News Sedatives Used For Ptsd Treatment Despite Warnings

[anthony]

Bernardy's an idiot...

"due to lack of efficacy data and growing evidence for the potential risk of harm," Bernardy wrote in the PTSD center’s current newsletter.

There is a crapload of positive evidence for benzo's in treating anxiety, however; there is also plenty of evidence about their harm in long-term use only, not short-term use. Long-term is considered years and years at high dosages... taking it in small doses as and when needed, there is no such evidence to cite organ harm.

There's a lot of data about SSRI lack of efficacy, their dreadful side effects and more... yet they still prescribe those by the truckload.

I can't honestly think of any medication that is good for your body long-term. Even medical prescriptions for physical conditions, often come with long-term side effects, organ failure and other major complications.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the lesser evil that produces the best result. As their documents cite with 30% prescription rate of benzo's and such, it's because they work. They do as outlined, without the harsh daily side effects. It's just the long-term side effects that get you from continued daily use... but then SSRI's and such has similar long-term health issues, let alone the anti-psychotics and anti-depressants they use now.

 

[InHell11]

I've had bad reactions to anti-depressants after 3 and 1/2 weeks and wellbutrin after a little over a week, so I think short term negative effects are possible for some people. As for benzos I found klonopin to be way to addictive(I still feel like if I had it or someone gave some to me I would want to take it even though I don't like what it does) and it just screws with my mind I just hope I don't have too much long term damage from being a totally different person on it for a few months or however long it was...its just creepy thinking back and feeling like 'uhh...that was not me at all, who was it?'

That said not everyone experiences negative side effects or reactions, and some people probably benefit greatly from those drugs.It's true the klonopin doesn't seem to do a lot of physical damage in the short term unless you take too much I imagine but it can be dangerous psychologically. Also though not all sedatives are benzos, there's even herbal sedatives. I think its safe to say there is no cure all for everyone since people react differently to treatments and medications. If a treatment does not work on one person that doesn't mean it wont work on anyone.

 

[Lucycat]

Around the time of diagnosis I was prescribed Temazepam and Diazepam by my GP, with strict instructions to stay off alcohol ( and away from the car). I took the pills as prescribed and a bucketload of alcohol to keep myself in oblivion for about 10 days.

Fortunately I quickly had my first appointment with T, who suggested I throw out the benzo's and take Quetiapine instead. He also arranged the formal diagnosis to be made and thus I started my journey into recovery.

I guess I should not blame my GP, she is not qualified to make the PTSD diagnosis, and was at least prepared to give me something to help me through the crisis.

 

[zaniara]

They say here that it can make the dissociation a lot worse. I know they did make those problems worse for me.

 

[ericaboo]

At the end of the day, it all comes down to the lesser evil that produces the best result.

I agree with what Anthony said. For years I used clonezapam (Klonopin) in small doses to sleep or for minor anxiety - no problems. Then I ended up on a super high dose for about a year. Once I developed a dependency, the highest dose wasn't effective anymore, I was experiencing withdrawal symptoms, and could no longer increase the dose.

I've been trying to get off of it for 3 months now. Each month, I reduce my dose by 1/10th and can barely manage things or work for the first 3-4 days.

I think, all-in-all, I had to take something for my anxiety or lose my job and medical coverage. For a time, that was the answer. I just hope that when I'm totally off the benzo's there will be a different solution that works.

I'm taking Cymbalta but it costs a fortune...

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I agree with Anthony.

In the world of meds, benzos are far from being the most harmful.

I've had dependency issues in the past, but still keep a script for Ativan. I've had FAR worse issues with antidepressants and antipsychotics. Antipsychotics gave me horrible muscle issues which lasted for years after discontinuation. I'm finally pain free, but who knows what will happen later in life. It still maddens me how this class of drugs is handed out like candy (just look at the commercials which state you need them if your antidepressant doesnt completely cure your depression). But I digress.

 

[mamachick]

I also agree with Anthony, at the end of the day.....
I have found increased tolerance in benzo's and am currently dependent for sleep and on other occasions. I have gotten off of it altogether in the past and stayed off for over a year.

I also take a narcotic. I have a very bad pain problem and over the counters is what has tore up my stomach. Now I can take no over the counters. Where I live, prescription pain meds are the highest abused drug sold illegally and pharmacies being robbed. I have no idea what addicts get from this. However, they usually snort or inject. I can cut back when my insurance approve injections into my vertebrea and also a torn rotator cuff.

I will say that I ran out of xanax one time because of such high anxiety. I knew my dr would up my prescription but was on vacation. At the 72 hr mark, I was seriously afraid of a stroke. It was awful withdrawls. Thank goodness, I was able to get a few from a relative. I told my dr. that I needed one more per day.

 

[madmax]

Without my antipsychotic (Geodon) and Clonezapam....my night time "situation" turns into a mental "hurricane" Geodon to the rescue. Klonopin for the anxiety.....withdrawals from Clonezapam are extreme. Staying low doses and living with the meds is not a battle that needs to be fought when your dealing with true PTSD issues..

 

[Candleflames]

I too refused meds for a very long time but when I got to such a bad place that I was afraid for my own safety I started looking into seeing a psychiatrist. A few friends warned me to stay away from benzos. They said that they were the worst drugs possible. Ativan and Diazipam were the first drugs offered to me. They weren't horrible but they also didn't work. I just got really sleepy but without the sleep part. That in turn upped my agitation. I walked around with a perpetual grrrr face.

Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it's not a good choice for someone else. I am taking other meds now and the work great. I can still go online and find a hundred other people with nightmare stories of their reaction to what I am so grateful for. It's all about knowing yourself and taking it slow so you can adjust as necessary.

 

[heidi]

I can't help but think it's wrong to limit access to of all people.. PTSD sufferers. I just think PTSD sufferers are as capable of processing information about the risks of the drug and monitoring their use as anyone else. I also think it's a misunderstanding to focus on the potential for abuse. I think that's misunderstanding the true risk of this drug. The true risk is dependency and I think that's as much of a risk for PTSD sufferers as it is for anyone.