For those wanting to know about benzo's

[abby10]

When considering taking benzo's (ativan, klonopin, xanax..etc.) Fact: they are addictive...Fact: they take longer to come off of than any known drug...Fact: c/t can cause a seizure. When you need to get off, who's going to help you then. Very few doctor's, rehabs and dietoxes know how to help you properly come off. Withdrawals are seldom painless, only when prescribed in smaller doses and when a tapper is done very, very slowly. Some with good intentions or self serving intentions will advise you that benzo's are ok to use, are they going to help you properly come off?  Consider this> it's you and only you suffering when the drug becomes a problem.

abby

[jakegorzen]

O, and some background on me
I hate drugs, my father committed suicide when I was 3, mother died when I was 19, sister died 6 months after mom, AND I NEVER TOOK ANYTHING!
and Im only 22, LOL
Ive had people ask me "why havent you been on these long before" I said "Because I hate drugs"
but Klonopin for me is not a drug, it is a medicine, because I dont abuse it.
Also Im a studier, and was in psychology for 4 years growing up, so I might not be "licensed" or complete in the field, but I do have some knowledge on mental disorders and effective treatments.
And talking to a Psychologist and working with Cognitive treatment works great, but is sometimes not the complete answer for it all.  
Ive also found no therapeutic effect talking to them, I find therapy in talking to my friends in the Anxiety community, and educating myself, but highly recommend other treatments other then "just meds"  

[jakegorzen]

thats the sad thing, when it all started, the DRs thought I was withdrawing from "something"
Picture this, every other night not sleeping AT ALL end up in the ER for anything to knock you out, constant shaking DP/DR, body hurts all over, blurry vision, hardly breathing, eyes hurting, head hurts, numbness, tinglys, twitches, ALL OF THE ABOVE
lol
AND OUT OF NOWHERE!
SO YEA thats why I "love" my klonopins....dont wanna be on them forever,.granted, but I will for the meantime:)

[abby10]

Actually I was not directing this to you. I am sorry for your anxiety. You have made an informed decision. Good for you. But really... how many people are ever going to know about a water titration schedule to come off benzo's.  And I have spoke to several people with a meth addiction and they said the meth was a walk in the park to come off of compaired to beno's. As for the opiates, they are eaiser to come off of than benzo's. Of course it depends on the amount of the drug taken and for how long.

You know your anxiety symptoms sound like my withdrawal symptoms!

[potato4201]

you wont abuse them,if you are not a pillbilly...or easiely sucked in by other drugs... and dont snort the stuff, they work great.ive used xanax, it does its job but possibly the most addicting from what i hear. i never took enough to get "addicted".i just took them right before or during a panic attack, as needed.im on  lorazepam(generic ativan)  now,for a week,it does what it needs too but,its not xanax. basically if your not against  meds, try it! the docs gonna give you whatever he/she gives you.you dont get prize chest and you get to choose whatever pill you want,but try em all(if your doc lets ya)these meds do help, but like others said they can only do so much for so long which leaves the rest up to you


cheers

[jakegorzen]

I cant help but to think your pushing this towards me and my latest postings?
FACT: Benzos save lifes for those who HAVE 24/7 ANXIETY!
Ive also known alot of people who take longer lasting benzos, some still taking them, some not, and I will tell you this, WHEN DONE PROPERLY there is little or no withdraw.
and those still taking them experience very low side effects because they are taken at the right dosage, and not ABUSING THEM!
I agree with the addiction level, but when it comes down to it, I for one would rather take my "crutch" for right now, so I am mentally strong enough to fight my anxiety.
People who HAVE TO TAKE a benzo are not running away from there true anxiety,
Just taking a break from the PHYSICAL AND MENTAL CONSTANT NON STOP 24/7 SHOCKEDDD! feeling so they can fight there anxiety and actually be able to think clear enough to "tackle" there problem.
Yes theres people out there who abuse them, theres also people who abuse Morphine, should we stop prescribing that to people who really need that?
Also, FACT: when tapered and water titrated properly chances of seizure are slim to none.
FACT: When taking a long lasting benzodiazapine chances of tolerance are LOW, and the withdraw happens, the benzodiazapine is in your body long enough for your withdraw to be minimal.
Not trying to sound negative, Im just really sick of people downgrading a medicine that does work.
and putting even more fear in people with nothing but fear.
People with anxiety, especially GAD
and is not considered the worst drug to be addicted to.
from my understanding Cigarettes are #1
then Meth, and so on and so on.
It all depends on the person though

[cj29]

Benzos are a hard medication to come off of to say the least.  I agree that many doctors overprescribe them, but if they are used as intended and for the duration intended, they have helped many people.  They are easily abused and so many people do and take themselves into self medicating...benzos are also prescribed to PREVENT certain types of seizures.  

But used properly and for a short period of time as many were intended they can be a very useful tool in overcoming anxiety.  One must always be careful and follow instructions with these, but remember, for each person that does not prefer them there are many people with successful experiences with them.

As abby says, it is a personal choice; just educate yourself about them and talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of them....it is true with any medication.