Benzos: Has anyone taken these long term... - Anxiety Support

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Benzos

tppppppp profile image
30 Replies

Has anyone taken these long term? Has anyone taken these that made depression worse? Thinking of talking to my psych about it.

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tppppppp
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30 Replies
Ironj profile image
Ironj

I’ve been on Xanax for 30 years. Love them because they work. 100% take them for your anxiety.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

I wanna take Ativan. Ok. I'm on it boss. Thanks.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to tppppppp

Ativan works just as well the half life is a little longer then Xanax.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

But most psychs I hear won't prescribe long term thi

45678gsd profile image
45678gsd in reply to Ironj

Do you take them every day? What Dosage? I am on xanax too recently for 2 weeks but have been scared reading of dependency, etc

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to 45678gsd

I take 6 to 8 mg per day.. the reason people dependent on benzodiazepine is because they work. People with anxiety disorder lack GABA and Benzodiazepine fill the GABA that causes anxiety. In my opinion Dr’s only make money keeping you is a state of reliance on them and when a medication takes over there job. If a person was diabetic they would need insulin and would be dependent on insulin for an example. So don’t worry about being dependent on a great medication that will give you your quality of life back.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

Ok. I'm hoping a benzo will relieve my mental and physical symptoms so I can start to think more clearly and have a better understanding of my situation.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

Do you take it for anxiety or depression? Cuz I have both.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to tppppppp

Anxiety is why I take them. Let’s face it if your living with anxiety it’s going to make you depressed. I would take what it takes to give me my quality of life back.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

My concern is it may worsen my depression and bring up those old ideations again that I don't want.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to tppppppp

Treatment for anxiety wont make you depressed, it will pull you out of depression.

in reply to Ironj

Daily or as needed how many mg? If you don’t mind me asking

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to

I'm gonna ask my psychiatrist tomorrow

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to

I take Xanax everyday 6-8 mg per day sometimes less.

in reply to Ironj

Do you take for anxiety or panic attacks? I have both and want to be my old self before all of this. I have not worked for almost two years because of it and have almost depleted my savings

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to

I take Xanax for both generalized anxiety and panic attacks.

I wouldn’t accept nothing but getting on Xanax at a therapeutic dose that fits you not what a Dr thinks is ok. Find a Dr that cares more about your quality of life rather then a Dr that gives you the BS that this is a bad Drug. If you hear that leave no run. Find a Dr that believe in helping you with benzodiazepine not SSRI’s as there for depression and weight gain

Tembo profile image
Tembo

Benzos are not a long term solution to anxiety - they temporarily mask your feelings. The longer you're on them, the more difficult it is to come off them. Also, the longer you're on them, the more likely you are to increase the dosage gradually as I found the prescribed dosage no longer worked for me. They didn't help my depression or anxiety long term, merely meant I had to deal with the terrible PAWS (post acute withdrawal symptoms) that go on for a year or more. Try & avoid them long term if you can - its no fun trying to come off them. I feel for you as a fellow anxiety sufferer & wish you all the very best.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Tembo

I'm in therapy also. Just want something to help me think clearer without symptoms to let therapy work

kborge profile image
kborge

They really should only be used for short-term use or in "emergencies". Ultimately, if you can't deal with your anxiety naturally, most likely it's gunna catch up to you one way or the other.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to kborge

I disagree a 100% Anxiety is caused by lack of GABA. The only medication that fills that gap of GABA are Benzodiazepine. Having anxiety isn’t a choice it’s a chemical imbalance. Again Benzodiazepine are at this point that provide the needed GABA. I’ve been on them for 30 years and don’t care if I become dependent on them as I have my quality of life.

kborge profile image
kborge in reply to Ironj

You are free to disagree. Personally I wouldn't want the horrendous side effects that come from pharma drugs. You shouldn't say "become", as you are dependent on them already - to each their own.

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to kborge

Without big Pharma and the advancement the medical field life expectancy wouldn’t be where it is today.

As I said prior I’d rather be dependent on a medication then live in misery of the relentless anxiety.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

Are you in some type of therapy also? To figure out your issues?

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to tppppppp

Yes the issues therapy. But even with seeing a psychiatrist most anxiety a is an imbalance of GABA. Seeing a therapist can help with phobias and cognitive behavior therapy. But if your in a state of anxiety for unknown reasons you should be treated with meds. These people that drank the kool-aid saying you can become dependent on it is bad. We what about the people that are diabetic and become dependent on insulin, it’s the same thing. And it the people stop taking insulin would die.an early death. So to those that say it’s hard getting of benzodiazepine should open there minds to the fact some people need benzodiazepine to function.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

I know the reasons for my anxiety, I think, but my thought is to get on benzos to level out and then really let therapy work. That's my thought.

Agora1 profile image
Agora1 in reply to tppppppp

Perfect Combo :) x

Ironj profile image
Ironj in reply to tppppppp

That’s a good plan I think the combination of the 2 are the gold standard when it comes to treatment of anxiety.

tppppppp profile image
tppppppp in reply to Ironj

Is it possible to see immediate results from a benzo?

kborge profile image
kborge in reply to tppppppp

I think it is...for me, I was prescribed 20mg a day. Ultimately I would break the pill in half and most days just take 2.5-5mg a day. I did feel noticeably more calm and it did help calm my nerves.

Ironj profile image
Ironj

Let’s just stick with you point #3. Let’s say your Anxiety was at a level that your entire day was consumed with anxiety attacks / panic attacks and just the overwhelming what if’s. That’s why people stay on the meds long term there not to be taken just to say well I think I’ll take a pill just because. People become dependent on them because it gives them there life’s back. If i need to take a pill to function so be it. Benzodiazepine have been given a bad name because of the junkies not the people that need them. I give this example all the time if your a diabetic you become dependent on insulin without it your in trouble.

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