Posted by cybercafe on July 4, 2002, at 14:15:33
In reply to Xanax bad idea if possibility of alcohol abuse, posted by hildi on July 4, 2002, at 13:10:33
> Buspar is what I used to take for anxiety. Worked for a while, then I stopped, and now when I try it it doesn't seem to work as well as before.
Hmmm.. Buspar never worked for me, but then I think I only took about 5 mg. I guess many family doctor's just have no clue what the therapeutic range is ....
> Cybercafe, you sound pretty happy with the neurontin (did I spell that right?). Do you think it is as effective as a benzo? Could this be a non-addicing alternative to benzo's? I have read other good posts on this med and I am very curious to try it myself.
Yes I am very happy with the neurontin ....
No I didn't find it as effective as a benzo... but personally I find I need high dosages and so I probably havn't given it a "fair trial" just yet...
Ummmm... the good and the bad is that with benzos if I am totally going nuts and trapped somewhere (say 8 hour car ride) I can increase the dose and sooner or later I will fall asleep ....
the reason I'm taking gabapentin is precisely that
a. i am afraid benzos are going to make me go through life half asleep
b. i am afraid use of benzos is going to make me more depressedIn fact in a sense I'd say nothing is as powerful as benzos... because you can always take more and more until you fall asleep... but that really isn't much of a lifestyle...
plus I am afraid of getting "addicted" or of developing a "physical dependence".....so for me antidepressants are no guilt, no cost (i.e. falling asleep at work, possible depression etc etc) methods of relieving anxiety
gabapentin seems to be a low guilt, low cost method of relieving anxiety
and benzos seem to be high guilt, high cost methods of relieving anxiety...
Like when I took benzos (very low dosages btw) I still felt anxiety somewhat but people around me would ask what the hell is wrong with me.... (i was somewhat sleepy or non-talkative)
(i used to take about .5 mg of clonazepam)...on gabapentin i cut out the most intense anxiety situations (like sitting still in a 8 hour car ride, Ug) .... but... i have 2 or 3 groups of friends who have never met .. that comment they are so glad i am off medication, Haha...
so i dunno.. i mean i don't think anyone knows for sure how gabapentin works .. so maybe in a few years i'll be growing a third eyeball... but
as someone who is a perfectionist when it comes to academia... i appreciate the cognitive-enhancing abilities... and as someone who wants to be in awesome shape... i appreciate the fact that i am more awakeso if you don't have the same problems with benzos that i do, hey maybe they are the right choice for you... but for me, I think based on my experiences I made the right choice....
at least until i can find an antidepressant that makes me happy (non depressed) and go-lucky (non-anxious)good luck :)
poster:cybercafe
thread:111312
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020628/msgs/111393.html