Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
I posted this as a reply to SuzyQ's post about benzos. I figured it could be useful to more people if I make a separate post.
I found a table comparing (approximately) daily dosages for all benzos, and I'll list a few:
Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.5mg
Bromazepam (Lexotan, Lexomil) 5-6mg
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) 0.5mg
Diazepam (Valium) 10mg
Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta) 1mg
Oxazepam (Serax) 20mg
(non-diazemaps that work similarly)
Zalepion (Sonata) 20mg
Zolpidem (Ambien) 20mg
This can be used when switching from one benzo to another, or simply to give you an idea of how high your dose is. I know from my experience that these are relatively high doses, towards the upper edge of usual, but not crazy high.
I found a table comparing (approximately) daily dosages for all benzos, and I'll list a few:
Alprazolam (Xanax) 0.5mg
Bromazepam (Lexotan, Lexomil) 5-6mg
Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) 0.5mg
Diazepam (Valium) 10mg
Lorazepam (Ativan, Temesta) 1mg
Oxazepam (Serax) 20mg
(non-diazemaps that work similarly)
Zalepion (Sonata) 20mg
Zolpidem (Ambien) 20mg
This can be used when switching from one benzo to another, or simply to give you an idea of how high your dose is. I know from my experience that these are relatively high doses, towards the upper edge of usual, but not crazy high.
Clorazepate (Tranxene) 15mg
Fact: Xanax is the fastest acting, around 15 minutes, will work well for you for about 4 hours, ativan is a bit slower, maybe 20-30 minutes to kick in but stay around longer 5-6 hours. Clonazepam (Klonopin, Rivotril) VERY BAD DRUG IF YOU ARE DRINKING ALCOHOL WITH IT. It will intensify the effect of the booze in a very negative way. Fights, arrests, overdoses, and all the worst things will happen to you if you mix them. Valium is for when you just can stand to live or do anything else and can not leave your house and are just very upset and fucked up. Don't drive on this shit and stay home to sleep and ride out the worst. I don't think Bipolars need this one at all. The only other one I know is the Ambien to sleep which works very well for me with no side effects. I have heard that the Ambien ER causes allot of short term memory loss.
Be careful and know that you are deeply love by me.
Syroness