Posted by ace on January 31, 2009, at 7:10:03
In reply to ANY LONG TERM BENZO USERS? 10-20+YEARS, posted by paulbwell on April 3, 2005, at 21:06:46
> Please, PB's
> I am looking for reasurance and advice from any long term 15-20+ year Regular anxiety medication users,-benzos, for a multiply diagnosed,(several specialists) sever medical condition, to help form part of treatment for this condition.
>
> I'm Sick of hearing the benzo 'horror stories'.of withdrawal hell etc..
> do benzos continue to be usefull over many years?,
> or have you found they exhasabate the problem.
>
> We are talking about a sever life-effecting condition, GAD, others, since late teens.If withdrawal from anxiety medication was acheived, what would be the point?, if the condition persists and interfers with QOL
>
> Any feed back from revelant persons greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks to all.Hi There:)
I have been on Benzos over 10 years now. Around 8 years taking Xanax 1-4mg/day. Now on 1mg looking at ceasing due to memory problems (I am in a situation where I need my memory functioning at it's best)This is my personal opinion gleaned from my own research and experience.
Benzos are fantastic medications.
I do NOT believe they cause terrible withdrawal syndromes when titrated off them in a sensible way. Tapering off them does sometimes necessitates a very gradual process however. If symptoms occur after the cessation of benzo therapy, the illness is causing them, not the benzos!
They remain very useful over long periods of times, with no tolerance forming.
As many CBT proponents state, they DO NOT exacerbate severe anxiety disorders: they alleviate them greatly, sometimes providing a 'cure'.
That being said, people do become MEDICALLY dependent on them, and there is memory problems.
All the very best!
Ace:)
poster:ace
thread:479469
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090104/msgs/877313.html