Xanax, Valium And Other Benzo's

[Jimmy1]

Hey guys, just an opinion, but I challenge you.

I have been doing more and more study into the effect Xanax, Valium and other benzodiazipams have on people suffering from PTSD.
Yes, it does tackle the anxiety problem, but they are highly addictive drugs which also build up a tolerance really quickly, and we don't see the problems associated with them.

With Xanax, I started taking .25 mg whenever I started feeling the oh too familiar symptoms appearing. Then soon after it changed to 2 X .25 mg. Then I started taking them before I went anywhere in the public arena. Then I had to get the script changed to .50 mg tablets as I ran out too quick, then I started taking them during the day at home because I felt anxious and it helped me chill, then I went to 2 X .5 mg. Then I was having my script for .25 filled at one pharmacy, and the script for .50 filled at another. Before I weaned myself off them, because they are a barbiturate, I was taking 1.5 mg daily and at night.

Link Removed

I posted this previously, but read what it says about benzo's. I was irritable, snappy, forgetful, etc, and blamed it all on PTSD. Yes PTSD does affect our memory, but not to the extent of forgetting what I was doing all the time and going blank mid sentence all the time. I have taken myself off them and am now on an Alpha blocker called catapres, it works.

I tell you guys, they are really nasty and just be concerned. If you find yourself having to take too much speak to your psych.

 

[Sarg]

Jimmy,

I would like to respectfully disagree with some of your post. Agreed, Benzos are not something to just play at. They're a very strong medication and not to be taken lightly. Agreed, I would also say it's probable that most people will develope a tolerance for it and want increasing dosages.

However, I would offer that to stabilize a Vet fresh back from the fight, nothing works faster nor more advantageously than Benzos or similar narcotics for the short term until an alternate less deleterious drug is found for that particular individual.

Further, my own experience with Benzos has been different from yours. I have been on Benzos successfully for two separate extended periods without requiring higher and higher dosages. I do understand that I am addicted to them and given the alternative of being a complete shut-in for the rest of my life, choose to be so. Perhaps it was my aneurism that made me stop drinking alcohol but I'm sure that the Benzos play a part in keeping me off.

Lastly, I have extensive experience with SSRIs. The VA experimented with every one of them on me and none worked, all had very nasty side effects. I would ask that all that are taking them to at least google SSRIs and Tartive Dysphoria and make their own choices from what they learn there.

I am not impuning your integrity, here, Jimmy, all know that I have a deep respect for you. I am only asking that everybody fully investigate all medications they are taking to make educated decisions.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

Sorry Sarg, I should have added to that. Benzo's do have their place, that is why I said in the first line that it was only an opinion. They are great for an immediate fix for something, but every GP will tell you that they are not a long term fix for the reason that they are a barbiturate, but they do affect people differently.

I also agree with you with regards to SSRI's. I think for depression, they may be good, but for PTSD not so good, on the other hand, for some people they work.

It can also be said that medical marijuana used through a vaporiser can be good. I have seen extensive tests done with positive outcome, but as a general rule it's a no go. I actually saw an article where a person had been on that much medication that their liver was failing. There only course to have pain relief and anti depressants was through medical marijuana. But not for me because of my addictive nature.

So, Sarg, the respect goes both ways and I appreciate your comments.

Jimmy

 

[Sarg]

No worries, as you might say, Jimmy and I appreciate your candor. But I do want to say again how important it is to thoroughly investigate every medication AND any natural supplements you are prescribed or take. Let's face it, just about all of us on this board will have to take meds in one form or another, probably for the rest of our lives. Some meds, in my opinion are released, most likely to military or Vets first, without proper vetting and trials.

Risperidone is a classic example. The VA helped develop and touted it as a "cure" to PTSD. After they rammed that stuff down my throat for don't know how long, I find out on the internet that it causes diabetes. The pharma that sold that stuff paid out billions in lawsuits after "hiding" that particular little detail. Also, after further trials found it no more affective than it's placebo.

A place that can keep Vets up to date on these sorts of things is: www.vawatchdog.org. He often beats the press on VA news because he has close contacts within the VA.

Gentlemen, we each own our own particular beast, we need to approach living with it with the same cold logic we did with our military jobs. We may never defeat it, but we just might find an equilibrium to live decent lives.

Sarg

 

[Jimmy1]

I concur Sarg, it is very important to find out all there is about every drug you are prescribed, but don't not take it because there might be a side effect, lets face it, every drug has side effects, and some are worth putting up with to ease our symptoms.

I also think we must be proactive in researching drugs that are available. I have spoken at length with my MD and my psych with regards to drugs I have heard about on this very forum.

So one for you boys who have trouble sleeping. Research 'Valdoxin', one of its benefits is that it helps your body get back into a sleep cycle. I take two 25 mg tabs about six pm. By 10 pm I take my Avanza Soltab 30 mg. Amazingly less is more with Avanza. You get a better effect out of 30 mg than 60 mg, and even better out of 15 mg, don't ask me how. The side effects I suffer from Avanza is weight gain and cloudy vision when first wake. To counter act the weight gain, I eat less crap and exercise more. And to counter act the vision a cold shower.

Give it a go guys if you are suffering from lack of sleep.

 

[Sludge]

Give it a go guys if you are suffering from lack of sleep.


I did, and failed. I'm one of those "lucky" paradoxical effect guys. Got even less sleep and was pissed off about everything.

 

[Jimmy1]

Well, maybe it only works for me and I am one of the lucky ones. I had problems with sleep for years though, surviving on 3 hours a night and naps during the day. I am finally starting to get in a routine now, but its not always good, I still have times when I toss and turn or even have those horrible dreams.

 

[Ned]

I did, and failed. I'm one of those "lucky" paradoxical effect guys. Got even less sleep and was pissed off about everything.

Same here. Diazipam? Might as well've taken a bloody aspirin.....

 

[Sarg]

I share your sleep problems, Jimmy, that's why for years now I've taken all my meds at night. Some when I go to bed and some when I wake up at midnight and can't get back to sleep. Most all of them have a side affect of making one sleepy. However, I recently found our that the primary one I take for sleep is a lethal dosage. Wow, wonder why the VA didn't inform me of that four decades ago! And yes, I had done research on it at one point and nothing came up about lethal dosages. So, that will probably change rather soon.

Will research the Valdoxin, thanks for the tip.

Sarg

 

[Wagon]

I can honestly and whole heartedly say that as one about to enter the "psych system" that I am absolutely terrified of the drug regime. Christ, I can't even handle USA type over the counter cold medicine. (makes me extremely ugly and have giant mood swings). I had Vicadin when I broke my wrist and that made me severely depressed after 3 days. Aspirin makes me sleepy..... but only for an hour. Can't say reading some of the horror stories here make me feel too relaxed. But the alternatives are..........????

Oh well. It's got to be done. Onwards into the abyss.

Wagon

 

[Ned]

Oh well. It's got to be done. Onwards into the abyss.

Wagon

Good luck for tomorrow, mate.

 

[Panda]

same here, all benzo's just wire me & brings out the animal big time.