Are You Taking Benzos?

I was just wondering how many here are prescribed benzos, like klonipin, xanax, or valium? If you are, how much are you on, how long have you been on it, is your doctor okay with it, etc....
I'm curious because the MH clinic that I go to does let the docs prescribe it, but the docs are so anti-benzos anymore. I understand why, but I think they're becoming way too close-minded in some cases! I told the last pdoc I went to (the one I intensely dislike!) that I hadn't taken any xanax in a few months. He says that that's good. Then as I was leaving he says to me, "Try to stay away from taking the xanax!" Well DUH!!! He's paranoid, so maybe he needs to get treatment for himself! SHEESH!!
As for me, I am prescribed .5mg of xanax 2-3x a day AS NEEDED. I haven't even taken any when I feel like I really do need it! Sigh!
janet

I agree with Hunnibee
YOU are not dependant on this med so what the hades is all the fuss about
I have been on Valium going on over 30 plus yrs
Also been on ativan since they first came out I believe in early 80's..at that time they were supposed to take the place of Valium and were not supposed to be habit forming
I can go days w/o either now where as before I could not
Sorry sweetie you are going thru this I really am
DOCS that are afraid or have no idea are SCARED and uneducated in the proper TX of a/p IMHO
Luvs ya
LYN

I've been on Klonopin (well, one of its generics) for several months now. I take .5 mg two times a day, every day, and find that it seems to work better if I take it right around the same time each day. I try to pop it at 8am and 8pm, and am normally pretty close to on-target.

I assume my doctor's okay with it since he prescribed it. He told me that Xanax is the one that caused all the anti-benzo sentiment. There's a lot of potential for abuse with it. He has no issues with keeping me on the K long-term, but I'm moving soon and can only hope that my next doctor agrees. Otherwise I'll be doctor shopping, because this stuff helps and I'm not going off it just yet. Maybe in the future but not now! Anyway...

Are you in the UK? I've heard the doctors over there are insanely anti-benzo.

Hey Janet,
I thought I had the record but Lyn has beat me.
I have been on one of the benzos for 25 years for anxiety and a hand tremor as well as for sleep.
At the time I was most ill I was taking 4 mg of Ativan every night at bedtime. That was in November 2005. In Decemberof 2006 my P-doc decided I should wean off benzos as they were not good for me.............huh? 25 years it took them to decide that???
I am using a very slow weaning process and I started in Jan of 2007 after the stress of holidays. I substituted Valium for the Ativan as Valium is longer acting. Ativan 4mg= 40 mg of Valium. It has been hard as the week I drop down I can feel the difference for the first 4-5 days. I am currently on 1 mg of Valium in AM and 10 mg in PM. (Hey that is down 29 mg)
When I am off the Valium completely.............what happens? I don't know but if I feel I need something...............I will request it and I won't be hesitant
If you have the med and you feel the need to use it do not suffer just because your Dr. is making unnecessary comments.
I think some Drs. like to "be the boss" and others are "afraid of getting sued" which accounts for some of the reason they hesitate to write the RX. That does not make it right to withhold a medication you need.
Gentle Hugs

I take my ativan first thing in the morning. It helps me get thru my day without the anxiety. then I take one at night. I RARELY need to take more then that. Every once in awhile I will be particularly anxious and need an extra pill so I take it. Thats the point of having the xanax hun. So you dont have to just grit your teeth and deal with your entire day full of anxiety. The med is there for you when you need it and if you have anxiety during the day, take a pill to calm you down. And just some advice you might want to start shopping around for a new doc. I found one today who is a WONDERFUL man from nigeria. He is actually my husbands doc but said he wants to see me as a patient and that my doc should have NEVER treated me the way he did about the ativan. He said the way he sees it is he is here to treat a patient so they feel better. He has no problem giving meds if it helps someone and when he feels its time they step back from a med he has no problem WEENING people off. That in my opinion is an awesome doc. Your doc like mine are so paranoid at the thought of benzos they lose site of what the important factor is here...its helping us live with a condition like GAD which can be down right debilitating at times. Good luck to you. Take those meds when you need them DONT SUFFER!

Thanks Hunni and Kitt!
I think I'm going to take your advice! I'm so tired of feeling this way! Thank you 100x over!
And Hunni, I'm sooooooooo glad you've finally gotten a decent doctor! )
janet

I've been on Klonipin (generic) for many years. I've increased the dosage by a teeensy weensy bit a few years ago, but for the most part I've been stable on a VERY small dose.

It's my understanding that Klonipin (and Clonazepam) are different from Valium. I thought Valium was much more addictive, whereas K. is not.

I can't go one night without it, however. I've become dependent on it to get to sleep.

I also take fish oil and a liquid calcium/magnesium/mineral supplement to keep calm. I attack my anxiety from all sides.