benzos

[bluewoman]

for those of you who took ativan, xanax, klonopin etc how long did you take them for and did you have any issues when stopping?
i could really use some positive stories

[Cathy V]

Not sure if you mean recently but i took ativan for about a year in the early 80s and had an awful time on them. The doc suggested i be weaned off them and it took almost 2 years to get over the effects of them. My experience led me to volunteering as a 'buddy' with MIND and i waould talk to people on the phone day and night, as well as visit them in their homes, to try to help with their withdrawal.

I made a promise to myself that i wouldnt take another benzo ever, and havent to date, but last summer i developed high blood pressure and was given propranolol (betablocker also known as inderal) and was horrified to discover that when trying to come off them the withdrawal symptoms were much the same, so was put back on them again and some of the anx symptoms went away...racing heart and tension. So in effect, im back on the tranx again after all these years...

Cathy xxx

[eeyorelover]

Can't add any positivity about Xanax. I was on it 5 years and told that it was never meant to be used that long. Had a heck of a time coming off of it.

[pinkpiglet]

My mum has been taking benzo'z for 33 years. She is addicted. She will never get off them now. The doctor has told her that she will only last two years without them. (bless her!) She hates them and is very bitter towards the doctors who originally fed her them as if they were sweets. My mum would advise anyone to stay clear of these drugs.

[decca]

The problem is that Benzo's are probably the best anxiolytic drug available to date that give immediate relief without to many side effects.
But as they are horrendously habit forming should only be taken on an as and when basis for very short periods of time.
For further info read the Ashton manual here - http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/contents.htm

Having said that Benzo's are far better to deal with than the Barbiturates ( Phenobarbitone,Mandrax & Mogadon) I was addicted to in the 60's.

Just treat them with respect.

Decca

[keepemlaughing]

Is Clonazepam a benzo?

[Anxious_gal]

I take maybe one a week, at the most, so i'm not addicted, but I do always have to have one tablet on me as it makes me feel safer.
if your on them every day its only a matter of time before your body gets addicted to them.

[Cathy V]

Cheryl, anything that ends in 'pam' is a benzo (tranquilzer) xxx

[Cathy V]

Sorry your name is sheryl not cheryl..... xxxx

[Phill2]

Stop?
Why stop?
Phill