Personally I Choose Alprazolam, Fast acting and easy to regulate. (Use on a needed basis).
Personally I have no experience with the rest, Hence the poll
-Dutch

i don'tsee halcion or rohypnol or even versed, those are definitely the best benzos. just my personal experience
take it for what its worth,btw if you havn't tried them don't knock them

-Peace- -Rockbottom-

For me, it would depend upon it's use, for panic attacks and anxiety during the day, i prefer .5 to 1mg xanax. For getting to sleep fast, my favorite is versed (Midazalom, 15mg, Roche), it hits hard, knocks you out and wears off fast so you don't wake up really tired.

Insomniac

Diazepam, they have a long half life, if you have a drink 3 days latter you can feel drunk again.

I chose 'other' because without a doubt BROMAZEPAM (LEXILIUM, LEXAURIN, LEXOTANIL) 6mg tablets are the fastest-acting when you have a panic attack and give you the finest couple of hours of pure blissful sedation after a dosage of 18-24mg, which is my normal dose for panic.
I am prescribed a low dose of alprazolam, XANAX brand, only 2.25mg/day, which acts quite well as a preventative; my panics are definitely less now than before I began on alprazolam.
My other favourites are FLUNITRAZEPAM (ROHYDORM, ROHYPNOL, HYPNODORM) and DIAZEPAM (APAURIN, STESOLID, TENSIUM but NOT VALIUM, which is of such variable quality dependent on which Roche factory it comes from. No diazepam can beat APAURIN for strength and quality.)
C. Crazy, Esquire.

huh? diazepam doesn't make me feel drunk in the first place. what do you take them for? it wears off a little too soon for a good night's sleep, but it is what the doc gives me.

I find the info about versed and bromazepam interesting, don't think I've heard of either one. are they benzo's, or a bad-rap type of drug my doc would not appreciate being asked for instead of valium for sleep?

I am a fan of valium, for me, xanax seems to where off to quick and I get the jitters, with valium, I feal the anxiety slip away and I can still function and am not a zombie the next day.
I also have had horrific WD's from xanax when I ran out years ago and that scared me. I have ordered it recently but only as a safety net. It does work well but I just get some weird side affects later on, almost like a mild WD.

They are benzos, but your doctor wouldn't want you on midazolam every night (if s/he has any ethics) and they are extremely short-acting, and therefore difficult to withdraw from. For occasional use, perhaps, especially if you need to get up early the next day.

Bromazepam is fairly short-acting also.

Scruf, in the USA of A, Versed (Midazolam) only comes in injectable and syrup form and not dispensed in store pharmacies.

The syrup is used for children before a procedure or anesthesia.

The injectable is used for adults before a procedure or anesthesia.

Bromazepam is not available here.

ive heard that auparin diazepam is the best kind. any one tried any? how does it compare to brand name roche valium?
and where is it available?

also for sleep...really zolpidem (ambien) is really the way to go. (for me)

C.C.
what's the best place to pick up auprin diazepam?--i'd like to try it!

Versed in the US is pre surgical only. I have never heard of it being scripted for general use. It is given i v
and is quite effective. Bromazepam is not sold in US. Can be gotten easily IOP route and is pleasant. High euphoric quotient is it's main drawback here, so the authorities have a probably legitement fear of allowing its' introduction for prescribed sale/use.

how would you compare bromazepam to midazolam or triazolam?
by the way there are lots of IOPs with midazolam versed (roche) tablet form but maybe that's not what you meant..

Ok, I have a question for you guys...I have only had one rx (ever) for xanax that my doc gave me before a 24 hour flight. While it did help with the anxiety, it gave me no noticeable "pleasurable" effects. It made me sleepy at best.

Why do I see that alot of people become dependent on them? I have generalized anxiety and even at small amounts, it just makes me feel tired and well, yucky. I can see how some pain meds can easily cause dependency, but I just dont get benzo's.

have you ever had a full blown panic attack?

auparin is from the Balkans, Serbia, etc. Strong stuff. bensedine is also one used there.

Zolpidem isn't for everyone.

Oxazepam is interesting if you can get it. Goes well with diazepam, of you read up on it, you can see why.

yes I have had full blown panic attacks and like I said, xanax has worked for me to reduce that. However what I meant is, I see alot of people who do not have regular panic attacks using these as if they were getting some sort of high or buzz from them. I felt nothing of the sort and just wondered why alot of people would become dependent on them.

I think the rec users just like to feel all relaxed and duh and staggery. I admit diazepam gives me an enjoyable cozy feeling before I fall asleep at night, but would never give benzo's a second look if I could just get to sleep on my own.

Enjoyable cozy feeling, =)

Brings to mind the first time I ever had pain medication...I got so sick one time that I missed a friends wedding and the wife went without me. It went from bad to much worse while she was gone and I thought I was quite literally dying. When she got home, I told her I need to go to the ER (which is NOT like me at all) They gave me an antibotic shot and sent me home with a big bottle of Percocets. I popped 2 and in 20 minutes had that enjoyable cozy feeling and then fell asleep. I took probably 2-3 more before I felt better and then the wife threw them away (at the time I didnt care, I had no need for them but that wouldnt happen today I can tell you that!)

jlifesone....I have always wondered the same thing. When I was involved in a really bad accident that involved fractures, soft tissue damage, sprains, etc., the hospital sent me home with valium for the muscle spasms and possible anxiety from the accident. All they did was make me exhausted and fall asleep (even when I took more than what was Rxd...wanted to see what all of the "hype" was about).

Maybe it has something to do with body chemistry? I can definitely see how somebody can become addicted to painkillers because I have felt the euphoria that accompanies them. NO, I DID NOT TAKE THEM TO FEEL THAT WAY, I WAS INJURED AND DIDN'T HAVE A CHOICE.

Anyway, just making an observation and agreeing with what you said.

I have never taken more than 1 xanax at a time because it made me so zombie like. Not an enjoyable feeling at all so I just wondered why others would use them recreationally. It did work for the anxiety no doubt, but I couldnt take them on a regular basis.

[quote=scruf]

Versed? I don't think I mentioned Versed - that is an injectable form of midazolam only available in a hospital setting. Tablets are generally 15mg, my favourite brand being FLORMIDAL. Roche make a half-strength tablet called DORMICUM, but that just isn't strong enough.

As for bromazepam, why should any doctor treat it any differently than any other benzo? Roche LEXOTANIL 6mg isn't bad, but I prefer Europan brands, especially Alkaloid's LEXILIUM, which is made under Roche licence and is better than the Roche product itself. And cheaper, too! And I stand by my statement that it is the best all-round benzodiazepine you can get, and certainly the best for taking actually DURING a panic incident due to its extremely fast action. The calm and what I think I described as 'blissful sedation' force me to give it a 10/10.
Mr C. Crazy

People who truly suffer from panic/anxiety don't receive a high or buzz,just like people who are in REAL pain don't get any euphoria from opiates.
When people say hydro gives them a nice euphoria,it's a good indication they either have NO pain,or it is only very mild.

Try asking someone having a panic attack how much euphoria they feel when you give them a xanax.Or ask a cancer patient how much euphoria they are feeling from their morphine(or other painkiller).

sorry I meant Midazolam (Dormicum) 7.5mg by ROCHE, 100 tabs

I take 300mg Seroquel. The first time I took it I felt it for 3 days. Not sure if it's considered a Benzo
but has similar effects. I think they list it as a Antipsychotic. I take them for Anxiety though.

Not a benzo but certainly packs a punch and knocks me out. Just my experience with it. -ck

I take Valium (diazapam) for anxiety. Serapax (oxazepam) is probably the most effective benzo I've taken, though.

oxazepam is cheaper thru the iops. I wonder why we don't hear more about it? is it more effective for sleep, anxiety, or panic attacks?

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 ;-)

I've tried
Ativan
Klonopin
xanax
restoril
halcion

My favorite is xanax...for it's fast acting properties

Halcion and Restoril are good for someone that has severe insomnia...the halcion whew....that mess will knock a horse out, but is only used for falling asleep, not keeping you asleep and Restoril the same, just to help you relax and fall asleep

Ativan....The most I have taken of it was 2mg at one time and it was alright, but nothing compared to xanax.

Klonopin...I couldn't tell I had taken anything. .5mg was prescribed to me. I took it for a few days and then gave the rest to my sister, who at the time lost her baby @ six months pregnant. I figured she needed it more than I did at the time.

So for me with panic attacks and anxiety, definitely xanax for it's fast working properties. That is my favorite!

I like xanax the best!

The effects of valium don't last long enough for me and then I get a little bitchy after they wear off. Ativan for some reason make me really bitchy right away.

I'm pretty sure I tried klonipin if the generic name is something like clonazepam and I really didn't feel anything from them.

I would love to find an herb that works like xanax but I haven't had any luck. I've tried valerian, kava kava, and some stuff this natureopath doctor sold me but nothing works on me like xanax.

Same here Diazepam would be my #1 Benzo.

there's something called Kratom that supposed to have anti-anxiety effects, it's also used in the treatment of withdrawals from opiods. It's a controlled substance in many parts of the world. I've never tried it, but I've heard it makes all the difference in the world where you get it from.

That is awesome and I will check it out, thanks!

My favorite benzo is xanax because it's the most potent (at least it is for me) - valium is OK too, but the hang over lasts for a while.

Xanax bars then probably those banana klonopins,just because they taste like a banana runt and make my mouth feel exquisite and I know its about to work.

I would have to say my favorites are Nitrazepam because of the longer lasting effects, and midazolam for short term effects.

Ativan is the most consistent for me. I'm going for a colonoscopy Wednesday. The nurse said I will most likely be given Versed. I wonder if I'm going to have tolerance to it because of my use of benzo's for anxiety and insomnia.

Ditto on Ativan and good luck on the scope, I passed on mine so far though my doc, given my age, is really adamant on me having one. I think I would take an extra Ativan if it were me and have them skip the Versed.

You will have some tolerance, which you should tell them about. Lorazepam is intermediate-acting, but switches off pretty quick, and can be rather insidious in causing dependence.

You'll probably be given fentanyl as well, so they tend to err on the side of caution due to the depressed breathing caused by both drugs.

I went for a colonoscopy early in February. I have been on Norco 10/325, for years. Also was given Versed, to no effect. The Dr. had to give me an extra dose of Versed, and that worked very well...I didn't remember a thing! Good luck with your test.

have you ever had a full blown panic attack? [/quote]

Oh my gosh, I have them every day, and it is the worst feeling in the world, I was put on Celexa and Klonopin .05 mg three times a day and tried to get weened off of them and the weening was worse that the panic attacks. I still don't know which is worse, but anyways i a back to having full blown panic attacks again and I have to go to the dentist tomorrow to have 4 wisdom teeth cut out of my mouth!!

0.05mg clonazepam is being over-cautious!

You shouldn't have any problem. I had one a couple of years ago when I was addicted to high-dose alprazolam. It's different for everyone, but the Versed is much different. Good luck. Causes memory loss. You will probably repeat yourself afterward.

My favorite benzodiazepine is definitely clonazepam (Klonopin) by a long shot. Its effect is milder and longer-lasting, although just as effective. Not nearly as noticeable as with alprazolam (Xanax). In fact, I couldn't successfully get off alprazolam until I finally switched myself to clonazepam. Doctors are pathetically ignorant about benzos, at least here in the U.S. I believe most people who have been dependent on alprazolam would tell you the same thing. I would advise anybody and everybody against taking alprazolam, ever, period. It is, indeed, an inevitable road to HELL.

I'm sorry but why is that being overly cautious? Just a bit confused!! I thought that .05 mg was a high dose for taking it three times a day, not to mention the withdrawals were just as bad as the panic attacks themselves! But hence I am afraid that that is the most effective combo for me for now!
Thanks
Abbey

It's a leading zeros problem again. It's 0.5mg, not 0.05mg. It's a common thing when one doesn't put the zero before the decimal point. Doctors have done the same thing, and of course it can result in 10-fold overdoses, and has resulted in the deaths of infants. Imagine ".5mg" being scribbled down in pen, and the nurse missing the dot and giving 5mg.

Some European countries use commas instead of decimal points, and it's one of the better things to come out of Europe, since commas don't get lost as easily as dots.

So I have terrible memory loss on xanax. One day I drove to work and took the bus home. The next day I went to the garage to because I had an appointment and it took me a good few minutes to figure out where my car was. A few hours and $80 later I got my car back.

In terms of quickness, I need something medium acting. It doesn't have to be fast but needs to be moderately quick. I
have enough xanax if I needed something to act quickly but I'm terribly afraid of the addictive nature, withdrawals, and of course my severe memory loss. I've also emailed during work the same email twice which is really embarrassing.

Do you guys reccommend anything? I was thinking about trying Klonopin after reading this thread.

Thanks
RJ

I prefer Valium.
It is effective for my insomnia and I dont wake up groggy.
I also have very vivid dreams on V's.
Xanax wears off too quick and I seem to build up a tolerance to it within a few days whereas a 10mg Valium a few times a week works great.

You might try lorazepam (Ativan). In my experience, it's a good medium between Xanax and Klonopin. I have an older friend who takes it, and his memory is pretty bad, but he also takes Ambien, which I can't believe his doctor prescribed along with lorazepam. It's difficult to find a way to tell someone their memory is bad. My memory was very bad on Xanax. I sure sympathize with your experience in that regard. Good luck finding the "happy medium" benzo of choice for you.

Thanks folks. Your feedback is much appreciated. I have a shrink that loves benzos and a doctor who hates them. It is a battle for sure but they have to work together when prescribing me meds. The shrink had suggested both ativan and klonopin. And the doctor thinks xanax is the devil so he said that klonopin was okay and I don't think he mentioned ativan. He mentioned another "A" drug that he says has no addictive qualities and is completely safe but I can't remember what it was. I'm pretty sure though that it wouldn't help me through a panic attack.

Thanks again

Atarax?

Atarax (Hydroxyzine) is a first generation anti-histamine. It is much less sedating than Phenergan (Promethazine).

Both have anti-cholinergic effects, i.e., relieve motion sickness (similar to draminol), eliminate itchy-skin, and lessen inhibition.

Hydroxyzine HCl is considered to be addiction free, and is used by doctors hesitant about prescribing benzodiazepines to patients who are borderline GAD/Social Anxiety Disorder with or without anti-depressant use.

Hydroxyzine is not a benzodiazepine at all. It is much less sedating and does not significantly, if at all, function on the GABA system in the brain, nor does it affect other neuronal pathways in any way similar to classic benzo's. It is not a controlled substance in the USA, therefore not illegal to possess, only obtain. Love that legal caveat, personally.

My affinity with anxiety-eliminaters began with a couple 25mg Hydroxyzines and 2-3 bourbon waters at a club, later a Red Bull, after, ehm, a healthy nose powdering.

A bipolar friend of mine said I was having a near panic attack upon entering and gave me two of them.

Stuff works mildly and made me comfortable in that situation.

I had scabies once and was prescribed 10mg Hydroxyzine for pruritis (generalized ITCH). it was a freaking plague until I procured some Ivermectin and cured what a purported Dr. was treating.

Never mention past drug indiscretions to a Dr. less you want to be looked at as a Junkie, even when asking for "Permethrin", an anti-scabicide poison... in my experience. Lady had a look of horror, I asked for Permethrin, she seemed receptive, she opened my file, checked my admissions, said she'd be right back, handed me a script for fiften 10mg hydroxyzine and said "if it gets worse, call".

AWFUL. I almost visited a freaking ER until I found a domestic quick cure and sanitized everything, house, body & apartment.

Anyway, Hydroxyzine [Atarax]. Not a benzo, and a weak imitation at that. Too sedating in benzo-strength dosages to be effective as an anxiolitic agent and does nothing to relax muscles, as it affects/affected me.

With loads of stimulants and [some] alcohol.. well, anything more tranquilizing has similar dis-inhibiting affects, in my experience.

RUBY_Journey
I'm anticipating Bromazepam as being an excellent Alprazolam substitute. Who knows. Perhaps that'd be an option for you to suggest to your psychiatrist or research, vis-á-vis Atarax's shortcomings for what it sounds like your dilemma is.

Klonopin (clonazepam) can always be used to taper off if/when talk therapy gets to the root of anxiety problems..

that's why I have clonazepam set aside, anyway.

Ok, just to clarify, are you saying that my dose is too much or too weak, and also I just ordered 2mg of Klonopin from a pharmacy thinking I could cut it into quarters, thinking that would be the correct dosage for me, did I make a mistake? Thanks for your help!!

If you are truly taking .05mg, then that is not much.

If you are taking or planning to take 1/4 of a 2mg tablet at a time, that is 0.5mg, which is more of a normal sounding dose than .05mg

You can see the difference when it is written 0.05mg and 0.5mg.

My favorite Benzo is Klonopin, my usual dosage is 2 mg a day but sometimes i take 3 mg a day. It works great, almost the same as Xanax...to tell you the truth it's hard for me to tell the difference between the two. I know that Xanax supposedly works faster, but i feel like Klonopins work just as fast too.

Atarax was my first thought, too, Nephro. Even though it is an antihistamine, in my experience it works very well as a substitute for benzos. When I would party too heavily in my 20s, sometimes I would suffer "holiday heart" the following day with fast heartbeat and palpitations. I thought I was having panic attacks, but it was an allergic reaction to too much alcohol. Atarax treated the problem very well. In my personal opinion, it's a good alternative for someone who wants to stay away from benzodiazepines.

Yeah, and good luck with doctors. Each doctor feels he/she knows best, and most doctors have huge egos. I am very prejudiced against them from extensive negative personal experience. One doctor will try and push Xanax on a person, while another doctor believes it is evil, like ruby_journey said. Trying to get good, appropriate medical and/or psychiatric treatment can sure seem like a losing battle.

Another method commonly used is a comma to help make it more visible. eg 0,5mg
I have seen many European packets write it like this.

So he's suggesting I take an antihistamine? Hmmm. Benadryl knocks me out so I don't know about this one. I think I'm going to taper off the xanax and just deal with it for a while. I don't have physical withdrawals now that I'm not taking my xanax except that I can't sleep and that is scary enough. Thanks for all the info guys.

All it does is get rid of the panic, therefore it relaxes you to the point where you just have a calming effect!
A lot of people, do a lot of uppers and need something like Xanax or or Klonopin to come down, that is how it becomes addicting! I thankfully have never been in that place, but have seen a very dear friend go through it and it is a never ending cycle!! Hope this helps to clarify!

Clonazepam by far. Ativan second.

I will never take Xanax again because something in it makes me completely crazy. I was prescribed it about 5 years ago and all of a sudden running red lights, getting in arguments, whistling at attractive women or making a scene all seemed like sensible behavior.

No other benzo has ever had such an effect on me.

Xanax litterally makes me act like I've had 12 shots of tequila. I am not talking about a huge dose either like - 2mg - 3mg.

I can currently take 4mg Klonopin and 1mg Ativan a day and I act very cautious and normal and respectful.

There is something different about Xanax - I have met other people who tell me the same thing.

And just to update I have been diagnosed with:

Panic
GAD
Agoraphobia

I have been prescribed the following over the years:

Seroquel
Paxil
Celexa
Effexor
Zoloft
Buspar
Marijuana

Most of which either did not work or made me MUCH MUCH MUCH worse.

The only thing that has allowed me do things like go to the Grocery Store or go on a Date or into a crowded place are benzodiazepenes.

Klonopin + Ativan is very effective and what I am currently prescribed by my physician.

Its funny, at our last meeting I was telling her how scared I was to ever have to stop the medication or face the withdrawals, and she replied -

"WHY would you EVER want to do that?"

She says I will be on benzos for the rest of my life, and she is young only 37 so there will be no problems for her to stick around and keep my scripts up.

She is very responsive to me and asked me if I wanted to have Xanax for breakthrough (which still sometimes happens very rarely) but I refused.

I firmly believe that for some people Xanax is bad stuff, (for me unpredictable behavior).

Just like I believe (also from experience) that Marijuana is bad stuff.

I find it so amusing the hippy attitude of pot smokers that Marijuana is some kind of cure-all. If you have REAL Panic/Agoraphobia you know this is not the case as it caused terrible paranoid attacks and physically painful anxiety.

Did you have a tough time getting off of Effexor or are you still taking it?

Mike

I took Effexor for about 6 mths and the withdrawals were awful. I had those brain zaps for months. Khilee

I had a very difficult time getting off but I no longer take it.

Many of the drugs that are supposed to be non-addicting or safe, basically all of which are non-scheduled are much more dangerous and harmful than benzos.

Effexor is a perfect example.

Drugs are not put on the specific federal schedules based on whether they are dangerous or harmful.
The DEA schedules and controls medications based on their potential for abuse and accepted medical use.
Were you abusing the Effexor?

Point taken, True, I was not abusing the Effexor, but it was certainly abusing me.

And I am not abusing my benzos either, but rather taking them as prescribed.

Klonopin 2x day, Ativan prn


And my quality of life is 1000% of what it was - I can date, have sex, go to a concert, or movie.

Instead of hiding in my house.

well out of the four ive tried valium is the best...not as abusable as xanax, ativan, nitrazepam.

I was actually taking a pretty low dose (225mg a day), but it was still brutal to get off of.

I've only taken lorazepam and xanax and I'd have to say xanax is much more effective for anxiety without causing too much drowsiness, as lorazepam tends to.

"I find it so amusing the hippy attitude of pot smokers that Marijuana is some kind of cure-all. If you have REAL Panic/Agoraphobia you know this is not the case as it caused terrible paranoid attacks and physically painful anxiety. "
I totally agree with you on that one. Weed has got to be the worst thing to consider for anxiety/panic attacks.

Wow, seriously?! who would consider weed for panic attacks? one of the more common side effects is paranoia

If you don't believe me, go look on erowid.

I know for a fact that mj causes paranoia (in some people) but seriously people, MJ is the least of the DEA's worries when it comes to drugs. MJ isnt physically addcitive unlike benzos and opiates. If I liked MJ, Id actually prefer it over any benzo. Lot less problems long term.

Oh for sure. There are numerous, documented medical uses for marijuana. Its actually quite an amazing substance; it does far more (as in, helps with a large range of illnesses) than what most other drugs can claim.

And I wasn't suggesting that it causes paranoia in everyone. This is only in some people as you said mysharona. Still, the fact that paranoia is a possible side effect should lead to the conclusion that marijuana isnt suggested for use in relieving anxiety or panic attacks.

Anyway. sorry to get off topic! As far as classical benzos go, I prefer Valium. Its long lasting, and as far as relieving general anxiety its hard to beat, unless you need something stronger or short-acting.