{Benzo} asking 'experts' about how specific products differ

Hello.

I've asked that question already in the chat but here it is on the forum now ^^

Those who have tried a variety of -zepams, would you figure there is a different between a hypnotic (sleep inducing) benzo and an anxiolytic benzo ? Are some products better in one role than the other or are they equally capable in both roles ?

Officially, some are prescribed as hypnotic and some as anxiolytic. it would be easier for me to get one prescription for both usage rather than two products. Is that distinction largely based on nonsense, or is there noticeable differences between the two kinds ?

I cannot profess to be an "expert", however -- I know that there are specific uses for each benzo -- and also specific things they should not be used for. There are also some benzos that have multiple uses. I am pretty sure (though obviously I'm not a doctor) that certain ones help more with anxiety (such as alprazolam or clonazepam) than others that are designated for sleep. Clonazepam is also an anti-seizure medication. So benzos have many uses. It seems to me (being a user of prescription alprazolam and clonazepam in distinct moments in my life), that these two are the best for anxiety. Though I know others can help with anxiety as well (such as lorazepam). Also, I'm not sure (though, once again, I'm not your prescriber, obviously) that you want to use two benzos at once. That was told to me once by a doctor (though maybe there are times in which two are necessary). All in all, I'd recommend speaking with your provider about it.

Benzo's differ in how fast action of onset ,there are three types short acting ,intermediate acting ,and long acting , the types generaly used for anxiety would be Xanax(Alprazolam), or Ativan (Loraepam). For something like panic attacks/ disorder Klonopin(Clonazepam) ,or Valium(Diazepam) are longer acting and stay in the bloodstream longer , now Xanax is the quickest onset when taken orally that doctors in the US use ( sometimes they will use Ativan sublingual to speed it Up) but rule of thumb with these drugs the faster the onset the more addiction potential it has , there are non FDA approved drugs in Mexico and Europe that are known for "date rape drugs" like Rhohynol or "Rophies" since u don't have any experience administering or using them I will leave those drugs to someone that does . There is also the sedative hypnotic Restoril (Temazepam) used because its intermediate drug not fast onset ,but not slow and it stays in the blood ,so of known Bezo's it's the drug of choice for both people who can't fall asleep ,and those that wake up and can't fall back to sleep , similarly is Dalmand (Flurazepam) ,many doctors if you ask them about Dalmane won't even know if it's still made ,if they don't routinely prescribe or use a drug they forget about it .there is a quicker acting injectable benzo that is mostly limited to prehospital care providers or in hospital use Versed (Midazolam) they use it to terminate seizures in status epilepticus and sometimes for anesthesia induction . I am sure i am forgetting something but its been many years since my last recertification requirement so i have lots of information rolling around in my head getting rusty ( yeah i know about Tetnus just pass the Chlorpromazine and barvituares and we will be fine ) .

Now I will mention this just for Historical reference Diprivan(Propfol) is not a benzo sedative/hypnotic ,and is not appropriate to be used as such,it is an anesthetic rendered to as "Milk of amnesia" and is used for surgery ,The Late Performing artist Michael Jackson died due to using it instead of a benzo .

I lost my sleeper because my doc will not prescribe 2 benzos. I'm OK with that since I at least get to live. Most docs here just pull people off benzos where I live and let patients crash and burn. But for me, YES they are very different. The daytime benzo can make me a little sleepy at times. But it usually does NOT help me sleep, which means after the change, my sleeping pattern went to hell. I really needed the sleeping pill. I was a functioning human being on my 2 benzos and my total benzo load was the same back then as it is now, since I had to up my daytime benzo to cover for the loss of the sleeper.

But some docs are just stubborn and it is better to stay with one that at least prescribes them if needed. But to my body, they are totally different. I can't replace one with the other. Some people are sensitive to the drowsy feeling you can get with a daytime benzo and they do fine using that as a sleep aid. But some don't have the same effect. Daytime benzos can even be activating to me. So the answer is, we're different.

Propofol is ultra, ultra short acting--fyi.