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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by McPac on September 2, 2003, at 12:35:17
Ok, I'd love to find an effective natural alternative to a benzo. I know niacinamide is said to be a mild alternative, I tried that and it definitely was mild. I'm not expecting something to work just as well but does anything compare? Thanks!
Posted by Mimi on September 2, 2003, at 20:41:27
In reply to Is there a natural alternative to a benzo?, posted by McPac on September 2, 2003, at 12:35:17
> Ok, I'd love to find an effective natural alternative to a benzo. I know niacinamide is said to be a mild alternative, I tried that and it definitely was mild. I'm not expecting something to work just as well but does anything compare? Thanks!
Yeah, alcohol. But it's not good for you, ultimately. I did have a pdoc who told me a little alcohol would be good for me. I was also taking a benzo. Since, have switched pdocs and switched to Buspar (lighter, superior med in my opinion).
Mimi
Posted by Viridis on September 3, 2003, at 1:30:55
In reply to Is there a natural alternative to a benzo?, posted by McPac on September 2, 2003, at 12:35:17
Not in my experience, and I've tried a lot of "natural" alternatives. I'm not sure what "natural" means anyway -- if you take a herb that enhances GABA binding at receptors, it's still a drug, just a more unpredictable one with greater potential for side effects. I'd stay safe with the benzos -- at least you know what you're getting, and history has proven these meds both safe and reliable.
Posted by McPac on September 3, 2003, at 17:40:33
In reply to Re: Is there a natural alternative to a benzo? » McPac, posted by Viridis on September 3, 2003, at 1:30:55
Hi Viridis,
Since I'm no longer taking an SSRI (work great but cause terrible reaction for me), my physical anxiety/terrible "nerves" are forcing me to find something else. I'm keeping Klonopin in mind IF I can't find anything natural that will work (IF I can find something natural then I won't need to go to a doctor for it or need a prescription for it, that's GREAT for me as I can't stand going to docs). I'm very med-sensitive so some of these natural things may help, I don't know. Perhaps kava?? Picamilon (is that the one w/ GABA bonded to niacinamide??) GABA by itself doesn't cross the blood brain barier very well correct? Maybe try 5HTP?? Again, who knows, IF something would work that would be great...question for you V: I did take Xanax for years before (worked very well)...however, I DID become somewhat tolerant to the stuff...had to start taking more and more to get the same effect...then, when I tried to discontinue it, that was PURE HELL....hard as hell to get off of (was ONLY able to get off it by starting an SSRI, THEN I was able to stop it)......IF I did get some Klonopin, will I likely become tolerant to that too...slowly needing more as time went by? Also, would it likely be PURE HELL too to discontinue? I tried very gradually decreasing the Xanax, but that didn't help---only starting another drug (Zoloft) enabled me to stop it...THAT memory (the tolerance and pure hell withdrawal) keep me from just asking my doc for klonopin...I'd rather try something that I wouldn't be THAT dependent upon....so I'd like to try some over-the-counter things...what do you think V?
Posted by Gabbix2 on September 4, 2003, at 20:29:46
In reply to Viridis, Re: Is there a natural alternative to a , posted by McPac on September 3, 2003, at 17:40:33
Taking gaba with B complex, 1200mgs inositol and a free form amino acid complex helps increase its absorption.
I used it last year when withdrawing from Klonopin, it did have a noticeable effect;
Certainly far moreso than anything else I tried like Kava Kava, or valerian.
Inositol is contraindicated though if you are bi-polar as apparently it can induce mania.I don't know what using the gaba combination is like on an ongoing basis for anxiety, it was too difficult for me to get, I can't buy it in Canada.
I found my benzo fears to be unfounded
so I'm back on them, but the gaba it did help.
I just thought I'd pass that along.
Good luck
Posted by Dr. Bob on September 4, 2003, at 22:48:37
In reply to Re: Viridis, Re: Is there a natural alternative to a , posted by Gabbix2 on September 4, 2003, at 20:29:46
> Taking gaba with B complex, 1200mgs inositol and a free form amino acid complex helps increase its absorption...
Sorry to disrupt the flow here, but I'd like to redirect this thread to the new Psycho-Babble Alternative board. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20030903/msgs/257131.html
Bob
Posted by Jamie Baulsch on November 4, 2003, at 4:27:04
In reply to Re: Viridis, Re: Is there a natural alternative to a , posted by Gabbix2 on September 4, 2003, at 20:29:46
I would like to try gaba with the other nutrients you mention in withdrawing from the Valium I am taking but would greatly appreciate your clarification of a few matters: 1) what precisely do you mean by "noticeable effect" (i.e. were your withdrawal symptoms completely or partially alleviated and/or did you feel more tranquil?); 2) over how long a period did you use the supplements to withdraw from Klonopin and did you follow a Klonopin tapering schedule such as the ones mentioned in Professor Heather Ashton's manual Benzodiazepines - How They Work & How to Withdraw) at www.benzo.org.uk; 3) is a " free form" amino acid complex difficult to find or is it more or less the same as amino acid complex formulas available at health food stores?;4) did you use B complex 25 mg or 50 mg or 100 mg?
Kind regards.
This is the end of the thread.
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