[xRavenx]

Out of the benzodiazepine meds that you have tried, which one have you had the most success with for anxiety?

Anxiety has been an issue for me, especially lately. I've tried Lorazepam, Xanax, and Klonopin. They seem to target different symptoms. Klonopin seems a little weak for me lately, and Xanax wears off easily. Maybe my dose needs to be adjusted though. Just curious about others' experiences.

[-jimi-]

I think it is individual and depends on when you need help and for how long. If someone has bad anxiety all day it would make more sense using Valium or Klonopin and if someone has anxiety related to time of day or sporadic anxiety attacks Xanax makes more sense... All about half lives of meds.

[Misssy2]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Out of the benzodiazepine meds that you have tried, which one have you had the most success with for anxiety?

Anxiety has been an issue for me, especially lately. I've tried Lorazepam, Xanax, and Klonopin. They seem to target different symptoms. Klonopin seems a little weak for me lately, and Xanax wears off easily. Maybe my dose needs to be adjusted though. Just curious about others' experiences.

Lorazepam and Klonipin I have tried. Klonipin does nothing for me.
Lorazepam has worked.

I also think Magnesium Citrate and L-Theanine (supplements) work for anxiety as well.

I HATE anxiety...

[usehername]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

I think it is individual and depends on when you need help and for how long. If someone has bad anxiety all day it would make more sense using Valium or Klonopin and if someone has anxiety related to time of day or sporadic anxiety attacks Xanax makes more sense... All about half lives of meds.

And how quickly. The two that kick in the fastest are usually xanax (alprazolam) and ativan (lorazepam). My doc says when things are really bad, suck it up and chew the xanax. It is quite possibly the worst tasting medication to chew ever, including prednisone. Ativan tends to have a sweeter taste (not so much like rat poison).

Valium (diazepam) lasts longer, which is nice, but it takes time. It has the added benefit of acting as a better muscle relaxer, too.

I agree that klonopin (clonazepam) tends to be weaker. It has the longest half life, though, so it takes a lot longer to wear off. I have heard from a lot of people (of course, anecdotal evidence is just that) that although it is very mild, in higher doses, it's more effective (but often hard to get in those doses).

Halcion (triazolam) is fantastic for sleep, especially when PTSD is the cause of the insomnia, but it wears off of me in like four hours (I am a quick metabolizer, though).

Of those, I'm currently on scheduled dose xanax with PRN Halcion. I wish I could get my ativan back as a PRN, but all the docs agreed that was too many benzos.

[xRavenx]

Thanks for everyone's input.

I never tried Halcion or supplements. Lately, I'm also starting to hear about Xanax XR, which is something I never tried. I wonder how that would compare to Klonopin.

[usehername]

Most docs don't give Halcion anymore. I'm not sure sure why? Maybe because of its short half life? I had one doc try to tell me it was banned in the US and I showed him my current, fresh bottle for it and he went, "well I'll be damned..." he told me people were committing suicide on it, but I think he was full of it and didn't want to risk his license (we were discussing me coming back to him - a Medicaid provider I could afford vs going to a private pay doc who wrote stuff that was working). I hear good things about xanax ER, but I do know it takes a little longer to kick in and you can't chew that one. It all depends on what you need.

[TicTacGo]

Ativan (lorazepam) worked the best for me, particularly the sublingual (SL) ones that dissolve under the tongue. These work fast as they are absorbed into the blood vessels under your tongue.

Klonopin didn't do much for me, and it took longer to kick in, which led to me chewing the pill in order to get it to work faster, unsuccessfully.

Xanax seemed to help me as well, but this is because the effectiveness of medications can vary from person to person.

I took a Valium once and it seemed to help take that edge off.

In my experiences:
Ativan for more severe anxiety
Xanax for moderate anxiety
Valium for mild anxiety or agitation

[-jimi-]

Lorazepam I felt was similar to Xanax for me. The bad thing is that Lorazepam feels weaker to me so need a higher dosage, and for me that comes with prolonged sleep. I think I have a strange body, but I seem to do best on meds with short half lives... all mine have it: Halcion (now gone though), Xanax, Luvox (an antidepressant with a short halflife) and Ritalin IR (I don't tolerate Concerta that is the same med but with longer release even if it is the identical substance!).

Something else that I noticed with lorazepam (Ativan) is that it triggered some weird sensation that I sometimes have without meds, could be related to my physical illness, some kind of restless arm syndrome??? Weird anyway, probably rare as heck.

With benzos most people have a "favorite", but sometimes doctors don't let us try them. So it took ages to actually know Xanax was my best, because they didn't let me try Lorazepam or Klonopin, I tried them much later.

If you like Xanax but think it lasts to shortly, the XR version might suit you. It did not suit me, but then again all XR versions of everything make me sick. It sounds like it is worth a try for you!

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

Lorazepam I felt was similar to Xanax for me. The bad thing is that Lorazepam feels weaker to me so need a higher dosage, and for me that comes with prolonged sleep. I think I have a strange body, but I seem to do best on meds with short half lives... all mine have it: Halcion (now gone though), Xanax, Luvox (an antidepressant with a short halflife) and Ritalin IR (I don't tolerate Concerta that is the same med but with longer release even if it is the identical substance!).

Something else that I noticed with lorazepam (Ativan) is that it triggered some weird sensation that I sometimes have without meds, could be related to my physical illness, some kind of restless arm syndrome??? Weird anyway, probably rare as heck.

With benzos most people have a "favorite", but sometimes doctors don't let us try them. So it took ages to actually know Xanax was my best, because they didn't let me try Lorazepam or Klonopin, I tried them much later.

If you like Xanax but think it lasts to shortly, the XR version might suit you. It did not suit me, but then again all XR versions of everything make me sick. It sounds like it is worth a try for you!

Yes, maybe it will be worth a try. My only complaint with Xanax is the super short half-life and the need for more of it during the day, so if the XR helps resolve that while still having the same effectiveness, then that would be ideal. I'll definitely ask my pdoc about it. A lot of the XR's, I noticed are not covered easily by insurance, so maybe that's why I'm not hearing many people on it? I'm interested in finding out what she has to say to find out if it's an option.

[usehername]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Yes, maybe it will be worth a try. My only complaint with Xanax is the super short half-life and the need for more of it during the day, so if the XR helps resolve that while still having the same effectiveness, then that would be ideal. I'll definitely ask my pdoc about it. A lot of the XR's, I noticed are not covered easily by insurance, so maybe that's why I'm not hearing many people on it? I'm interested in finding out what she has to say to find out if it's an option.

I have trouble with it being so short acting, too and because of that I take it 4x daily.

[Misssy2]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Yes, maybe it will be worth a try. My only complaint with Xanax is the super short half-life and the need for more of it during the day, so if the XR helps resolve that while still having the same effectiveness, then that would be ideal. I'll definitely ask my pdoc about it. A lot of the XR's, I noticed are not covered easily by insurance, so maybe that's why I'm not hearing many people on it? I'm interested in finding out what she has to say to find out if it's an option.

xRavenX..I am jealous you seem to have some control over your psychiatrist. I try to control all of my Drs...lol...I tell them when I'm mad at them. I tell them when they are being STUPID or Illogical....

Example: my Dr. wouldn't prescribe Lorazepam (I wanted my GP to prescribe it) she said NO because I had been drinking alcohol most recently. I don't see the logic there when she prescribes me Gabapentin!

There is a big sign in my psychiatrist office that reads "Do not ask for Xanax we do not prescribe it". My Dr. does give me Lorazepam thou...so Xanax must be very bad for people with addictions because typically that is the theme of the place I go to for therapy.

And my whole state (and I thought every state) has made a commitment to the government to STOP prescribing controlled substances IF possible.
They Drs really didn't make a commitment...but most are afraid of losing their lively hood if they prescribe these drugs to too many of their patience.

So since you are from the East Coast...I would be interested in hearing what your Dr. says about your Xanax or how this situation works out for you.

[-jimi-]

There is a sign saying that? How weird!

I can't switch my Xanax for any other benzo. I guess they would just let me die? Also, Ativan is JUST as addictive as Xanax.

In my country they don't prescribe benzos if they think you have a future. Like if you have a job, go to school and you're young. I've never met anyone below 30 who was prescribed benzos. Here they give it to people when they decide their lives are over anyway. That is nice to know. That they think my life is over...

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by Misssy2

xRavenX..I am jealous you seem to have some control over your psychiatrist. I try to control all of my Drs...lol...I tell them when I'm mad at them. I tell them when they are being STUPID or Illogical....

Example: my Dr. wouldn't prescribe Lorazepam (I wanted my GP to prescribe it) she said NO because I had been drinking alcohol most recently. I don't see the logic there when she prescribes me Gabapentin!

There is a big sign in my psychiatrist office that reads "Do not ask for Xanax we do not prescribe it". My Dr. does give me Lorazepam thou...so Xanax must be very bad for people with addictions because typically that is the theme of the place I go to for therapy.

And my whole state (and I thought every state) has made a commitment to the government to STOP prescribing controlled substances IF possible.
They Drs really didn't make a commitment...but most are afraid of losing their lively hood if they prescribe these drugs to too many of their patience.

So since you are from the East Coast...I would be interested in hearing what your Dr. says about your Xanax or how this situation works out for you.

I didn't have as much control over my previous Psychiatrist, lol. The old one only prescribed me Xanax once and then moved me to Klonopin PRN. She also made everyone sign a waver stating: "I will not prescribe benzos without therapy attendance." She never enforced that with me though, although she did strictly state the Klonopin would be PRN only. I think most crack down on Xanax rather than Klonopin, in spite of the addiction being very serious for both meds. For some reason here, a lot of Primary Care doctors prescribe Xanax though, and I was getting it from my Primary Care Physician for a little while (not for very long though).

I found a great pdoc a few months ago who is very person-centered. She refuses to prescribe two benzos at a time (and I can't blame her with liability laws), but just the fact she listens to me about how I respond to different ones is fortunate.

She basically said, "I won't prescribe 2 that work for you. Let me know what works best, and we'll stick with that." She also gives education on being careful of how often it's taken, although she will recommend daily use during especially difficult times. I'm fortunate, since I am always scared to go to new pdocs, so I didn't know what her 'style' was like. I also like that she is not just a pill-pusher. She spends a lot of time with me, which is good.

[-jimi-]

I don't understand why you wouldn't be allowed benzos without therapy. Is therapy then just meant to be the therapist policing you and check so you don't abuse? Many, many people choose benzos just because therapy never helped one bit with anxiety and panic. And if therapy is toxic to you like it is to me? I remember leaving all sessions full of hatred, anxiety and destructiveness.

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by -jimi-

I don't understand why you wouldn't be allowed benzos without therapy. Is therapy then just meant to be the therapist policing you and check so you don't abuse? Many, many people choose benzos just because therapy never helped one bit with anxiety and panic. And if therapy is toxic to you like it is to me? I remember leaving all sessions full of hatred, anxiety and destructiveness.

Sorry to hear about your negative experiences. I agree with you completely. Although there are liability issues with benzos where doctors need to be careful, there are many, many of us who need them, and it has helped our lives and functioning in different settings that normally we would not be able to handle (or our abilities would be limited).

Your point on therapy: I also had some bad experiences with therapy where I did not find any of it useful for anxiety and panic. One therapist I had was completely unethical and made me feel worse. Finally, I found a good therapist, but in no way can she replace the effectiveness of the meds for my symptoms. I don't agree with policies that doctors have that mandate therapy for them to prescribe certain medications.

[-jimi-]

I'm just a bad patient for therapy. It makes me feel so bad if they don't understand me or interpret things another way, or just throw things out because I am unable to cherrypick. Everything the therapist says will stick in my mind and keep torturing me. I can't change my way of thinking, have tried.

I'd rather be checked by a psych nurse and a regular interrogation once in a while.

[stanislavski]

Originally Posted by xRavenx

Out of the benzodiazepine meds that you have tried, which one have you had the most success with for anxiety?

Anxiety has been an issue for me, especially lately. I've tried Lorazepam, Xanax, and Klonopin. They seem to target different symptoms. Klonopin seems a little weak for me lately, and Xanax wears off easily. Maybe my dose needs to be adjusted though. Just curious about others' experiences.

Lorazepam seems gentle and soothing, less of *hit* than Xanax. Weird thing: my 0.5 mg tab isn't supposed to be sublingual, yet I let it melt in my mouth for faster action and it has none of that bitter pharma taste that drugs usually do. I told my shrink who was incredulous but I have tried it repeatedly with the same result, so I use it as a sublingual. Onset is about 1.0 - 1.5 hours (Xanax is much faster) but I like this drug. Only need one a day though I do pop 0.25 - 0.5 Xanax in the middle of the night if sleepless)

[Guiness187055]

I prefer xanax it hits fast and hard during a panic attack or severe agitation. I will say Klonopin is good for general anxiety.

[still_crazy]

hi. my top 2 are klonopin and ativan. xanax xr was OK, but the normal xanax was like napalm to my brain, lol. I don't know...maybe the dose was too high (?), but I felt "loopy," in a way that ativan and klonopin did not do.

downside: klonopin -clearly- caused some depression and mood instability for me, over the long haul. tapering off Mother's Little Helpers took a while, and my brain took a good 2 years to "reset." never again.

these days, I do Orthomolecular. the core is high dose B3 (I prefer niacinamide; no flush, no elevated liver enzymes, etc.), plus vitamin c, b complex, vitamin e, etc. the b3 does benzo-ish things to gaba receptors, plus its--gasp--supposedly quite good for you (potent antioxidant at high doses).

i am prescribed gabapentin for as needed use. not a huge fan, but...ok. i guess i appreciate the gesture.

back in the day, xanax was used in some forms of depression. i don't know if its the best idea, but...most of the other benzodiazepines (especially Klonopin) can induce or exacerbate depression, plus all the typical cognitive stuff.

hope you can find an effective solution.

I have oxazepam and lorazepam, both as a PRN. Oxazepam for day use and lorazepam for sleep, although I sometimes take oxazepam at night if anxiety or something is keeping me up, but I'm too afraid to be 'knocked out'.

Temazepam is my most effective and also least-preferred sleep drug. It will have me sleep, but the night will be 1 unending nightmare. I've had diazepam when I first developed dystonia.. don't really remember much about it. And they gave me midazolam after ECT because I would apparently wake up very agitated or anxious or something.

[LittleEarthquakes]

Higher dose of Klonopin? What dose were you on?

[LittleEarthquakes]

Originally Posted by usehername

My doc says when things are really bad, suck it up and chew the xanax. It is quite possibly the worst tasting medication to chew ever,

Really? I don't mind the taste at all. Do you take the blue ones?

[xRavenx]

Originally Posted by LittleEarthquakes

Higher dose of Klonopin? What dose were you on?

Sorry I'm late coming back to this thread as time passed. My pdoc only has my 0.5 mg daily right now. I sometimes take 1 mg on some days though. Years ago, I was taking more of it. My anxiety is really high lately. Xanax would be ideal right now since I am getting feelings of panic that have gotten way worse since I wrote my original post, but my pdoc no longer likes to prescribe Xanax much.

[still_crazy]

maybe ativan? i think its replacing xanax w/ a lot of prescribers...

[possum220]

I know this is not a benzo but it can be effective in reducing anxiety and helping you to sleep.... Seroquel. I take 100mg at night and 1.5 of Klonolpin.