1st February 2004
Hello Banker
Well - I know you will know that I would not dream of commenting on your medical treatment. That is for you and your doctor.
I simply posted the piece on benzos for information purposes. And as a warning to those who take benzos without understanding the possible consequences.
Rik is someone who suffered from taking and withdrawing from, benzos - he is very knowledgeable.
If you really want information - objective, scientific, and anecdotal information then you should go to benzo org uk - it is all there. Hugely informative site. Indeed - if you want to discuss your own situation w r t the drugs - there are people in there who will offer an opinion and advice - I simply am not qualified to so do. People who have had very difficult medical histories and who have found themselves then dependent on benzos (esp xanax in the US) - and who have decided that a lot of their symptoms are now down to the very drugs themselves. They then seek to come off them - and the trouble begins.
(BTW - xanax is not prescribed at all in the UK - as far as I know. Halcion was banned a couple of years ago)
Many people are horribly shocked when, after years of use, they find themselves addicted to benzos. Especially having used them exactly as prescribed by their doctors. The trouble with benzos is that they are actually effective for only 2 or 3 weeks. After that - they actually start to cause the very side effects for which they were originally prescribed - anxiety, depression, insomnia etc (This is well documented - it is even now stated on the warnings given out with the drugs - well - here anyway - may not be so yet in US) I believe they were indeed originally used in anaesthetics - and are still used for that purpose - in fact - many doctors in Europe now argue that that should be their only use. At the moment there is proposed legislation in UK about stricter control of benzos....... I believe it is proceeding thro Parliament. If you are interested - then I will try and find out.
Perhaps, Banker, you are one of the fortunate ones and are not yet dependent? A sure way of finding out is simply to stop for a day or two - you will know.
If you really desire to come off xanax - then again I would refer you to the Ashton Manual (available online) and the benzo org site. The owner of the site has such knowledge and will speak to you on a one to one basis - should you so wish. He was on benzos for over 20 years and then suffered an overly fast taper with the awful consequences of protracted withdrawal symptoms which continue to this day - years after having taken his last pill. I simply could not have withdrawn from ativan without his help and the support of people on that site. He will lead you thro it day by day........... never flinching in his support. Professor Ashton is herself still involved in the benzo world and the site owner cetainly has her ear.
If you are interested - there is a member called Howard who is posting at the moment in the Depression board - who has found himself dependent on xanax - and he describes his struggle in trying to come off. It really makes an interesting read.
I am sorry to sound so cold, Banker - I just dont know what to say to you. You have to reach your own decision about this. Perhaps you dont want to come off xanax? But if you do - then your best way forward is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. Then - perhaps tackle your doctor about it? Ask him how he would suggest you withdraw?
But for sheer information you could not do better than the uk benzo site. If you type benzodiazepine into google - you will see the site immediately.
Good luck
If I can help with any more information - let me know?
Y
Well - I know you will know that I would not dream of commenting on your medical treatment. That is for you and your doctor.
I simply posted the piece on benzos for information purposes. And as a warning to those who take benzos without understanding the possible consequences.
Rik is someone who suffered from taking and withdrawing from, benzos - he is very knowledgeable.
If you really want information - objective, scientific, and anecdotal information then you should go to benzo org uk - it is all there. Hugely informative site. Indeed - if you want to discuss your own situation w r t the drugs - there are people in there who will offer an opinion and advice - I simply am not qualified to so do. People who have had very difficult medical histories and who have found themselves then dependent on benzos (esp xanax in the US) - and who have decided that a lot of their symptoms are now down to the very drugs themselves. They then seek to come off them - and the trouble begins.
(BTW - xanax is not prescribed at all in the UK - as far as I know. Halcion was banned a couple of years ago)
Many people are horribly shocked when, after years of use, they find themselves addicted to benzos. Especially having used them exactly as prescribed by their doctors. The trouble with benzos is that they are actually effective for only 2 or 3 weeks. After that - they actually start to cause the very side effects for which they were originally prescribed - anxiety, depression, insomnia etc (This is well documented - it is even now stated on the warnings given out with the drugs - well - here anyway - may not be so yet in US) I believe they were indeed originally used in anaesthetics - and are still used for that purpose - in fact - many doctors in Europe now argue that that should be their only use. At the moment there is proposed legislation in UK about stricter control of benzos....... I believe it is proceeding thro Parliament. If you are interested - then I will try and find out.
Perhaps, Banker, you are one of the fortunate ones and are not yet dependent? A sure way of finding out is simply to stop for a day or two - you will know.
If you really desire to come off xanax - then again I would refer you to the Ashton Manual (available online) and the benzo org site. The owner of the site has such knowledge and will speak to you on a one to one basis - should you so wish. He was on benzos for over 20 years and then suffered an overly fast taper with the awful consequences of protracted withdrawal symptoms which continue to this day - years after having taken his last pill. I simply could not have withdrawn from ativan without his help and the support of people on that site. He will lead you thro it day by day........... never flinching in his support. Professor Ashton is herself still involved in the benzo world and the site owner cetainly has her ear.
If you are interested - there is a member called Howard who is posting at the moment in the Depression board - who has found himself dependent on xanax - and he describes his struggle in trying to come off. It really makes an interesting read.
I am sorry to sound so cold, Banker - I just dont know what to say to you. You have to reach your own decision about this. Perhaps you dont want to come off xanax? But if you do - then your best way forward is to arm yourself with as much information as possible. Then - perhaps tackle your doctor about it? Ask him how he would suggest you withdraw?
But for sheer information you could not do better than the uk benzo site. If you type benzodiazepine into google - you will see the site immediately.
Good luck
If I can help with any more information - let me know?
Y