what's the difference?

[negive]

what are the diffrences infollowings
[]benzo.clonazepam/diazepam.alprazolam/lorazepam/olanzepam????//??//
[]antidepresent/anticonvulsent/antipsycotic/trycyclic/SSRI/SNRI/MAO etc

[nclady58]

Thanks so much!  It helps me to hear from someone who has been on Xanax this long who got off of it.  I will talk with my doctor again, and I guess I'll have to be more assertive. I have read that it is easier to taper off of Valium and Klonopin, with less withdrawal issues and risk of seizures.  I haven't heard of Zispin, will look that one up.  If my doctor isn't willing to help me get off the Xanax, I may have to travel to another town to get help.  I'm sick of all these pills!!!  Thanks again for your help.  Does the Klonopin control your anxiety fairly well?  Does it have to be taken as strictly as Xanax to avoid unpleasant reactions?  Thanks!

[MrGreen]

I was 3mg per day for over 10 years. I am now on klonopin and valium when needed. As well as zispin at night. But your doctor could take you off it using these other forms of benzos. Be it a higher doze to combat the withdrawls. Once you are safely off the xanax the doctor would lower the new medication. A slow taper could be done. Very slow. You are talking maybe 6 months or more. Nothing saying that would go to plan. Something you should talk through with your doctor. Other forms of medication instead of xanax. Coming off the new medication would be a lot easier.

[nclady58]

Is there ANY hope of getting off of Xanax after 15 years of use at a dosage of 3mg per day?  My psychiatrist is against it, saying I would probably  have seizures even if we do a very slow taper, but I wonder if she just wants my money for office visits.  I started the med when going through some really tough issues with a horrible therapist, finally found a great one, and I don't even feel that I need the meds for anxiety, but my body is so addicted that I have to set the alarm on my cell phone so I won't miss doses.  Clearly, I've worked through the anxiety for the most part, and if need by could have some .25 on  hand if something stressed me out, but 3 mg. per day for me, feels like a lot. I have read on here of others taking more than twice that much, but I'm not comfortable with this "ball and chain".  Have you heard of anyone getting off of this after so many years?  I am looking for a new psychiatrist, but I live in a small town and can't right now, none are taking new patients, and as mentioned, my psychiatrist thinks I'll have real problems with even a slow taper after such a long time on this med, which SHE prescribed for mosst of those years.  Your thoughts?  Thanks so much!!!

[cj29]

Hi..welcome to the forum!  Clonazepam (Klonipin) and diazepam (Valium) are longer acting benzos than the alp. and loraz. (i.e. Xanax and Ativan).  Doctors will usually prescribe the longer acting ones for longer periods of time while the others are usually prescribed on an as needed, short term basis.  In my opinion, all are pretty good at what they are designed to do.

ADs like SSRIs are the most commonly prescribed...examples are Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Celexa, etc....the trycyclic and MAOIs are older drugs that work a little differently and are not commonly 'first line' treatments because they usually have more side effects and restrictions to them.

I am a big proponent of these medications as long as they are COMBINED with talk therapy...they are a tool to help you along the way and ALWAYS stay in close consultation with your prescribing doctor while you are on these.