. But a pdoc has to Rx a med to justify you seeing them. I went back to valium . I think it helps me. I had to get the namebrand though so it's expensive. SSRI's don't help with anxiet in my opinion only. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by sleepygirl on July 10, 2005, at 22:24:41
In reply to Re: BENZOS, posted by Phillipa on July 10, 2005, at 21:07:16
I once had a psychiatrist who was such a slimy bastard. He always seemed to have slimy drug reps slithering out of his office. That bastard would do anything not to prescribe some freakin' simple klonopin (it was just what I needed by the way). I'm a little bitter because as he handed me my first effexor XR prescription (it was to be the 2nd antidepressant I had tried after some limited success with zoloft from a GP) he said "Well this is it....this is the last thing we can try." I know from reading this board there are SO many options. I felt so ashamed for not feeling "better enough" and for being so "drug resistant".
Posted by Jazzed on July 11, 2005, at 10:49:26
In reply to BENZOS, posted by Squiggles on July 10, 2005, at 7:48:57
>
> While it's true that they can be mismanaged,
> e.g. Xanax (should be used for sudden panic
> and shock) can be quickly addicting, there are
> others which can and should be taken for a long
> time.
>This might be true for some that it's addictive. I don't find it addictive at all. It doesn't do anything to me other than take away the physical symptoms of anxiety for 4-5 hours. I take a small dose as needed and at all other times have no problem without it.
Jazzy
Posted by Squiggles on July 11, 2005, at 11:23:50
In reply to Re: BENZOS » Squiggles, posted by Jazzed on July 11, 2005, at 10:49:26
>
> >
> > While it's true that they can be mismanaged,
> > e.g. Xanax (should be used for sudden panic
> > and shock) can be quickly addicting, there are
> > others which can and should be taken for a long
> > time.
> >
>
> This might be true for some that it's addictive. I don't find it addictive at all. It doesn't do anything to me other than take away the physical symptoms of anxiety for 4-5 hours. I take a small dose as needed and at all other times have no problem without it.
>
> JazzyI don't think it's addicting either, in the sense
of a need to increase the dose for the same effect.I have been taking it for 15 yrs. and my doctor only raised the dose once or twice - on the occasion of strange posture reactions after 7 yrs.
and on the occasion of withdrawal when I was
permitted to take as much an increase as necessary
to get rid of what felt like encephalitis.When I was at benzo.org and tried to withdraw
after about 12 years, I was very ill after a year
and a half. I got seizures, and what felt like a stroke. I could not walk for a month, and I had
severe headaches, blood pressure changes, and severe depression. My doctor said it was withdrawal, but I think it was a stroke and seizures. Maybe it was bipolar coming back?
Who knows.I think everyone is different and is prescribed
this drug for different reasons and reacts in
different ways. It certainly is an excellent benzo
for anxiety, insomnia, muscle tensions, and
headaches.Squiggles
Posted by Squiggles on July 11, 2005, at 12:05:29
In reply to Re: BENZOS » Squiggles, posted by Jazzed on July 11, 2005, at 10:49:26
Just so as not to overwhelm people here
with repetition on Klonopin, if you would
like to read it from the horse's mouth,
try going to ROCHE's monograph which i
found in pdf. form:xpdf:/tmp/pi-1.pdf
or try a search on Google under the
key wordsKlonopin Roche
I think they probably say it better than I can. :-)
Squiggles
This is the end of the thread.
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