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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Zillhouse on May 9, 2009, at 17:00:54
So here's my deal.
At the age of 17 I had a horrific experience after ingesting copious amounts of marijuana. I had a complete meltdown, I depersonalized, I derealized, I hallucinated, I had major panic, I thought I was going insane, etc. etc. Since that time I have smoked marijuana about 3 times, each time reactivating the exact same response. What worried me most was I started having related short panic attack experiences during sober states, specifically when put in pressure social situations.
The main issue is I am an actor, and my livelihood depends on my ability to perform in front of others. In college during one of my shows I had a panic attack in the middle of one of my lines. I managed to pull it together just long enough to get through the scene, but the experience freaked me out so much that the rest of the run all I could think about was just making it though to the end of the show. I was no longer acting I was just trying to make it through the show without running off the stage in complete terror. The next show I was cast in, I quit because the anticipation was just too scary.
I was sent to a pdoc and I was dx'ed with anxiety disorder. At 22 years old I started paxil which seemed to help with the problem, but I went on an off for years due to extreme fatigue and terrible sexual side effects. I am 31 now and have gone through a whole host of med regiments every one having it's own host of problems.
I really hate AD's they just make me feel weird. I just want something that will take away my social phobias and allow me to feel comfortable speaking and being with people. I'm afraid to meet new people and I hate going out. I don't audition anymore because of the fear, and when asked to do productions all I can think of are excuses to get out of it. I'm even too afraid to take on regular work due to social interaction. I'm living in a horrible nightmare.
Currently I'm on 5mg paxil, 10mg buspar 2x daily, and as needed 0.5mg ativan.
Ativan is the only thing that seems to do anything.
My questing is, could just being on a healthy dose of benzos help? Specifically a daily regiment, not just as needed.
Is there anyone here who has successfully used benzos on a daily basis over a prolonged period of time?
Am I setting myself up for future problems if I get on the benzo train?
All responses will help, thanks.
Zill
Posted by Zana on May 9, 2009, at 17:34:44
In reply to Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Zillhouse on May 9, 2009, at 17:00:54
Benzos are really best taken on a schedule, rather than as needed, in my opinion. It minimizes abuse potential and exposure to anxiety. And longer acting benzos are better than shorter acting ones for the same reason. I take 3 mgs of klonopin daily. I don't think it's great for my memory and it would take me a long time and a tremendous effort to come off of it but I have not become habituated to this dose. In other words the same dose has done the same thing for me for a long time. People have very different responses to different benzos so it will be trial and error to find one that works for you, if one does the trick. Have you tried other AD's? Some people even find that stimulants help with social anxiety. You might try another post aimed at getting advice on what other meds have helped people with social anxiety. I have seen a lot of different combinations.
Good luck. Sounds like rough going.
Zana
Posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2009, at 19:19:28
In reply to Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Zillhouse on May 9, 2009, at 17:00:54
Benzos worked great for me on scheduled basis for nearly 40 years. So Agree also with Zana that a regular long acting one is probably the best. I wouldn't go on and off paxil as they may not work the next time. I myself was on l0mg of paxil for two years years ago with benzos. Good luck sounds miserable. Phillipa
Posted by jedi on May 10, 2009, at 3:20:05
In reply to Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Zillhouse on May 9, 2009, at 17:00:54
Hi Zill,
I used between 1 and 2mg of clonazepam daily for many years. Clonazepam is roughly twice as potent as lorazepam(Ativan). Even though you do loose the "sigh of relief" from using benzos PRN, I believe that clonazepam helps with the social anxiety even with long term, daily use.Now, after a few years, you may not be able to remember your lines. But that is another story and the reason I quit after many years.
Take Care,
Jedi
Posted by Neal on May 10, 2009, at 3:23:46
In reply to Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Zillhouse on May 9, 2009, at 17:00:54
If public performance is the main issue, I've read that beta blockers might do the trick. Might try it before going the full benzo route. Benzo's are hard to get off of.
Posted by Frustratedmama on May 10, 2009, at 10:56:37
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Neal on May 10, 2009, at 3:23:46
Just wanted to say that I too had the same reaction to marijuana as a teen (I am almost 40 now and would never try it again!). Interesting that we had the same reaction! I actually went to ER thinking I was dying from a "bad trip" I thought the stuff was laced! Found out it wasn't (long story but I am sure it wasn't). Anyway, that feeling is the same response I get to the atypical antipsychotics now! Strange huh? Anyone know what causes this? On the other hand, I can take Librium and valium without addiction or feeling weird; yet xanax made me feel slightly off (like I had imaginied marijuana was supposed to feel). Personally, I think Benzos are an option but remember not all benzos are created equal. I am interested in Klonopin given what I have learned. Valium and Librium aren't that "strong" for me unless I take a high dose yet xanax took me for a ride at a low dose. Low doses of valium or librium seem to normalize my anxiety (not make me feel drugged or happy). However, if I dont take them regularly (miss a dose) I feel more irritable- not sure if it is the rebound effect or if I just need the meds.....
Sorry for the long post- hope it helps!
Posted by Ethrem on May 10, 2009, at 14:11:18
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Frustratedmama on May 10, 2009, at 10:56:37
Its perfectly reasonable to go on a long acting benzodiazepine for management rather than as needed.
I, too, had a really paradoxical reaction to marijuana and it returns every time I smoke it though its much less now that I'm on Klonopin. Your reaction is exactly like mine. Interesting.
Anyway, I was on Xanax PRN for years... Kept escalating the dose, getting deeper and deeper into addiction. Now I'm on 3mg of Klonopin a day and I've not been this functional in years. I haven't escalated my dose in a year, in fact, I feel like I need less now.
I had a really nasty experience with beta blockers and keep in mind that if you take beta blockers as has been suggested, you're pretty much a lifer as getting off of them can actually cause heart attacks. My personal belief is that heart medications should only be used for heart problems because of the associated risks with them.
Posted by cee on May 10, 2009, at 15:49:07
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable? » Zillhouse, posted by Phillipa on May 9, 2009, at 19:19:28
Philipa
please tell me your story about your use of benzos for so long your body must have gotten use to them and how much were you taking for your anxietycurious cee
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2009, at 20:50:15
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by cee on May 10, 2009, at 15:49:07
Cee my body began to get used to them only about 5 years ago. I'd go almost off as didn't need them. Then when thyroid went needed more. Since then merry go round. Taking only l0mg of valium and .25 xanax at night only but does nothing for agoraphobic fear of being alone more accurate. Seems they now make me tired and used to give energy. And if they worked for that length of time I'd not worry as surely a better med will soon come out. Love Phillipa babblemail mail is on if additional questions anyone.
Posted by Ethrem on May 10, 2009, at 23:27:08
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable? » cee, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2009, at 20:50:15
I highly doubt that a new med will come out that will be as effective as the benzodiazepines. There really is no other system in the brain that works better than the BZD-GABA connection. If anything, they'll just create a new type of GABAergic med which will have the same problems of addiction and withdrawal the benzos do.
Posted by West on May 11, 2009, at 18:25:42
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by Ethrem on May 10, 2009, at 14:11:18
You're better off with a beta blocker for performance anxiety, the below comment is completely unsubstantiated in my limited knowledge.
Benzos WILL disrupt your memory - both recall and formation and to some extent all are amnesic.
I foresee big problems with remembering large amounts of lines on them.
> I had a really nasty experience with beta blockers and keep in mind that if you take beta blockers as has been suggested, you're pretty much a lifer as getting off of them can actually cause heart attacks. My personal belief is that heart medications should only be used for heart problems because of the associated risks with them.
Posted by Neal on May 15, 2009, at 2:46:02
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by West on May 11, 2009, at 18:25:42
_
Beta blockers have been used by actors and musicians for decades just before performances. They're only used for special occasions, not all the time.
_
Posted by desolationrower on May 15, 2009, at 5:23:06
In reply to Re: Benzo daily use...reasonable?, posted by West on May 11, 2009, at 18:25:42
guanfacine might help focus, and also have some of the reducing in flight/fight feeling.
-d/r
This is the end of the thread.
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