Please explain..What's the danger here?

[NYTeach]

Hi everyone,

This is probably a question for that benzo website but I don't go there and I don't want to. I know someone here will have the answer.

As you may know, I work at a school and so many of my co-workers "take something." Actually, the more I read and ask around, I realize almost everyone, everywhere, "takes something".

Anyhow, someone said today that prior to going on a plane, they "take a xanax." I guess some people take them occasionally prior to or during a stressful event.

What is the danger of this? I'm not thinking of ever doing it, but I'm just wondering - because I didn't know anything about all these meds until a few months ago and almost everything I know I 've learned at PaxilProgress.

Thanks,
Helen

[texgirl]

Generally speaking, there's little danger in using a benzo on rare occasions for things like flying, if someone is especially anxious or fearful. It will relax you and take the edge off, much like a glass of wine. The danger comes when you start taking them regularly to relax, or "just in case" a situation may become uncomfortable, like when you fear the onset of a panic attack. Not only can they cause addiction/dependency very quickly (unlike social drinking, you can't be a social benzo user, at least not for long), but you're relying on a pill for relief rather than learning valuable coping skills to manage anxiety and stress.

[blankets]

They also tend to have one of the most brutal withdrawals - I've heard worse than ADs for some people.

[scotty]

For a single event, like flying, I have no problem with xanax.

[texgirl]

Originally Posted by blankets

They also tend to have one of the most brutal withdrawals - I've heard worse than ADs for some people.

So true! Many people say withdrawing from benzos is worse than kicking heroin. (I've never used heroin, so I can't compare.) I tapered slowly off Klonopin rather than almost-CT'ing off Paxil, so for me benzo w/d wasn't as bad. But it can definitely be brutal. If you think some of the stories on PP are scary, try looking at some of the benzo-withdrawal websites. What many of the people there have been through is chilling--all the more so because it's legal and usually physician-sanctioned.

[LinLou]

For me, benzos blew my brains out. I was bad from Zoloft withdrawal, but Ativan was sooooooo much harder to get off.

I think benzos are ok if used for pre-op or a one time thing like flying. Never ever is it ok to be used daily for more than 2-4 weeks. After that you are playing Russian Roulette with your brain.

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by scotty

For a single event, like flying, I have no problem with xanax.

I'm not a fan of flying, but I'd even be leary of taking one for just a flight. I'd feel more comfortable with good old fashioned valium, or booze.

Of course, I never take anything and just white knuckle it, till we're up in the air

[scotty]

Oh, I wouldn't take anything either. I'd drive first! But one dose of xanax is not going to be a problem for the majority.

[LCrawford67]

Originally Posted by scotty

Oh, I wouldn't take anything either. I'd drive first! But one dose of xanax is not going to be a problem for the majority.

LOL!! Driving's usually what I end up doing too!

[Katesmom]

I had a valium before I had my wisdom teeth out because I was so nervous about the IV. It did exactly what I needed it to do, but I was completely wasted. How people can walk around and act normal on that stuff is beyond me. But, at that time, for what I needed, it was perfect. I've never had one again.

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by LCrawford67

I'm not a fan of flying, but I'd even be leary of taking one for just a flight. I'd feel more comfortable with good old fashioned valium, or booze.

Of course, I never take anything and just white knuckle it, till we're up in the air

That's probably a smart choice, LC. My mom, who is terrified of flying, took a half a Xanax for a flight for a family vacation. Even one dose was enough to cause rebound anxiety for her afterward.

Margaret

[TryingtoGetWell]

Originally Posted by Katesmom

I had a valium before I had my wisdom teeth out because I was so nervous about the IV. It did exactly what I needed it to do, but I was completely wasted. How people can walk around and act normal on that stuff is beyond me. But, at that time, for what I needed, it was perfect. I've never had one again.

Some people are far more sensitive to meds like these than others, just as people have such dramatically different responses to taking paxil and such. Same with alcohol too; some people barely feel the effects of a drink or more than one drink; other people get tipsy from one glass of wine. I think there are very real physical differences to account for differing reactions - something doctors fail to see when prescribing "normal" doses of medications (or refusing to take patients seriously about their reactions being different from what the doctor is told to expect).

And while some people are highly sensitive to just about any meds, some people seem to be find on some but have huge reactions to others. Seems to depend on individual body chemistry. Medical science tends to act like we're all cut from cookie cutters, but actually responses vary enormously and it often has nothing to do with size, gender, or any of the things people think it does.

My parents had dramatically different reactions to both alcohol and medicaitons (including SSRIs). Both had huge sensitivities to some and huge tolerances for others - but each responded differently to each kind of substance, so it has to be individual physical makeup.

[NYTeach]

Thank you, everyone, for your very informative replies. I knew I would find answers here.

By the way:

I'm very sensitive to meds.
I don't drink.
I don't smoke.
I've never learned to drive.

And I've managed just fine until this summer - I'll get there again!

Thanks!
Helen

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by TryingtoGetWell

Some people are far more sensitive to meds like these than others, just as people have such dramatically different responses to taking paxil and such. Same with alcohol too; some people barely feel the effects of a drink or more than one drink; other people get tipsy from one glass of wine.

That is so true. I can actually feel even one sip of alcohol in my muscles. Even if I take one sip and stop, within a minute or two, I can feel the ripple of relaxation that goes down my arms and legs. Only takes one (small) glass of wine for me to feel pretty tipsy. Guess that makes me a cheap date.

Margaret

[scotty]

Originally Posted by NYTeach

I've never learned to drive.

Ah, a classic New Yorker!! LOL!