Anyone on benzos?

[maleonolo]

I accidentally took a double dose a few days ago and it was heaven. All my worries dissipated, slightly drowsy but it was the sort of contented drowsiness you'd feel on a lazy Sunday. I don't think I'm addicted since I take one every few months, but the double dose was literal heaven. I only have one tablet left sitting sadly in the packet (yes i was prescribed it)

Can't take another one because I need to save it for emergencies which is depressing. Also addiction is scary

 

[Aspychata]

Why do you need to escape right now? Is there something going on that you feel powerless?

 

[maleonolo]

Why do you need to escape right now? Is there something going on that you feel powerless?

I can still handle it probably, just wanted to say that benzos are great though. Maybe that's what heaven feels like, it's such a shame that they're addicting. I've heard that actual antidepressants just make you numb. The benzo I took made me feel really happy

 

[Masked Man]

I take Xanax (alprazolam) occasionally for anxiety. I try not to take it regularly so only take them as needed, which is rare most of the time. But yes, that's how it feels for me. All my anxiety goes away.

 

[maleonolo]

I take Xanax (alprazolam) occasionally for anxiety. I try not to take it regularly so only take them as needed, which is rare most of the time. But yes, that's how it feels for me. All my anxiety goes away.

Do you know any antidepressants that had a similar effect on you (removes anxiety but doesn't numb you)?

 

[maleonolo]

I'm craving my benzo badly but I don't want to be addicted... I'm probably not addicted since most of the time I take it once every few months, this time not even a week has passed. Might be because the bigger dose made me realise how relaxing it can be. I'm thinking of asking my psych for an anti-depressant but I heard they make people numb

Also doctors sometimes restrict their sale so I don't want to be dependent

 

[Outdated]

Also addiction is scary

Drug addiction itself is only a part of the problem.

A much more complex issue is where you create a natural psychological path that you will tend to follow whenever stressed where you can find relief in drug abuse. You create within yourself what is known as an Addictive Personality, you build in yourself a codependence that is difficult to break and will likely follow you through the rest of your life.

Sometimes people end up in mental situations that they're unable to sort for themselves and they do need help with it, drugs are often a necessary part of that help, but it also creates another psychological issue.

There's a common media portrayal of the mindset that creates this addictive personality - on receiving shocking bad news the character always reaches for a glass of brandy or whisky, or someone shoves a glass in to their hand. Alcohol is probably one of the worst drugs they could turn to at that time, but according to movie land that's what you should do. Get stressed, have a drink.

 

[Masked Man]

The only antidepressant I ever took was Lexapro (escitalopram) and that was a few years ago at this point. It did indeed take my anxiety away and I didn't feel numb, but it did raise my blood pressure to unhealthy levels so I stopped taking it. I basically manage my anxiety through other methods or I just try to do the best I can. Mostly it's manageable.

 

[Outdated]

The only antidepressant I ever took was Lexapro (escitalopram) and that was a few years ago at this point.

Same here. I wasn't suffering any anxiety at the time but a doctor prescribed them anyway and at that time I was applying for the disability pension and believed I had to follow the rules or risk not getting the pension.

They're supposed to make people happier, right? I figure "What could it hurt?". Worst decision I ever made in my life. It destroyed 50 years of a perfect sleep routine. All of a sudden I could only sleep for 2 or 3 hours at a time. I've never had a problem falling asleep but now I was waking up wide awake just a few hours later.

I only took them for a few months but so far it's taken me more than 3 years to recover from the damage. I'm now sleeping for 8 or 9 hours most nights but then I'll have another phase of only sleeping short hours. This completely destroyed all of my other routines and it has probably been one of the biggest disruptions I've ever had in my life.

 

[maleonolo]

Drug addiction itself is only a part of the problem.

A much more complex issue is where you create a natural psychological path that you will tend to follow whenever stressed where you can find relief in drug abuse. You create within yourself what is known as an Addictive Personality, you build in yourself a codependence that is difficult to break and will likely follow you through the rest of your life.

Yes that's what I'm afraid of

Same here. I wasn't suffering any anxiety at the time but a doctor prescribed them anyway and at that time I was applying for the disability pension and believed I had to follow the rules or risk not getting the pension.

The only antidepressant I ever took was Lexapro (escitalopram) and that was a few years ago at this point. It did indeed take my anxiety away and I didn't feel numb, but it did raise my blood pressure to unhealthy levels so I stopped taking it. I basically manage my anxiety through other methods or I just try to do the best I can. Mostly it's manageable.

I've heard horrible things about Lexapro too

 

[NB79]

Don't take them, they can be super addicting.
Withdrawal symptons can be hell for some.
I know because the 'doctors' gave them to me for years, and quitting them was hell.
Over time they can degrade your cognition and digestive system etc.
If you have the self control to use them once in a while good for you i don't have that control usually with druggy stuff.
My hospital banned all of this kind of drugs, new studies are coming and doctors are waking up to the harm they can cause.

 

[maleonolo]

Don't take them, they can be super addicting.
Withdrawal symptons can be hell for some.
I know because the 'doctors' gave them to me for years, and quitting them was hell.
Over time they can degrade your cognition and digestive system etc.
If you have the self control to use them once in a while good for you i don't have that control usually with druggy stuff.
My hospital banned all of this kind of drugs, new studies are coming and doctors are waking up to the harm they can cause.

Did you take them every day for years?

 

[SusanLR]

Prozac is the antidepressant I took, and it numbed my brain. My ability to think quickly or feel natural was lost. It didn't help with anxiety either. I stopped taking them after a few months. Thankfully the numbed sensation went away quickly with no withdrawal symptoms.

I've taken benzos (xanax) daily for almost 40 years. It was the only thing that helped the spontaneous panic attacks. I was told I would probably have to take them the rest of my life. I have and have had no side effects. I have cut the dosage in half beginning last year since I haven't had the onslaught of panic attacks I used to when I was younger.
I don't understand why the doctors call it addiction. It helps with the brain chemicals that cause high anxiety and panic attacks. I never had to keep increasing the dosage as some say they have to.
If that is called addiction, then why don't they call taking three different kinds of blood pressure meds each day to help hypertension an addiction? They usually have to take BP meds for life also once on them. Read the side effects of using those!

Any type of medication that is needed for a health issue has side effects. Just listen to the ads on all of those commercials for different health conditions.
I personally would call addiction the use of a drug just for how it makes you feel when you don't really need it for a health condition.

Yes, alcohol and cigarettes and street drugs have been standard go to items for ages.
Taking things to get high or low just because it is fun or feels good but isn't good for you is another issue.
I wouldn't take any meds if I didn't need them to keep a health problem under control.

 

[maleonolo]

Prozac is the antidepressant I took, and it numbed my brain. My ability to think quickly or feel natural was lost. It didn't help with anxiety either. I stopped taking them after a few months. Thankfully the numbed sensation went away quickly with no withdrawal symptoms.

I've taken benzos (xanax) daily for almost 40 years. It was the only thing that helped the spontaneous panic attacks. I was told I would probably have to take them the rest of my life. I have and have had no side effects. I have cut the dosage in half beginning last year since I haven't had the onslaught of panic attacks I used to when I was younger.
I don't understand why the doctors call it addiction. It helps with the brain chemicals that cause high anxiety and panic attacks. I never had to keep increasing the dosage as some say they have to.
If that is called addiction, then why don't they call taking three different kinds of blood pressure meds each day to help hypertension an addiction? They usually have to take BP meds for life also once on them. Read the side effects of using those!

It varies for everyone but there are reports of patients dying from withdrawal or getting seizures (these are the extreme cases)

 

[JayCee]

yes, yes good old , mothers little helper, am on 2 ,lorazepam and phenobarbital .
Due to some many years of slightly extreme PTSD, physical / mental trauma .
Not the little stuff 2/3 body crush accident , 2 different murders , and extended periods of gaslighting/ stalking . so , maybe they would be indicated. If you ever feel drawn to take these regularly run away, get away from them . not worth the results. I use strictly as needed maybe once a week ,sometimes the lorazepam 2-3 times a week. Only if needed
both get used if sleep will not come..not in the same day.or even in the same week. If you can manage to skip them. All barbituates will create a tolerance in humans, I had learned
personally and from a friendly pharmacy tech.. They can be really bad news if you get used to using them. And can EASILY lead to addition. If you need something to do this job in your nervous system. Please try out a Amino acid . Called Theanine . It works in a natural way .And has no known toxic effects but like anything you can even develop a tolerance to that,( somewhat). Best effect if not abused , Find a good brand with minimal additives . You can even use it with coffee, to moderate that effect of caffiene as it wears off. This info. is based on many many years of personal research.

 

[grommet]

Once in the hospital for an MRI the doctor gave me I think two Lorazepam. It was the only time I was awake and did not feel any worrying.

 

[Jeff T]

I accidentally took a double dose a few days ago and it was heaven. All my worries dissipated, slightly drowsy but it was the sort of contented drowsiness you'd feel on a lazy Sunday. I don't think I'm addicted since I take one every few months, but the double dose was literal heaven. I only have one tablet left sitting sadly in the packet (yes i was prescribed it)

Can't take another one because I need to save it for emergencies which is depressing. Also addiction is scary

The only one I've taken is wellbutrin, which isn't thought to be addicting.
When I first began taking the medication, it was a much better 'place' than where I'd been. I can't say it was heaven, as I haven't been there, and probably never will be.
Sounds like you're on the right track- being fearful of becoming addicted should help you to avoid that trap. Being mindful of what you are doing, and why, is the ticket.

 

[Richelle-H]

I first started taking clonazepam (Brand name Klonopin) back in my 50s during a time of great anxiety where things were spiraling for me. Initially it was one half-milligram tablet three times a day, although things rarely became so bad that I needed that many, and not every day. I have only ever used it as needed. There were long periods of time (a decade or more) where I didn't need to take it at all.

I have a current prescription of 30 tablets which usually lasts me for 6 months or more. So there is little chance of addiction in my case.

I assume by a double dose you are talking a milligram total. I have had Xanax at one time or another, but I prefer Clonazepam (lasts longer and with less of a hangover from it, in my experience).

Now, I will admit to taking a milligram of my prescription recreationally, and I understand how it feels, but I have only ever done that twice in the last 30 years. I understand the attraction, but I also respect the downsides of overuse beyond the risk of addiction, because of that I am not at risk of becoming overly dependent.

I do not advocate anyone using it to get euphoric. That is a beehive of trouble with no good end. I am the curious type who had to know. Then some 30 years later I tried it again to refresh my memory. That was enough for me and I am back to taking it only when it is absolutely necessary to calm my brain and central nervous system, which thankfully is not that often.

I urge extreme caution as you move forward. You obviously need it or you would not have it, but you have let the demon out of its cage and you have to lock it away again before it devours you.

My apologies if any of that comes off as preachy for I do not mean to be. I am just offering my personal perspective. Good health to you.

 

[velociraptor]

Can't take another one because I need to save it for emergencies which is depressing. Also addiction is scary

Have as PRN, but avoid because of addiction worries. Try and use therapy tricks first.

 

[maleonolo]

Once in the hospital for an MRI the doctor gave me I think two Lorazepam. It was the only time I was awake and did not feel any worrying.

It truly is heaven. It's a shame that all the good stuff has side effects. That goes for food too...

Now, I will admit to taking a milligram of my prescription recreationally, and I understand how it feels, but I have only ever done that twice in the last 30 years. I understand the attraction, but I also respect the downsides of overuse beyond the risk of addiction, because of that I am not at risk of becoming overly dependent.

I do not advocate anyone using it to get euphoric. That is a beehive of trouble with no good end. I am the curious type who had to know. Then some 30 years later I tried it again to refresh my memory. That was enough for me and I am back to taking it only when it is absolutely necessary to calm my brain and central nervous system, which thankfully is not that often.

I urge extreme caution as you move forward. You obviously need it or you would not have it, but you have let the demon out of its cage and you have to lock it away again before it devours you.

My apologies if any of that comes off as preachy for I do not mean to be. I am just offering my personal perspective. Good health to you.

It's prudent to be cautious, you never know you're addicted until its claws sink into you. Not that I have the experience, but I think that's how it feels