Posted by Rick on June 12, 2000, at 0:06:48
In reply to Re: SOCIAL PHOBIA COCKTAIL -- WOW!!! : Survey Says..., posted by Andre Allard on June 11, 2000, at 19:14:36
(NOTE: given my current mysterious posting difficulties, getting this full message submitted is likely to require multiple postings.)Andre -
I appreciate your thoughts on clonazepam, but most of you warnings are misinformed and have been disproven. My assertion reflects many, many rigorous studies of responsible and proper benzo therapy to treat various medical conditions, supported by a wealth of anecdotal experiences (like mine). Of course, there will always be a minority of cases where chronic usage of benzos will lead to significant (though usually temporary) problems. But so do "safe" AD's. Take Paxil: look at how many people have had complete loss of sexual function and huge weight gain (which is very unhealthy), followed by nightmarish withdrawal symptoms. Benzos have a wealth of unfair stigma attached to them, probably tracing to Vailum abuse soon after it was introduced, as well as today's illicit street combos of benzos and other drugs to provide a quick high.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I'm kind of passionate about this topic, so PLEASE be sure not take anything I say as a personal attack on your advice!!! Your viewpoint on chronic benzo use is in fact shared by thousands of doctors and millions of citizens.
Again, I respect your right to your own opinions, and thoroughly appreciate your intent, which is provide support and advice.The warnings about chronic benzo use do have some relevance for some people with tendencies towards drug abuse or addiction, substantial alcohol consumption, or frailness...but that's it.
About the "buzz": For me it wasn't very strong -- more like fatigue, actually -- and that effect quickly went away after a week of regular use, leaving only the desired anxiolytic effects. Unless I raise the usual dosage by more than 1 mg, I feel nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, from Klonopin other than continued mental calmness in social and performance situations. And that calmness comes with no "slowdown", lethargy, or decrease in alert
poster:Rick
thread:36883
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000610/msgs/36979.html