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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
Hi,
I've seen a lot of success stories on benzos or stims and a lot of people who say that they've never become addicted.
I was just wondering if there any people on this board who have become addicted and if so what did they do?
My psychiatrist is adamant that I would become addicted to benzos if I started taking them and therefore will only prescribe Zyprexa.
Also, do benzos have a dulling effect? Zyprexa doestn't have a dulling effect on me.
Denise
Posted by bampf on December 12, 2002, at 14:15:53
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
I've been in and out of amphetamine addiction and I've had to start a whole new regiment of cognitive behavioral therapy and nutritional changes to fish oil supplements and other vitamins
Posted by MB on December 12, 2002, at 15:29:30
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
> Hi,
>
> I've seen a lot of success stories on benzos or stims and a lot of people who say that they've never become addicted.
>
> I was just wondering if there any people on this board who have become addicted and if so what did they do?
>
> My psychiatrist is adamant that I would become addicted to benzos if I started taking them and therefore will only prescribe Zyprexa.
>
> Also, do benzos have a dulling effect? Zyprexa doestn't have a dulling effect on me.
>
>
> Denise
>Adderall has been the only medication prescribed by a psychiatrist that has had any positive effect on my depression. I started on 5 mg/day
and was titrated up to 20 mg/day. It was like being CURED!!! The only problem was that the Serzone I was taking with it interfered with the curative process by making me feel so physically sh*tty. Also (bummer) every week or so I'd have to increase the Adderall dose. I quit my AD completely and felt like A MILLION F*CKING BUCKS!!! After six months I was taking 100 mg/day and my doctor thought I was only taking 45 mg/day. I lost like 20 lbs and people were asking my parents if I was dying of cancer, etc. I decided I must be addicted and quit taking it. I was too emotionally dependent to taper, so I stayed at 100 mg/day until I ran out. It was a cold turkey detox; I couldn't get out of bed for a week. It sucked. What a f*cking bummer too, because I sure felt fine while I was taking the Adderall without the AD (well, I also took a little Neurontin to take the edge off and some Klonopin to sleep, but they didn't cause any physical sickness like the Serzone--and the Prozac before that, etc.). Adderall was the best damned thing I've ever taken for depression...but yes, I became majorly addicted to the stuff.MB
Posted by MB on December 12, 2002, at 15:35:04
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
> Hi,
>
> I've seen a lot of success stories on benzos or stims and a lot of people who say that they've never become addicted.
>
> I was just wondering if there any people on this board who have become addicted and if so what did they do?
>
> My psychiatrist is adamant that I would become addicted to benzos if I started taking them and therefore will only prescribe Zyprexa.
>
> Also, do benzos have a dulling effect? Zyprexa doestn't have a dulling effect on me.
>
>
> Denise
>
Oh, and as far as benzos go, I've been on and off of Klonopin for a while, and I've had no problem with it. If I take more than prescribed, it just makes me tired like I've taken an antihistamine...i.e., I've had no desire to increase the dose. Actually, I've decreased the dose on my own a few times when I 've felt too sedated. One Time I quit a 2mg/day regimin cold turkey (after about a year) and it was a cakewalk compared to getting off of Paxil or Effexor. A CAKE WALK!~
Posted by BrittPark on December 12, 2002, at 17:02:53
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
I've taken 4 mg a day of xanax for extended periods and have never had a problem tapering off them. I've also taken 30mg a day of ritalin for an about a month and was able to stop cold turkey. Your mileage will most certainly vary.
I'm suspicious of your doctor. Zyprexa is a much more heavy duty drug than a benzo, and in the long run can cause movement disorders. I think you might like to find another doctor who makes more reasonable medication decisions.
Feel Better,
Britt
Posted by Geezer on December 12, 2002, at 19:12:14
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
> Hi,
>
> I've seen a lot of success stories on benzos or stims and a lot of people who say that they've never become addicted.
>
> I was just wondering if there any people on this board who have become addicted and if so what did they do?
>
> My psychiatrist is adamant that I would become addicted to benzos if I started taking them and therefore will only prescribe Zyprexa.
>
> Also, do benzos have a dulling effect? Zyprexa doestn't have a dulling effect on me.
>
>
> Denise
>Yes Sir......severly addicted to Valium and Dexadrine in the past. Detoxed in a psyc. ward and was started on a Tricyclic in both instances. Had 4 days on low dose of Melliril (old AP) coming off the Dexadrine - other than that I "shook it out cold turkey" - it's h*** on earth. I guess Benzos have a dulling effect - that's what I was after - anything that would dull the pain of the chronic depression. I haven't got a clue as to how your doc can tell in advance you will become addicted - I am told most people don't. Never took Zyprexa.
Wish you well
Posted by cybercafe on December 13, 2002, at 1:40:10
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims? » Denise528, posted by Geezer on December 12, 2002, at 19:12:14
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've seen a lot of success stories on benzos or stims and a lot of people who say that they've never become addicted.
> >
> > I was just wondering if there any people on this board who have become addicted and if so what did they do?
> >
> > My psychiatrist is adamant that I would become addicted to benzos if I started taking them and therefore will only prescribe Zyprexa.
> >
> > Also, do benzos have a dulling effect? Zyprexa doestn't have a dulling effect on me.
> >
> >
> > Denise
> >
>
> Yes Sir......severly addicted to Valium and Dexadrine in the past. Detoxed in a psyc. ward and was started on a Tricyclic in both instances. Had 4 days on low dose of Melliril (old AP) coming off the Dexadrine - other than that I "shook it out cold turkey" - it's h*** on earth. I guess Benzos have a dulling effect - that's what I was after - anything that would dull the pain of the chronic depression. I haven't got a clue as to how your doc can tell in advance you will become addicted - I am told most people don't. Never took Zyprexa.
>
> Wish you well
>
>so is it normal to need to keep increasing stim dosages?
i read people have to take drug holidays (weekends) to prevent addiction
my doc insisted i take a benzo in the past with no fear of me becoming
addicted... but he seems to be very stingy when it comes to treating ADD
(which sucks, because i want to get a real job!)
Posted by Geezer on December 13, 2002, at 10:23:33
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by cybercafe on December 13, 2002, at 1:40:10
Hi Dennis,
If infact you have ADD you probably NEED a pstim of some kind to function, but let's get real honest here. There is a thread going right now on this board by Dr. Sobo, I suggest you read it carefully, it makes very clear how difficult it is to first make a correct DX then choose the best treatment for the patient. I was born with major unipolar depression (my earliest memories as a child) but never treated until age 27. I was fully involved in the drug culture in the 60s and have been close to death on two occassions due to drug overdose (also a recovering alcoholic...last drink Feb. 15, 1975). All I can offer is what I have learned the hard way - any drug that produces euphoria for ME (that is no predictor for how you will respond) is out of the question...I don't have another recovery left in me.
Now, having said that, I do not condemn pstims or benzos, nor do I place any blame on the doctors that gave them to me. It takes a lot of self honesty to do the right thing. If your doctor is conservative in your treatment, with your best interest in mind, you are fortunate to have him. If he is just phobic about these two drug catagories then you may need to move on to make progress.
Have you discussed Provigil and Klonopin with your doctor? I have taken both of these drugs in recent years without problem. Again, I am told (but have no proof), that people with ADD or ADHD do not seem to develope abuse problems and drug holidays are not a problem for them.
Let me know if I can be of assistance. I am sure you will hear from people with ADD able to give you good advice.
Very best wishes,
Geezer
Posted by Denise528 on December 13, 2002, at 14:24:26
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims? » cybercafe, posted by Geezer on December 13, 2002, at 10:23:33
Hi Geezer,
It's actually Denise but thanks for responding anyway.
To answer your question no I don't have ADD, I don't really want to go on Stimulants as I don't want to get a high only to come back down again after a couple of hours.
I just want my antidepressants to work like they used to and it scares the life out of me that they don't, they used to make me feel better than well and now I just feel worse on them.
My psychiatrist seems to think I suffer from mood swings but I know I don't, I'm just constantly depressed only sometimes not so bad.
The other day I went shopping for presents and actually felt ok (not high though) and then yesterday I was in tears all day because there was a work party on and I just couldn't face going.
Anyway thanks for the response and I know that really you can't go by other peoples experiences because we all react so differently.
I know that I have got so much going for me but it doestn't really make any difference, where there's a will there's a way and where there is no will there is no way.
Denise
Posted by Denise528 on December 13, 2002, at 14:26:57
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 13, 2002, at 14:24:26
.
Posted by highanxiety on December 13, 2002, at 15:09:31
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
I had a problem getting off of klonopin, twice in fact. Both times it took me years to wean off, although I never went above the dose I was prescribed. For me klonopin pooped out and made me mildly depressed and more agoraphobic, i have no idea why that happened. But my dr. (same one both times!) wanted me to stay with klonopin because "it was less habit-forming." As Stevie Nicks said, klonopin for her was harder to get off of than cocaine.
I shouldnt have switched from xanax, it was more effective for me, and I had an easier time getting off of it. And when I finally got off of klonopin, hello mega-insomnia!! I mean weeks and weeks, terrible. Personally, I will never go on it again.Everyone is different. Probably most would attest to the opposite.
Posted by Geezer on December 13, 2002, at 15:10:50
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 13, 2002, at 14:24:26
> Hi Geezer,
>
> It's actually Denise but thanks for responding anyway.
>
> To answer your question no I don't have ADD, I don't really want to go on Stimulants as I don't want to get a high only to come back down again after a couple of hours.
>
> I just want my antidepressants to work like they used to and it scares the life out of me that they don't, they used to make me feel better than well and now I just feel worse on them.
>
> My psychiatrist seems to think I suffer from mood swings but I know I don't, I'm just constantly depressed only sometimes not so bad.
>
> The other day I went shopping for presents and actually felt ok (not high though) and then yesterday I was in tears all day because there was a work party on and I just couldn't face going.
>
> Anyway thanks for the response and I know that really you can't go by other peoples experiences because we all react so differently.
>
> I know that I have got so much going for me but it doestn't really make any difference, where there's a will there's a way and where there is no will there is no way.
> DeniseHi Denise,
I am sorry, don't know how I can confuse everything so, hope you will excuse an old-timer. I don't post much for this reason but when I think I might help a young person avoid some pain I give it a try.
I know the feeling about poop-out with the ADs. I was put on full SSD in 1997 and started Prozac at that point.....best 18 months I ever had.
I am on Parnate now following 11 ECT treatments...some trouble with insomnia but trying to adjust. Don't give up - hang in there!
Geezer
Posted by viridis on December 14, 2002, at 2:27:00
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
"Addiction" is a pretty serious situation, but the term often gets used inaccurately to describe medical dependency, which also occurs with many non-taboo psychiatric drugs. I take benzos and stimulants and am not addicted to either. I take Klonopin every day and probably am dependent, but I'm on the same dose I started with a year and a half ago and it still works just as well, so I have no desire to stop, or increase the dose. I have all the Xanax I need and more, and anything over 0.5 mg just makes me sleepy, so there's no incentive to increase the dose -- I just take it occasionally. I take 5-10 mg Adderall/day for ADD (it's also a great antidepressant for me), and have stayed at that dose for about a year. I'm definitely not dependent on it, and skip a day or two here and there with no problem.
Of course you have to be careful, but I think that for most people who derive medical benefits from these drugs, "addiction" is very unlikely. If you start to enjoy the effects and escalate the doses recreationally, then you have a problem. But (my impression at least) I doubt this happens much with those who really need these meds.
And, for me, benzos aren't dulling; they actually sharpen my thinking by eliminating anxiety and allowing me to sleep normally.
Posted by worrier on December 14, 2002, at 17:51:07
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims, posted by viridis on December 14, 2002, at 2:27:00
>I agree that addiction is quite different from dependence. If you have high blood pressure and require meds to control it no one says you are addicted to your meds. I can skip my xanax, decrease the dose or whatever. The only ill effects are a return of anxiety/panic attacks. As for the "dulling " from benzos, I agree that I think much more clearly when I take them than when I'm totally distracted and scattered from anxiety. Don't worry about potential problems when something works. It's hard to do when you hear such negative stuff from so many docs. Trust your body.
Posted by Mr.Scott on December 16, 2002, at 23:53:36
In reply to Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims?, posted by Denise528 on December 12, 2002, at 11:14:47
Oye Vey!
To get Zyprexa instead of a benzo would mean I go see another psychiatrist immediately. Zyprexa sounds far more dangerous. The weight gain from it can cause all kind of health and social problems.
I have been physically dependent on benzos on and off for a decade. In that I mean that for periods of time a couple years here and a couple years there I have been dependent on them. Not what I would call addiction or the crazy compulsive behavior involved in say cocaine addiction. But it can be challenging to come off of them. The best way I know is to switch to a weak, long acting benzo such as Tranxene and just go slow. I would say the exact same thing word for word and start to finish for SSRI's.
Scott
Posted by Gabbix2 on December 17, 2002, at 15:55:24
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted to benzos or Stims? » Denise528, posted by Mr.Scott on December 16, 2002, at 23:53:36
Sorry this is a little late. (and long as usual)
I've been on dexedrine for 7-8 years, it has been the most significant positive medication for my depression.
I've never been tempted to increase the dose, and recently realized I don't even need to take it every day.
I don't feel a thing if i miss a dose. I'm on a total of 20 mgs. Quite a bit less then the amount people were taking for dieting and became addicted too, where I think the horror stories started.I fell into Benzo-phobia and decided taking Ativan was responsible for my worsening depression (it was actually prozac losing its effect)
Quitting was NOT easy. But I did it very quickly I didn't have the patience to Taper off it.It was also not necessary,( to quit) I've learned I was much better on it, than off it.
It was a mistake quitting because its damn hard to find a Dr. who will prescribe it now.
They are willing to prescribe anti-psychotics literally sickening doses of A.d's to me, ANYTHING but what actually helped me, the Ativan.. 3mgs a day.And after being on "Well tolerated" (Dr. Quote) Effexor.
I'd say, being ON effexor (for me) was harder than going off Benzo's. Yet i was pressured to stick with it, and keep increasing the dose.. It was also far worse for withdrawl.Oh pardon my slip... "discontinuation syndrome"
One only has WITHDRAWL from Benzo's..
I want to swear now.Insert expletive of choice Here:
Posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 22:47:58
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted Denise528 (long), posted by Gabbix2 on December 17, 2002, at 15:55:24
<<And after being on "Well tolerated" (Dr. Quote) Effexor.
I'd say, being ON effexor (for me) was harder than going off Benzo's. Yet i was pressured to stick with it, and keep increasing the dose.. It was also far worse for withdrawl.>>I think benzophobics should see this and give him an answer. Those docs who themselves trapped in the anti-benzo web should also read this carefully.
HIBA
Posted by worrier on December 18, 2002, at 20:09:53
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted Denise528 (long) » Gabbix2, posted by HIBA on December 17, 2002, at 22:47:58
>Just another AMEN!! to the comments about the benzo-phobic docs. I hate to sound like a broken record, but ssris just about killed me and paxil seems to have induced a permanent state of anxiety (6 months after stopping the drug). As has been said over and over here benzos are safe, effective and don't screw around with your brain the way some of these other meds do. Just because some people abuse benzos shouldn't mean others should suffer needlessly.
Posted by gabbix2 on December 19, 2002, at 15:27:27
In reply to Re: Anyone here become addicted Denise528 (long), posted by worrier on December 18, 2002, at 20:09:53
Hey worrier, its really hard not to vent when it comes to this subject. All I did basically was ditto Mr. Scotts comments but I had to as well Its our LIFE being toyed with, its hard to be restrained. And God knows, get irate with your Dr. and you'll just get another label slapped on you.think of it as Damage control.
This is the end of the thread.
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