Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Addiction: Substance Abuse Community
This community is a place to share information and support with others who are trying to stop using drugs, prescription drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other addictive substances. Discuss with others, the symptoms of addiction, addiction recovery, ways to quit like tapering and cold turkey, and withdrawal symptoms. If you are interested in general "chat", please visit our Addiction Social Community.
An additional note on medically prescribed and indicated benzo dependency
by Steve L, Jul 08, 2007 12:00AM
Up early as happens. Again, words cannot explain my gladness that I have found acceptance and support here...it's just that my Dr and staff nurse wants to know what I'm doing on a drug addiction forum on the Internet. The fact is I don't meet the World Health Organizations definition for addiction. I do , however, fit into the category of medical dependence for life, at a sane dosage, to manage my mental disorder.
They don't know about the love and real knowledge people here have about withdrawls in general and feeling terrible during them. It is entirely possible that I am on hi dose klonopin only 4=6 weeks while cutting to 2mg xanax at bedtime, then cutting back at 2mg every 10 days from 12 mg day back down to 2-4mg a day. The longer half life suits me better and the initial high dose will allow me to cut significantly. But my Dr states that in a study by Upjohn, the manufacturer of xanax, 30% of patients receiving long term high dose therapy of xanax were unable to taper to zero dose. This is published, medical fact and Dr's KNOW this. Add that to the much more sane dosage level (still high but sane) and access to the best medical treatments available ensure that I'll be maintained when my doc retires in a few years. He's treated me since 1979.Anyway, good to let you know I'm alive and well. Steve
They don't know about the love and real knowledge people here have about withdrawls in general and feeling terrible during them. It is entirely possible that I am on hi dose klonopin only 4=6 weeks while cutting to 2mg xanax at bedtime, then cutting back at 2mg every 10 days from 12 mg day back down to 2-4mg a day. The longer half life suits me better and the initial high dose will allow me to cut significantly. But my Dr states that in a study by Upjohn, the manufacturer of xanax, 30% of patients receiving long term high dose therapy of xanax were unable to taper to zero dose. This is published, medical fact and Dr's KNOW this. Add that to the much more sane dosage level (still high but sane) and access to the best medical treatments available ensure that I'll be maintained when my doc retires in a few years. He's treated me since 1979.Anyway, good to let you know I'm alive and well. Steve
Post Comment
I have managed to achieve quite a bit for a mentally disabled citizen. Before the atypical antipsychotics, like Clozaril 1n 1990, I was in the psych unit once or twice a year for 12 years since first getting sick in 1978, Unfortunately I developed a life threatening bone marrow suppression causing a drop in my white cell count as well as red cell count. We stopped immediately and started Geodon. All outpatient. Had and continue to have awful neuroleptic PAWS from being on the most sedating antipsychotic for 12 or so years. Went through ALOT of insomnia due to Clozaril discontinuation, but weekly blood draw is required for this most risky of meds in it's class. At least I never developed diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Geodon is the only of the newer drus not associated with these negative phenomena, but is potentially cardiotoxic. It is a fact I must live with until "Next Generation" antipsychotics like asenapine are FDA approved which wont be for a couple years yet.
. Even then, any competent MD would wait at least a year or more after it's introduction before switching, to observe patient response and side effects. Yes, Geodon has an uncomfortable though not deadly withdrawl syndrome like many SSRIs. I'll worry about that in 2 to 3 years. First, let's cut dose and remain stable.On benzos I mean.
So enough said on my end friends...hope I can find continued acceptance here in the future.BTW I am happily married and live a strong religious life. I'm definately NOT looking for on line love per se, as I know was an issue that lead to one forum consuming battle when I first came around. OK enough out of me.
Thanks again, Steve
they are widely accepted now to help with many issues of the mind.
God Bless,
Tim
Have a great day and if your doc asks why you come to this forum just tell him that you have friends who are supportive here.
tzt
luv,
shel