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JoshCallahan wrote:These sorts of medications present a difficult choice for many, and are often given out like candy by doctors with out fully explaining the side effects never the less the difficulty you will experience trying to get off the. Lorazepam is addictive because it is a so short acting, thus requiring 3 to 4 doses per day. Eventually your body builds a tolerance and or dependence towards it and will require a larger dose. How do you tell you have a problem? Well as Dr. Mark Viner (aka doctorofmindmd on youtube) put it if you are taking it every four hours and find self becoming agitated if you do not you more then likely have a problem. The hard part about this all is some really cannot function without this sort of medication, and unless you your self have suffered from debilitating anxiety it is really hard to understand just how hard this really is. Medication is never an easy choice, but what is? would you rather function or sit and suffer its a hard choice for many. I know it was for me. Pro tip though this medication is only fda approved for 8 weeks of use so if your dr gives you more then that you might want to question his motives.

49er wrote:Josh,

You just make the point that I neglected to make regarding addiction. If something is so short acting that you need more of it in spite of taking it as prescribed by your doctor, then what should this be called if technically it isn't addiction?

Kate M wrote:

49er wrote:Josh,

You just make the point that I neglected to make regarding addiction. If something is so short acting that you need more of it in spite of taking it as prescribed by your doctor, then what should this be called if technically it isn't addiction?

This has been answered. Josh used the correct terms in his post. Tolerance would explain the need for increased dosage needs (as would a worsening of the underlying condition.)

49er wrote:

Kate M wrote:

49er wrote:Josh,

You just make the point that I neglected to make regarding addiction. If something is so short acting that you need more of it in spite of taking it as prescribed by your doctor, then what should this be called if technically it isn't addiction?

This has been answered. Josh used the correct terms in his post. Tolerance would explain the need for increased dosage needs (as would a worsening of the underlying condition.)

He also said it was addictive because of the short half life.

49er

49er wrote:Hi Josh,

You might want to check this post out on how to deal with anxiety. In my opinion, it is one of the best ones I have seen.

http://www.paxilprogress.org/forums/sho ... hp?t=49645

Disclaimer - It is on a med withdrawal board but hopefully, you can look past that and give it a shot. Also, I am not trying to discourage you from taking meds but simply to give you another way to get relief from what sounds like a debilitating condition.

Anyway, the reason I like it is it stresses you should welcome your anxiety vs. running way from it. That makes sense to me because many times when I have had uncomfortable feelings, they disappear more quickly when I don't fight them. Unfortunately, I don't always succeed but I try.

I hope it is helpful.

49er

Kate M wrote:

49er wrote:

Kate M wrote:

49er wrote:Josh,

You just make the point that I neglected to make regarding addiction. If something is so short acting that you need more of it in spite of taking it as prescribed by your doctor, then what should this be called if technically it isn't addiction?

This has been answered. Josh used the correct terms in his post. Tolerance would explain the need for increased dosage needs (as would a worsening of the underlying condition.)

He also said it was addictive because of the short half life.

49er

I'm assuming you read my post that outlines the difference between addiction and dependence. Just because something has the potential for dependence and/or addiction, it does not change the fact that one can become physically dependent without being addicted. I did not make up the definitions, I presented the facts.

SleepyonMagnoliaSt wrote:I take a benzo too. I take 10mg of Lexapro a day and .5 mg of Clonazepam twice a day.

I hope that with diagnosis and treatment of my apnea my anxiety will be less. But without medication I am unable to function with my anxiety and PTSD. I've had therapy, tried all the natural remedies, and sometimes medication does help and is needed

49er wrote:

SleepyonMagnoliaSt wrote:I take a benzo too. I take 10mg of Lexapro a day and .5 mg of Clonazepam twice a day.

I hope that with diagnosis and treatment of my apnea my anxiety will be less. But without medication I am unable to function with my anxiety and PTSD. I've had therapy, tried all the natural remedies, and sometimes medication does help and is needed

No argument whatsoever Sleepy. As long as you are making a fully informed choice and it sounds like you are, that is all that matters.

49er

SleepyonMagnoliaSt wrote:

49er wrote:

SleepyonMagnoliaSt wrote:I take a benzo too. I take 10mg of Lexapro a day and .5 mg of Clonazepam twice a day.

I hope that with diagnosis and treatment of my apnea my anxiety will be less. But without medication I am unable to function with my anxiety and PTSD. I've had therapy, tried all the natural remedies, and sometimes medication does help and is needed

No argument whatsoever Sleepy. As long as you are making a fully informed choice and it sounds like you are, that is all that matters.

49er

Since I started my meds in November I have noticed a significant increase in my symptoms of apnea. But at the same time I'm able to function without having flashbacks and without having panic attacks every hours.

So it really is a catch 22 thing.

Praying treatment of Apnea will help my anxiety and I could get off meds. Because I hate being on meds at all

49er wrote:Kate,

I did read your post and for various reasons, I have avoided responding as I don't want to say the wrong thing.

My point with the other post is you said Josh used the correct terminology and I was trying point out that at one point, he had used the "a" word.

Kate M wrote:

49er wrote:Kate,

I did read your post and for various reasons, I have avoided responding as I don't want to say the wrong thing.

My point with the other post is you said Josh used the correct terminology and I was trying point out that at one point, he had used the "a" word.

Uncle.
Use the word however you want, 49er.

(I do think it is pretty funny though that people who truly ARE addicts don't want that word within a mile of them and will deny it vehemently, but there seem to be people who WANT the title. So be it. It is what it is.)

Blessings,

Kate