After trying benzos - feel like a recovering alcoholic

Hi,

A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety, my
mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things have
stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped very
much with my anxiety.

A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just what
I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.

Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?
Can it take more than 3 months?

Any help or suggestions are appreciated.


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

John, wrote:
>
>Hi,

>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose

There are many missing pieces to what you're telling. *It's true that the dose
often needs to increase initially until the right working dose is established.

This, about Xanax (Alprazolam), might prove very helpful in understanding just
how and why this occurs. It applies to Valium just as much as it applies to
Xanax or any other benzodiazepine.
http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html

> my doctor decided I had to stop taking them

I wonder just what dose you were on, and how often and how much the dose was
being increased. It may very well have been very 'normal' - although it's
possible that it wasn't in your case. The facts of dose, how many times per day,
how often you were increasing, etc., could help establish that.

> and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>completely. It was a tough time coming off them;

My first guess was that he tapered you off too quickly. If it was difficult
(which is can be for some people under any circumstances), then slow slow slow
would seem the rule. There's no rush, but many docs follow a schedule that's far
quicker than necessary based on...... on what they think fits all? *I dunno, but
again, the article/link above might help you understand this and decide if
that's pretty much what you were doing, or if your doc had you on an accelerated
schedule.

> I had horrible anxiety, my
> mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast.

That would seem common for tapering off too quickly; the same goes many
medications.

>Now things have
>stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>first place.

While debatable, one side of that coin may be that it's just the reason you're
being treated in the first place. Your GAD hasn't gotten better, but worse (or
the same, at the very least). It's the disorder, not the medication (or lack
of).
Cognitive therapy would seem an excellent choice to help you here, along with
the correct dosage of medication.
Check into the 'cognitive' therapy aspect. If taught well, it can be a very
strong aid in living with your disorder.

>A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just what
>I need

If it works for you, it works.

> as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
>effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
>again.

Because you have...... GAD? *I'd suggest that's the case.

> So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.

Perhaps in a way, but nah....
an alcoholic often exhibits drug seeking behavior (in this case, it's the
alcohol) and needs it at any/all costs, and will do most anything to have that
next drink.

You're treating a disorder that calls for a benzodiazepine (or that's the only
thing you've found that actually works for you) - but you don't appear to be
talking about 'drug seeking' behavior in any way.

Huge difference, in my view.

>Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>time I tried them.

See the article above again.

> Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?

That's my guess, yes.

>Can it take more than 3 months?

It can take 5 years if upped in increments of 1 mg at a time

E...

On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:10:28 +0200, "John" <nospam@no.where> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
>to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety, my
>mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things have
>stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
>tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped very
>much with my anxiety.

have you ever tried therapy? CBT therapy?
how about acupuncture or hypnosis?

>A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just what
>I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
>effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
>again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.

maybe another TYPE of drug? have you tried any of the older
anti-depressants such as Elavil? (amitriptaline) (not sure how to
spell it)
or, maybe you've been misdiagnosed? maybe your anxiety is really
mania or something. have you actually seen a psychiatrist about this?


>Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?
>Can it take more than 3 months?

i've never had to increase my dose of benzos. i guess everyone is
different. there are now long acting benzos. did you ever try any of
those? i guess if i were you, i would see a psychiatrist...get a
proper diagnosis...and have some therapy as well. CBT really helped
me.

wish you well!

gigglz

On 2 May, 23:23, Gigglz <Frek...@Hotmail.com> wrote:
> On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:10:28 +0200, "John" <nos...@no.where> wrote:
> >Hi,
>
> >A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
> >about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
> >great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
> >to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
> >completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety, my
> >mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things have
> >stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
> >first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
> >tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped very
> >much with my anxiety.
>
> have you ever tried therapy? CBT therapy?
> how about acupuncture or hypnosis?
>
> >A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
> >left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just what
> >I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
> >effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
> >again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>
> maybe another TYPE of drug? have you tried any of the older
> anti-depressants such as Elavil? (amitriptaline) (not sure how to
> spell it)
> or, maybe you've been misdiagnosed? maybe your anxiety is really
> mania or something. have you actually seen a psychiatrist about this?
>
> >Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
> >helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
> >are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
> >time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?
> >Can it take more than 3 months?
>
> i've never had to increase my dose of benzos. i guess everyone is
> different. there are now long acting benzos. did you ever try any of
> those? i guess if i were you, i would see a psychiatrist...get a
> proper diagnosis...and have some therapy as well. CBT really helped
> me.
>
> wish you well!
>
> gigglz

Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.

-Joe

Have you tried these 2 antidepressants?: Paxil and Doxepin. I take both
for anxiety/depression instead of benzos. They took care of my panic
attacks. Nanny
"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
news:e2c82$481a0789$27315@news.teranews.com...
> Hi,
>
> A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
> about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
> great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
> to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
> completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety,
> my mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things
> have stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in
> the first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I
> have tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have
> helped very much with my anxiety.
>
> A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
> left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just
> what I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However,
> as the effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased
> anxiety again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>
> Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
> helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
> are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
> time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to
> stabilize? Can it take more than 3 months?
>
> Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
>
> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On Fri, 2 May 2008 21:06:54 -0700 (PDT), Joe.P.Mannion@googlemail.com
wrote:

>On 2 May, 23:23, Gigglz <Frek...@Hotmail.com> wrote:
>> On Thu, 1 May 2008 20:10:28 +0200, "John" <nos...@no.where> wrote:
>> >Hi,
>>
>> >A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>> >about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>> >great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
>> >to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>> >completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety, my
>> >mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things have
>> >stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>> >first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
>> >tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped very
>> >much with my anxiety.
>>
>> have you ever tried therapy? CBT therapy?
>> how about acupuncture or hypnosis?
>>
>> >A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>> >left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just what
>> >I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
>> >effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
>> >again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>>
>> maybe another TYPE of drug? have you tried any of the older
>> anti-depressants such as Elavil? (amitriptaline) (not sure how to
>> spell it)
>> or, maybe you've been misdiagnosed? maybe your anxiety is really
>> mania or something. have you actually seen a psychiatrist about this?
>>
>> >Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>> >helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>> >are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>> >time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?
>> >Can it take more than 3 months?
>>
>> i've never had to increase my dose of benzos. i guess everyone is
>> different. there are now long acting benzos. did you ever try any of
>> those? i guess if i were you, i would see a psychiatrist...get a
>> proper diagnosis...and have some therapy as well. CBT really helped
>> me.
>>
>> wish you well!
>>
>> gigglz



>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>
>-Joe

it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)

hehe

giggz

>>Hi,
>
>>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose
>
> There are many missing pieces to what you're telling. It's true that the
> dose
> often needs to increase initially until the right working dose is
> established.
>
> This, about Xanax (Alprazolam), might prove very helpful in understanding
> just
> how and why this occurs. It applies to Valium just as much as it applies
> to
> Xanax or any other benzodiazepine.
> http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html

Thanks for the link. One thing that the article clarified was why as time
goes by the benzo might now work as well as in the beginning. However, will
increasing the dose always work in that case? I've heard that some people
keep increasing the dose but they still don't get the relief they did in the
beginning?

>> my doctor decided I had to stop taking them
>
> I wonder just what dose you were on, and how often and how much the dose
> was
> being increased. It may very well have been very 'normal' - although it's
> possible that it wasn't in your case. The facts of dose, how many times
> per day,
> how often you were increasing, etc., could help establish that.

I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day. The
dose was increased more or less linear.

>> and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>>completely. It was a tough time coming off them;
>
> My first guess was that he tapered you off too quickly. If it was
> difficult
> (which is can be for some people under any circumstances), then slow slow
> slow
> would seem the rule. There's no rush, but many docs follow a schedule
> that's far
> quicker than necessary based on...... on what they think fits all? I
> dunno, but
> again, the article/link above might help you understand this and decide if
> that's pretty much what you were doing, or if your doc had you on an
> accelerated
> schedule.

I tapered off during about 3-4 weeks.

>> I had horrible anxiety, my
>> mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast.
>
> That would seem common for tapering off too quickly; the same goes many
> medications.
>
>>Now things have
>>stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>>first place.
>
> While debatable, one side of that coin may be that it's just the reason
> you're
> being treated in the first place. Your GAD hasn't gotten better, but worse
> (or
> the same, at the very least). It's the disorder, not the medication (or
> lack
> of).
> Cognitive therapy would seem an excellent choice to help you here, along
> with
> the correct dosage of medication.
> Check into the 'cognitive' therapy aspect. If taught well, it can be a
> very
> strong aid in living with your disorder.

I will check out the CBT approach too. I've heard lots of good things about
it. However, right now it feels like that alone will not be enough for me.

<---snip--->

>> Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to stabilize?
>
> That's my guess, yes.
>
>>Can it take more than 3 months?
>
> It can take 5 years if upped in increments of 1 mg at a time

Are you suggesting that some people keep increasing the dose indefinetely
(although slowly) and never reach a stable dose? Isn't there any upper limit
too how high dose you can take?


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

>>Hi,
>>
>>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
>>to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>>completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety,
>>my
>>mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things
>>have
>>stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>>first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
>>tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped
>>very
>>much with my anxiety.
>
> have you ever tried therapy? CBT therapy?
> how about acupuncture or hypnosis?

Haven't tried any of those. I've heard some good things about CBT. The
others I don't know anything about. As for acupuncture, I'm a bit sceptical
in general.

>>A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>>left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just
>>what
>>I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
>>effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
>>again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>
> maybe another TYPE of drug? have you tried any of the older
> anti-depressants such as Elavil? (amitriptaline) (not sure how to
> spell it)
> or, maybe you've been misdiagnosed? maybe your anxiety is really
> mania or something. have you actually seen a psychiatrist about this?

I've seen three psychiatrists about this. I've been diagnosed with GAD
combined with depression. As for medications, I've tried Celexa, Lexapro,
Remeron, Wellbutrin, Stablon, Buspar, Effexor, Anafranil and Zoloft. Hope I
didn't miss any...

>>Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>>helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>>are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>>time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to
>>stabilize?
>>Can it take more than 3 months?
>
> i've never had to increase my dose of benzos. i guess everyone is
> different. there are now long acting benzos. did you ever try any of
> those? i guess if i were you, i would see a psychiatrist...get a
> proper diagnosis...and have some therapy as well. CBT really helped
> me.

So you were put on an initial benzo dose, and have stuck with that ever
since? May I ask what benzo you are taking and at what dose?

As for a long acting benzo, the only one I've tried is Valium, and I believe
it's a long acting one?

> wish you well!
>
> gigglz
>

Thanks. Wish you well too!


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>
>>-Joe
>
> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>
> hehe
>
> giggz

Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a side
effect...

Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well as
benzos for anxiety?


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

> Have you tried these 2 antidepressants?: Paxil and Doxepin. I take both
> for anxiety/depression instead of benzos. They took care of my panic
> attacks. Nanny

I haven't tried any of those. Might be worth a try. Are they better for
anxiety than the rest of the drugs on the market acting on
serotonin/noradrenaline?


** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

John, wrote:


>> http://lexington-on-line.com/naf_xanax.html

>Thanks for the link. One thing that the article clarified was why as time
>goes by the benzo might now work as well as in the beginning.

A very key element, yes.

> However, will increasing the dose always work in that case?

For most people with anxiety disorders, yes. Once the brain and liver get
adjusted, so does the dose. I'll repeat this again down below - but it's
generally a two week process for increasing doses, just as it is for decreasing
doses. The same forces are at work (bodily forces / functions).

> I've heard that some people
>keep increasing the dose but they still don't get the relief they did in the
>beginning?

I've heard that the queen has balls. Let's talk about you; just as I'll talk
about me and what I 'think' I know

>>> my doctor decided I had to stop taking them

>I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day. The
>dose was increased more or less linear.

Exactly as it would seem warranted. 5 mg twice a week isn't a dose at all. It's
a nothing. To help control the constant anxiety of GAD, a full time maintenance
dose is usually required. That can be far more than 15 mg per day, by the way.
It's all dependent on how you react. The titration of the medication to reach
the dose that works for you didn't seem to have ever been tried.
That's not good doctoring in my opinion.

>>> It was a tough time coming off them;

>> My first guess was that he tapered you off too quickly.

>I tapered off during about 3-4 weeks.

Exactly! *In reading the article from the link, it's clearly shown how the
adjustment is made in two week increments per dose reduction. That reduction, at
let's guess at 5mg per time, would take a minimum of 6 weeks - but the reality
would be 2.5 mg per 2 weeks, or.... even at 5mg per time, 2 weeks at a
reduction, once down to 5 mg per day, the reduction then would likely be 1 or 2
mg per two weeks, then another 1 or 2 mg reduction for two weeks, and so on.

The effects were most likely because of too quick of a taper. Again, poor
doctoring in my view.

>> It can take 5 years if upped in increments of 1 mg at a time

>Are you suggesting that some people keep increasing the dose indefinetely
>(although slowly) and never reach a stable dose?

Not for most people with anxiety disorders, no. I was just joking with ya.

For those with a totally different disposition to this sort of medication, they
may take more and more, but it's to get high.
I started out on a dose of benzodiazepines many years ago. I now take less than
1/2 of the dose I used to.

I wouldn't be too quick to go the Paxil (another SSRI) route - or even Elavil
(older TCA antidepressant).

I'd suggest finding a doc who will at least work with the Valium that seems to
work for you (mainly because through all the trials, this is what you found
helps) - as long as s/he understands that the dose may need to be adjusted
upward until THE therapeutic dose (for you) is reached.

A print out of that web site article can be helpful to see just what a doc
thinks about it. Truly - being an informed patient can be your very bestest
tool.

E...

The Doxepin I take is similar to Elavil, and both are older meds. Yes, I've
found that after awhile your body adjusts to the sleepy side effect. I do
better on sedative-like meds, because it doesn't take much to bring me to a
full panic attack. In that respect, they do a similar job as the benzos.
Nanny
"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
news:4e7f$481ccaf4$3966@news.teranews.com...
>>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>>
>>>-Joe
>>
>> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
>> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
>> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
>> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>>
>> hehe
>>
>> giggz
>
> Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
> helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a
> side effect...
>
> Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well as
> benzos for anxiety?
>
>
> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

Yes, in my opinion, because of the sedative-like feature, which your body
eventually adjusts to. Nanny
"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
news:4ae87$481ccdee$5013@news.teranews.com...
>> Have you tried these 2 antidepressants?: Paxil and Doxepin. I take both
>> for anxiety/depression instead of benzos. They took care of my panic
>> attacks. Nanny
>
> I haven't tried any of those. Might be worth a try. Are they better for
> anxiety than the rest of the drugs on the market acting on
> serotonin/noradrenaline?
>
> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **

On Sat, 3 May 2008 22:28:36 +0200, "John" <nospam@no.where> wrote:

>>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>>
>>>-Joe
>>
>> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
>> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
>> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
>> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>>
>> hehe
>>
>> giggz



>Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
>helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a side
>effect...
>
>Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well as
>benzos for anxiety?
>
>
>** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **


i'm not sure if it goes away because i ended up taking it at
night...and would just go to sleep :-D
i wasn't tired during the day.
it definitely worked for my anxiety.

gigglz

i'm glad that works so well for you, nanny!

gigglz


On Sat, 3 May 2008 23:51:42 -0400, "nanny" <gloria006@woh.rr.com>
wrote:

>The Doxepin I take is similar to Elavil, and both are older meds. Yes, I've
>found that after awhile your body adjusts to the sleepy side effect. I do
>better on sedative-like meds, because it doesn't take much to bring me to a
>full panic attack. In that respect, they do a similar job as the benzos.
>Nanny
>"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
>news:4e7f$481ccaf4$3966@news.teranews.com...
>>>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>>>
>>>>-Joe
>>>
>>> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
>>> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
>>> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
>>> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>>>
>>> hehe
>>>
>>> giggz
>>
>> Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
>> helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a
>> side effect...
>>
>> Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well as
>> benzos for anxiety?
>>
>>
>> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
>

On Sat, 3 May 2008 22:23:46 +0200, "John" <nospam@no.where> wrote:

>>>Hi,
>>>
>>>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>>>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>>>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
>>>to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>>>completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety,
>>>my
>>>mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things
>>>have
>>>stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in the
>>>first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I have
>>>tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have helped
>>>very
>>>much with my anxiety.
>>
>> have you ever tried therapy? CBT therapy?
>> how about acupuncture or hypnosis?


>Haven't tried any of those. I've heard some good things about CBT. The
>others I don't know anything about. As for acupuncture, I'm a bit sceptical
>in general.


well they ALL worked very well for me.
i use my hypnotherapy quite often.
CBT changed my life!


>>>A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>>>left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just
>>>what
>>>I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However, as the
>>>effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased anxiety
>>>again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.


>> maybe another TYPE of drug? have you tried any of the older
>> anti-depressants such as Elavil? (amitriptaline) (not sure how to
>> spell it)
>> or, maybe you've been misdiagnosed? maybe your anxiety is really
>> mania or something. have you actually seen a psychiatrist about this?


>I've seen three psychiatrists about this. I've been diagnosed with GAD
>combined with depression. As for medications, I've tried Celexa, Lexapro,
>Remeron, Wellbutrin, Stablon, Buspar, Effexor, Anafranil and Zoloft. Hope I
>didn't miss any...


LOL, that's quite a lot!


>>>Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>>>helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>>>are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>>>time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to
>>>stabilize?
>>>Can it take more than 3 months?


>> i've never had to increase my dose of benzos. i guess everyone is
>> different. there are now long acting benzos. did you ever try any of
>> those? i guess if i were you, i would see a psychiatrist...get a
>> proper diagnosis...and have some therapy as well. CBT really helped
>> me.


>So you were put on an initial benzo dose, and have stuck with that ever
>since? May I ask what benzo you are taking and at what dose?

my xanax is only .25 mg. i can take more than one if i need to.
i have ativan for panic attacks, that is .5 mg.
these are VERY low dose (obviously).
i don't take it every day any more. my lexapro has really helped me a
lot.


>As for a long acting benzo, the only one I've tried is Valium, and I believe
>it's a long acting one?

i don't know too much about valium.
xanax has an extended release, and i know klonopin is also that way.
perhaps you should try one of those?


>> wish you well!
>>
>> gigglz
>>
>
> Thanks. Wish you well too!


thank you!

and don't give up. you'll get it right :-)

gigglz

Thanks, gigglz, me too! Nanny
"Gigglz" <Frekklz@Hotmail.com> wrote in message
news1ks1493cq16rt007hponi1thel096lvpl@4ax.com...
> i'm glad that works so well for you, nanny!
>
> gigglz
>
>
> On Sat, 3 May 2008 23:51:42 -0400, "nanny" <gloria006@woh.rr.com>
> wrote:
>
>>The Doxepin I take is similar to Elavil, and both are older meds. Yes,
>>I've
>>found that after awhile your body adjusts to the sleepy side effect. I do
>>better on sedative-like meds, because it doesn't take much to bring me to
>>a
>>full panic attack. In that respect, they do a similar job as the benzos.
>>Nanny
>>"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
>>news:4e7f$481ccaf4$3966@news.teranews.com...
>>>>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>>>>
>>>>>-Joe
>>>>
>>>> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
>>>> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
>>>> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
>>>> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>>>>
>>>> hehe
>>>>
>>>> giggz
>>>
>>> Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
>>> helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a
>>> side effect...
>>>
>>> Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well
>>> as
>>> benzos for anxiety?
>>>
>>>
>>> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
>>
>

"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote
> >>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
> >>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
> >>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose

> I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day.
The
> dose was increased more or less linear.

According to psychopharmacologist Stephen Stahl the usual dose range for
diazepam is 4 to 40 mg/day, in 2 to 4 divided doses per day.

Chip

On Mon, 5 May 2008 10:25:13 -0700, "Chip"
<no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote
>> >>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>> >>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>> >>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose
>
>> I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day.
>The
>> dose was increased more or less linear.
>
>According to psychopharmacologist Stephen Stahl the usual dose range for
>diazepam is 4 to 40 mg/day, in 2 to 4 divided doses per day.
>
>Chip


hi chippz :-) :-) :-)

hugs from gigglz

<clapping hands> :-)

giggz


On Mon, 5 May 2008 02:03:32 -0400, "nanny" <gloria006@woh.rr.com>
wrote:

>Thanks, gigglz, me too! Nanny
>"Gigglz" <Frekklz@Hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news1ks1493cq16rt007hponi1thel096lvpl@4ax.com.. .
>> i'm glad that works so well for you, nanny!
>>
>> gigglz
>>
>>
>> On Sat, 3 May 2008 23:51:42 -0400, "nanny" <gloria006@woh.rr.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>>The Doxepin I take is similar to Elavil, and both are older meds. Yes,
>>>I've
>>>found that after awhile your body adjusts to the sleepy side effect. I do
>>>better on sedative-like meds, because it doesn't take much to bring me to
>>>a
>>>full panic attack. In that respect, they do a similar job as the benzos.
>>>Nanny
>>>"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
>>>news:4e7f$481ccaf4$3966@news.teranews.com...
>>>>>>Elavil is great. But makes you quite sleepy.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>-Joe
>>>>>
>>>>> it sure DOES. i remember the first time i took it. i had no idea
>>>>> what i was in for. i fell asleep on my desk at work! HA! i couldn't
>>>>> even drive home. my husband picked me up, and i decided i had to take
>>>>> elavil at NIGHT from that day forward :-)
>>>>>
>>>>> hehe
>>>>>
>>>>> giggz
>>>>
>>>> Sometimes I feel that it's the sedative nature of some medications that
>>>> helps with anxiety, although sedation is actually sometimes listed as a
>>>> side effect...
>>>>
>>>> Does the sleepiness go away with time with Elavil? Does it work as well
>>>> as
>>>> benzos for anxiety?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
>>>
>>
>

"Gigglz" <Frekklz@Hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:g0hu1499kb3qf1nu0ndngcb8eckoo48smi@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 5 May 2008 10:25:13 -0700, "Chip"
> <no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> >
> >"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote
> >> >>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium)
for
> >> >>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They
worked
> >> >>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose
> >
> >> I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day.
> >The
> >> dose was increased more or less linear.
> >
> >According to psychopharmacologist Stephen Stahl the usual dose range for
> >diazepam is 4 to 40 mg/day, in 2 to 4 divided doses per day.
> >
> >Chip
>
>
> hi chippz :-) :-) :-)
>
> hugs from gigglz

Hi Giggs!

Elavil would make my hemorrhoids stand to attention and sing The Star
Bangled Banner

It's constipating.

Chippz

On Mon, 5 May 2008 10:35:08 -0700, "Chip"
<no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>"Gigglz" <Frekklz@Hotmail.com> wrote in message
>news:g0hu1499kb3qf1nu0ndngcb8eckoo48smi@4ax.com.. .
>> On Mon, 5 May 2008 10:25:13 -0700, "Chip"
>> <no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote
>> >> >>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium)
>for
>> >> >>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They
>worked
>> >> >>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose
>> >
>> >> I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day.
>> >The
>> >> dose was increased more or less linear.
>> >
>> >According to psychopharmacologist Stephen Stahl the usual dose range for
>> >diazepam is 4 to 40 mg/day, in 2 to 4 divided doses per day.
>> >
>> >Chip
>>
>>
>> hi chippz :-) :-) :-)
>>
>> hugs from gigglz



>Hi Giggs!
>
>Elavil would make my hemorrhoids stand to attention and sing The Star
>Bangled Banner
>
>It's constipating.
>
>Chippz


ROFLMAO!!! Chippz, you are hilarious :-D

Giggs

nanny schreef:
> Have you tried these 2 antidepressants?: Paxil and Doxepin. I take both
> for anxiety/depression instead of benzos. They took care of my panic
> attacks. Nanny


Two sedating ADs from different groups. I can imagine it may work but
please cnsult a knowledgeable pdoc regarding the doses because this
combo may cause *serotonin syndrome* when the doses are not expertly
prescribed.

Philip


> "John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
> news:e2c82$481a0789$27315@news.teranews.com...
>> Hi,
>>
>> A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>> about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>> great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I had
>> to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking them
>> completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible anxiety,
>> my mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast. Now things
>> have stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever took benzos in
>> the first place. I have been searching for a substitute to benzos, and I
>> have tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but none of them have
>> helped very much with my anxiety.
>>
>> A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>> left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just
>> what I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However,
>> as the effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased
>> anxiety again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>>
>> Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>> helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if they
>> are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose the last
>> time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose to
>> stabilize? Can it take more than 3 months?
>>
>> Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
>>
>> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
>
>

Good thing it is your hemmroids that stand at attention
because if it was *something* else you would have to
walk backwards at certain times ;-)

Ronnie

"Chip" <no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:fvngg2$c4k$1@aioe.org...
>
> "Gigglz" <Frekklz@Hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:g0hu1499kb3qf1nu0ndngcb8eckoo48smi@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 5 May 2008 10:25:13 -0700, "Chip"
>> <no_spam_chipmonk___36@hotmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"John" <nospam@no.where> wrote
>> >> >>A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium)
> for
>> >> >>about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They
> worked
>> >> >>great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose
>> >
>> >> I started out at 5 mg two times a week, and ended at 10-15 mg per day.
>> >The
>> >> dose was increased more or less linear.
>> >
>> >According to psychopharmacologist Stephen Stahl the usual dose range for
>> >diazepam is 4 to 40 mg/day, in 2 to 4 divided doses per day.
>> >
>> >Chip
>>
>>
>> hi chippz :-) :-) :-)
>>
>> hugs from gigglz
>
> Hi Giggs!
>
> Elavil would make my hemorrhoids stand to attention and sing The Star
> Bangled Banner
>
> It's constipating.
>
> Chippz
>
>
>
>

Thanks, Philip. Describe the symptoms of serotonin syndrome if you would.
I've been on Paxil and Doxepin literally for years, and no problems that I'm
aware of. However, they're never taken together. Paxil (40 mg.) I take
with my first meal of the day, and Doxepin (50 or 75 mg.) I take early
evening. I'm not sure what would be excessive when taking 2 different types
of AD's. Nanny
"Philip Peters" <philip@p-peters.demon.nl> wrote in message
news:481faae8$0$14347$e4fe514c@news.xs4all.nl...
> nanny schreef:
>> Have you tried these 2 antidepressants?: Paxil and Doxepin. I take both
>> for anxiety/depression instead of benzos. They took care of my panic
>> attacks. Nanny
>
>
> Two sedating ADs from different groups. I can imagine it may work but
> please cnsult a knowledgeable pdoc regarding the doses because this combo
> may cause *serotonin syndrome* when the doses are not expertly prescribed.
>
> Philip
>
>
>> "John" <nospam@no.where> wrote in message
>> news:e2c82$481a0789$27315@news.teranews.com...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> A couple of years ago, my doctor put me on benzodiazepines (Valium) for
>>> about 3 months to combat my General Anziety Disorder (GAD). They worked
>>> great, but since I had to keep increasing the dose my doctor decided I
>>> had to stop taking them and had me taper down until I stopped taking
>>> them completely. It was a tough time coming off them; I had horrible
>>> anxiety, my mind was racing all the time, and my heart was beating fast.
>>> Now things have stabilized, but my anxiety is worse than before I ever
>>> took benzos in the first place. I have been searching for a substitute
>>> to benzos, and I have tried about 10 different anti-depressants, but
>>> none of them have helped very much with my anxiety.
>>>
>>> A couple of weeks ago I tried a small dose of Valium (5 mg) which I had
>>> left, just to see what effect it has now. Amazingly it seems to be just
>>> what I need, as it calmed me down and I started feeling normal. However,
>>> as the effects wore off during the coming days I had horrible increased
>>> anxiety again. So in a sense I feel like a recovering alcoholic.
>>>
>>> Now I don't know what to do. It seems like benzos is the only thing that
>>> helps bringing my anxiety down, but on the other hand I don't know if
>>> they are a long term solution since I had to keep increasing the dose
>>> the last time I tried them. Or didn't we wait long enough for the dose
>>> to stabilize? Can it take more than 3 months?
>>>
>>> Any help or suggestions are appreciated.
>>>
>>> ** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **
>>