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Anxiety Community
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Benzos Dont Work For Me WHY!
by uphill7584, Aug 14, 2007 10:51PM
Okay that is an overstatement.....they can work, but at really high doses. I have had anxiety and depression for as long as I can remember. No meds work for me. SSRIs make me more anxious, and other antidepressants make me totally disconnected with the world.
The only thing that has helped slightly is benzos....i have been on xanax, klonopin and ativan...all do help with my panic and anxiety, but I need to take like 3-6 mg at a time, depending on the substance for it to take effect. It sucks, and no doc would prescribe that dosage....I hell i dont like taking that many pills ecspecially benzos. SO whats my deal? Any ideas?
The only thing that has helped slightly is benzos....i have been on xanax, klonopin and ativan...all do help with my panic and anxiety, but I need to take like 3-6 mg at a time, depending on the substance for it to take effect. It sucks, and no doc would prescribe that dosage....I hell i dont like taking that many pills ecspecially benzos. SO whats my deal? Any ideas?
Post Comment
(1) Did you ever take a short acting Benzodiazepine for an extended period of time? (Ativan, Dalmane, Serax, Xanax). Tolerance may be an issue. Taking a "drug holiday" may re-establish efficacy in this case. Hypnotics such as Ambien and Lunesta can also cause tolerance issues, as they are cross-tolerant with Benzodiazepines.
(2) The underlying component is primarily a depressive state. It is important to differentiate between anxiety and depressive states, and treat the dominating disorder. Treating the dominating disorder generally treats both the dominant and secondary disorders.
(3) The underlying component is something other than primary depression or anxiety, or coexisting anxiety/depression. These can include Bipolar I and II disorder, Schizoaffective disorder, and personality disorders.
One alternative to Benzodiazepines is Miltown (Meprobamate), but much like Xanax, tolerance occurs rapidly (but not always).
Alternatives to SSRI's are the Tricyclics (Asendin, Elavil, Endep, Norpramin, Pamelor, Sinequan, and Tofranil), and the Tetracyclics (Desyrel, Remeron). Both the Tricyclics and Tetracyclics have proven efficacy at treating coexisting anxiety/depression.
Perhaps you can discuss some of these alternatives with the doctor.
Ryan