Taking benzos before therapy??

[GMW]

Hi Guys

I've been in therapy now for almost 8 months. I still find it hard to open up and communicate with her.

Sometimes my anxiety gets so bad I get horrible stomach cramps (IBS) and end up taking co-codamol and clonazepam to calm it down before a therapy session.

I've noticed when I do this I find it much easier to talk to her.

Is this OK? I know I shouldn't arrive in session after drinking but what about being medicated so I'm a little woozy and relaxed? Is that alright?

And what about doing this routinely in order to help me open up? Just till I'm used to it? Is that alright? It feels like a short cut to me but it seems to help... so I'm in 2 minds.

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[ladee]

The only suggestion I would make is talking with your T about this.. Making sure she is in the loop and understanding why you are taking the meds prior to sessions... that is between you and her. Thanks for asking the question. Seems you are wanting to be responsible for your actions. And that is a big step.

 

[Matteo]

Is this OK? I know I shouldn't arrive in session after drinking but what about being medicated so I'm a little woozy and relaxed? Is that alright?

I don't understand are you drinking alcohol before the sessions? I apologize I'm a little slow today my meds just kicked in :sleep:

 

[GMW]

No. I'm not. Sorry. Maybe I wasn't clear. I meant I know it's not OK to drink before sessions so I wouldn't do that but is it OK to take pills to calm down? For me a glass of wine has the same effect as a pill (relaxing) so if I can't drink, maybe I shouldn't take clonazepam either?

 

[Matteo]

I think taking the meds you are prescribed before therapy is fine, I have done it...I just get tired ..also ask your therapist =p

 

[FauxLiz]

I did this for pretty much the entire first year I was meeting my current T. Like you I had a difficult time opening up at first. He was aware that I was taking a Xanax before sessions so I would agree to talk to your T.

 

[sonicwhite]

Just try not to make it a habit. I'm coming off a seven yr fling with 3 mg a day klonopin. I had two grand mal seizures in April. Today I can say that benzos are only as needed basis. Not everyday.

 

[GMW]

Just try not to make it a habit. I'm coming off a seven yr fling with 3 mg a day klonopin. I had two...

Wow, you're so strong! My youngest had GM seizures just after his first birthday, scary things :-( traumatic in their own right. Was that a result of the meds?

 

[sonicwhite]

Yup I told my new doc my drug history and they said I had to detox. Sometimes I wished it ended there because GM seizures are painless. But I moved back to Oklahoma where I'm being weaned off klonopin little cuts every two weeks. Then jumping of gabapentin for survival.

 

[GMW]

After 7yrs it sounds like your new doc was right! It must take a will of iron to do it though. Well done, keep at it!

 

[EveHarrington]

Yes, it's ok!

However I would talk to your therapist about it and work toward not needing the meds to engage in therapy.

:hug: