Question posted by Hjgybbb on 1 Feb 2022
Last updated on 3 February 2022
If you took a benzo to help you get through while you were waiting for your SSRI to kick in could you please share the following information?
1. What does on benzo?
2. How long did you need to take it for?
3. Did you need to wean or taper or did the SSRI just kick in and you no longer needed it?
TIA for sharing.
^1. What DOSE of benzo.
I took lorazepam 14 years ago. I took it alongside 20mg lexapro.
I was on 1mg which I took early evening.
I took it too long, roughly twelve months ( nine months of withdrawal) that was because my psychiatrist neglected to instruct me on when to come off. I thought it was a long term medication!
After four weeks of taking the medication it started to backfire on me. Increased anxiety and insomnia were just two of the problems I faced. I didn’t realise until later that was the benzodiazepine, I thought my mental illness was getting worse.
Thankfully I sought a doctors advice regarding weaning off. I was told that I had to do it very slowly and carefully. It took me nine months. Because I did it so slowly I did not suffer withdrawal symptoms.
If you can manage without a benzodiazepine I would encourage you to do so.
Catholicmom how did you taper and did you find and how long did it take to feel relief?
I really did not get much help from my doctor regards tapering. I basically had to do my own research.
I used a Gemini scale ( EBay) and did Micro tapers over a nine month period. Slow and steady wins the race!
The lower I got in regards to lorazepam dose The better I felt. It was an eye opener really. I was blaming the antidepressant ( lexapro) for not working but in reality it was the benzodiazepine that was causing me unpleasantness side effects ( anxiety, insomnia, panic)
Thankful my slow and steady withdrawal saved me from unpleasantness side effects. I was one of the lucky ones!
Some people become dependent on benzodiazepines after only a few doses. For me it was one month before I reached tolerance.
I am thankful that most doctors do not prescribe them so easily these days.
Depending on the SSRIs that you are on, it may take 4 to 6 or 8 weeks for the full therapeutic effect of the antidepressant to kick in and although it seems like a good idea to take a benzo, I do not recommend it, as benzodiazepines as you know are very addicting and getting off of them is quite difficult even when taken short term ( 3 to 4 weeks), and then you would have to deal with discontinuing the benzo gradually and I believe it would be more harmful than beneficial for you.
For anxiety I suggest you ask your DR. about Buspar (Buspirone), it is an anti-anxiety medication it is not habit forming and has less potential side effects.
I appreciate your help and concern. I’m hoping to hear from people who can answer the questions above. I am aware of the risks associated with benzodiazepines.
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