![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 5868 to 5892 of 10407. Go back in thread:
Posted by TomV on December 7, 2003, at 21:57:35
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 16:32:33
> you mistake my intent, perhaps---long-term studies clearly show Any long-term user will suffer horrific withdrawal if not tapered. you may note 'lethality possibility upon sudden cessation', as now warned in the lit. only those millions who have 'experienced' the event are qualified to report back on it. no generalization at all. this drug family is like no other. my intent is to protect naive users, and based on fact and experience. search the net. see for yourself. i've indicated the value of benzos both for short medical procedures (colonoscopy), and very infrequent anxiety use, or for daily use by 'terminal' patients, or those with rare internal damage. if i seem strident, well, maybe.
> but consider this---now any dr. scripting benzos daily, long-term? unless they are doing so for the aforementioned reasons, if caught, they will lose their liscense to practice. why? regardsMy Pdoc has been subscribing xanax long-term for me... and why?? Xanax, quite simply, is the only drug that's ever worked 100% of the time for me. I suffer from PTSD, depression and transient anxiety.I've practically tried every newer AD, a lot of second generation ADs, numerous Benzos, a few mood stabilizers, SAMe, St Johns wort, and the kitchen sink!
The only AD that's ever been effective for me is Remeron, and that eventually pooped out to 50% efficacy. When I take xanax (and believe me, I know all about the long term risk with Benzos) I usually begin to feel a hell of lot better than I did an hour before! It takes 1-2 mgs to do the trick. But later in the day I start to "come down" from the med. For me, the xanax definitely works like an illicit drug, where I get a natural like feeling, like I'm "getting high", where my mood lifts. So in my book that's not too bad. The drug is legal. I'm not using illegal drugs or self medicating with booze or pot, or you name it.
But tell me this... why do I feel so guilty about taking it? I'm already thinking about talking to my Pdoc about Xanax XR.
Tom
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:04:17
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by camel on December 7, 2003, at 20:07:45
you know, i almost put a question mark behind 'sir'---but not knowing, used the traditional. i now feel the parenthetical (?) would have angered you equally, in view of how you may possibly Blame me for dr. bob's considered action in blocking a member. i'm not dr. bob---he decides. not me. he's sent a couple shots across my bow, when appropriate. i saw his point. perhaps you should ask him to review my posts to you? regards
Posted by LibraTilted on December 7, 2003, at 22:18:40
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:04:17
greetings everyone. I just started Effexor XR daily. Felt like a zombie the first day. The second day was better. Today is now the fourth day. I feel better and not so much like a zombie. I can't stand the dry mouth though.
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:51:45
In reply to Xanax : the ONLY med that's 100% effective for me, posted by TomV on December 7, 2003, at 21:57:35
i wish i knew your age, dose, term of use. xanax makes people feel great, unlike any benzo i've used. it's short half-life will bop you in hours vs. librium or valium---long half-life---they bop you next day or week. i don't think you're feeling guilt---rather apprehension. well felt. i suspect you smell trouble from benzos---please, do not suddenly stop. after 4 years of librium i moved from fla. to texas. walgreens would not provide fla. approved refills. i had no problem on refills visiting family in arizona or cal. but in texas, i had to get a new script from a texas dr. while waiting for that appointment, i said, 'bs--who needs it? had no panic for years, so i just quit. ticket to hell. fast track. by day 8 i voluntarilly walked into an er. visit benzos.org.uk---you'll maybe understand. 'guilt' has its purpose, i don't don't feel you warrant that. apprehension over this? unless you dr. has one heck of a reason for getting you here---there lies 'guilt'. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 23:07:28
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos » maxx44, posted by LibraTilted on December 7, 2003, at 22:18:40
dry-mouth is common. what is not is a dr. advising AD clients about the problems. nightly salivation is what protects your teeth. they sell toothpaste in pharmacies to protect from that. only recently have i seen lit advising drs. on this. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 0:03:08
In reply to Xanax : the ONLY med that's 100% effective for me, posted by TomV on December 7, 2003, at 21:57:35
you say you are 'familiar with long-term problems'. from experience or reading and imagination? that doesn't work with these drugs, they are not like anything you've probably seen. although legal, long-term scripting, with rare exceptions, no longer is. i feel your feeling fear, not guilt. and having persnoal experience with what a xanax user faces upon withdrawal? i'd see my dr. on tapering-off slowly. zanax,in particular, effects DHEA and other hormones, so perhaps you should have a full-physical with , testosterone, estrogen, estradiol levels included in the standard blood-work. sometimes, depression/aniety are related to hormonal imbalance. as xanax boosts cetain hormones, it may mask another problem, best find out. dont'ya think? clear sailing....
Posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 16:32:33
. . ."you mistake my intent, perhaps . . ."
". . . only those millions who have 'experienced' the event are qualified to report back on it. no generalization at all."Perhaps, I have mistaken your intent. I assume your intent is honorable and that you would like others to avoid the physical/psychological symptoms of longterm benzo withdrawal. If this is not your intent, please advise. It is very possible that your message has been heard loud and clear. Do you feel that you have not been heard or understood? I hear that you don't like the way benzos are prescribed for longterm use and are against this practice. I hear that you have gone through withdrawal. Is there something I am missing?
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:10:09
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
correct---if i may save one person from inappropriate long-term benzo use, i will try. if i suceed they'll never even know. so i expect no accolades. if i fail, they will hopefully join me and benzos.org.uk, and many others against a plague of drugs that make opiates, ADs, alcohol, cigs---makes them look near silly. you talk long term moderate or high-dose benzodiazapine use? Nothing may recover the real you, save a long, often terrifying and dangerous taper-down. have you met a drug requiring 6-12 month's taper, and then perhaps a year later being hit again with full withdrawal? a withdrawal where you may not just go bonkers, thinking about shooting -up the place--you may do it---lawyers have sites on this. when it hit me, after a near year's taper and 'free' for 4 months---i Had to get to the er. a shot of ativan, 30 minutes later? normal. and millions have the same sad story---i want to protect you, anyone from that. as the net documentation is there, find for yourself, if print may save you---i will use it. what would you do? benzos have become a major global issue. why? deservedly. it's the same problem as the one-eyed man in the land of the blind. can my discripton of a rainbow ever work? i pray it may.
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:57:22
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by camel on December 7, 2003, at 20:07:45
you know, if you actually read my post, which was dead-on-accutate, and the bizarre, disjointed responce that got the poster blocked---what say you then? and i am infintely curious about how you would assign 'blame' to me? are you saying my response 'triggered' a victim to 'blockable' post? that would concern me. not my intent. there are many boards less 'clinical' than here. regards
Posted by Viridis on December 8, 2003, at 5:19:23
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 2:10:09
Maxx,
Are you OK? No insult intended, I just sense a certain manic trend here, and maybe you need a bit of help right now. People on this board are very supportive, and I'm guessing you have doctor you could call too. People post here for good reasons, and sometimes they're looking for help but don't quite realize it at the time.
If I'm off-base I hope you don't take offense -- it's just an intuitive thing.
Viridis
Posted by camel on December 8, 2003, at 7:31:37
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 22:04:17
Maxx......I am not trying to "fight" with you...only putting in my "2 cents" worth....and in my opinion your posts....while informative....do have a tendency to be a bit on the "negative" side.....which for people suffering from depression.....is a bit of a downer!
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:53:49
In reply to Re: starting effexor... keep posting.. success/dos, posted by camel on December 8, 2003, at 7:31:37
being depressed myself, i have my share of negativity. try to keep it out of posts. but i do concentrate on what i see as potential problems from experience of myself and others with meds. when someone's happy, i'm glad for them. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 13:58:34
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by Viridis on December 8, 2003, at 5:19:23
lot of stress. ive advised dr. bob to block me at signs of mania...thanks for your concern. regards
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 19:25:15
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax » maxx44, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 0:51:53
yes, if i may have one person reconsider long-term benzos, prior to addiction, i'm happy---i've gone CT, and 6 month's taper. now on a year's taper---even though inoperable internal damage precipitated chronic panic disorder. but i have 9 children, the 'emotional blunting' benzos produce steals the normal response, even to your children. the withdrawal is well-known. i feel a bit of surfing, on your part, will more than prove honorable intent. regards
Posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 19:25:15
There is a concept called live and let live. One's first responsibility is to oneself and then to one's children. I have never been more emotionally blunted and have never had a more abnormal response to my children then when I was suffering from my anxiety/depression/mood disorder. But enough said. I shall live and let live. Good Luck to you in your travels.
> yes, if i may have one person reconsider long-term benzos, prior to addiction, i'm happy---i've gone CT, and 6 month's taper. now on a year's taper---even though inoperable internal damage precipitated chronic panic disorder. but i have 9 children, the 'emotional blunting' benzos produce steals the normal response, even to your children. the withdrawal is well-known. i feel a bit of surfing, on your part, will more than prove honorable intent. regards
Posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:12
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
Science supports 2 glasses of wine, or 2 beers, or 2 shots daily, etc. for long term health. Yet, alcohol is also a scourge. Point: it all depends on context. I view the American and especially UK perspective on benzos as overly narrow, almost puritanical. Benzos can be VERY good for some people.
[internal organ damage? Viridis may have been right...]
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 23:04:03
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by AnneL on December 8, 2003, at 21:56:28
odd idea, 'one's first obligation is to oneself, and then one's children.' i see the sense of it. but this would mean if your chid were in the path of an auto, you would not throw your child from harm and be crushed youself? i don't think that's what you mean. just not written concisely. if you mean 'take care of your problems 1st'. that makes sense. if your 'benzo-personality' seems to make you a better parent, i've seen that. but i've also seen it rarely last. seems a matter of dosage and time---the line between efficay vs. tradgedy is thin with benzo use---and you never see it coming. nothing i can say. you really have to have been to hong kong to know it. words are inadequate vs. experience. hope you're lucky.
Posted by maxx44 on December 8, 2003, at 23:10:16
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:12
so why is long-scripting vanishing? why?
Posted by maxx44 on December 9, 2003, at 0:03:39
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by john b stevens on December 8, 2003, at 22:46:02
if you read my posts, you will note the current legitimate uses of benzos are noted. as for alcohol--it's not a benzo---detox is short--sure, it's not good. i see no logic in justifying one bad drug with another, with rare exception. as for your 'addendum?' re. internal damage---unless you're an internist, well, go figure. are you an internist? do you know whereof you speak? regards
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 0:28:36
In reply to Re: A Balanced Alternative View of Xanax, posted by maxx44 on December 7, 2003, at 16:32:33
> Any long-term user will suffer horrific withdrawal if not tapered.
> any dr. scripting benzos daily, long-term? unless they are doing so for the aforementioned reasons, if caught, they will lose their liscense to practice.Please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
Bob
PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 9:52:55
In reply to Re: blocked for week » maxx44, posted by Dr. Bob on December 9, 2003, at 0:28:36
Being a xanex user myself among other AD's, this stuff was upsetting.
****************************> > Any long-term user will suffer horrific withdrawal if not tapered.
> > any dr. scripting benzos daily, long-term? unless they are doing so for the aforementioned reasons, if caught, they will lose their liscense to practice.
>
> Please don't exaggerate or overgeneralize. I've asked you to be civil before, so now I'm going to block you from posting for a week.
>
> Bob
>
> PS: Follow-ups regarding posting policies, and complaints about posts, should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration; otherwise, they may be deleted.
Posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
In reply to Re:Side effects of Effexor XR, posted by liz taylor on June 26, 2001, at 14:15:23
I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 9, 2003, at 14:46:18
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
Insomnia: try Benedryl or ask for a 100mg prescription of Trazadone (anti-depressant often used as a sleep aid, non-addictive).
> I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by KimberlyDi on December 9, 2003, at 15:01:06
In reply to I just started taking Effexor Xr, posted by Kim B. on December 9, 2003, at 13:51:51
Also,
Don't skip dosages. Take at the same time each day.
Be prepared for the day when you decide to stop taking it. Withdrawal is very common, it seems. You can manage the withdrawal through a tapering off schedule. It's very easy once you get the hang of it.
Many of the Side Effects go away after a few weeks. Whenever you up your dosage, you'll probably experience them again for awhile.
Beyond that, Effexor was a lifesaver for me back in April/May. I'm still on 150mg a day (down from 300mg because it raised my blood pressure). Seems like mostly people with problems with Effexor are driven to find sites like this one. The ones happy on Effexor are out there living in real life.
Good Luck!
KDi in TX> I just started taking Effexor XR and have already started experiencing symptoms such as sleeplessness at night extreme fatigue during the day and a feeling of jitters. How long does this generally last? I am on the 37.5mg dose.
Posted by Mercedes on December 9, 2003, at 15:43:48
In reply to Re: Anyone had success on Effexor XR?, posted by biogurl on December 1, 2003, at 20:15:09
Hey Biogurl, how's it going with effexor? Are you still on 75 mgs? Is it working for you? Any side effects?
A note to Camel, I had to quit Effexor due to high blood pressure, but will write you separatly in case you miss this one.
Hope to hear from you Biogurl.
Mercedes*******************************
> Paxil made me gain a ton of weight too but they had to take me off of it because I was more suicidal than when I started taking it. That was about 8 years ago when I was 15. Turns out some recent studies show that paxil in children/adolescents tends to increase suicidal thoughts! Great! By the way, according to my Effexor XR pamphlet from the pharmacy, an increase in blood pressure is a common side effect. You may want to bring that to your Dr.'s attention, he/she must not have known about it.
>
Go forward in thread:
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.