Posted by Toothy on September 10, 2007, at 20:35:03
In reply to Re: Anyone still on lyrica? » Toothy, posted by Phillipa on September 10, 2007, at 20:09:09
> Toothy on the same amount of valium as you but I've been on benzos way too long about 35years. Mine does not relax me during the day at all. Phillipa
Phillipa,
I have been on and off benzos for most of the last 11 years when panic disorder started for me during a bad divorce. I have had a couple of periods from 8 months to 18 months when I was able to be off of them except for PRN (Xanax) once or twice a week or less. I liked that situation the best because I felt the best and 0.25 to 0.5 mgs of Xanax would knock out any situational anxiety I had. My most recent panic episode started about a year ago and the problem was that panic attack began occuring almost daily at that time due to a major stressor (which is now gone). I have tried to taper "slowly" 0.5 mgs per week down to 0.25 mgs per week for the last 9 months only to hit a wall and have to go back up again. Have you tried "turtle tapering at about 1 mg per month? I do like Valium because you can get 2mg pills and taper as slowly as you want. I found Klonopin much more difficult to taper and it caused much more depression for me. That is how I got off Valium in 2004 after about 3-4 years on it from a high of 1.75 mgs of Klonopin during this time. I went from 12 mgs Valium (after some Klonopin tapering and a Valium crossover) to 0mgs in 12 months and was able to tolerate the withdrawals. I tried it this year but my body just was not ready to taper. I guess I just need more time to heal first.
That is why I was so curious about Lyrica since my Pdoc brings it up from time to time for anxiety. I have read of some who have used it any reduced or eliminated their Xanax or Valium. I am only concerned about the "poop out" possibility some have experienced.
I have no real rush to get off the meds....no one is pushing me except me. I just have a hard time accepting that I must stay on benzos for now or I get bouts of shakiness which is hard at work. I did find Tenormin, a beta blocker to be of help with this symptom this week.
I hope you are doing well!
Toothy
poster:Toothy
thread:778067
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070831/msgs/782116.html