UPDATE 04/05/10 : Benzodiazepines/Antianxiety Medication

[aynrandy1]

Why don't you get on Xanax or ativan. Klonopine is like more of a narcotic high. The other two just relax you, despite these dumbfuck's on youtube acting high on that shit. You don't get high off it. It is addictive, but SO WHAT!!

The doctors don't prescribe ativan ENOUGH, and in LARGE DOSES.

If they did you wouldn't have severe anxiety and you could think right, concentrate,ect. DOCTORS.... THEY DON"T KNOW SHIT.

KLONOPINE makes you stupid and tired as fuck, and gives you a nasty dirty high.

[Zakuya92]

I had a panic attack at work (They,ve rode me for years) and the doctor put me on Bupropion and clonazepam. I feel calm until it's close to my next dose, I start to get a little hostile. I just wondering if my job (we work around large machine) will let me come back to work. To be honest I do feel a loittle slow, like when you first get out of the pool. Your body feels like it wieght a ton.

[staycalm2day]

Yes. They are incredibly addictive. I have been on klonopin...what your on, for twelve yrs. I was just hospitalized because i can not get off of it. My life is a nightmare physically and emotionally and mentally without them. I have accepted I will be on them until I die. I had two seizures and hallucinated. If you are bipolar and or have co morbid anxiety, they may be more of a life saver than a foe.

[TheVintageGamer]

I just came off of 4 mgs of clonazepam 5 months ago. I'm still in w/d, but seems to be getting better every month. The first 3 months i do not want to even speak about.. But i am starting to regain some control.

[crazy7house]

I switched to Valium from Klonopin, it made a difference, but withdrawal is withdrawal. Klonopin was hell each cut, but it can be done, just taper at your rate.

[TheCandaceH]

There are doctors out there who don't care. Cold turkey is by far the worst way to go, tapering is the answer if you can find a good doctor. Ashton Manuel also has good information about tapering and symptoms.

[christest15]

I stopped benzos cold turkey and wish I hadn't. I am now in my seventh month of withdrawels. I had no idea what these drugs would do to me. They should come with warnings like cigarettes or at least the professionals could tell you.

[PlanckEpoch]

@christest15 How long had you been taking benzos before you quit cold turkey?

[TheCaptainLulz]

benzos made me puke so I had to stop. I hadnt been on them too long so there wasn't withdrawl but if youve been on them for a while they can have some nasty withdrawl.

[PlanckEpoch]

@TheCaptainLulz How long were you on the benzos? Did you quit cold turkey?

[TheCaptainLulz]

@PlanckEpoch Im actually back on them after a change in dose. I probably wouldn't just stop if Id been on them for a long time though. Best to taper down to avoid withdrawl symptoms.

[XANAX2MGS]

how do i get to that channel , im still on xanax 2mgs 4 times a day , 16 yrs , plus oxycodone 10/325mgs , good to have yall as budds

[saltyeggs71]

@XANAX2MGS It's easy to find the channel. Google "CNN" and then just type in "CNN-What Are The Long Term Brain Effects Of Xanax?" . The most positive info is near the end of the article. Hope you are doing alright.

[laaxe]

@XANAX2MGS You're on the merry-go-round big time. I was there too. Just got off of a year of morphine, and a way too fast (6 day) taper of Ativan of 7 years - high dose (same benzo family as Xanax), four months ago. If you want help, it's out there, but start with the pain meds first, if you can. Then think about the Xanax. Xanax (all benzos) need to be tapered over a really long time. For you, probably at least one year of tapering. I'm in Hell as my GP was afraid of a law suit & cut me off!

[91rivo]

Hi, I made a video about Klonopin withdrawal, you can find it in my profile... Maybe it can help you to manage it in a better way... maybe not, but well... I wish you really good luck!

[saltyeggs71]

@91rivo I'll be over to your profile, thanks. I can use all the info I can get!

[XANAX2MGS]

how is bennatoz john is he ok i havent heard from him lately

[saltyeggs71]

@XANAX2MGS Hello! Always nice to hear from you. To answer your question, I last heard from John on his "jschain" channel.

[sevyn7up]

get off if you can with help, especially if you find yourself needing higher doses. I was on them,and its a shame they precribe, these drugs without telling us the full effects.

[saltyeggs71]

@sevyn7up I have a family doctor who thinks I'm over medicated and has an issue with my psychiatrist prescribing Clonazepam! I feel hope for the future!

[sevyn7up]

Just wanted to share my thoughts on this. I was on Larazepam, wich is a benzodiazepine. At first I would take one as needed, then after only a week of taking this drug, i noticed I needed to take it everyday. Not having the drug in my system caused me intense anxiety.

[sevyn7up]

Seven months later my doctor won't refill my prescription, because he says im addicted, But why did he give me 30 pills and say take them as you need them. I went through withdrawal that made me feel like i was going to have seizures six months after getting off the the drug.

[saltyeggs71]

@sevyn7up I'm very sorry you had to go through withdrawal. I've experienced such pain myself.

[updownjunkie]

I take Clonazepam. I've never had any problem with them and don't see any need to go off of them. They work for me.

[saltyeggs71]

@updownjunkie Thanks for your comment. It's like a breath of fresh air. I wrestle with the drug but it's good to hear you have had success. I won't go off  Clonazepam without the doctor's instructions and I might be told I'll be on it forever. I have a friend who is on a benzo and she never is planning on getting off. I keep an open mind and find it interesting to hear of others' and your experiences. Good to hear from you again. :-)

[Bestrong4]

Yes Im on a Benzo as well my friend

[BarackHassanbinsober]

Benzo's should be banned altogether...they are evil!!!

[saltyeggs71]

@BarackHassanbinsober I agree with you that they have been evil in my life. I try to stay hopeful though. I really appreciate knowing I'm not alone. Thanks for the comment!

[761Kristin]

I took myself off Klonopin after 10 years of use. The only way is to water titrate 10% at a time - slower if needed. Do not take additional medication, supplements, etc while coming off the Klonopin. It may take you years to come completely off and your symptoms will be hell. I am sorry that this happenned to you.

[saltyeggs71]

@761Kristin I'll have to use the titration method. I have seen it here on YouTube. I'm prepared to go very very slowly. I just need to be stable enough for my doctor to change my meds. Thankfully I'm on only .5mg four times a day. I really appreciate your compassion. I'm glad to have received this comment.

[freddiefoxx1]

i just satrted for 3 days and i quit taking due to the high risk of addiction i was just taking 1 mg a day so hopefully my withdrawls wont be bad but benzos are bad never take them they can take over ur life

[saltyeggs71]

@freddiefoxx1 You should not have any withdrawal which is great. Don't forget to tell your doctor you don't want benzodiazepines and find a substitute(if needed). I know this might be obvious but the doc needs to know you don't want to be addicted to anything. :-)

[Bestrong4]

im gonna pm you

[Bestrong4]

Why ar eyou on 3 different antianxiety meds

[saltyeggs71]

I have always been on a benzo and the drugs were switched over 12 years. At present I'm prescribed

1 mood stabilizer,

2 anti depressants,

1 anti psychotic,

1 anti anxiety, and

1 beta blocker.

Sorry for the mix up. I'll fix the caption about how many benzos I currently take.

[nicevagina1]

are you a doctor for depression? if so is benzodiazepine dangerous?

[saltyeggs71]

@nicevagina1 No, I'm not a doctor, I'm a patient. Benzodiazepines are not dangerous if all information about addiction is provided. The danger comes when trying to STOP taking them.

[BarackHassanbinsober]

@saltyeggs71 You are dead wrong! You can become addicted in as little as two weeks...I have been on them for five years...and it has been total hell for me!

You see...you see...you end up with a tolerance...and thus the withdrawals start...then they are treating the withdrawals...and the anxiety is far worse than when you were first prescribed the (Benzos)

[saltyeggs71]

@BarackHassanbinsober You've explained the benzo addiction very well. I must have said something wrong because I agree with you. It's been 12 years with benzos for me. I've been worried about having my brain destoyed or someyhing but studies show people can remain "normal" (seperate from addicted) even after long term use. Sorry for the confusion. To clear it up I'm going to add the 2 weeks until addiction on the video. Correct information is a must. Thanks for the comment!

[761Kristin]

Benzos are EXTREMELY dangerous. Do not take them. They will change the chemistry make-up of your brain and you will likely become addicted.

[saltyeggs71]

@761Kristin THANK YOU! I'm addicted and boy do I have sensitivity to noise.

[masterpsychosis]

I cannot believe how doctors know about what happens if you stop benzodiazepines and the potential side effects - seizures, jitters, etc.. they just give you the prescription and your off to the pharmacy. I learned the hard way with paxil, and recently i learned the hard way with ativan 2mg.. just ONE day off missing my dose and the side effects where awful! Im down to 1mg and till this day i have a twitch on my right foot ever since i stoppped it for that one day!

[saltyeggs71]

@masterpsychosis I really hope your twitch goes away. That's very scary to me.I'm investigating the roll marijuana might play in easing withdrawal symptoms.

[crazy7house]

I've been trying to get off Klonopin for a long time, I'm at 3mg from 4mg, was at a lower dose, but the w/d was too much, I changed to Valium once, then right back to Klonopin, guess I may be on them for good. Please anyone, if you are not taking a Benzo! Don't start! And if you think you're nervous now, you haven't seen nothing until coming off these things!

[saltyeggs71]

Thank you for such an honest and heartfelt comment. I did the same thing and switched to Valium and couldn't cope. Lets hope this info helps others!

[MNBrant]

I have taken them. I agree that if you need one its torturous. I have ativan. Was taking 4mg maybe 3 times a week as a prn. Just stopped it and never noticed anything. I don't know if you dont like treat it like its a prn. dont tell your doctor. right now I take 1mg as a prn. and yes, If I have an attack without it I am hating life. Just keep some with you. it is relatively fast acting. They do not give them as prns so dont tell your doctor anything.

[saltyeggs71]

Thanks for your comment."Tortuous" and "hating life" are dead right when one needs a benzo to get rid of withdrawal. Great description and information.

[lizardsundoor]

I totally understand where you are coming from as I have been on these medications for enough time (8 months) to understand that a cold turkey is a NO NO. What you need to do is try to find a regular doctor and therapist to wean you SLOWLY!!!!!!!!!! I am down from 1 mg to

.45 mg and am also weaning off of Depakote and even that is tough some days. Although I hear of people getting off these things with success from slow taper. And I cannot stress the word SLOW.

[lizardsundoor]

There is something called water titration where you crush your pill in a mortar and pestle then get say a 250 ml graduated cylinder and take minute reductions out every day or once a week or whatever in 1 ml increments. I've heard of people stablizing this way. You will really feel the cuts usually anything below half your current dose. But you can do this saltyeggs71. But you need to find a doctor that will help you preferably a family doc and not a shrink. also try to keep your nutrients up.

[lizardsundoor]

You would be surprised how I am finding out that blood sugar is crucial to maintaining brain function and adrenaline/cortisol levels in check. If you can try to write a diary of everything you are eating and doing such as exercise and or meditation or prayer. Then you can look back to see what days are better than others based on your taper and lifestyle. You will have good days as well as those horrible days. The good days will start becoming more clear. The drug is clouding your thoughts.

[lizardsundoor]

It does it to us all. These are very dangerous drugs as you know. God bless you.you can get through this, but whatever you do NO RUSHING TO GET TO THE LAST DOSE!!!!!!! The key is slow to let your mind and body adjust to not having the poison in you. Listen to your body and no one else. Magnesium works wonders for anxiety and so does low sugar cause of adrenaline spikes. Keeping the drug and sugar levels in your blood even is the key to a successful taper.

[oswing]

Yes, hang on. it really worths it. I went through this myself with clonazepam, one of the strongest benzos, and if it surely was tough, it's definitely possible! I am bipolar also though I could never match one of the meds. How are you today?

[saltyeggs71]

I have lowered 0.125mg from a total daily dosage of 2mg. It has been okay so far. I tried tapering 0.25 but it was too much. I have a long time to go but this attempt will be sucessful! I love to hear from people like yourself who have succeeded. Thanks for the hope.

[oswing]

Slowly will mean successfully... ((; It's just like if you were building up something with grains of sand and make it concrete!

sometimes you won't fill anything in, sometimes just a grain... It's a private battle but it deserves to be won!

[broadcastmyass4u]

yeah thats about as far down as i've been able to slide down to. but i have been able to wait a few days before taking another dose, no daily dose fore me anymore.

[saltyeggs71]

"no daily dose" sounds fantastic to me. I'll get there. It's great to hear of others' progress. It gives me hope. Thanks

[BLUELINEKING]

Hang in there its one of the hardest things you can go through in life. Keep the good work up!

[saltyeggs71]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've tried many times before but this time I have more education and support. I'm determined to get off these meds.

[LYNXVAL]

I was on them years ago and I feel better without them!

[saltyeggs71]

I can't wait to be able to say the same as you! I've started tapering this week.

[saltyeggs71]

I am so sorry you are suffering. I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. The only way I know of tapering is Heather Ashton MD. My present doc still wants me to wait to start getting off clonazepam. I completely believe the pain you have gone through, 6mg is high. Keep trying to take care of yourself. You should be proud.

[saltyeggs71]

I am seeing my family doctor for the first time in ages this week. I will be discussing the issue of my psychiatrist not lowering my clonazepam. I'm not giving up!

[saltyeggs71]

I watched the Benzo Titration video and I thought it was great. Now I can mention it to my family doctor.

[laereus]

i've kicked em after ten yrs. but yes seizures can be fatal. smart doc. buy some vits. esp. gababutyric acid once you are real close to a low dose, can help somewhat mimic the drug. lots of extra fatty acids, build a natural alt. health world around yourself, and keep a back up. god bless you good road.

[saltyeggs71]

Thanks for some very specific help. I need all I can get. Knowing you succeeded gives me great hope. I hope you are still doing well.

[MyRealityIsMine]

I hammered down Klonipin and Xanax for years and in 2003 I blacked out and ended up in a nut ward and even after the detox it was hard as hell to get off of them. I liked Valium a lot too.

[saltyeggs71]

You got off eventually. That makes me feel more hopeful. I must remember it is possible. I mean, you are doing what I want to do and be back in school. It is possible. Thanks for letting me know!

[TheNielsenFamily]

Benzos would be quite a problem for me, considering my addictive personality. My thought process has always been...if one works good, then more will work better. Then the addictive personality takes over. I can become an addict very easily.

[saltyeggs71]

Stay away from benzos unless your doctor really feels you need it. You seem very sure that addictive meds aren't for you.

[meldridge1980]

I was on Clonazapam for 1.5 yrs 3mg a day. then i was switched to xanax 3mg for 7mos. kikced cold turkey for 45 days. Worst acid trip in my life. lol.. Got back on 1mg of Clonazapam was drunk and took like 25 at once and then went cold turkey withdrawls were bad for a week and a half. I'm assuming i didn't seize because of Lamictal an anti epileptic drug. But i know the physical and psychological withdrawls associated with benzos suk!! GOOD LUK

[saltyeggs71]

Thanks for the wishing of good luck! Boy, you certainly went through a lot.

I'm not giving up. Your concern is helpful.

[dave24ie]

i think if you come off them for a period of time in the past like i have. you may still need them for a longer time you might be still healing, or you may not. if i took them for say 3 weeks, when i started taking them it could have cost me my life, because the panic was going on for so long before then.

[saltyeggs71]

Benzos were never used properly with me. I had the stress of being in an abusive military marriage.I eventually got out but in the woman's shelter I was in line with the other women to get their psychiatric meds. Good grief.

I found beta blockers more effective than benzos. Thanks again for watching and thanks so much for your input.

[Bestrong4]

Good vid, I tell ya coming of these benzos can be dangerious

[saltyeggs71]

I'm not giving up! I don't need them, I'm just addicted.

[dave24ie]

i so know the feeling when like you said who i am or how your going to be around people, im gonna post some more videos when im feeling up to it. this helped me hope we can be friends

Dave.

[saltyeggs71]

Thanks Dave. You really understood my issue with not knowing who I am!?! I question if I have some level of depersonalization. I really liked your videos. You seem to be on the right track. I have compassion for your suffering. It takes one to know one...Denise

[Elistios]

Well a year ago they put me on something for anxiety(can't remember the name) but she told me that it might get aditive but that since it was a low volume of it an for a short period of time that i sould not see any problem but i'm sure that as for any kind of drugs, if they are taken on a regular basis for a long time that your system at one point get use to it so without it i guess it create a lack or addiction. And for all meds, cold turkey is not an option normaly so good point here. Hugs :D

[saltyeggs71]

Cold turkey is something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. You were fortunate that your doc warned you about potential addiction. She's a good woman.

[PennyAnn25]

I take Xanax .25mg-.5mg as needed for insomnia & anxiety. I was reluctant b/c I was afraid I would like how it made me feel too much & abuse it, then become addicted. I truly do only use it as needed. Now I only need .25mg about 4 nights a week for insomnia, occ. I need .5mg. And then .25mg maybe 1-3 a week for anxiety before a social situation & / or extreme irritability. It has been months & I think I am able to take it responsibly & not abuse it.

[PennyAnn25]

I am pretty certain it depends on what you are taking, how much, how long, how often, if you have withdrawal symptoms. I would be able to stop my Xanax without weaning and not have any problems. For people who take bigger doses, more frequently, and have taken it for longer periods of time, then you would need tapering or even detox. Some are worse than others. I hear Xanax is the worst to come off of, then Valium and Klonopin.

[saltyeggs71]

I'm in a mess because it was really given to me to deal with trauma that created PTSD. I was in such a bad situation in my life, with appropriate anxiety, I was given benzos round the clock BUT i wasn't told all those years ago that I would suffer at every step I took coming off. I feel I would be a healthier person off benzos because I don't have panic or anxiety anymore to the extent I need to be medicated with it round the clock. I'll bring it up with my doc.Thanks so much.

[saltyeggs71]

It's great your doctor said "as needed"! The alternative is "daily" and therein lies the serious problem. Once the body has had a certain level, the body needs a higher dose to receive the same effect.

[12showandtell]

hmm..I'll have to check with my Nurse Practioner when I see her. I was told by my primary doctor that clonazapam is ok to take as needed. I take 1mg usually once a day or so. I haven't felt any withdrawal symptoms that I know of. I have heard they can be addictive howver. But I wasn't aware of any severe withdrawal. Sometimes I'll go days without taking it. I personally have found benzos to be extremely helpful with my anxiety but I'll have to check into this. Thank you.