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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Fred Potter on March 26, 2000, at 16:21:45
I suffer from consistent agitation and fatigue, waves of intense anxiety, depression, poor concentration etc. Am I alone in finding Xanax and Klonopin no use? I think they're good for panic but not what I've got. ADs tend to kick in after about 3 weeks and then kick out again 2 days later. I self-medicate with alcohol because it's the only thing that works.
All advice gratefully received, but please don't preach
Fred
Posted by Gordon on March 26, 2000, at 20:46:05
In reply to Benzos don't help me, posted by Fred Potter on March 26, 2000, at 16:21:45
Klonopin can be somewhat of a downer for some people so they usually don't prescribe it for depressive types. Also, alcohol acts like a fast acting benzo itself but requires ever more to reduce the symptoms; which leads to obvious problems. Certainly alcohol is not prescribed for depression. Suggest you talk with your doc about a combination of an SSRI and a benzo and do without the alcohol. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, but you can get relief with competent medical help. Good luck.
Posted by Cindy W on March 30, 2000, at 20:55:12
In reply to Re: Benzos don't help me, posted by Gordon on March 26, 2000, at 20:46:05
> Klonopin can be somewhat of a downer for some people so they usually don't prescribe it for depressive types. Also, alcohol acts like a fast acting benzo itself but requires ever more to reduce the symptoms; which leads to obvious problems. Certainly alcohol is not prescribed for depression. Suggest you talk with your doc about a combination of an SSRI and a benzo and do without the alcohol. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, but you can get relief with competent medical help. Good luck.
Does anybody have any ideas whether Ativan is OK to use to reduce pure terror (I'm a needle phobic, and have to get a needle biopsy of a lump in three days). I hate benzos with a passion, but realize that I'll never even show up for the biopsy without doing something to quell the panic I feel. My gpdoc prescribed taking an Ativan l hour before all the needles...any feedback anybody re: benzos for total phobic terror? Thanks!
Posted by Alan on March 30, 2000, at 22:29:44
In reply to Re: Benzos don't help me, posted by Cindy W on March 30, 2000, at 20:55:12
> > Klonopin can be somewhat of a downer for some people so they usually don't prescribe it for depressive types. Also, alcohol acts like a fast acting benzo itself but requires ever more to reduce the symptoms; which leads to obvious problems. Certainly alcohol is not prescribed for depression. Suggest you talk with your doc about a combination of an SSRI and a benzo and do without the alcohol. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, but you can get relief with competent medical help. Good luck.
> Does anybody have any ideas whether Ativan is OK to use to reduce pure terror (I'm a needle phobic, and have to get a needle biopsy of a lump in three days). I hate benzos with a passion, but realize that I'll never even show up for the biopsy without doing something to quell the panic I feel. My gpdoc prescribed taking an Ativan l hour before all the needles...any feedback anybody re: benzos for total phobic terror? Thanks!*******************************************
Ativan is the ideal drug for your situation. I use it for anticipatory anxiety (which is what you're describing) all of the time and it is very safe and is short acting. Take 2mg on an empty stomach about 2 hours befor you go. You may be sleepy for awhile after the proceedure as the anxiety suddenly drops to nothing - so go lie down for awhile. It's not debilitating though.
Good luck!
Alan
**************************************
Posted by Cindy W on March 31, 2000, at 9:53:33
In reply to Re: Benzos don't help me - to Cindy W, posted by Alan on March 30, 2000, at 22:29:44
> > > Klonopin can be somewhat of a downer for some people so they usually don't prescribe it for depressive types. Also, alcohol acts like a fast acting benzo itself but requires ever more to reduce the symptoms; which leads to obvious problems. Certainly alcohol is not prescribed for depression. Suggest you talk with your doc about a combination of an SSRI and a benzo and do without the alcohol. Nobody ever said it was going to be easy, but you can get relief with competent medical help. Good luck.
> > Does anybody have any ideas whether Ativan is OK to use to reduce pure terror (I'm a needle phobic, and have to get a needle biopsy of a lump in three days). I hate benzos with a passion, but realize that I'll never even show up for the biopsy without doing something to quell the panic I feel. My gpdoc prescribed taking an Ativan l hour before all the needles...any feedback anybody re: benzos for total phobic terror? Thanks!
>
> *******************************************
> Ativan is the ideal drug for your situation. I use it for anticipatory anxiety (which is what you're describing) all of the time and it is very safe and is short acting. Take 2mg on an empty stomach about 2 hours befor you go. You may be sleepy for awhile after the proceedure as the anxiety suddenly drops to nothing - so go lie down for awhile. It's not debilitating though.
> Good luck!
> Alan
> **************************************
Alan, thanks very much for the suggestions! Will try that
This is the end of the thread.
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