[kenc127]

Hey all

Tomorrow I go to my doc to get a prescription for benzos. I basically need them because I have to keep retaking school exams due to walking out because of panic attacks. My aim is to only take them during testing times, as that is when I get most anxious. Can anyone tell me if addiction and withdrawal can occur from just a few uses? Anyone have a particular brand they prefer for personal reasons? In addition to anxiety alleviation, I want to avoid making my DPDR worse and I want to avoid that druggy feeling. Suggestions?

Thanks, Ken

 

[terri*]

Hi Ken,

I can say that for years I used benzo's on an as needed basis only. I would think unless you have a very dependant personality or just enjoy the hell out of getting a buzz, that you would be quite capable of taking the lowest dose of zanax or valium. These stay in your body a shorter period of time. My only thought here is that I do remember whenever I did use a benzo intermittently, they did make me groggy and light as air...thus the lack of anxiety before getting on a plane or surgery. So that might be a problem. It would usually take a few days useage for me not to get that little buzz going. For me personally it was no problem after my need for them to stop.

I hope this has been of some help. I am always amazed at people's strength to continue on with school, work or taking care of the home. It is with great will and determination that we strive to continue our lives while living with this disorder. You are really to be admired, Ken. I hope you find something that works for you so you may continue meeting the goals you have set for yourself.

Sincerely,
terri*

 

[dakotajo]

This is only my opinion. I wouldnt recommend using a benzo period. You can become PHYSICALLY dependent in as little as 2 weeks of regular use. The strongest mental determination will do you no good if your are physically dependent. If you absolutely insist on using a benzo, I feel valium on a very short term basis is your best bet. It is a low potency benzo plus its got a very long half life(200 hours) so your brain has a chance to slowly recover as the poison is dropping in your blood.

Joe

 

[[rula]]

Ken,

Your best benzo for panic attacks is by far Xanax. it kicks in within 15 mins if you let it melt under your tongue, and leaves your body completely in 6 hours. addiction can develop like Joe said in as little as 2 weeks of regular use. happened to me, i cold turkied the stuff and i wouldn't wish the withdrawal symptoms on my worst enemy. Valium has such a long half life (8 days) that taking it "as needed" without some of it not still being in your body is almost impossible, before you know it the levels in your blood build up. i've heared people say "i'm not addicted to valium, i can go days without taking it!" lol. um, think again...

your chances of not getting addicted are better with a benzo that leaves your body faster. for the record, i hate benzos too, but i just popped a klonopin cuz i have to go back to work today after 2 months off. we all know benzos (yes joe, aka poisons :wink: ) are bad, but it's up to the individual to weigh risks against benefits.

good luck with school! -rula

 

[gimpy34]

you are fine as long as you use them only in an emergency situations. I never got the fell-good "buzz" from them once I developed panic disorder and started taking xanax. I had taken xanax recreationally a few times before I got PD and would get buzzed as hell.

 

[[rula]]

you are fine as long as you use them only in an emergency situations. I never got the fell-good "buzz" from them once I developed panic disorder and started taking xanax. I had taken xanax recreationally a few times before I got PD and would get buzzed as hell.

funny, i have to hide my valium from my bf, he gets buzzed and giggly off this stuff. but i guess when you NEED them, you can't feel that "euphoria" i keep hearing about. :-/ btw, he used to pop xany bars (2mgs, 3 at a time) like candy for weeks (for fun that is), and had no problem coming off. each body is different.

-ru

 

[terri*]

Gimpy,

Now that I think back on it, you are exactly right. No buzz once I became dr'd...just the vacant feeling.

It does sound like, from everyone else, to X the valium and if you have to, go with zanax.

Still wishing you the best.
terri*

 

[pfpc]

I found Xanax to be very useful for intermitent use. It kicks in really quickly (like 5 mins) and melts the panic away. It did make me groggy and slowed me down, but I was still able to perform. You might want to experiment with the dosage and balance the anxiety with the side-effects of the Xanax. Again, I used it intermitently for years, and never developed a dependency.

This is quite unlike my experience with Klonopin which I used on a regular basis and developed a tolerance and dependency to.

 

[kenc127]

Hey all

Thanks for taking the time to reply to my question. The doc decided to put me on 0.25mg of Xanax as needed for those 'emergency situations' but no more than that. He also said it was OK to take SJW with intermittent use of the benzo. I hope he is right as I have read in some places NOT to take SJW with Xanax. I hope I don't croak

Anyway, thanks again all and good luck in your personal healing.

Ken

 

[Guest]

SJW and the xanax are fine together.

Love,
J

 

[kenc127]

Thanks Janine

I'm wondering why I trust you more than my doc. Your experience says alot. Take care.

 

[terri*]

ohhh, St. John's Wort.

So glad it worked out for you, Ken.

terri

 

[[rula]]

Ken, from the article i mentioned....

"evidence appears to suggest that St. John?s wort interacts with enzymes in the liver responsible for metabolizing drugs. Known as the cytochrome P450 system, these enzymes are the body?s way of ensuring normal clearance of drugs once they?ve done their job. St. John?s wort appears to induce some of these enzymes to act a bit more quickly than normal, leading to a drop in therapeutic blood levels of some medications." (anti-anxiety meds included.)

you're definitely not gonna croak, but i'd space the 2 pills apart just to make sure you get the full effect of the Xanax.

peas,
rula

 

[dakotajo]

I still recommend a low potency benzo such as valium over any high potency benzo(klonopin, xanax,ativan). They claim the high potency benzos bind tighter to the receptor sites which makes for a much worse withdrawal syndrome. I believe it.

 

[kenc127]

Thanks Rula. I think I saw that some place before, but Im glad to you posted it anyhow.

Ken

 

[Guest]

Yeah man, go for it. Just watch out for the nasty side effects. One of which includes pacing non stop, 24/7, feeling a hell that is beyond anyones physical or mental comprehension if you sit down. It really isn't a nice feeling to have. I wouldn't wish it on anyone.