Hi Bob,

Thanks for the feedback.

You and I are pretty much at the same dosage - so, it will be interesting to compare notes as we tick off the weeks. I reduce my dosage on Saturdays.

Take care!

V.

Me too! What titration schedule are you using? I'm planning to reduce my dosage this coming Saturday, but my proposed reduction is too high, I think. I'd like to halve it again.

Important question: What time of the day do you take your dosage or dosages? I just switched my dosage time from 10AM to 1PM, the thought being that the anxiolytic effects would continue further into the afternoon and may diminish my desire to start drinking for the evening. I figured that I may as well use my remaining benzo dosage to my advantage while I continue to titrate down.

Bob

Hi Bob,

Regarding the schedule that I'm using, please see my post (in this thread) dated 30 June. I know I've mentioned Prof Ashton's website before but, for convenience, here it is again:

http://www.benzo.org.uk/index.htm

I take my dosages at approx. 11:00 am and approx. 11:00 pm.

All the best.

V.

Hi Folks,

According to this thread, there appears to be just seven members (including myself) who are currently taking benzos. Since this thread was started, I've always felt that it was a valuable way for benzo-takers to compare notes. It is particularly useful for those who have decided to withdraw from benzos. For the record, I am currently taking a dosage of clonazepam, which is equivalent to 2.2 mg diazepam per day.

So, if you're a benzo-taker and you haven't yet joined the benzo bunch, why not join us?

V.

Call me number 8. I've on clonipin for almost four years. I take 1.25 mgs. 1xper day. Only at night. I wonder if it's contributing to the slow progress (non, really) that I,ve had. I,m still early on the nal, but I'm seeing NOTHING at all. Infact, I'm drinking more than usual. I NEED my clonopin for peace of mind. I don't ever increase it, but the few times that I've tried to bring it down, It's been a nightmare. So, I'll just stay where I am. I've started BUsPar. Nothing yet. I keep hearing about Baclofen. What,s up with it? I'd love to find an alternative for the benzos.

ABNYC,

If you haven't already done so, I suggest that you take a look at viewtopic.php?f=15&t=388.

All the best.

V.

I haven't yet started TSM, but this thread's so relevant to me, as I've been on diazepam for about eight months now.

I have GAD and also suffer from depression. I was taking up to 10 mg of diazepam a day at the depths of my drinking, but after chemical detox was steady on a maximum of 3 mg per week during abstinence just when needed, and feeling like I would be able to get down further.

Since lapsing anxiety went through the roof, and I have been back on up to 2mg a day for the last few days. This is not a lot I am sure for someone with GAD, but my doctor seems to think so. I have the feeling he is as inexperienced with GAD as he is with addiction.

I'm worried that my GP will refuse to continue to prescribe at that level if I continue drinking. What my psychiatrist will say on the matter I have no idea, but there may be more hope there.

I would prefer an alternative for my extreme bouts of anxiety, am aware that benzos can interfere with TSM success, and would be grateful for any advice.

If I do not have anything my only option is to self-medicate with drink, and last time I was forced down that road by an unsupportive doctor I almost killed myself

Hi 8,

Have you tried non-medication approaches to managing anxiety? I'm referring to psychotherapy and relaxation techniques. As you know from PMs I've sent you, I also suffer from GAD and depression. I do find that relaxation techniques can help with anxiety but, like learning to ride a bicycle, "practice makes perfect". I have by no means perfected any technique but I have improved as time goes by. I suggest you may want to take a look at http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Relaxat ... rcises.htm.

In the field of psychotherapy, there is something known as CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy), which can be useful with anxiety. Again, you may want to check it out at http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Cogniti ... erapy-(CBT).htm. I have found CBT to be lacking in some areas but it works well for many people. My therapy of choice is Schema Therapy. To coin a famous beer advertisement, Schema Therapy reaches the parts that other therapies cannot reach (please excuse my being flippant).

All the best.

V.

Hi Virgil

Thanks so much again for the excellent advice and the links. I've had a quick look but will return for a proper read asap.

I've always been an anxious person, and have used relaxation and meditation techniques since my teens (nigh on twenty years now). They work short-term for lower levels of anxiety, and also I believe in the longer-term to an extent, though that's much harder to qualify. Tai Chi also helped me amazingly in the past, and is something I want to take up again asap.

The GAD I've suffered with in the last few years is in a different league, though. When it strikes nothing I've learnt in the past even touches it. It feels like I'm strapped to a rocket, and can come from nowhere and at any time.

I've had group therapy recently which helped a lot, but as soon as it finished my anxiety returned (actually where the spike came from at the weekend rather than my drinking I believe, with hindsight). Today I started seeing a therapist privately who 'loves' dealing with anxiety and offered loads of insight, including a powerful yet simple visualisation technique that I'd be happy to share. I'm also starting CBT, and counselling for trauma next month, so am hopeful.

In the meantime diazepam works fantastically well for the anxiety spikes and panic attacks, but I'm concerned about using it on a number of levels. Are there any medical alternatives anyone knows of?

Hi 8,

I know exactly what you mean by "It feels like I'm strapped to a rocket...". Recently on this forum, I compared a panic attack as going from 0 to 60 faster than a Formula 1 Ferrari!

Regarding your question about medical alternatives (medications), I reckon I must have tried them all - with only minimal success.

BTW, sorry to everyone if this post scrolls off the RH side of the screen. I am investigating this with N101CS.

V.