Benzos?

I've been on benzos here and there for anxiety: klonopin, xanax, and now ativan. I was curious if anyone knew what the order was of strengths; like which ones were more serious and could put them in order accordingly. Also what are other med suggestions for anxiety as I expect my doc will take me off ativan when I run out. He's allowing me up to 3 one mg ativans a day. I am diagnosed will quite a few things, if this helps illustrate your opinion or affects it: BPD, OCD, panic, chronic trauma syndrome, schizoaffective disorder. The prescribed meds definitely helps and am nervous about stopping it but should worry about that when we cross that bridge. Any words of wisdom, advice, or comments are more than welcomed. Thanks- Danielle

Well, the 3 benzos that you mentioned are all similar in strength-- the difference with Klonopin is that it lasts much longer than the others. While Xanax and Ativan may give off their effects for 3 or 4 hours, Klonopin is more like 6-8.

Are you on any of the SSRIs for depression/anxiety?

Any antipsychotics for the schizoaffective?

Stopping the benzos is a nerve-wracking process indeed. I have been prescribed benzos since I was 17. I'm 26 now. Normally it is not advised to keep prescribing someone benzos for that long-- however, my pdoc trusts that I only use them when I really, really need them-- and he's right. I am at the point in which sometimes I will only take a Klonopin once per week. Sometimes I have more anxious/agitated weeks than others, and I will take one for a couple days in a row. But for the most part, it's very spaced out.

Take them responsibly. That's what I have always done. They are easy to get addicted to. I know that I am dependent on them in the sense that I can go a week without taking one, but the thought of not having the bottle with me ever again scares me. Just having them in my purse helps-- I don't necessarily need to take one.

Exactly pink, it is all about dose.

To answer your question: yes, I am on quite a few other meds to treat my illnesses. I take trilafon for an antipsychotic, artane to counter the shaking from that, effexor for depression, lithium for a mood stabalizer, ativan for anxiety, and atenelol, and lisinopril for high blood pressure and what not. I think that's all of them... Thanks for the advice.

hi i know this is kindof jacking your thread but i have a similiar question...i recently started lexapro combined with klonopin..i started the lexapro two days earlier than the klonopin and for those two days i felt real good...but when i started taking the klonopin i started to feel my anxiety increased and also possibly some depression, which wasnt my problem to begin with, just anxiety...is it possible that the klonopin could make my feelings worse before my body adjusts to it?

Yeah, Lexapro can be known to increase anxiety a bit before it gets worked into your system, and Klonopin has been known to increase depression a bit-- so unfortunately you could be experiencing both part of it. Definitely talk to your doc about the depression increase though. Both meds are with somewhat mild side effects, so I'd really check to see what's going on.

hmm yeah it does seem like right after i take the klonopin and it hits the depression is worse,, and as time passes i start to feel better

benzo's their half lives and therapeutic use

alprazolam 16-20hrs anxiolytic/antidepressant
bromazepam 12hrs anxiolytic
chlordiazepoxide 20-24hrs anxiolytic
clobazam 35-42hrs anxiolytic
clorazepate48-80hrs anxiolytic
dazepam 50-100hrs anxiolytic
flunitrazepam 25-29hrs hypnotic
flurazepam 50-100hrs hypnotic
loprazolam 7hrs hypnotic
lorazepam 12-15hrs anxiolytic
lormetazepam 9hrs hypnotic
midazolam 2-3hrs hypnotic
nitrazepam 26-30hrs hypnotic
oxazepam 4-13hrs anxilytic
temazepam 8-10hrs hypnotic
triazolam 2-3hrs hypnotic

i dont know if this helps u