How Many People Are On A Daily Benzo?

[Chincho]

Thank you SweetLullaby!!!

 

[cdg]

So far it seems to be the only thing that works. I'm taking the lowest dose of .25 kolonopin when things are really intense. It stops it cold. I just feel the tremendous damage that his been done to my head. Without uncontrollable shaking and anxiety symptoms.

 

[ericaboo]

I'm using Valium to get off Klonopin. When I first switched to Valium, I was at 4mg/day. Now I'm down to 0.8/day - lowering by 0.2mg per week. The headaches aren't as bad as going off Klonopin.

The anxiety symptoms changed from hyperventilation to some kind of angina. Going off benzo's is no joke. I just hope I can get all the way off without losing my job. (Paranoia?)

 

[roaminggnome]

I was just put back on 1.5 MG of klonopin at bedtime after being taken off of it cold turkey by a Dr. who didn't know what she was doing. I felt like I was dying during the withdrawal and still have dizziness. I had been on klonopin for years for anxiety. It helps control some symptoms but I also take .25 MG of Xanax as needed.

 

[Saule]

I was prescribed Valium 2.5-5mg up to twice per day or as needed. I've taken the odd half tablet over the last few weeks as a last resort -- I don't want to get addicted. It calms me down quickly, but a few hours after taking it I get really depressed and it's horrible. I'm not sure if I can stand how depressed it makes me feel. I'm talking to my psychiatrist today about just taking an antidepressant.

 

[jesse]

I take 2 mg Clonopam at night and ativan on occasion when I feel an anxiety attack coming on. It does work well but for me can make me tired and if I take it on a daily basis I get depressed.

 

[jesse]

The ativan I mean.

 

[presentjoy]

I was on 1.5mg clonazepam, now on .75mg - 1mg and I am going to stay here for a while. It's helped anxiety and functioning related to ASD as well. I've been taking it daily since maybe 2011. I can't remember exactly when I started taking it more than PRN.

The trick is that the same dose stops working as well over time in addition to it being really hard to get off if taking it long term. So really if I wanted to stay on it I could stand to take more like 2mg.

But I don't want to be on it.

In the past week I've been much more emotionally volatile, fleeing situations when I'm triggered, dissociative states etc. So while I don't want to be on the benzo, I'm trying to be slow about what I do with it. Sigh.

 

[Blondie362]

I take 15mg diazepam daily, 10mg Nitrazepam plus serequel and mirtazepine- enough to knock out a horse ( you would have thought!)

 

[jesse]

I think my reason for taking Clonazepam is a little different? I had two sleep studies in five years and have a rare sleep disorder. I personally think it is PTSD but whatever the reason my brain wakes up every two minutes all night long. The 2 mg Clonazepam is for sleep and truly has been a life saver. It really knocks me out so would be tough to take during day. Does anyone else take this for sleep?

 

[Red Dog]

You've tried everything else? Until then, you have a choice. ;)

Any suggestions on what other things you can try for panic attacks?

 

[jesse]

There is meditation, breathing exercises etc. to which I am such a hypocrite because I have never tried meditation. Breathing exercises help some but not consistently for me. I do notice when I get panicky I am holding my breath so maybe that may help you to be aware of and take deep slow breaths to the count of ten. Physical exercise truly has helped most of all and it is really hard to get motivated I know but it works. It doesn't even need to be strenuous just a walk really helps. I hope you find some relief it really is miserable...