[ComfortablyNumb5]

If this needs to be moved to the anxiety forum then mods, feel free. But I'm posting here since most, if not all BP people experience some kind of anxiety issue.

Now my question is, out of the benzo category (xanax, klonopin, Ativan, Valium), what do you feel makes them different from your experience? Even if you just tried two. And yes we all know the half life is different so say, xanax is the shortest acting and I "think" Valium is the longest acting??

For me, Xanax feels like it has the strongest punch but doesn't last long enough. And then one time klonopin made me super depressed until it wore off. My friend who is prescribed Ativan hates xanax because she says it makes her aggressive. She is also BP. So I'm wondering how these meds may differ for anyone here?

Whether you've been on 1 of these or all, what's your experience and how would you compare them??

Ive tried klonopin and Ativan. Klonopin was not nearly strong enough to help at all whereas Ativan does. I was in a mixed state when i tried klonopin and it did nothing which frustrated the hell out of me and actually made me more agitated and furious. Ativan i still use from time to time because it actually works for a short period of time.

[BeyondtheRainbow]

Xanax knocked me out for 3 days from the first (and only) dose I took.

I took ativan for years and when I was IP it wasn't helping enough so I changed to klonopin which is much better for me. It helps my anxiety more and lasts longer than ativan. It's been so long I don't remember other comparisons.

I have valium for mania/mixed when I can't sleep no matter what else I'm on. I'm really sensitive to it and while it doesn't always get me to sleep immediately if I take it I will generally sleep some. I've never been on it alone and can't imagine I ever would be since I am so sensitive to it.

I did learn that being on benzos for years can have consequences with ones that you haven't taken. They gave me versed before surgery when I was having nerve blocks placed and said it would put me to sleep (twilight sedation). It did absolutely nothing, even after they gave a 2nd vial. Fortunately I wasn't bothered by the nerve block placement in the least and did not need the versed but I'm making sure nobody ever relies on it to knock me out again.

[99fairies]

I've been on all of them. Ativan made me high ( I did Abuse it though) Xanex I barely felt anything on it, Valuim made me tired and hungry. Now I take klonopin and it works well for me. No side effects except for a reduction in my anxiety.

[WildcatVet]

I wouldn't touch ANY benzodiazepine with a ten foot pole...especially long term. Besides being addictive they can cause anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, memory loss....
Many doctors now refuse to prescribe them and are being advised to try weaning their long term patients off them.

[*Laurie*]

I've been on Klonopin for over 20 years...it was prescribed to me back when benzos were the 'in' med. Klonopin has helped my anxiety. I'm afraid I'll never be off it, but I can't say it doesn't help me.

Xanax...it's okay short-term.

Ativan scared me; I had complete black-outs when I took it. Absolutely zero memory of what I'd done.

Valium was great...but that's the problem...it's very easy to become completely addicted to it.

[Nammu]

I hate benzos when they wear off my emotions are worse. When I was at the pain clinic they switched me to propranolol, greatest anti anxiety drug ever. I'll never go back on a benzo and the up/down merry-go-round.

[Sunflower123]

I've been on Valium, Xanax, Xanax ER and Klonopin. I currently take 2 mg of Xanax ER each day and when I have panic attacks or a lot of anxiety I take Valium .prn. Regular Xanax did nothing for me and Klonopin takes a little longer to kick in. The withdrawal from Xanax is really rough and you have to taper down carefully.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

They call that "rebound anxiety" and yea it is a possibility with any benzo. You pretty much have to pick your poison.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I've been on Valium, Xanax, Xanax ER and Klonopin. I currently take 2 mg of Xanax ER each day and when I have panic attacks or a lot of anxiety I take Valium .prn. Regular Xanax did nothing for me and Klonopin takes a little longer to kick in. The withdrawal from Xanax is really rough and you have to taper down carefully.

lol sorry I didn't see you post by the time I did. Just saying that those left with worse feelings, they call it rebound anxiety. It usually appears in high and frequent doses

[xRavenx]

Same as you with Xanax: short-acting, but has more of a "punch."
Klonopin sometimes makes me a little more tired for my liking, but the fact it lasts long has its advantages. When I have days where I am worrying a lot, it helps slow the thoughts down enough to get through the day, most of the time. Sometimes it does have an opposite effect where I am more irritable, but its usually as a result of it making me too tired and groggy. Ativan feels good, makes sleep more peaceful when combined with an AP. It's also good during the day, but like Xanax, it wears off fast.

[Shazerac]

I've only experienced xanax. It helps me with anxiety, pain, and tension headache. I'm on a low dose of .5mg per day. It hasn't caused a problem for me that I'm aware of. I cant speak for other peoples experience.

[still_crazy]

i think ativan was my favorite, although I haven't taken a benzodiazepine in years at this point. Ativan calmed my agitation, but it didn't have the obvious effects on my mental capacity that xanax did. also, it worked a lot faster than Klonopin, without pushing my mood down to a low point like long term, daily clonazepam use did.

ativan seems somewhat popular in psych settings. its coupled with the tranquilizers/antipsychotics on a regular basis, and I think there's an injection, too.

it seems that xanax is now being singled out in some areas as the evil villain of the benzodiazepines. ugh. i read an article...i think in a couple states, there's a push to regulate xanax more, by putting it into schedule III or maybe even schedule II. i dont see how that will actually help anyone, but...yeah.

[seoultous]

I take a low dose of Klonopin to sleep. I've been on it - same dose - for years. It works fine and if I don't take it, there doesn't seem to be a noticeable reaction. I am prescribed Xanax PRN but use it infrequently.

Just like with other meds, I guess this class of medications has different effects on people. I can understand why some are concerned about tolerance and addiction but I am not.

[Guiness187055]

For me I have taken xanax, klonopin, ativan and restoril.

Restoril is great for sleep for me. It gently puts me to sleep with a little bit of residual left over the next day.

Klonopin just made me tired all day. Good for anxiety

Ativan was okay for panic attacks but more of a muscle relaxing action. I would say the best benzo if you wanted to get high.

Xanax is like using a bazooka to kill a panic attack very effective only lasts 2-4 hours.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

For me I have taken xanax, klonopin, ativan and restoril.

Restoril is great for sleep for me. It gently puts me to sleep with a little bit of residual left over the next day.

Klonopin just made me tired all day. Good for anxiety

Ativan was okay for panic attacks but more of a muscle relaxing action. I would say the best benzo if you wanted to get high.

Xanax is like using a bazooka to kill a panic attack very effective only lasts 2-4 hours.

Ahhh yes I forgot restoril. Very good for sleep but my pdoc won't give me two diff benzos so I had to settle on Ativan. I love restoril though.

[emgreen]

While my pdoc gives me two benzos (klonopin & restoril) he often says that most doctors won't prescribe two benzos anymore. I've been on both for years, however, & have never abused them. As others have said, klonopin is a much longer lasting med which I only take as needed. It can/does make me tired if taken during the day.

[pirilin]

I'm a Klonopin man. Xanax don't last. I use it for sleep and lasts the whole night.
With Xanax I had to be redosing in the middle of the night. I take .5 mg.

[middlechild3]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

I've been on Klonopin for over 20 years...it was prescribed to me back when benzos were the 'in' med. Klonopin has helped my anxiety. I'm afraid I'll never be off it, but I can't say it doesn't help me.

Xanax...it's okay short-term.

Ativan scared me; I had complete black-outs when I took it. Absolutely zero memory of what I'd done.

Valium was great...but that's the problem...it's very easy to become completely addicted to it.

My current MD weaned me off Klonopin that the shink had just given to me like candy.But Now I'm stuck on 20mg of Valium a day,There used to be where I could go 24 hours without one, but it's back to the 20mgs a day and I want off..I am addicted and scared as hell to ask for help from my doc.

[Blueberrybook]

Klonopin for me. Xanax didn’t last long enough. Pdoc tried me on the generic time release Xanax, just made me tired and didn’t help as much. Tried Valium too, but the Klonopin worked best.

Though I am one to talk...you can see I am now up to 4 mg daily