It has a slow onset and an intermediate duration of action (similar to that of lorazepam), so would not be ideal for aborting panic episodes. Again like lorazepam, it would also be difficult to withdraw from.

As with virtually all benzodiazepines, it will work for sleep and anxiety.

In my area they are conducting a general anixity study, we have a reacherch clinic that is funded by the pharmacuital companys. There was an ad for general anxiety disorder. So I talked to a "tester" after a few questions I did not quailfy, but she was good enough to tell me the study was sponcered by the makers, and for lunesta.

I found that intresting that a sleep aid would be now seeking approval for an anxiety medication ( in a lower dose)

She had mentioned the double blind test where only half of the people would get meds and the other get a placeblo.

I told her I would have know from the metal mouth with one I had anyway, she chuckled. I'm Done.
Although lunesta has simmilar properties to a benzo, I do not think that they are classified as such at this time.

I've always said that zopiclone (and therefore probably eszopiclone) has a very relaxing and calming effect, so this comes as no surprise to me. In appropriate doses, and possibly in slow release form, I think it would make a very effective anxiolytic. Dependence and withdrawal issues with the Z-drugs are being identified more and more, however.

I totally agree with you old&worn, Ive used the Oxazepam, (rx'd of course) and it is, in my opinion, gentle, as opposed to xanax. I didnt use Oxazepam with diazepam, but I understand what you mean.

---
Has anyone noticed, that drugs, that end with "pam", are the good ones? LOL like a male and female? LOL... sry.

I was Rx'd Oxazepam (Serex) many years ago and found it didn't do a thing for me. Maybe it was because I had already been on Valium. It reminded me more of Librium which I had to take in larger doses to feel any marginal effect. Clinicians I know don't hold Oxazepam as a very promising drug in their benzo arsenal.

As a side note, when I was in Costa Rica, Serex was over the counter and you could buy a bottle on the shelf right next to Sominex.

I took a benzo (generic Xanax) once that lasted the entire next day. I felt great relaxed and anxiety free. The only problem is you could tell I was medicated from 100ft away. My family was asking me if I felt OK the entire time I spent with them. My sister said that my eyes gave me away. It sucked, but was fantastic at the same time. I have never felt that way again from Xanax.

Have you guys ever experienced the calming effects for that long?

Oxazepam is nothing like lorazepam.I have to strongly disagree here Nephro as I have many,many years of dealing with people on oxazepam,and I would say its probably the easiest benzo to withdrawal from.
Its best used for general anxiety,rather than panic attacks or sleep.Although if taken early enough,many people find it useful for sleep without any hangover the next day.

klonopin...it takes over an hour to even feel anything, so that build up excitement is great

Valium by far... the muscle relaxation properties of valium are often overlooked.

I agree with you, Nephro. I take Zopiclone and as well as helping my insomnia it is very effective in reducing anxiety earlier in the day, in particular if I take half a 7.5mg tablet. BUT it can make you quite uninhibited which can have all kinds of other embarrassing consequences...

Take clonazepam as needed and at night for anxiety (1-2 mg/day). It works and is long lasting.

Was thinking on switching to valium which also is long lasting and works well but didn't like its variability in how long lasting (according to the medical tests) so will stick with clonazepam. I guess there may be very little variability for a given person; don't know.

Ambien and other sleep medications do not sit right w/ me at all. Cause all kinds of serious sleep disorders such as sleep walking. The other serious effects would be hard to explain. Was once told that those kinds of reactions to actual sleep aids only happens to those with sleep apnea which I have.

I usually take 50mg or sometimes 100mg Seroquel every night for sleep and love it. It takes longer to kick in than real (hypnotic) sleep aids; about 45 minutes instead of 15? The only drawback is if I go to sleep late it requires a lot of time in the morning to shake off and really should not driving.

r/P

Am I correct in believing that Restoril(temazepam) is a benzo or is it a benzo/hypnotic combo? I'm prescribed (legit) 30 mg/nightly for chronic insomnia but, to be honest, it doesn't work for me at ALL. Doesn't even make me drowsy. I should prob be worried about that! I'm going to tell my doc to take me off of it - why waste the money?

For my panic attacks (which occur about once every 3 months-ish, I PREFER Xanax 1 mg but the only thing I can get from my MD is Klonopin at the lowest dose on a PRN basis (what is that? .5 mg?). He won't let me have any on-hand for the next time I need them; I have to call each time and request it and, believe me, the last thing I want to do is call my doctor's office and justify my need for something when I'm in the midst of a full-blown panic attack. Calling when I feel one coming on is about useless because I'm still lucid. (He's a benzo-phobe, as are most MDs in this town.)

Would you say that Valium could be useful to counteract the jaw-clenching that usually accompanies my TMJ disorder episodes? My doc prescribes Soma but that might as well be OTC acetaminophen for all the good it does me (READ: "none"; I'm done with the stuff).

My personal experience is more with chronic muscle pain, so I cannot say for sure. Valium is definitely a muscle relaxer, and works much better than Soma and other similar muscle relaxers for me. If you get a doc that is willing, it certainly would not hurt to try it. Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I believe the long half-life of Valium increases the addiction potential. So it is not something you should take lightly. We are all different, but for me, Valium is the best muscle relaxer I have found, and it actually helps with pain more than many pain relievers. Best regards.

The one that was always a good trusty benzo for me was Estazolam. My current doctor won't prescribe it because he said it's took addictive. I have to tell him that the Ambien I take I feel is much more addictive. I never had the trouble I do now when I don't take Ambien. I wonder if I'll ever be able to sleep without something. I take Ativan for my night seizures and it's still effective even after several years. My doctor allows me to self adjust the dosage according to how much anxiety I'm feeling before bedtime.

temazepam, valium, and klonopin never really did the trick for me. I remember the Anasteziologist having trouble knocking me out with Valium when I had my colonoscopy.

For me it would be valium, because of the muscle relaxing properties. I have serious pain and spasms, and valium makes those stop so I can sleep. It's easier to shake off in the morning than the stupid Flexeril my doctor was throwing at me like candy. It also takes a lot of Flexeril to actually help me go to sleep, whereas 10mg of valium puts me out for the night.

Also, Soma works great for me as a sleep aid. It also works well when the spasms start up in the middle of the day. In my dream world I would have: 2 narcotics, 1 long acting and 1 for breakthrough; 10mg of valium at night for spasms and to help me sleep, and 3 Somas a day to help with spasms during the day and sleep at night.

But I don't live in a dream world.....

I agree about the Flexeril. I thought it helped but I was so sleepy the next day and in a nasty mood. Lexapro did the same thing and these are the two drugs my Dr's would throw at me all the time whithout blinking an eye.
K

Klonopin for me. Not only is it wonderful at relieving my anxiety during the day, but I also have a lot of anxiety/panic at night, and it allows me to get a wonderful sleep without having to deal with all of that, both in and out of my dreams. Klonopin has been my saviour and I'm so lucky to have a psych. who understands me and prescribes it to me!!!

HI,

Is Klonopin more like Valium or Xanax? I see it listed on many sites but I know nothing about it.
Thanks.
K.

My dr. also prescribed me 30mg temazepam a night for insomnia - until Heath Ledger died and then he became a benzo-phobe. He has newspaper cuttings and posters of Heath all over his surgery and won't prescribe it anymore (thanks Heath...)
Anyway, my favourite benzo is lorazepam for insomnia, valium doesn't do much for me and doesn't keep me asleep for very long.
I was also on klonopin for awhile but found it too strong with very bad withdrawals. It all depends on the person I guess, and what you are taking it for.

[quote=tango5]HI,

Is Klonopin more like Valium or Xanax? I see it listed on many sites but I know nothing about it.
Thanks.
K.


I've never tried xanax, but in my experience klonopin is a lot more powerful than valium. Be careful if you start to take it. I think valium is milder and less addictive, but it depends on the person I guess.

Thanks.
I'm very happy with Valium so I guess that's where I will stay.
K

anskel,I didn't know valium was good for relaxing muscles.Thanks for the info....karol.

Now that the wonders of the Internet have made it possible for me to try Valium, I have to say that's my favorite. See that wonky pinky finger in my default icon? That's my hand. I've had a muscle in a CONSTANT SPASM since July of 2008, thus causing the finger deformity. My ulnar nerve is pinched, thus causing sharp pains when lifting heavy objects, and the abductor muscle (pinky side) is often aching and throbbing. Soma does NO good (nor for my TMJ; fioricet seems to be the solution for my jaw pain). Valium, however, along with the OCCASIONAL opiate painkiller and maybe an NSAID like ibuprofen, is a godsend.

Sorry about the tangent... Valium ROCKS! Also good for my anxiety attacks but that's another story, entirely.

I had a procedure done where they threaded a catheter through an artery in my groin, through my aorta, and into my uterus to block the blood flow to some fibroid tumors (before they decided that a hysterectomy was the way to go; damned things came back!).

The anesthesiologist was SHOCKED that I was still conversing and alert after heavy doses of Versed and, um, something else. My tolerance is ridiculous.

If I ever have a colonoscopy (and I'm sure I will, as colon cancer runs in my family), I'm just telling them to knock me out entirely.

Because of the muscle relaxing properties. Xanax didn't help with that.

I agree, although the soothing properties of it did make the muscle spasms more tolerable!

I have only tried:
Diazepam
Alprazolam
Clonazepam
Midazolam

I think the xanax is my favorite. I don't really feel anything from the others, except IM midazolam screwed me up pretty good.

I am glad that you all enjoy your valium. I get it prescribed for my muscle spasms (that I get several times a day). I don't feel and sedation from them (I have taken up to 50mg) or any relaxation. Maybe I don't notice, but people say that I looked messed up when I take them. I don't know what it is. Great for spasms, haven't had one since, well a minor one today.

I've tried:

Clonazepam
Alprazolam
Diazepam
Nitrazepam
Midazolam


I'd have to say Clonazepam is my favorite due to it reliving my anxiety the longest and not having to redose to often.

Diazepam.

By far my faveorite - because they work, they are strong, and they last a very long time, very good for relieving anxeity, second to none in my opinion, and also they feel good too ;-)