On Benzo/Anti Anxiety med for years?

InfiniteSadness · Nov 25, 2016, 12:55 AM

Is it bad to be on one for years?
My doc says no, but I feel dependent on it. And it helps.
Will any long term damage happen?
(brain, body)

Great Sophia · Nov 25, 2016, 02:05 AM

I have been in Benzos for years.. to me the question is not if I am dependent to me the important thing is that they are effective and stop my anxiety.

Nov 25, 2016, 02:12 AM

I've been on benzo's for almost 3 years. Usually PRN but sometimes I take them standard for a couple of weeks.

Great Sophia · Nov 25, 2016, 02:15 AM

What is PRN?

Nov 25, 2016, 02:21 AM

Pro re nata = literally "as the case is born" = as needed

Great Sophia · Nov 25, 2016, 04:19 AM

I got it. Thanks

splitimage · Nov 25, 2016, 06:32 AM

I've been on a benzo since 2007 - I take it on a regular schedule throughout the day. It really helps with my anxiety. Dr's now don't like to prescribe it long term, but my pdoc is letting me stay on it.

Biggest problem with long term use, is they can cause memory loss, and getting off them can be extremely difficult.

splitimage

Great Sophia · Nov 25, 2016, 04:09 PM

amen

*Laurie* · Nov 25, 2016, 05:08 PM

I've been on Klonopin for 20 years

I am very slowly going off it, been reducing it for a year already and it will probably take me 2 more years to completely stop taking it. A long time ago, the Klonopin helped me; now I think I just have a physical addiction to it. I do feel like the benzo has affected my memory quite severely.

still_crazy · Nov 25, 2016, 05:50 PM

I tapered a benzodiazepine after 3 years daily use and felt a lot better after the taper was done and my brain had re-set. Then again, that's not true of everyone, and some benzodiazepines are worse than others. I was on Klonopin, which my current doctor told me is worse about cognitive problems and tapering difficulties than many other options. Oddly enough, he says the best tranquilizer for long term use, and the easiest one to taper, is good old fashioned Valium. Who knew?

venusss · Nov 29, 2016, 10:07 AM

It is usually not recommended. They do create dependency and can worsen depression.

For many it helps them to have them as PRN and have them around "just in case". To some of them having soemthing to help anxiety *if* it happens actually works to ward it off almost completely.

Nov 29, 2016, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by still_crazy

I tapered a benzodiazepine after 3 years daily use and felt a lot better after the taper was done and my brain had re-set. Then again, that's not true of everyone, and some benzodiazepines are worse than others. I was on Klonopin, which my current doctor told me is worse about cognitive problems and tapering difficulties than many other options. Oddly enough, he says the best tranquilizer for long term use, and the easiest one to taper, is good old fashioned Valium. Who knew?

I knew that. I've been told it's because diazepam (Valium) has the longest half life.

InfiniteSadness · Dec 13, 2018, 09:23 PM

I had a nurse practioner tell me that it's bad to be on 3mg of klonopin long term that it can affect the Brain bad, even if it lowers my anxiety somewhat.
i dont know who to believe any more!!
Each doctor tells me different.

InfiniteSadness · Dec 14, 2018, 10:28 PM

BUMP.....

Guiness187055 · Dec 14, 2018, 11:16 PM

I have been on 2mg a day of xanax for around 2 years. I am starting to build a little tolerance to the dosage so it's time to start tapering back. Benzobuddies is a great website if you are thinking about quitting benzo's. Long term use really can affect memory and possibly cause early onset dementia.

InfiniteSadness · Dec 15, 2018, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guiness187055

I have been on 2mg a day of xanax for around 2 years. I am starting to build a little tolerance to the dosage so it's time to start tapering back. Benzobuddies is a great website if you are thinking about quitting benzo's. Long term use really can affect memory and possibly cause early onset dementia.

is there any actual proof of that

Guiness187055 · Dec 15, 2018, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

is there any actual proof of that

Some reports say yes and some reports say no. There is some really intersting reading about it all over the web. I always say err on the side of caution.

AncientMelody · Dec 20, 2018, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteSadness

is there any actual proof of that

Science rarely talks about "proof". to prove anything beyond shadow of a doubt can be very difficult due to a number of factors. but there is strong evidence that they do affect memory and increase dementia risk yes

roadartist · Dec 21, 2018, 08:03 AM

I was taking a low dose of Klonopin. Now my psychiatrist is encouraging me to increase my dose for the winter. I do worry about becoming addicted to it. I am very cautious about sticking to the prescribed dose.

InfiniteSadness · Dec 21, 2018, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadartist

I was taking a low dose of Klonopin. Now my psychiatrist is encouraging me to increase my dose for the winter. I do worry about becoming addicted to it. I am very cautious about sticking to the prescribed dose.

why increase?

Travelinglady · Dec 21, 2018, 04:35 PM

I was able to wean off Klonopin over time and now take xanax as needed. I do think something has affected my memory ability, as I am pretty much a basket case. But age is involved, too, now.

My suggestion is to take the minimum you need to cope and in addition, get therapy for anxiety.

I've taken some version of these meds for years, and if you can, as I say, just take as little as you can. If you need it long term, then take it!

InfiniteSadness · Dec 25, 2018, 04:17 PM

Any one on benzo for years??
for severe anxiety.

possum220 · Dec 26, 2018, 05:59 AM

I have been on Klonolpin for many years as well as Seroquel. Anxiety to the point where I dissociate/ have tics/stutter. I have tried to get off both of them. Dependent yes. When these meds are at the normal level people say I am so much better.

Is it me or the meds?

InfiniteSadness · Jan 02, 2019, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by possum220

I have been on Klonolpin for many years as well as Seroquel. Anxiety to the point where I dissociate/ have tics/stutter. I have tried to get off both of them. Dependent yes. When these meds are at the normal level people say I am so much better.

Is it me or the meds?

Do you think you will ever lower the dose on them or ever get off them??
I've been on klonopin for years...