Posted by Gabbix2 on November 21, 2002, at 23:40:45
In reply to Me on Benzos, posted by KellyT on November 21, 2002, at 17:02:31
Kelly are you taking the clonazepam for anxiety?
If you have anxiey/depression and occasionally pop them like candy, in my opinion you are asking for big trouble.
Benzo's like chainsaws are a useful tool, but dangerous in the wrong hands.Clonazepam has a long half life, because of this, some Dr.'s believe they do not have the addiction potential of shorter acting benzodiazepines, such as Lorazepam.
All benzodizepines are "depressants" and if used judiciously are helpful for an extreme panic or anxiety attack. However, overuse especially of the longer acting type, will worsen your depression gravely in some cases and therefore your anxiety, if the anxiety stems from the depression as it often does.
Your post concerned me, slurring your speech means you've taken too many, and even sticking to the Prescribed amount can worsen depression.
I know how tempting it can be to just keep taking them to kill the anxiety, I'd honestly rather be stumbling and drooling than feeling that. It is hell.
There are solutions, and taking lots of clonazepam is no answer, it's almost guaranteed to worsen the feelings you are trying to avoid.I refer to clonazepam as my suicide drugs.
If I take them for more than a week I become suicidal they worsen my depression that much.
Of course its different for everyone.Ativan if I use it carefully works much better for the anxiety anyway, and does not exacerbate my depression to the same degree.
It sounds to me like you need to try a different anti-depressant which should at least partially alleviate your anxiety, and then use the benzo's for breakthrough anxiety.
Benzo's of all drugs should be treated with great respect. Its not moralizing on my part, I'm worried about your mental health.
I've been down that slippery slope.Sorry this is so long.
My posts are seldom concise..
poster:Gabbix2
thread:128654
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021116/msgs/128697.html