phyl6648
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28522
posted
Thanks for the info.. But I have found that benzo's have been great for me. I take a small dose and will continue to take them as needed. We all are different.
I am afraid of all drugs and have seen benzo's destroy some and help others.
All meds are dangerous.
Posts: 1058 | From VA | Registered: Oct 2010
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-------------------- LSG Scott Posts: 513 | From Boston, Cape Cod, Mass | Registered: Aug 2009
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
quote:Originally posted by koo: I don't see any posts regarding alternatives. Anxiety is my worst symptom and it is unpleasant as hell. I avoid taking Ativan although it helps a ton. What are the alternatives other than natural remedies which don't help?
It is my worst symptom as well. I was having multiple panic attacks every day.
I tried xanax but took myself off that fairly quickly....about a week into it because the rebound anxiety was just too much to handle.
I tried Klonopin and all that did was knock me out. Was on valium for a bit and it helped but I didn't want to stay on it for too long.
Ideally, benzos should only be prescribed short term....roughly 6 weeks. But we all know that that isn't always the case. Some people need the pills longer term. But the problem with benzos for some people, is the more you take, the more you need. I have a family member who was up to 10 mg of Ativan per day. She was a mess but has since gotten off them. Took a few months to do as well.
I would say...if nothing else is working then it is okay to stay on the benzos but to proceed with caution.
As for natural alternatives, I have been taking Mukta Vati. It helps with the anxiety but one thing I have to look out for is hypotension as it also lowers the blood pressure and I tend to run a bit on the low side of normal. Ive been okay though and it does appear to be helping me.
I have also been in therapy since last October...prior to be diagnosed with lyme. I must say that this has helped me tremendously. I don't do cognitive behavioral therapy though...which is what many therapists do. I do ACT....acceptance and commitment therapy. I do think it has made a difference. I haven't had a panic attack in over two months and I was basically living in a constant state of panic prior.
Here is some info on the mukta vati if you're interested.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
quote:Originally posted by nomoremuscles: LSG,
If you read carefully, you would have seen that I have come down to zero benzos many times without any trouble.
So please explain how that can be withdrawal?
Also, it might be a good idea to refrain from diagnosing others based on biases formed by your own experience. You have no idea why I've lost muscle mass.
You seem a bit anxious on this subject. Perhaps a klonopin would help. (Unturned stones, and all that.)
Not everyone will have problems with the benzos and they do help or are needed for some people. I have a coworker who has been on benzos for 10 years with no problems at all. One would never even know she was on them.
However, this is not always the case and docs do not often educate people on the possible dangers of these meds.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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posted
Shelly, Sorry to hear your stuck where you are, hoping your detox / weaning goes well. Its scary really with these things cause the docs dnt really give you much warning about the addictiveness, had to educate myself. I can understand with the stores thing. Personally I think its something about the fluorescent lighting sets me off
Scott I m not sure why you think the handful of us merely pointing out that there are uses for these drugs. Are somehow attacking you, as I said in my last post I wasnt looking for a fight just presenting both sides.
You are the one that seems to be on the attack, by being viruently opposed to anyones opinion but your own, and by telling those of us who do (occasionally) use this drug we're basically idiots.
For your information I do not support or trust big pharma, and I do try to treat as naturally as I can, as I ve said in several posts already. And I did in fact get my LD diagnoses started myself, with the help of several friends, I m one of the least close minded people you could meet. Unfortunately pharma makes something that helps me when I need it.
Several times now myself and several others have asked for any thoughts on alternatives since I would love to never take a benzo again. Unfortuantely that thought has gone mostly unanswered in favor of more benzo bashing.
Once again I didnt come here looking for a fight or to attack anybody, I m hoping from here on out someone can add to this post with some more useful information.
PS thanks to Philly for that helpful info on the CBT etc.
Posts: 72 | From chico, ca | Registered: May 2011
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
I have just recently discovered what 9 years of klonopin has done to me.
I didn't realize why I was feeling so awful these past few months, terrible anxiety, nervousness, fear of gloom and doom were a result of my becoming tolerant to the klonopin.
The md just prescribed it along with an anti-depressant and said it was safe! I really didn't even need it. It just helped me sleep better. I would have done just as well on benadryl. I could ring his neck for this. I am now addicted and had no clue.
Now I know and am determined to get off this stuff. I am terrified at the possibilities. Not trying to scare anyone, but just sharing my feelings.
If anyone out there can share how they got off, or an educated md that can help, I would appreciate a pm.
I look at these pills now as poison, not something that helps me.
I just want to be free of them.
Take care and God bless.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
ok but no cold turkey as it is too dangerous try and find a benzo knowledgeable nuro path to help yyou get off them
-------------------- LSG Scott Posts: 513 | From Boston, Cape Cod, Mass | Registered: Aug 2009
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
Thanks Scott, You are right about that. I forgot them on a trip once and got chest pain and palpitations. Scared me to death. No cold turkey for me!
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
Something puzzles me about the tolerance issue.
It was originally for use for epilepsy. Those people really have no choice, but to take it and are having to use it for life.
I know people who are on antiepileptic drugs, although I'm not sure if they're on benzos. eg. dilantin is not a benzo.
They have been on them for decades at the same dose and don't have an anxiety issue.
Does their body respond differently because it's "needed"?
I don't mean this as a challenge to contradict what's said here. I'm just wondering.
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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mojo
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9309
posted
I can increase and rapidly decrease my dose when I need to, as well with no bad results. When I don't need it as much I take less (sometimes half) and do OK. My dose has only been high for short periods of time( several months) though - perhaps that makes a difference.
When I'm having a lot of anxiety the benzo's don't even make me "zoned" out. I just feel normal. When they feel bad I reduce the dose because my body is telling me I don't need it.
NOW - when it's time for me to go off my normal dose of 1mg Ativan at night I'm quite sure I'll have to wean off. I have taken only 1/2 for several nights and did ok.
quote:Originally posted by nomoremuscles: I have found just the opposite to be true.
Benzos, klonopin in particular, have been very helpful for easing very intense CNS symptoms. When things have been at their worst, I have worked up to as many as 7-8 pills a day. And as they improved, I'd find myself tapering off, missing one dose here, another there, without a thought. Then, at some point I would just realize it had been several weeks since I'd had to take any. Zero. No effort. No thought.
I have done this up and down journey several times over the years without difficulty.
In my experience, it is clear when the CNS no longer needs the additional benzos, as the neuro symptoms ease in both intensity and frequency.
This thread, while well meaning, is very alarmist. It may scare a lot of patients off a medication that can be very helpful. Lyme patients are very sick people, with severely screwed up nervous systems, and any tool that can potentially help one through therapy, or just make life bearable, should not be discounted with scare tactics.
I am not disputing that benzos can be addictive, but I am saying that the effects of TBI's on the CNS are far worse.
posted
wow havent been here in a bit and cannot believe this post is still going. It can really hit home and scare you into thinking you medication was given to you without regard for your health and now you are and addict!
I am on xanax, as I said before, to keep my inner ear balance due to a radical head surgery 31 years ago. I have been on the medication for about 15 years now. I have never upped my dose. Although they wanted me on 4mgs a day, I have kept it to 2mgs. I only upped it once when I have a horrible herx from rifampin and my LLMD demanded that I do it before I had a stroke.
I think we are looking at two different scenarios. some people have illnesses that require the medication. We do not get loopy from it nor require higher doses. We just get normal and able to function in our daily lives. This has been explained to me at least ten times by all my doctors when I mention these posts about addiction.
-------------------- Diagnosed with chronic neuro lyme 12/10 after 30 years of vertigo.2 tick bites in 3 yrs from upstate NY. Was on omincef for nine mths..zith and rifampin stopped.Remission~ All the pain and symptoms are back and I am not treating now with biaxin. Posts: 788 | From New york..queens | Registered: Nov 2010
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