Flat Stanley
24-01-14, 13:21
Hi All,
After several episodes of what I believed (at that time) to be stress induced anxiety (treated for a short while with Clobazam (Urbanol)) I was diagnosed in 2006 with GAD and put on 10mg daily of the SSRI drug Escitalopram. Despite several ups and downs since then (including several episodes of severe depression) I believed that I was coping reasonably well. I am, in general, nearly always able to keep moving forward. That was until August 2013 when I relapsed. Not having had an attack of anxiety for so long (at least one that included physical symptoms) I was convinced that I was physically ill. At one point I took myself to hospital convinced that I was having a heart attack. Many blood tests, several X-rays and one angiogram later I was discharged and told there was nothing wrong with me.
Cut a long story short, my GP (having now thoroughly ruled out conventional ailments) added to my 10mg Escitalopram a 0.5mg daily dose of the benzodiazapine Alprazolam (Xanax). This initially worked wonders and had me back on the straight and narrow in no time at all. Unfortunately, what I did not know at that time is that benzodiazapines are not recommended for the long term treatment of GAD due to the two issues of tolerance and dependence. I thus relapsed once again in December and am still struggling in January. I am convinced that I am now tolerant to the 0.5mg Xanax and, with no beneficial effects to speak of, have progressively been weening myself off it.
For the first time ever I have also consulted a psychologist in an effort to work through certain issues in my life (rather than relying on magic bullets) and I have an appointment to see a psychiatrist in an effort to sort out my medication, if required, shortly.
In the mean time, however, I would be interested to hear your opinions on benzodiazapines and their effects on you if you have taken them. I am convinced that my GP was wrong to prescribe Xanax to me as if it were a chronic medication to be taken daily along with my Escitalopram, when it seems to me that it is best used to treat specific attacks of anxiety. It occurs to me that I should have tapered off the Xanax once the attack was over, rather than taking it as a daily medication.
Your comments would be appreciated.
FS
After several episodes of what I believed (at that time) to be stress induced anxiety (treated for a short while with Clobazam (Urbanol)) I was diagnosed in 2006 with GAD and put on 10mg daily of the SSRI drug Escitalopram. Despite several ups and downs since then (including several episodes of severe depression) I believed that I was coping reasonably well. I am, in general, nearly always able to keep moving forward. That was until August 2013 when I relapsed. Not having had an attack of anxiety for so long (at least one that included physical symptoms) I was convinced that I was physically ill. At one point I took myself to hospital convinced that I was having a heart attack. Many blood tests, several X-rays and one angiogram later I was discharged and told there was nothing wrong with me.
Cut a long story short, my GP (having now thoroughly ruled out conventional ailments) added to my 10mg Escitalopram a 0.5mg daily dose of the benzodiazapine Alprazolam (Xanax). This initially worked wonders and had me back on the straight and narrow in no time at all. Unfortunately, what I did not know at that time is that benzodiazapines are not recommended for the long term treatment of GAD due to the two issues of tolerance and dependence. I thus relapsed once again in December and am still struggling in January. I am convinced that I am now tolerant to the 0.5mg Xanax and, with no beneficial effects to speak of, have progressively been weening myself off it.
For the first time ever I have also consulted a psychologist in an effort to work through certain issues in my life (rather than relying on magic bullets) and I have an appointment to see a psychiatrist in an effort to sort out my medication, if required, shortly.
In the mean time, however, I would be interested to hear your opinions on benzodiazapines and their effects on you if you have taken them. I am convinced that my GP was wrong to prescribe Xanax to me as if it were a chronic medication to be taken daily along with my Escitalopram, when it seems to me that it is best used to treat specific attacks of anxiety. It occurs to me that I should have tapered off the Xanax once the attack was over, rather than taking it as a daily medication.
Your comments would be appreciated.
FS