Posted by Alan on December 9, 2001, at 13:25:59
In reply to Re: Ativan, more effect over time? » Alan, posted by IsoM on December 3, 2001, at 22:37:42
> Alan, I do agree with you in many ways but the reason I gave the previous advice is:
> -Adamie was asking about Ativan, not for panic disorders but for anxiety & help in sleeping. Panic disorder wasn't mentioned.
> -For help in falling asleep, higher doses do need to be taken if used for any length of time. The anxiolytic effects will stay remain but the sleep-inducing effect often diminishes.
>
> It's just so hard to find a doctor who is willing to regularly prescribe any benzodiazepine for any length of time. People who do develop dependance (or addiction) to drugs will go to great lengths to conceal it from their doctor & doctors have become overly wary. Not to mention, other doctors monitor any doctor they think prescribes to easily.
>
> I know alprazolam (Xanax) worked very well for me & I made sure never to take more than was prescribed but when I moved & had to find a new doctor, no doctor will prescribe them for me other than a short period. I wish Buspar did work for me. I would prefer something that didn't frighten doctors so much.
>
> (RE: following messages)
> > This is simply not true as evidenced by the facts about benzodiazapines of which Ativan (not designed sublingually but used that way in many cases) is just one. I take it.
> >
> > Please read this link and scroll to benzodiazapines:
> >
> > http://bearpaw8.tripod.com/pd.html
> >
> > Specialists that treat chronic anxiety as well as the World Health Organisation have reviewed ALL of the evidence from hundreds of studies and concluded that this medication is safe for short AND long term use without fear of "addiction" and "escalation" and all the negative connotations that these words invoke. "Medical dependence" is the less obselete usage. The distinction in the two terms is borne out by the facts. Doseages remain the same once the proper level is found providing that one has a legitimately diagnosed anxiety disorder. Tapering off of ANY med including the ssri's including Paxil, etc have shown just as many discontinuation problems and the BZD's are over 40 years old and going strong. The effects of the tapering process is just as risky and can be as difficult for any other medication even though they are not technically considered "addictive".
> >
> > Please read. I'm sure that despite the webpage's longishness, it is well worth understanding...
> >
> > Alan
> > PS. Ativan works immediately unlike the start up time needed for AD's.
*****************************************
Sleeplessness - BZD's no for long term. Don't know diagnosis - sleep problem could be depression related.Chronic anxiety - whatever form it takes - YES for long term treatment with BZD's without fear of adverse side effects. This is what is not in dispute. Ill informed doctors will just have to come around especially for those non-specialists on the receiving end of the media blitz by the ssri's for the treatment of generalised anxiety disorders - medications that usually have to be augmented with BZDs in the end either PRN or as maintianence anyway. And the side effects!
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:85872
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20011202/msgs/86379.html