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Northernsoul
Your Reality

Registered: 11/17/01
Posts: 2,290
Loc: Inner Eye
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
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Difficult situation (Medication Question)
#1320802 - 02/20/03 12:09 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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Before I start, I have to mention that I have GAD and have suffered from depression for 10 years. Ive been taking Effexor 37.5 -75mg, and it does (did) the job.
Ok so I just went thru moderate opiate detox last week. At the end of the week I attempted suicide because of depression and anxiety was worse than ever. I was in psyc-ward for evaluation, and just got out. They doubled my medication and I need to follow up with NA meetings etc. The doubling of the Effexor is putting me on edge, just like when I started it 7 years ago. These side effects go away over time. I am still very depressed and cant sleep, have anxiety, panic attacks etc. I want to ask my doctor for a Benzo catagory drug for this very big dip in my depression, but then theres the addiction issue Is it irational to ask for tranquilizers after just being addicted to prescription pain killers, withdrawling from them, and sinking into this deep depression? I was given clonazapam whenever I felt anxious in the hospital after my attempted suicide and helped alot, I didnt even pass my daily clonazapam limit of 3mg a day during the whole stay, indicating "Non drug seeking behaviour" in thier words. I have a doctors appointment tommorow, and I want to ask her for a bennzo catagory script to get by this hump. Yes the addiction potentials there, but isnt there a way around it? Small scripts spread out over a few weeks while I get therapy and wait for the new Effexor dose to kick in makes sense right? The alternatives are very bad panic attacks and anxiety at this particular dip in my depression. I feel like shes going to say no before I even ask. Whats your take, and any advice?
Thanks
-------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- When it comes I'll know, I know Just take my clothes and leave And I'll be gone
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Asante
Mage


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 86,795
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Re: Difficult situation (Medication Question) [Re: Northernsoul]
#1320827 - 02/20/03 12:35 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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This is hard...
If taken for a prolonged time in a reasonable dosage Benzo's would likely give rise to withdrawal symptoms. Light for some, excruciating for others. Here in NL the info's say that they should be used for less than 2 weeks ideally, and really should be discontinued before the 2 month point. Within 2 weeks it'll be unlikely to pick up addiction, but you'll likely need a longer time. Hard indeed.
Wanna risk withdrawal or not? And there's another thing... Benzos may aggravate existing depression, but at the same time there's the effexor coming up.. Hard, hard choice.
If I were you (no advice, just "If I were you") I'd risk getting hooked on benzos and use as little of it as possible, preferably on an "as needed" basis. If I were your doc (I'm not a doctor) I'd go for Xanax 0.25mg 1-2 times a day if needed as Alprazolam is claimed to posess some antidepressant effect, or a single dose of 5-10mg Diazepam (Valium) before sleeping. It has a slight buzz, true, but not really more so than the Clonazepam you got earlier and nothing like Opioids. Your 3mg Clonazepam ceiling should be more than enough, but will likely lead to addiction if taken for weeks on end. Do not cold-turkey benzo addiction but gradually reduce the dose with 2-4 week intervals if strongly addicted.
I could say "go & meditate" but that would be hogwash since you're short on time here. But ignore me: have a good think now & a good talk with your doctor. This problem is in my opinion serious enough for benzo intervention.
-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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Northernsoul
Your Reality

Registered: 11/17/01
Posts: 2,290
Loc: Inner Eye
Last seen: 13 years, 1 month
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Re: Difficult situation (Medication Question) [Re: Asante]
#1320898 - 02/20/03 02:06 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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Thank you veryy much for your detailed answer and insight, much apreciated. 
Anyone else with a little something to add to this?
-------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------- When it comes I'll know, I know Just take my clothes and leave And I'll be gone
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LordSenate
One of the Lost


Registered: 09/15/02
Posts: 37,093
Loc: First Circle of Hell
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Re: Difficult situation (Medication Question) [Re: Northernsoul]
#1321004 - 02/20/03 03:24 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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id say it like this to your doctor. Would it be detrimental to my health, if i was put on valium, or xanax, or ativan.. Whichever you may prefer. Benzos do they're job, if done responsibly..if you use them stupidly, you will probably just screw yourself up even worse.
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Ripple
Ripple



Registered: 05/16/02
Posts: 21,014
Loc: the timbers of Fennario
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Re: Difficult situation (Medication Question) [Re: LordSenate]
#1321059 - 02/20/03 04:01 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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Please see my PM about moving this post to the Support Group forum.
-------------------- The bus came by and I got on that's when it all began!
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Anonymous #1
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Re: Difficult situation (Medication Question) [Re: Northernsoul]
#1321075 - 02/20/03 04:08 AM (20 years, 11 months ago) |
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