Posted by Sad Panda on September 24, 2004, at 7:54:30
In reply to Benzos are a deal with the Devil, posted by TomV on September 23, 2004, at 15:15:12
> I know benzos help a lot of people with a lot of different ailments, but if you take 1/2 mg or more for more than 3 months it's nearly impossible to get off the drug, in my opinion.
>
> In my case I've tried quitting so many times that I've almost given up the thought of trying again. I've been taking a little over 1mg of xanax (after switching from klonopin to ativan to xanax) for almost 6 years, and every time I drop even the slightest amount I start feeling physically ill within a couple days. I've read in the literature that a benzo withdrawl can even cause a Grand Mal seizure, which is kind of what I thought I was experiencing. But my doctor blew me off about that theory when I explained to her what was going on during my withdrawl. One more thing, don't get me wrong; when I needed the benzos back a few years ago they were very helpful. I got immediate relief. But now I feel that they're harming my mood (I also have PTSD and treatment resistent depression) and there isn't a thing I can do about it.
>
> Anyway, this isn't a cry for help. I'm just venting I guess.
>
> Tom
>
>Hi Tom,
Xanax is the best, but it's the hardest Benzo to quit because it has a short half life & can't be substituted for other long half life Benzos like Valium. Some doctors will prescribe a non-benzo anti epileptic drug such as Neurotin to block seizures, but 1mg/day habit doesn't seem like much to withdrawl from although you could be a poor metabolizer.
Cheers,
Paul.
poster:Sad Panda
thread:394171
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040921/msgs/394453.html