Vistaril is a potent first generation antihistamine that was recently suggested for panic attacks / social phobia. First reaction is that it's a great sleeping pill. Creates a slight calming feeling. Not sure about it's efficacy for PA yet.

A "slight calming feeling" won't break a panic attack, that's for sure. I took 2.5 mg of Klonopin in one dose last week. I had horrible insomnia. After my dose, I slept eight hours three nights in a row, plus I went to work fine, maybe a little dingy the first day. So, I wish that new drug good luck. Klonopin is the best benzo for me - though they're all horribly addictive. That's where cannabis comes in. Gets you through the day to day no problem. I don't know how cannabis would work during a panic attack. I'll have to try it next time, but I've been too stoned to panic lately. Thanks for the info.

[MJP420]

Anti-histamines for anxiety eventually make you feel like a walking zombie. Klonopin(clonazepam) does the same if you build up a tolerance and take it daily. If you are only having short, uncommon, panic attacks then I think Xanax (alprazolam) always worked best for that. Although I do think klonopin is better on a whole lot better for long-term treatment and it has always soothed my anxiety for a decent amount of time, when I had no tolerance. In fact right now I am doing a regimine of something with anti-histamine properties, klonopin, and MMJ. I switch them around so as not to build tolerance, and to save money. My panic attacks and anxiety had gotten so bad I could barely leave the house, even to see my psychiatrist. I am starting to feel a lot better on this variation, but your mileage may vary.

[longhairpokem]

took klonopin for three years daily was not very productive did catch up on my sleep however.... have been pharmaceutical free for for about ten years...:slaugh:

Originally Posted by MJP420

Anti-histamines for anxiety eventually make you feel like a walking zombie. Klonopin(clonazepam) does the same if you build up a tolerance and take it daily. If you are only having short, uncommon, panic attacks then I think Xanax (alprazolam) always worked best for that. Although I do think klonopin is better on a whole lot better for long-term treatment and it has always soothed my anxiety for a decent amount of time, when I had no tolerance. In fact right now I am doing a regimine of something with anti-histamine properties, klonopin, and MMJ. I switch them around so as not to build tolerance, and to save money. My panic attacks and anxiety had gotten so bad I could barely leave the house, even to see my psychiatrist. I am starting to feel a lot better on this variation, but your mileage may vary.

Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, or if you like their generic names, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, aren't much different from each other than Scotch is from Gin. They have different half-lives (the time they exit your body) and absorption rates (how fast they hit you), but they're pretty much the same thing.
I agree with Longhair. Taking benzos every day I was always tired. My place was a god damn mess. MMJ, though it does slow me down a little, is nowhere near as debilitating as the benzos were. That's my every day med. I haven't had any Xanax in two weeks, and I don't really care. Well, not all that much. I've got MMJ to thank for that one.
But for panic...benzos almost always do the trick for me. It is a "deal with the devil" though, because of the addiction level and the rebound anxiety which comes around sooner or later. Sooner or later...you gotta pay. Respect your meds, people.

[MJP420]

Originally Posted by senorlou

Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, or if you like their generic names, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, aren't much different from each other than Scotch is from Gin. They have different half-lives (the time they exit your body) and absorption rates (how fast they hit you), but they're pretty much the same thing.
I agree with Longhair. Taking benzos every day I was always tired. My place was a god damn mess. MMJ, though it does slow me down a little, is nowhere near as debilitating as the benzos were. That's my every day med. I haven't had any Xanax in two weeks, and I don't really care. Well, not all that much. I've got MMJ to thank for that one.
But for panic...benzos almost always do the trick for me. It is a "deal with the devil" though, because of the addiction level and the rebound anxiety which comes around sooner or later. Sooner or later...you gotta pay. Respect your meds, people.

Actually although they are similar they aren't the same. Along with their different half-lives and absorption rates they have different effects on different people, independently as chemicals, so keep that in mind. And I have to agree, it is a deal with the devil and withdrawal is more painful than anything I have faced in my life.

Originally Posted by senorlou

Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan, or if you like their generic names, alprazolam, clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam, aren't much different from each other than Scotch is from Gin. They have different half-lives (the time they exit your body) and absorption rates (how fast they hit you), but they're pretty much the same thing.
I agree with Longhair. Taking benzos every day I was always tired. My place was a god damn mess. MMJ, though it does slow me down a little, is nowhere near as debilitating as the benzos were. That's my every day med. I haven't had any Xanax in two weeks, and I don't really care. Well, not all that much. I've got MMJ to thank for that one.
But for panic...benzos almost always do the trick for me. It is a "deal with the devil" though, because of the addiction level and the rebound anxiety which comes around sooner or later. Sooner or later...you gotta pay. Respect your meds, people.

I notice the klonopin being gone, for sure. The Vistaril does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING for anxiety except put you to sleep. The klonopin did enable me to interact with people more comfortably. Since coming off the clonazepam (klonopin) I've been way more to myself and distant. Avoidance behaviors rear their ugly head. For now, cannabis butter cookies that seem mostly INDICA in effect. VERY INTENSE though. More balanced than THC ONLY MARINOL also I am noticing.

TODAY is my sixtieth day off klonopin. I've only used vistaril for sleep as I quickly realized it was a dud for anxiety as compared to its benzo alternatives. I am starting to feel more energetic / focused. When I took Ativan, two people told me I was zombified and it scared them. Not good.

I took Ativan for over 6 years, every day. When I started, I was taking 3mg a day. By the time I stopped, I averaged about 6 mg a day. I have taken over 25 mg in one day! I was out of control hooked. I was a zombie. Since I've been smoking MMJ and switched to Xanax, which I don't like quite as much (doesn't last long enough IMO. Half-life is about 4 hours) I can control my habit, so long as I don't take it more than 2x a week. Aside from cigarettes and pain killers, nothing I have found has been as addictive as the benzos. I've also taken Halcion which hits you almost instantly but has an average half-life of 2 hours, and Valium - one of the best because it has a half-life of up to 3 days (!). The ones that leave your body slowly (Valium) tend to be easier to quit and give you less rebound anxiety than the ones that leave quickly (like Xanax), but they are still extremely addictive and dangerous because of the withdrawals and rebound anxiety. I've found that edibles can be very helpful, but if I eat too much I can get paranoid. I smoked some MMJ called Nugoo (Northern Lights x Afgoo) and I'd say it was about the closest I've ever come to getting a benzo-like effect from MJ. Very helpful for sleep and relaxation. Anyway, I admire anyone who has gotten off benzos and stayed off. I hope I'll be strong enough one day to have MMJ as my only med.

Originally Posted by longhairpokem

took klonopin for three years daily was not very productive did catch up on my sleep however.... have been pharmaceutical free for for about ten years...:slaugh:

I will know in a few months how badly it was affecting my productivity. Double-edged swords, what heals us, makes us less well. Klonopin and Ativan were useful and necessary for a while but had their definite downsides. Hemotological side effects of klonopin include lowered white blood cell count. That overrides everything for me. I will deal with anxiety by other means until that CBC looks a little better.

I've heard of Ativan being given to leukemia patients as young as 11 for the anti-emetic effect. Not sure of what dose is used for this effect but was news to me. Also in higher does is used for pre-surgical amnesiac. I experienced that amnesia effect on both klonopin and ativan. I could be mid sentence speaking and totally forget what I was saying.

[tokermom]

Originally Posted by longhairpokem

took klonopin for three years daily was not very productive did catch up on my sleep however.... have been pharmaceutical free for for about ten years...:slaugh:

Congratulations for ditching the pharmacuticals longhairpokem- Klonapin was prescribed for me & I thought it was great, till my sister pointed out how forgetful I had become taking it. Other people told me I was slow & unclear, so, I quit it. Scarey, I thought I was fine but, people noticed BIG changes in my personality. I have quit all pharmacuticals but trazadone for sleep & pain relief & Lexapro, for anxiety. My MMJ is working for my chronic pain & anxiety,also migraines. I LOVE my MMJ

[jrn166107]

But for panic...benzos almost always do the trick for me. It is a "deal with the devil" though, because of the addiction level and the rebound anxiety which comes around sooner or later. Sooner or later...you gotta pay. Respect your meds, people.

i agree here. i have been on klonapin and xanax and yes they do do there job very well, they are extremely addicting ang withdrawls are very annoyin:sbounce:g.

[jillybean]

Originally Posted by MJP420

Actually although they are similar they aren't the same. Along with their different half-lives and absorption rates they have different effects on different people, independently as chemicals, so keep that in mind. And I have to agree, it is a deal with the devil and withdrawal is more painful than anything I have faced in my life.

i just started klonipin for anxiety yes it works but mmg is a must as well to make a perfect balnce

[konj]

hey i'm konj and i have anxiety. i have it because i took zyprexa and it caused panic attacks and extreme anxiety. i stopped taking zyprexa and am now on a different med but the damage to my nervs was done. i take a different med now and b/c of that my anxoiusness is controlable but these kinds of meds (antipsychotics) tend to cause restlessness/anxiety. the good news is i dont take any pharmacutical pill to control my restlessness. I use only the god given herb to ease it.
so yes it can be done. i'm living proof! god bless:partysmile:

[IrishEyes]

Originally Posted by MJP420

Anti-histamines for anxiety eventually make you feel like a walking zombie. Klonopin(clonazepam) does the same if you build up a tolerance and take it daily. If you are only having short, uncommon, panic attacks then I think Xanax (alprazolam) always worked best for that. Although I do think klonopin is better on a whole lot better for long-term treatment and it has always soothed my anxiety for a decent amount of time, when I had no tolerance. In fact right now I am doing a regimine of something with anti-histamine properties, klonopin, and MMJ. I switch them around so as not to build tolerance, and to save money. My panic attacks and anxiety had gotten so bad I could barely leave the house, even to see my psychiatrist. I am starting to feel a lot better on this variation, but your mileage may vary.

I have to agree here: Have been on Klonopin every day for five years straight for GAD and alcohol sobreity. So far it works great - BUT - when I tried to stop taking it - the withdrawals are wicked and I went into a nasty spiral down. Suggest anyone who wants to change treatments seek medical / Dr.s reco first.

I hate the synthetics but sometime they are necessary.

Peace from the IRISH.

[kindness]

try amytriptaline an antidipressant sorotonin replacement works slow mellow helps u sleep ,feels as if u smoked hash nice at times i think it gave me few skin spots on forhead?

Originally Posted by MJP420

Anti-histamines for anxiety eventually make you feel like a walking zombie. Klonopin(clonazepam) does the same if you build up a tolerance and take it daily. If you are only having short, uncommon, panic attacks then I think Xanax (alprazolam) always worked best for that. Although I do think klonopin is better on a whole lot better for long-term treatment and it has always soothed my anxiety for a decent amount of time, when I had no tolerance. In fact right now I am doing a regimine of something with anti-histamine properties, klonopin, and MMJ. I switch them around so as not to build tolerance, and to save money. My panic attacks and anxiety had gotten so bad I could barely leave the house, even to see my psychiatrist. I am starting to feel a lot better on this variation, but your mileage may vary.