[sunnydisposition]

Besides being addictive and causing dependence, which we can get from coffee, sugar, alcohol, wine, sex, among other things, as well. Yet no one seems to mind getting addicted to these other things, but when it comes to benzos, i see a lot of fear, hatred, like so many people are too terrified to even take it at all without even trying coz of the bad rep benzos have gotten in these last years. Some people would rather suffer the anxiety and live in hell then to get the help from benzos. I know that benzo's are not a solution to any of our problems. I certainly dont want to peddle any unnecessary meds than we need to. But whats the alternative then? Benzo's serve an indispensable purpose, they act quick, almost instantly, and they can help us survive situations which we just cant without that extra help. How are benzos any different from all other psych meds, which come with plenty of side effects, that can ruin our appetite, sex life, and other vital things we need. Used in moderation, when absolutely necessary, with the advice of the doctor, benzos can form an essential part of the treatment thats pretty safe. What do you guys think? Is it better and worth to live in the fear and anxiety than taking a pill that can help?

[ofthevalley]

I'm on the take them if they help couch. As long as they aren't being abused I see no reason someone should be made to suffer.

Benzos helped my anxiety a lot, particularly with panic attacks, but it has also caused some depression to start. I have been having self-harm and suicidal thoughts, as well as feeling like I'm going to cry but rarely actually doing it, and feelings of utter emptiness.

For me personally, it is not a fair trade off. I am working on weaning off the ativan and using other coping tools to deal with my anxiety, such as CBT, meditation and exercise. I would absolutely recommend trying everything before going on a benzo, and I regret having ever started. I worry about my safety and my ability to keep my job.

If someone benefits from benzos that is fantastic, but for me it has been a trade off into another nightmare.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

Benzos helped my anxiety a lot, particularly with panic attacks, but it has also caused some depression to start. I have been having self-harm and suicidal thoughts, as well as feeling like I'm going to cry but rarely actually doing it, and feelings of utter emptiness.

For me personally, it is not a fair trade off. I am working on weaning off the ativan and using other coping tools to deal with my anxiety, such as CBT, meditation and exercise. I would absolutely recommend trying everything before going on a benzo, and I regret having ever started. I worry about my safety and my ability to keep my job.

If someone benefits from benzos that is fantastic, but for me it has been a trade off into another nightmare.

Depression is a serious side effect. Its good that youre weaning off the benzos. I'm sorry they didnt work out for you. Have you tried propranalol?

[HALLIEBETH87]

I really fight NOT to take my ativan, but both my psychologist and psychiatrist encourage me to when the panic is too severe.

[sunnydisposition]

I take them only when CBT, meditation, exercise, tea, everything fails. and when im full of fear and overloaded with anxiety and i have to do a task that is vital for my health and well being, like when working, or giving a presentation thats important to my job and career success. basically when pros far outweighs the cons.

[Guiness187055]

I feel like I could not survive some of my panic attacks without xanax.

[Wonderfalls]

I've never had a problem with Xanax and it's the only thing that has helped when I really need it. I do try to make sure there are times I avoid it because I do have some concern about tolerance. The last time I talked to my new-ish psychiatrist, however, I mentioned I had been drinking. I've quit but I noticed there aren't any refills indicated online for my prescription, which is worrisome. The prescription isn't due yet so I don't know. If he has cut me off without discussing it with me first I will be very angry. I always expect my doctors to consult with me about possible medication changes.

I think the fears about legitimately prescribed benzos--and pain medication too--are way overblown considering how relatively few people end up having problems with them.

Originally Posted by sunnydisposition

Depression is a serious side effect. Its good that youre weaning off the benzos. I'm sorry they didnt work out for you. Have you tried propranalol?

Honestly, I've never heard of that med. Before trying any other anxiety medication, I would like to try and work harder to learn coping mechanisms that aren't medication, you know? But it may be something to consider once I am weaned off the ativan.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by Wonderfalls

I've never had a problem with Xanax and it's the only thing that has helped when I really need it. I do try to make sure there are times I avoid it because I do have some concern about tolerance. The last time I talked to my new-ish psychiatrist, however, I mentioned I had been drinking. I've quit but I noticed there aren't any refills indicated online for my prescription, which is worrisome. The prescription isn't due yet so I don't know. If he has cut me off without discussing it with me first I will be very angry. I always expect my doctors to consult with me about possible medication changes.

I think the fears about legitimately prescribed benzos--and pain medication too--are way overblown considering how relatively few people end up having problems with them.

I know what you are saying. Even if i dont need a benzo on a regular basis, it always feel good to know that i have them in my possession for when one of those times when the world will come crashing down on me i'll have some help with me that will act fast and help me survive that overwhelming moment.

Addiction to benzos is very bad because the withdrawals can be fatal.

I was hospitalized twice cause of severe benzo withdrawals. Plus they have a long taper schedule.

Benzos are only meant for short term treatment of acute anxiety. Anything more than that in my opinion is just asking for trouble.

[Nammu]

Benzos actually made it harder to stabilize with the roller coasters of anxiety it was much better when I switched to propranolol. I hated the affect benzos had on me.

[splitimage]

I've been on clonazepam for years and don't abuse it. I'm just lucky my pdoc is willing to continue prescribing it for me.

Benzo's have a really bad wrap among western docs - I think due to abuse and dependence, but heck I'm dependent on my antidepressant,

I went into rehab last summer, and I had to get special permission to stay on them. Everyone else had to wean off them.

splitimage

[LittleEarthquakes]

Bad addiction and withdrawal potential. I have been on one for years. I need it to function, but that isn't because I'm addicted.

[-jimi-]

I don't think it should be prescribed if other meds help. But if there are no other meds helping and you're in hell, I think it is worth the risk, if the patient is informed.

No one told me the utter hell of going off Effexor. Still it is not addictive. Eh, beg to differ. With my SSRI I feel like utter crap if I miss just one dosage. Again, it is a med I was allowed to take since no one believes me about the withdrawals.

I will stop taking benzos when they come up with other medications for anxiety. Neuroleptics are NOT anti anxiety, neither is antihistamines, heart medication or antidepressants. I tried all those and most made me worse, some more than just worse. Only anti anxiety med there is is Buspar. Didn't help me. So we have one true anti anxiety med, part from benzos. ONE. One is supposed to help all people? A med with a success rate at around 5 % when benzos score 80-90 %. They tried to push Lyrica as an anti anxiety med, just to find out it was also hellish addictive...

I don't mind stopping benzos when they actually MAKE a med for anxiety. Anxiety and panic is common. My doc said 17 % suffer from panic attacks of the population. If it cannot be fixed with relaxation and therapy why not help people???

If you have psychosis you get a med, if you have depression you get a med for that. If you have most ANYTHING troublesome you get a med.

For anxiety.... NOPE!

Also more and more clinics pride themselves in being benzo free. I don't abuse benzos. If I would take more than normal, I'd just get tired. So nope, ALL people cannot even abuse benzos!!! I wish they knew that. Also I have never needed to increase dosage. In 15 years.

Sure I HATE the idea of withdrawals. I would love a med that you can't get addicted to. But it is not my fault they don't even TRY to make those. Nope, they stick to stuff they know sell easily and is stigma free.

In what other specialty is there a big gap with one symptom is stigmatized and not treated?

[fille_folle]

Originally Posted by splitimage

I've been on clonazepam for years and don't abuse it. I'm just lucky my pdoc is willing to continue prescribing it for me.

Benzo's have a really bad wrap among western docs - I think due to abuse and dependence, but heck I'm dependent on my antidepressant,

I went into rehab last summer, and I had to get special permission to stay on them. Everyone else had to wean off them.

splitimage

I think the difference between addiction to certain types of drugs, like benzos, stimulants, etc. and other drugs that are needed to function and that also create physical dependency, like SSRIs, is that the former infamously lead to tolerance and require ever increasing dosages to achieve the same effect (assuming they are used with any regularity). So although I definitely agree that physical dependence occurs with many "accepted" drugs, I think there is good reason for the distinction.

[-jimi-]

Maybe addiction is a non-word. It is too inclusive and maybe not inclusive enough.

If you are not at all physical dependent you can be mentally addictive to something, like wanting to have that feeling again.

You can take a med not to get any high, and still need to increase dosage.

Two very different things, yet both are "addiction".

I say I am addicted to benzos because if I was to ever stop I would have to taper out slowly, maybe it taking two years or so. People say it is a dependence, not an addiction. Doctors though usually say it is a addiction, because if you're on a med that CAN be abused and sold, and your body got used to it, it is addiction even if personally you don't get a high, cuz OTHERS can get high! Weird definition, I know... I think doctors maybe should change their vocabulary.

I had to up most of my SSRIs. They stopped working. But no one would call that addiction! Why not? Where is the true definition? I never had to up my benzo, actually I went down in dosage as I had got used to the med, which happens to me a lot with things like "downers and uppers". I got sensitized, not the other way around.

I am indeed addicted to my SSRI, even if I found one finally I don't need to up. If I tell a doctor they would blow up because according to them you can't get addicted to those.

I suffer if I miss a dosage of my SSRI, I suffer if I miss a dosage of my benzo. And the only thing that is different in my case is that OTHER people can abuse just one of them. If that is not true for me, why do I need two words for my two meds which make me sick if I go off?

As it being dangerous cold turkeying on benzos, it is. Also it is VERY unpleasant!!! I will not say the nightmare I went through a week without benzos two years ago was nothing, because it really frightened me, even after I got my med back.... but I survived. Someone I knew who tried to kick Effexor didn't. Also there are clinics for getting off benzos but none for getting off Effexor....

The reason I was kicked off benzos... so I wouldn't "get" addicted. I tried to tell them if I am allowed a med for 15 years, don't you think i AM addicted right now? Is it really safe to just kick me off? They were like "Oh yea it is safe, you need to stop them so you won't get addicted!" EHH. I REALLY couldn't get through to them. If THEY are so misinformed, how can they help patients? No wonder we always need to educate ourselves.

For some reason only in the case of benzos and sleep meds the meds have EVER been blamed if I had issues or side effects. Other meds are holy and cannot cause anything. I got killer headaches on Prozac when it was new-ish.... nooo couldn't be the med!... and when tried stopping Effexor (before they had to admit you can have withdrawals), I felt like I was in a true hell, they said I made it up and it was my illness speaking.

Is it weird I have "trust issues"?

At least here we can discuss things without doctors monitoring us and deciding what vocabulary that is allowed for each and every drug.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

I don't think it should be prescribed if other meds help. But if there are no other meds helping and you're in hell, I think it is worth the risk, if the patient is informed.

No one told me the utter hell of going off Effexor. Still it is not addictive. Eh, beg to differ. With my SSRI I feel like utter crap if I miss just one dosage. Again, it is a med I was allowed to take since no one believes me about the withdrawals.

I will stop taking benzos when they come up with other medications for anxiety. Neuroleptics are NOT anti anxiety, neither is antihistamines, heart medication or antidepressants. I tried all those and most made me worse, some more than just worse. Only anti anxiety med there is is Buspar. Didn't help me. So we have one true anti anxiety med, part from benzos. ONE. One is supposed to help all people? A med with a success rate at around 5 % when benzos score 80-90 %. They tried to push Lyrica as an anti anxiety med, just to find out it was also hellish addictive...

I don't mind stopping benzos when they actually MAKE a med for anxiety. Anxiety and panic is common. My doc said 17 % suffer from panic attacks of the population. If it cannot be fixed with relaxation and therapy why not help people???

If you have psychosis you get a med, if you have depression you get a med for that. If you have most ANYTHING troublesome you get a med.

For anxiety.... NOPE!

Also more and more clinics pride themselves in being benzo free. I don't abuse benzos. If I would take more than normal, I'd just get tired. So nope, ALL people cannot even abuse benzos!!! I wish they knew that. Also I have never needed to increase dosage. In 15 years.

Sure I HATE the idea of withdrawals. I would love a med that you can't get addicted to. But it is not my fault they don't even TRY to make those. Nope, they stick to stuff they know sell easily and is stigma free.

In what other specialty is there a big gap with one symptom is stigmatized and not treated?

"Case in point." Very well put jimi. There is just so much misinformation and paranoia for this tiny med.

Antidepressants, neuroleptics, Atypical antidepressants, take months, in some unfortunate cases upto a year, to effect any real relief from anxiety, that is if they work at all in the first place. A lot of the time doctors would end up switching to a different med, when an ssri/snri doesnt provide the help it was supposed to. I've been on lexapro for 2 motnhs now, and no big relief from anxiety has transpired. So my doctor added a new med to the current regimen, another antidepressant/antianxiety med of a different class, which will take i dont know how many more months to see if it helps or not. AND in the meanwhile I have anxiety that is building up fear in my bones and veins, spreading across like a wildfire, weighing me down like an anchor pulling a ship to a stop, all the while i am expected to perform stressful tasks like go for an interview to get a job, workout everyday to keep the extra weight from an increased appetite from my psych meds at bay, be in social situations in large crowds that i just cant avoid at times and deal with my social anxiety at the same time, go out when its not sunny but damp and rainy and dark and to manage my seasonal affective disorder at the same time, the list goes on and on.. Thanks to the benzo's which i take with utter responsibility and care, i persevere and keep on moving on with a hope that one of these days my antidepressants will kick in and fix the raging anxiety that dwellls in me..

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by fille_folle

I think the difference between addiction to certain types of drugs, like benzos, stimulants, etc. and other drugs that are needed to function and that also create physical dependency, like SSRIs, is that the former infamously lead to tolerance and require ever increasing dosages to achieve the same effect (assuming they are used with any regularity). So although I definitely agree that physical dependence occurs with many "accepted" drugs, I think there is good reason for the distinction.

Good point. i agree. but may i ask, whats the alternative? lets say we stop taking benzo's after the dose increases to a certain level which is way more than what we started, but still within a safe limit, below the maximum recommended dosage of that med. yet we decide to stop anyway, and then what? how do we deal with the astronomical levels of anxiety that is still there? you know that person wont be able to meditate, coz even for meditation we need the anxiety to be below a certain level that can allow us to actually sit still and focus in to the inner hell that exists in us when anxiety is high. Use a beta blocker like propranalol, done, say it slows down the heart and relieves the physical anxiety, but how do we fix the psychological anxiety that is the root of all hell, that will rebuild the physical anxiety again. Techniques like CBT also work when anxiety is on a bearable level that allows us to think and concentrate like a rational person. whats next? how do we deal with anxiety then?

Originally Posted by sunnydisposition

Good point. i agree. but may i ask, whats the alternative? lets say we stop taking benzo's after the dose increases to a certain level which is way more than what we started, but still within a safe limit, below the maximum recommended dosage of that med. yet we decide to stop anyway, and then what? how do we deal with the astronomical levels of anxiety that is still there? you know that person wont be able to meditate, coz even for meditation we need the anxiety to be below a certain level that can allow us to actually sit still and focus in to the inner hell that exists in us when anxiety is high. Use a beta blocker like propranalol, done, say it slows down the heart and relieves the physical anxiety, but how do we fix the psychological anxiety that is the root of all hell, that will rebuild the physical anxiety again. Techniques like CBT also work when anxiety is on a bearable level that allows us to think and concentrate like a rational person. whats next? how do we deal with anxiety then?

I think you are giving people with anxiety too little credit. This is coming from someone who has been told in the past by a professional that I have one of the worst cases of anxiety he had ever seen.

We can do more for ourselves than we think. I am not saying meds don't have their place, but for anxiety in particular it can -usually- be managed with very good therapy, and other self-help tools such as exercise, meditation, journaling, etc. Unfortunately going on a pill is a quick and easy solution that I got into and I regret it. I have taken many medications in the past, none have had such a negative effect on me as a benzo.

It may be easy to try and justify why benzos are necessary, I would say for most people who take it they would benefit from trying other things and use it only as a LAST RESORT. Benzos are not the same as anti-depressants or anti-psychotics. It is an entirely different beast and all too often prescribed when options with far fewer side effects could be used. That is my opinion and experience.

The absolute best cure for anxiety is to expose ourselves to that which causes it, no matter how scary it may seem at first. Benzos are merely a bandaid and will not get to the root of the problem.

[sunnydisposition]

[QUOTE=scaredandconfused;5942222], but for anxiety in particular it can -usually- be managed with very good therapy, and other self-help tools such as exercise, meditation, journaling, etc.

youre stats are way off. and you are underestimating the power of anxiety. maybe you've never had it bad enough. I dont know. or maybe you're just really really strong, exceptionally strong. whatever. But one thing i know for a fact is that If anxiety in particular was so easily manageable, without any meds whatsoever, like you said, with just therapy and self help tools, which i've tried, am still trying, and im sure others here have also tried, the world would be a much peaceful and easier place to live in.

[ComfortablyNumb5]

Originally Posted by sunnydisposition

Besides being addictive and causing dependence, which we can get from coffee, sugar, alcohol, wine, sex, among other things, as well. Yet no one seems to mind getting addicted to these other things, but when it comes to benzos, i see a lot of fear, hatred, like so many people are too terrified to even take it at all without even trying coz of the bad rep benzos have gotten in these last years. Some people would rather suffer the anxiety and live in hell then to get the help from benzos. I know that benzo's are not a solution to any of our problems. I certainly dont want to peddle any unnecessary meds than we need to. But whats the alternative then? Benzo's serve an indispensable purpose, they act quick, almost instantly, and they can help us survive situations which we just cant without that extra help. How are benzos any different from all other psych meds, which come with plenty of side effects, that can ruin our appetite, sex life, and other vital things we need. Used in moderation, when absolutely necessary, with the advice of the doctor, benzos can form an essential part of the treatment thats pretty safe. What do you guys think? Is it better and worth to live in the fear and anxiety than taking a pill that can help?

Note: I have not read other replies yet. But from my own experience and many others, there absolutely is a downside. One being rebound anxiety and depression. I’ve been on plenty diff ones for different reasons and they all caused more mental trouble unless you take them regularly, which will get you physically dependent, then you’re in trouble physically. For some people it’s just not worth it.

[sunnydisposition]

Originally Posted by ComfortablyNumb5

Note: I have not read other replies yet. But from my own experience and many others, there absolutely is a downside. One being rebound anxiety and depression. I’ve been on plenty diff ones for different reasons and they all caused more mental trouble unless you take them regularly, which will get you physically dependent, then you’re in trouble physically. For some people it’s just not worth it.

Agreed 100%. But whats the alternative? I'm doing everything else, like CBT is a life saver, it helps me in ways no med ever can. but there are times when the weight of it all comes down on me really hard, and nothing helps except a benzo. Thats the only time i used to take it. But now my doc wants me to take it 3 times a day, regularly. And i am at a crossroads now. coz i consider benzo's as a last line of treatment, when everything else fails, and the stakes are high and i have to get something done. Now my doc's made them the first line of treatement until my ssri' starts helping in big ways. and the thing is i trust my doctor. which he has earned overtime. Not something i give out lightly. So im torn between which choice to make.

[kecanoe]

I have been taking Xanax prn for 7 years without needing to increase the dose. I take far less than prescribed. It is rare for me to take more than .5 mg/day and my prescription is for 2 mg/day. I have a history of Alcoholism and I was very leery of the benzos. But pdoc, who is also a long term sober guy and a certified addiction specialist convinced me that I would be ok if I take it when needed. So far, so good.

He wants me to take it because otherwise I isolate because I am afraid of dissociating. He thinks that the benefit of interacting with people outweighs the risk of addiction. I also take it so that I can fall asleep. He insists that I need to sleep well and for a decent amount of time. I have ambien (another controlled substance, right?) that I can take, but it sometimes makes me tired the next day.

[*Laurie*]

Why are benzos currently on the Hate list?

Trends.

Medicine goes through trends. 20+ years ago, when I was prescribed Klonopin, pdocs were prescribing benzos like mad because they were the new "wonder drug."

Now benzos are cheap (don't make much money for pharma companies) and the trend right now is to downplay the usefulness of benzos.

There will be a backlash in which benzos - or a new, improved, and more expensive version of benzos - will become popular.