Poll: Anxiety pre and post-benzos...

[[br...]]

Very simple.

 

This is a commonly asked question around here, but I'm really curious as to how people feel. I've heard various answers, but I thought we could quickly get a show of hands.

 

So, here it is..

 

On a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the WORST you've ever been. (Not the worst you COULD be, but just your personal WORST days) .....

 

What was your anxiety/panic level PRE-benzo?

 

What was it post, as in during stages of WD?

 

If you didn't have anxiety or panic as part of your reason for taking, please reply still! Even more interesting to know if the meds changed anything either way.

 

Bonus points to those who may be out of what they'd consider bad withdrawal.... and what their rating became after the worst of WD was over?

 

 

[[Ho...]]

I had no history of anxiety prior to benzo use/WD.  I didn't even understand what a panic attack was.  Post benzos, I have experienced the most unbelievable anxiety.  I still can't leave my house for the most part due to agoraphobia.  I have had countless panic attacks and experience anxiety doing the simplest of things.  I also suffer from a lot of physical anxiety in the mornings.  ALL of this anxiety is withdrawal induced! 

[[an...]]

5 pre benzos  10 after even now at 2 years off

[[br...]]

Here's mine...

 

I'd say my pre-benzo anxiety was a 7, overall.

 

Post, it was much closer to 9.

 

Now, it's hard to know for sure... because I have so much better coping tools now than I did when I first got hit with anxiety and panic.  So, had I known how to manage

panic/anxiety naturally from the get-go instead of being jerked around by doctors... my level may have been much lower. But, in fairness... I didn't know how to deal with it, and

so I thought it WAS bad enough to seek meds.

 

I'll say this though... I'm convinced my top 5 worst experiences were all either drug related. (My first attack, then a bunch of horror-shows I'm sure were xanax WD related.)

 

 

 

[[br...]]

I had no history of anxiety prior to benzo use/WD.  I didn't even understand what a panic attack was.  Post benzos, I have experienced the most unbelievable anxiety.  I still can't leave my house for the most part due to agoraphobia.  I have had countless panic attacks and experience anxiety doing the simplest of things.  I also suffer from a lot of physical anxiety in the mornings.  ALL of this anxiety is withdrawal induced!

 

Hope, why were you on the med?

[[br...]]

Sorry guys, it appears they've moved this thread. Feels like over-moderation, really.

 

This is directly related to current WD issues for most of us and could help people currently withdrawing. it's intended as a support thread and far from

light-hearted "chewing the fat."

 

Sorry guys, was hoping this thread could shed some light for us all.

[[Im...]]

I'd say my worst anxiety before was around a 4-5, but mostly around a 2 or lower... with the exception of a brief period coinciding with bereavement, so I'm not sure that directly counts. In w/d, I'm at a 4 or 5 almost all the time, often spend days in the 6-7, can't leave the house range - and during the two weeks I went c/t I had horrific, 8 or 9 level panic attacks. I can't WAIT to get back to 4-5 being a sign something is really stressing me out!

[[Fr...]]

 

 

Pre Benzo - 5 (reason I got on them) Was a transition stage in my life and I didnt know how to cope. Before that, I had no idea what anxiety was nor felt it.

 

Worst part of w/d - definite 10. I was having panic and anxiety everyday. Glad that time is behind me.

 

Lower dose in taper - Almost non existent. I am convinced that the reasons why I had bad anxiety during the times of taking benzos, were because of the pill itself. But now since I am almost done with my taper and on such a low consistent dose, anxiety has faded and thats what I was rx'd for. I havent had a panic attack for quite some time now too. Dont get me wrong, I still experience some anxiety, but it is so so small that its almost just saying I get mildly nervous. I dont freak out like I used to for the 4 years and during w/d.

[[...]]

What was your anxiety/panic level PRE-benzo? Never had panic pre-benzo, only situational anxiety, which was usually about a 2-3 in magnitude.  The worse was when I had to fly on a plane and even then it was probably about a 5 (never panic level).

 

What was it post, as in during stages of WD? It's been up to a 10+ since I've had akathisia and terror which are basically extremes of anxiety

[[no...]]

I went on klonopin for anxiety. had episode of intense anxiety...like a big panic attack that would not subside. During my use of klon I still had some big anxiety episodes. And post?! Whoa. off the charts. Post benzo it has been more steadily severe than anything I ever had prior. My ratings- pre-7, during-7,post- 9.

I need to stress that these numbers are rating the worst time of each period.

[[br...]]

MMIR,

 

How are you doing now, any progress?

 

Frontsider,

 

Curious... are you off now or still tapering? Sig says you're still on right?  Or...?

[[Fr...]]

 

 

Frontsider,

 

Curious... are you off now or still tapering? Sig says you're still on right?  Or...?

 

Yes, I am still tapering. Has been a crazy ride, but since I have gotten under 2mg it has been relatively smooth. Some days I experience random w/d symptoms, but anxiety does not accompany it.

 

I had anxiety pretty much everyday for 4 years. I never attributed it to the fact I was taking valium everyday. And obviously my psychiatrist just assumed I had GAD or panic disorder and tried pushing higher doses at me or an AD. Never went there, luckily. It just makes perfect sense that my anxiety would dissipate now. It is almost common sense. I was taking a very inconsistent and higher dose of valium when anxiety (and the life that accompanies someone who is always prone to panic) was frequent. And now that I am on consistent low dose, it is almost as if I was on nothing at all and the anxiety has slowly worked its way out of my life.

 

Of course, during the times when anxiety was at its worst during the early part of my taper, I learned ways to cope with beating anxiety and read some great books. That could be a part of it. But, I have felt so much better, like my brain is alive once again that I can say it is because of the drug slowly but surely leaving my body. It can only get better as time goes on. I never thought this day would come (not being anxiety ridden) ... I was told I that there is no cure for GAD, well, maybe there isnt, but I was told I had it during the time of taking valium, since it had gotten worse a couple months after I started. I believe that I will soon forget about this time of my life in the future. Even though it lasted several years. Kind of wild. I hope to spread the message and what I have learned through out this.

[[sp...]]

my story is all caught up in other drugs.

 

pre-benzo: 3-10 depending on a lot of things; had a heavy DP/DR period after a heavy LSD period.

while on benzos: 2-7 depending on what else was going on, and also on other drugs. Caffeine + pot could always kick me up to what felt like a 10.

while tapering and still taking other drugs: 5-8 mostly

now tapering and totally abstinent from other drugs: 2-4 mostly

 

I'm also doing a shitload of other things "right", though, such as reasonable diet, exercise, meditating, etc

[[br...]]

Frontsider,

 

Keep up the good fight.

 

BTW, whoever told you there is no "cure" for GAD is insane. Go look up Claire Weekes - Hope and Help for your Nerves on Amazon and read the reviews.

MOST people recover completely, I believe. Some take longer... some get it to a manageable point and live with some.

 

You're living proof that people get better, so I don't need to tell you.  Looking forward to joining you at some point.

[[Fr...]]

Those are the books I read my friend! Claire Weekes helped me tremendously. I bought that book as well as peace for nervous suffering. I love her work, what I liked especially was how it was written in plain english, not a bunch of psychobabble and stuff you really have to sit and think about or things that are broken down so much that they are too hard to understand.

 

I hope too you will join the ranks of the many that have overcome anxiety and its nonsense. If I can beat it, anyone can. We are all here together and all will overcome and succeed! 

[[Ho...]]

Bryan- I was put on because my GP thought it would help me "cope" with my mother passing away of brain cancer at a young age.  I would say my pre-benzo anxiety was anywhere between a 0-2 when I was faced with a very challenging situation.  Post benzo, I would say 10+ most of the time for the last 8 months.  These drugs really are unreal.

[[br...]]

Hang in there hope. I hope you get a window soon. Remember, all of these stories end in success.

Yours will too.

[[no...]]

Unreal is right. I constantly wonder at the magnitude of the w/d anxiety. I guess this thread is a good one to ask- what does chemical mean, as far as anxiety?

[[Fl...]]

Before- 5

During wd- 8.5

[[Bi...]]

Before - 5

During w/d - 9

(It's more of a dread if anything)

[[bl...]]

What was your anxiety/panic level PRE-benzo? 9 (agorophobic and wouldn't leave my room, panic attacks ran rampant without medication for almost ten years)

 

What was it post, as in during stages of WD?  3 (just some panic attacks when driving or lecturing) -- I am w/drawing right now and am at a 1/2, not really feeling anxious at all

 

I'm reading the thread now and totally surprised to see that most had the opposite that I did, with more anxiety or panic after w/d. I wonder if it's because for severe agorophobics like me, I had trained well in CBT and biofeedback and stuff already before going on Xanax.

 

Trying EMDR next week for the first time to deal with my fear of driving that is new. I'm hoping it works. Very much.

[[ka...]]

had no anxiety b4 taking benzo was put on them to help with withdrawls from getting off amltriptline was put on anltriptline for female pain

[[th...]]

1 or 2 before benzos.  It would only raise in certain situations where you expect it to go higher.  Anything out of my comfort zone.  Now it's at an 7 or 8 most of the time during withdrawal.  I haven't felt rested in a long time.  I'm looking forward to being tired in the morning instead of feeling wired. 

[[km...]]

I had 0 anxiety/panic before I had my daughter 3 days later I had panic/anxiety 24/7 which is why I was put on the k in the 1st place.  Now 19 months off benzo anxiety at a 10 for the full 8 hours I'm at work and about a 5 all other times. 

 

Hugs

Kmarie

[Guest [Da...]]

Pre-benzos: could deal with anxiety and had coping strategies. Was working and able to handle stress at work. Actually enjoyed a stressful work environment.

 

Lost job; put on Paxil (anti-dep) for depression. Paxil made me more anxious and then I had one panic attack one year later plus anxiety issues. Put on Clonazepam for anxiety. On Clonazepam - anxiety was about 6-8 (just took a pill to make it go away, but then depression hit me hard). Still worked for me as a sedative. Unable to handle any stress anymore.

 

Tapering on Valium - so far anxiety comes and goes but mostly manageable. Anxiety seems to be a bit different...can't explain it, but I know it will go away. A bit of being housebound (I'm not afraid to leave the house) so I won't say I have agorophobia. So, while tapering, I give it 4-5 right now.

 

Danni