Posted by Mark H. on May 4, 2000, at 19:57:19
In reply to is this anxiety?, posted by Janice on May 4, 2000, at 16:34:52
Hi Janice,
I experience all that as part of my bipolar disorder. Nevertheless, for those days that I just need something extra to get through the day, my doc let's me keep 4 types of benzodiazepines on hand: generic versions of Xanax, Ativan, Valium (and for sleep movement disorder:), clonazepam (is that the same as Klonopin?).
Sometimes, the Xanax or Valium can make me MORE depressed, at other times they can cheer me up.
So far, the Ativan is the most cheerful, but also the most addictive. I'm also very careful with Valium and Xanax, almost never taking them (or the Ativan) two days in a row, for instance. I also should mention that I might not take any of them (except the clonazepam) for months, then hit a month when I need four or five days of special relief. However, on average, my usage is miniscule -- a supply of 30 usually expires before I use them up. Truth is, just having them on hand reduces my need for them -- I know I can always just apologize and put myself to bed if things get too bad -- and some days that gives me the back-up assurance to go ahead and push through the day at work.
I took clonazepam every night for a year, then quit. Withdrawal was limited to a little jitteriness for about 36 hours -- nothing! When being off of it didn't seem to help my hypersomnia, I went back on. Keeps me from flopping around and crying out in my sleep -- I sleep better and Sue does too.
Clonazepam has the advantage of being really easy to get off of, fairly slow onset, few side effects, good sleep, and no morning hangover. It's the drug of choice for all sorts of otherwise unexplained sleep disorders, because it is so benign relative to the other benzodiazepines and available sedatives. However, everyone's chemistry is a little different. I tke 0.25mg a night (half of a scored yellow tablet). Highly recommended.
When I've had anxiety, it's a tightness, a worry, a strong sense that something is physically about to break or tear apart in my chest. It's different from the "everyone hates me, betrays me, and I probably murdered someone and suppressed it" feeling that I get with bipolar depression. Nevertheless, the anti-anxiety drugs mentioned above certainly help me through the worst days and keep me from hurting myself.
Does this help?
Much love,
Mark
poster:Mark H.
thread:32298
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000429/msgs/32319.html