klonopin and valium

[dolphin845]

Wanted to get different opinions on this board....  Is anyone taking valium for GAD?  And for how long?  At this point,  I don't care about addiction.  I've lived with this long enough and I'm tired of it.  I've tried different AD's and couldn't tolerate the side effects so I don't want to go there.
I've been on ativan and it built up in my system after about 3 days and I was heavily sedated - couldn't get out of bed or function.
I've tried valium and that worked great for me.  It just relaxed me enough so that I didn't feel anxious and my stomach felt better :)
I was recently put on klonopin to see how that would work for me.  Well, it has done nothing for me.  I was to take .25mg.  I did that and waited and waited - nothing.  So, I took the second half and waited and waited.  It's been about 3 hours now and my head is a bit foggy and I feel weak but my stomach is still tied in knots and I don't feel like my anxiety is gone much at all.  It has sedated my head a little but has done nothing for my anxiety symptoms that live in my stomach area.  I don't think klonopin is the med for me.  Now I have to wait til it's out of my system before I can take my valium again.
I see a new p-doc next week and we'll see what he suggests.  My GP hesitates prescribing valium for me because she said it's too addicting.  Well, my old p-doc told me that ativan was highly addictive but he said, "so what.  If it gives relief."
They are probably all addicting but try living this hell every single day - can't breathe, stomach upset, and fear.
If I have to go on like this for the rest of my life - no thank you!  
I'm seeing an acupuncturist who is helping somewhat just not enough right now to stay away from the benzo help.  I also had my hormones checked out (I'm a 48 year old female that had a complete hysterectomy 20+ years ago) and the acupuncturist doc said they are out of balance a bit and he wants to work on that.

[Sammie4258]

Okay heres, the deal, Ativan will make you sleep, sleep, sleep and does very little for my anxiety.  Valium is wonderful but you do in fact build up a tolerance for it and you can't take over 20mg. in a day.  Valium is a bit harder on the liver.  Ativan is easier on the liver.  That's why alot of alcoholics are prescribed this.  I have to go off my valium for a few days and then go back on it about 3 or 4 days later. Then I have some effectiveness.  
Now, Klonopin,  it may take some  time for it to build up in your system before you feel its benefits. Do not go cold turkey on the Klonopin if you have been on it for a while because it can cause seizures if you go off it too soon. You need to wean off it slowly by taking smaller doses.
A couple of other meds to consider is Wellbutrin and Buspar.  If you have seizures, Wellbutrin is not a good option.  Buspar is suppose to be a great anti-anxiety med.  Of course I am allergic to Buspar and Welbutrin plus I have seizures so that counts them out for me.  I would give the Klonopin some more time but when it builds up in your system, it too will make you drowsy,.  
Hang in there and don't give up.  Just keep trying and also look for non-med relief too.  I never go anywhere without my ipod and my favorite music.  I have such severe anxiety that I have seizures.  My own music helps me because I can't shut out some of the other stimulus that makes me anxious.  
Just keep trying,.  I know its hard, I have taken just about every drug out there for anxiety and depression.  I think  I have used everyone of them.  But if you don't find some help you can end up like me with conversion disorder and then you will think troubles.  Use hobbies, what ever you can.  Yoga has been suggested to me.  Nice quiet rooms with no music or tv or any stimulus of any kind will also help.  Just don't get too discouraged.  You will find the one thing that will help.  
take care.
sammie