5 replies to this topic

[Salviar]

^ Also, I am prone to seizures. Not sure if that makes a difference.

[Tom_]

It typically takes 4-6 weeks of continued use before withdrawal symptoms become a realistic problem and then in those that do expeirence withdrawal its almost always mild and brief. Many people use benzo's at quite high doses for extended periods of time and then stop with a very short or no taper at all without problems. Others can be on them for four weeks come off them and find it quite unplesant. So if you are going to come off them a taper is always the right way to go but with a proper taper almost everyone can come off them with relative ease.

 

Benzo withdrawal can cause or increase the frequency of seizures but this is rare and only seen in severe cases of withdrawal or those with seizures so a slightly more protracted taper is best in your case.

 

Because of this any taper should take place with your doctors knowledge and guidance. But realistically I don't foresee any problems.

 

Benzo use should always be limited to short-medium term use except in refactory cases. There are a few studies showing people with mental health problems being treated with benzo's are worse off than those who aren't with longer term use (12 months). Ideally a benzo will only be used briefly reduce anxiety/insomnia/agitiation while an antidepressant, antipsychotic or mood stabilizer takes effect or to control early side effects from them until they are no longer needed. If it is still needed because those symptoms haven't improved extra drugs should be put into place to help control the symptoms and then the benzo should be withdrawn. Xannax (alazopram) is a poor choice and shouldn't really have a place in medicine. Its short half life and its possible mild dopaminergic effects makes it one of the more addictive and less effective benzo's. Diazepam and Clonazepam are the gold standards for anxiety, while the Benzo like Z-drugs are ideal for insomnia.

 

I was on clonazepam at doses of up to 4mg/day (equivelent to 80mg of diazepam) for about a year, alongside 10mg temazepam and 15mg zopiclone. I stopped them cold turkey (like an idiot) but experienced no negative effects and an overal slight improvement in my mental health.

 

So the answer is - is the reasonably low risk of problems (but slowly escilating in both likelyhood and severity) worth the risk of using it now until something else can be put into place.

 

Ignore all of the above if you are on the benzo for sezuires unless your doctor tells you to and either no more sezuires are expected or another anticonvulsant is in place.

[Salviar]

The benzos aren't for seizures. Marijuana controls my seizures by about 95%. No medications my doctor prescribed ever was nearly that effective. Only problem is MJ gives me anxiety.

I'm just going to do cold turkey since its only been 2 weeks.

[owtsgmi]

My advice is to stop taking that crap and throw the bottle away.  Been there done that.

[Salviar]

Alright here's an update. I took 0.5 MG yesterday morning and nothing for all of today. I feel very energetic and "stimmed out" if you will. No rebound anxiety or anything. Just lots of energy. Not sure how if/how I will sleep tonight.

[world33]

My advice is to stop taking that crap and throw the bottle away.  Been there done that.

 

I second that motion. I would never take that crap. Good on you to stop it before it is too late. Plenty of alternatives for anxiety....