Benzodiazepines and CPPS

[darin]

I went to a doctor -- the highly-regarded and extremely nice Dr. Robert Moldwin of Long Island Jewish -- and he prescribed me 2mg of Valium 3 times a day. It has helped (I've been on it for 2 weeks). Is this something to worry about, though -- addiction-wise?

I know he is considered among the best urologists in the world for CPPS.
thanks

[lukesky]

I too am considering getting on benzos or muscle relaxants. I have a doctor's appt. next week and have hurt fro 8 years. My ED has finally appeared full force and have only had successful sex 2x in the last 9 months. I'm so nervous when it comes to sex that I have developed a conditioned response to just being in bed with my wife if I even think we are going to have sex. My anxiety level skyrockets, tension increases and there's no way to have intercourse. At this point I would gladly take Valium, Klonopin or other medication. I'm not saying I want to get addicted to benzos but this "failure" cycle must be broken. I've tried Cialis in the past. It works great and completely makes my pain go away for 36 hours. However, it made me irritable and my heart would race for 3 days. I'm sure the benzos would calm it down.

Luke

[CppsDad]

I took benzos as a way to help me get through. I was very careful to take them only when necessary, and wherever possible I tried to give myself a break (every 3rd day or so). In my condition, addiction to benzos was a better fate than my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and anxiety attacks, so I chose to take the benzos. They reduced my symptoms enough to allow me to tackle them, and I was able to break the cycle. Do whatever you need to do to allow yourself to do the same. Just be mindful of the addictive quality of the drugs. Just your awareness of the risk should help. Also be aware that after you take them for awhile, some of your symptoms may be psychological, as a response to the addiction. So sometimes you have to fight through some symptoms without the drugs.

. I'm so nervous when it comes to sex that I have developed a conditioned response to just being in bed with my wife if I even think we are going to have sex.

I've been there. Most definitely. Just something you have to try very hard to deal with until you get better. It WILL get better. Recognize that much of your symptoms here are psychological, so there is probably a lot you can do from a thought process standpoint that can help you. Conditioned responses can be de-conditioned, although I can't offer much advice on how.

However, it made me irritable and my heart would race for 3 days. I'm sure the benzos would calm it down.

I'm not a big fan of curing a symptom from one drug with another, as it can lead to a long train of drug combinations. Be wise here!

Mike

[scotsman]

Might be worth considering beta blockers? Pretty good for anxiety control and non addictive.

[Amergin]

I have had continuous chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms for about 18 months and about 8 weeks ago was prescribed beta blockers for high blood pressure. I took them for a couple of weeks but stopped because my blood pressure seems only to be high when I am in the doctor's surgery. For about three weeks after I started taking the beta blockers my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms disappeared completely. They have unfortunately returned and I am considering asking the doc to prescribe them again to see if the can repeat the cure.

[scotsman]

I've been taking beta blockers for the past 2 months and haven't really seen much difference to my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms - though the reduction in adrenaline they cause could certainly help calm the muscles and general system down - and hence chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms for some.

Richard.

[lukesky]

Just got back from Dr.'s appt. He is not a urologist. After telling him my history - 8 years of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome and all the antibiotics, etc. he agreed that it probably isn't the prostate. He is convinced that it is tension, stress and anxiety related to a number of things. He prescribed Effexor - Low Dose, 5mg of Valium at night and Levitra due to ED. He wants to "try" this regimen and will see me in 2 weeks. Any one have experience with the Effexor & CPPS??

Luke

[robertpagen]

Dr Moldwin is also my urologist. He is excellent.

[lukesky]

Took my 1st dose of Effexor yesterday morning - 37.5mg. It made me feel "funky" all day like I was in a daze. Plus it made me urinate more, which I certainly don't need, and when I did try to urinate it barely would come out. After one day I said enough. The 5mg of valium at night really zonked me out but little or no pain the next day until around 5PM.
I'm going back on Zoloft which has worked in the past for tension and I'll break the valium in half and use it sparingly during the week.

Luke

[Simon]

Benzos can be very helpful in the treatment/management of anxiety related conditions if used judiciously. However, benzos are highly addictive, even in small amounts and can result in tolerance withdrawal. This is a condition whereby the individual begins to develop all sorts of physical and psychological symptoms requiring one to increase the amount of benzos in order to maintain its efficacy. In addition if one wishes to withdraw from this drug after using it for a prolonged time it can potentially be very difficult to do and does not come without a significant amount of psychological and physical adverse effects. In fact it has been noted that withdrawal from long term benzo use is more difficult than withdrawing from heroin!

[DavidinLA]

I've taken Klonopin very sparingly to get me through the bad days. It never caused me any problems and it seemed to help a lot.

[rusittingdown]

I've taken Klonopin very sparingly to get me through the bad days. It never caused me any problems and it seemed to help a lot.

When a friend told me about Klonopin years ago (we often talked about our anxiety levels), I thought it was a pretty heavy drug, very addictive, etc.

Recently, my psychiatrist put me on a small dose of Prozac after my anxiety symptoms had gone through the roof. To help me adjust to the 'zac, he prescribed 1mg of Klonopin morning and night for two weeks.

At the end of the two weeks I was able to go off the Klonopin no problem.

I eventually had to go off the 'zac because of this new chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome issue, but the occasional 1mg of Klonopin totally helped me when I was panicking about my CPPS, not knowing what it really was. It didn't make me feel "zonked," it just kind of "wiped away" that horrible shaky anxiety and nervousness. I felt "normal" again, and my chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome symptoms were much, much improved.

That said, I'd be cautious with it. I haven't taken one in a while, only take it when I'm completely desperate (luckily my near-daily meditation has helped a lot with my anxiety and panic attacks), but when I do find I need to take one, it's a total wonder drug.

[webslave]

There is definitely a place in the world for benzodiazepines. Like so many of the members here, I too have periods of high anxiety, usually connected to the stressful events life throws at each and every one of us. I marvel at how my wife just sails through these troubles while I go ballistic. I always keep a bottle of benzos around the house and if I start to feel unusually keyed up (5-10 times a year usually), a take a fraction of a pill (cut them up using a pill cutter). They really have made life's troubles much more bearable for me.

[carld]

Ya I think benzos like Xanax are a wonderful drug if taken as needed in small dosages. Been lucky, I have not needed to take any for about 9 months now, but I have been on Elavil 10mg, so I wonder if this has helped with my anxiety which is very very low in stressful times. I think the cognitive work and relaxation and neurofeedback has added as well. I keep a bottle of Xanax and valium in the house just in case....

[brettboz]

Can you combine Elavil with valium?? I thought they shouldnt be taken together. I went to a new doc the other day who told me to stop taking the Elavil and take Valium 5mg in the morning and 5mg at night, I havent done what he said yet.