Posted by yxibow on October 26, 2006, at 5:12:16
In reply to Re: Phenobarbital for Anxiety » mikeyb, posted by ed_uk on October 25, 2006, at 16:40:12
> Hi M
>
> >Soma's another one that i haven't tried - i've just done some research and read that muscle relaxants such as bacoflen and zanaflex may be effective at releasing physical tension (and therefore anxiety?) without being habituating?
>
> Carisoprodol (Soma) is a sedative and muscle relaxant. It is related to the old sedative drug meprobamate. Unfortunately, carisoprodol is associated with the development of physical dependence - as are the barbiturates and benzodiazepines.
Yes -- I just mentioned this as a sidebar -- most doctors will also not prescribe Soma or Miltown unless a given need is there (spasms, back pain, etc.). It is a distant cousin of barbiturates, and is safer in those regards but it -can- form physical dependence without due regard to restriction of dosage (or even with.)
Baclofen is a wierd one -- more for GABA-B, and although I think has been tested like everything in psychiatry it is not generally used. It wouldn't really address the GABA-A that you would need.
I don't recall if I went through the hoops of Zanaflex, I think I didn't. Skelaxin did nothing for me (we're talking back stuff.) And Flexeril is a truly yucky tricyclic. So I'm with Robaxin, which being also a carbamic derivative, is basically "really diet Soma" chemically. Curiously structurally related from what I have read to the expectorant Guaifenesin although not particularly chemically I believe. But this is just a back muscle discussion at any rate.
> Have you tried clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril)? Clonazepam is a high-potency benzodiazepine.
>
> Ed
>High or low potency (number of tablets and milligrams), its the dosage that works that counts, Klonopin or Valium really share similarities in long half lives (although Klonopin is usually dosed twice daily because the actually half life may be less than a day), although I swear now more by Valium for anxiety.
An increasing chatter on here has noted that Klonopin (clonazepam) can cause some depression. But that is only for certain people. I've never felt it personally. Klonopin is a very subtle agent, one really doesn't feel it once established; Valium is a bit less subtle (personal opinion.)
There's also the slightly more esoteric Serax (oxazepam) which is another anxiolytic benzodiazepine (lower potency, higher dosing may be necessary but generally doesnt go through the liver.)
And then there are polypharmacy combinations.a dose as high as necessary of Luvox/Paxil and low dose Seroquel/Zyprexa.
BuSpar plus something else.
etc.-- tidings
Jay
poster:yxibow
thread:697393
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20061020/msgs/697843.html