Benzodiazepine

[Beth1982]

Does anyone take these? I'm terrified of addiction... Dosage, length of use, etc?

[Ellak26]

Yes! I was on a the benzo klonipin for four years I took it four times a day. After a while I found I needed to take more to get the same results. That is when I began abusing it. When my Dr found out she took me off cold turkey. The withdrawal was horrendous. I was sick for 3 months. I also had a seizure. So beware!! If you decide to go on a benzo make sure you do some research on it. I was never told about how addictive they can be. Or about the withdrawal from hell! Good luck!

[Browneyedgirl78]

Hi Beth. I use Ativan for emergencies (panic attacks) .50 but take celexa to keep me calmer longer. I take a small amount only 10 mg of the celexai think it needs some tweaking but it does help. Maybe ask your doc about using an anti depressant with it so you won't need as many Benzos. I was not a pill person when I started and the dr I saw had me cut the pills into smaller pieces and take what I could tolerate

[236horses]

don't be scared. I been on my pills for years and not addicted. they helped me.

[Ellak26]

I did not mean to scare you about taking a benzo. Yes! They did help my anxiety and panic attacks. I was just informing you of the experience I had on them. I believe that any med that is prescribed for depression or anxiety should be researched so you know the benefits and risks.

[FuerteDude]

I am currently weaning myself off alprazolam as my body has built a tolerance to them. I have to admit that I haven't had many issues with it other than feeling lethargic today. I did drop to half a pill last night though so it's to be expected.

They did help me to sleep at night but I have to take escitralopram too during the day to remain calm. Being a guy, I get told by others who don't get it to just "man up" like it's that easy to do!

I hope you find some help in this

[Agora1 in reply to FuerteDude]

FuerteDude, man or woman makes no difference when you develop a tolerance to a drug. After being on Xanax for 30 years (minute dose) I started developing a tolerance to the drug. It took meticulously small doses at an incredibly slow wean to finally get off the benzo completely. I wish you luck. Feel Well again....

[FuerteDude in reply to Agora1]

Sorry, being a guy had nothing to do with coming off the pills. I just hate how others think I should just get over it like it's easy.

I've been told to take one every other day for two weeks then take half, every other day for two weeks then just stop. Does that sound right?

[Agora1 in reply to FuerteDude]

FuerteDude, if that's what your doctor told you, I would follow his directions. It depends how much and how long you have been on that drug. I was on 0.25 mg per day for 30 years and so my weaning was done extremely slow with Valium being used as a substitute until completely off both. It is called the Dr. Heather Ashton Method of getting off Benzos.

[Sallysue22]

I love Xanax! I love it so much that I do not abuse it because I want to have it for my especially anxious times! I will take it daily sometimes for a week or so but then I'll go weeks with out it! It's a tool for me and I'm so glad I have it! Not everyone abuses it!