papertrees Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'm thinking of asking my pdoc for a benzo for breakthrough anxiety attacks. Anyone can suggest what I should ask for? I need something that works fast and is relatively long-lasting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiaB Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'd go for sublingual ativan if you need something that works fast. I'm not sure how long it stays in your system, however. I personally prefer valium - it takes about 20 mins to kick in for me and lasts for several hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jimjab Posted July 20, 2008 Share Posted July 20, 2008 I'm thinking of asking my pdoc for a benzo for breakthrough anxiety attacks. Anyone can suggest what I should ask for? I need something that works fast and is relatively long-lasting. 4 seizures I first had ativan. Worked for awhile, but then it was not so good. I believe it will stay in the system for 3 days which was good. Now on valium which dissolves & kicks in quicker than ativan, but doesn't remain as long. For me, ativan made me doped up & tired, while valium does not. All you can do is start on the top of the list & go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted July 22, 2008 Author Share Posted July 22, 2008 Okay thank you. I need something that isn't so sedating, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit37 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 For me, klonopin isn't sedating, it just chills me out. And yeah, it's pretty fast acting, especially when I chew them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kst7488 Posted July 22, 2008 Share Posted July 22, 2008 they are all somewhat sedating ro calming its the dosages that that can make you moreso sleepy. ativan made me very tired when i was up to 4 mg a day. im on 1 mg a day of klonopin now and i dont even need naps anymore. plus i find it easier to socially drink and not get wacked out then when i was on ativan. go for klonopin or valium thaey take a bit longer then ativan to kick in but they last longer in your system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted July 25, 2008 Author Share Posted July 25, 2008 okay. thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaryPoppins Posted July 25, 2008 Share Posted July 25, 2008 I take both Clonazapam and Lorazepam, and I'd definitely go with the Clonazepam (Klonopin). It chills me out without any side effects that I notice and it works fairly fast. I take 1 mg three times per day and augment it with 1mg Lorazepam (Ativan) twice a day. It seems to act a bit slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthOfQuirky Posted August 9, 2008 Share Posted August 9, 2008 How often do you have breakthrough anxiety? How long does it last? For me, it only takes an itsy-bitsy, teeny-tiny dose (.25 mg to .5 mg) of Xanax under the tongue to quell a panic attack or severe-but-momentary anxiety. If you just get extremely anxious in spurts, it might not be an idea to go for a low dose of under-the-tongue (is that sublingual?) Xanax. But the long lasting thing, I'd opt for Ativan or Klonopin--probably Klonopin. Thing is, if you need it to kick in right away, you're S.O.L. It takes a good half hour before you start to feel calmer, and an hour before full effects typically set in. But maybe a daily low dose of Klonopin would work for you instead of taking it as needed? (I'm no doctor.) One thing, though. When I first started taking Klonopin, it made me EXTREMELY tired. We're talking falling asleep at the wheel. So take the "don't operate machinery" warning seriously until your system gets used to it. However, don't quit! After about a week, I found the sleepiness had subsided, and Klonopin actually INCREASED my energy level. (I never would've guessed anxiety could be so exhausting that being on a benzo could actually perk you up?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
papertrees Posted August 11, 2008 Author Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thanks. I will talk to my doctor about it, though the addition of Invega to my cocktail of Abilify and Topamax had quelled the anxiety attacks almost instantly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.