Well, It;s been a Few 2 days now and I havn't touched the klonopin, And I wont even look at the Xanax.
I've been trying to do everything "Cleaning, Sledding with the kids, Playing on the computer" Whatever I can just to keep my head clear. Seems to be helping also!
So maybe this is a Plus for me. I know however there are a few times that I wanted to pop a klonopin, but I'm trying to manage without it
Hi I'm Jim . I will make this post short and to my point ! I was reading your post and then when I hit the part about the Loritabs 3/325 I thought to myself BINGO ! I'll tell you why . You can read my journey on the addiction forum if you would like . I have GED and about four years ago I had a knee operation and was given Norco 10/325 really the same thing as you . It is well known that opiates are one of the best drugs for anxiety that exist . Trouble is it does not last forever and when they turn on you it can vamp up the anxiety problems ten fold ! As far a Xannex is concerned I go to the UCLA anxiety disorders clinic and most doctors will not prescribe it because of the nasty side effects and really bad W/Ds . Klonipin is what I take along with Lexapro 10 mils. a day . I am not trying to scare you my friend I just hate to see another fellow human being suffer like I did . Read the addiction forums and see all the people who suffer with really bad anxiety from opiates including one time yours truly ! If I can help you with any advice I am here . Take care Jimmy1975
Valium is in the same class as Xanax, Klonopin, Ativan etc.. They are Benzodiazapines.
I suggest you stay with the Klonopin and maybe adjusting your dose to stabalize, then begin to wean off if you have a problem with taking thiese types of meds
Xanax is a much more dangerous drug then Klonopin, you will probably end up going through H3LL with the xanax if you continue it.
Also, While sleep is always a good thing "Better then No sleep" Benzodiazapines dampen the ability for you to reach deep REM.
Yo buddy, I am really sorry to hear about your loss and the way things have turned out so far. I have had anxiety and panic attacks in my life. I started on lower strength benzos and I will tell your right now, NOTHING compares to the strength of xanax. It will absolutely help you when it is not abused. The reason for abuse is because of its duration of effect. It only will work for about 8 hours depending on your life style, exercise, etc.
I am no where near I want to be yet as far as the elimination of anxiety goes, nor am I anywhere near the bottom of where my anxiety used to be. There are certain things you can do to really help Xanax work to its full potential, and this is going by personal experience, nothing that a book can tell you.
1. ONLY TAKE THIS MED AS NEEDED, it is the most addicting drug I have ever taken and is absolute hell when you need it and don't have it.
2.* Do not take around times you exercise or sit in a sauna, it will eliminate it from your body quicker than desired.
3. HAVING ANY CAFFEINE at all will counter act its effects and make anxiety worse when it wears off. Stay away from caffein.
4. Xanax has a calming effect which works with GABA in your brain. The good thing about this is that unlike a drug like Valium, it will allow you to get much better REM sleep. Unless instructed by your doctor do not take this with any stimulants, sleep is amongst the best medicine for depression and anxiety.
5. Most important...I beg you man, do not mix this medication with alcohol. I did this a couple times while at school and the effects are absolutely horrible. You will do things you will regret, you will not be yourself, and you will black out, even on extremely low doses of both medications. Also because xanax's calming effect, alcohol will crush your next day as far as mood goes. As you probably know alcohol is a depressant and mixing it with something else that makes you slow down is like a double wammy.
Shawn, I have had a really tough life too bud. I have PTSD, and acute Anxiety, but if we come together and use these medications as instructed we can live life to its fullest.
I just want to offer you one more suggestion. Something I have gotten myself into lately is Zen Buddhism. I was raised Jewish and respect my ancestors. It doesn't have to go against your beliefs because it is not really a belief system, it is a system of thinking. If you youtube zen buddhism and just listen to some beginner information or buy a book on it, i promise it can help. It explains the truth of life that there is pain. Pain hits everyone at some point and time, physical and mental, but our thinking and perception is really everything. I always think of it like this. When we were kids we learned to read and write, and the system of communication and the ability to do that just like the question you wrote and me answering is quite an amazing thing that should not be taken for granted. It is our choice how to live our life and look at things. Change doesn't happen over night, but change is necessary. I wish you all the best bud. If there's anything you ever want to talk about I am here man. I hope I was able to help.
Brotherhood,
Lee