Ativan vs Xanax vs Valium vs Klonapin?

[Sentience]

Which of these benzos would you personally take if you had to get an MRI and were extremely claustrophobic and prone to panic attacks? Also, how would you describe the subjective effects of these benzos in contrast to each other?

 

[30roxi30]

xannax hits the hardest and fastest ... so for panic attacks xannax would work best

 

[gloeek]

I have taken them all. Klonopin works the best for me but everyone is different.

 

[chaoticc]

Xanax works fast but doesn't last long enough, ativan's anti-anxiety properties are the shittiest out of them all(and gives you the most side effects), klonopin is good for anxiety, esp. because it has a longer half-life than the 2 mentioned above.

but as far as sedation, anti-anxiety properties(imo both of those work good hand & hand with phobias ) and you need something to last a bit longer judging your situation.. I'd say Valium would be your best bet.

 

[Sentience]

This paticular MRI is going to last 20 minutes to half an hour, but I am beyond claustrophobic. Being stuck in a tube is my absolute worst fear. Its not simple anxiety. I would describe it as terror. I would rather chop my own arm off with a swiss army knife than be stuck in a tube.

I potentially have access to all 4 of the above medications. I have a maximum dose of 20mg Valium, unlimited Ativan and plenty of Klonapin, and I could possibly get access to Xanax at the facility.

FYI, I am also going to be on opiates and can choose between using Oxycodone or Morphine or both that day, and I need it for pain. I tend to get opiate anxiety at moderate to high doses, and I dont want my breathing to stop but I want to be in so much peace that I dont care that I am stuck in a tube.

The medical professionals are worthless for describing the subjective effects for me or telling me which is best for this....But I am not asking for medical advice, just what YOU would do if you were in my situation.

 

[Sentience]

Which of the above is least likely to result in respiratory depression in combination with opiates at moderate doses of both.

 

[chaoticc]

This paticular MRI is going to last 20 minutes to half an hour, but I am beyond claustrophobic. Being stuck in a tube is my absolute worst fear. Its not simple anxiety. I would describe it as terror. I would rather chop my own arm off with a swiss army knife than be stuck in a tube.

I potentially have access to all 4 of the above medications. I have a maximum dose of 20mg Valium, unlimited Ativan and plenty of Klonapin, and I could possibly get access to Xanax at the facility.

FYI, I am also going to be on opiates and can choose between using Oxycodone or Morphine or both that day, and I need it for pain. I tend to get opiate anxiety at moderate to high doses, and I dont want my breathing to stop but I want to be in so much peace that I dont care that I am stuck in a tube.

The medical professionals are worthless for describing the subjective effects for me or telling me which is best for this....But I am not asking for medical advice, just what YOU would do if you were in my situation.

oxycodone & valuim = a happy, friendly, non-anxious place. :D

 

[Sentience]

Is Xanax less likely to produce over sedation in combination with opiates?

 

[alantis360]

Id take xanax, it would be a lot more efficient imo

 

[Volcano]

I just had my first full body MRI about two months ago.

I thought it was going to be scary and I would be panicky but I wasn't.

The MRI place wouldn't give me any drugs but suggested a call to my doctor for a one-time dose of something. I declined because I wanted to get on with my day.

Seriously I got headphones and damn near went to sleep. If it wasn't for the constant BAM BAM BAM ZING ZING ZING WHAP WHAP WHAP that is.

DO NOT let the internet scare you (as I almost did) -- an MRI is cake if you can just close your damn eyes.

 

[Sentience]

I already tried to get this MRI and had to reschedule. I must be more claustrophobic than you.

The advantage to using Ativan is that I have a huge amount already on me and can start dosing before I get there.

Xanax might also be an option, but I can only get that with permission from my doc after I arrive.


The combination with the opiates is a complicating factor. I dont want to over sedate myself, but I dont want to be in pain and I need to reduce my MRI anxiety.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

I prefer clonazepam but due to me liking it so much i tend to abuse it so my doc switched me to diazepam instead and its a close 2nd

 

[P!ERCE]

I have a fear of enclosed spaces myself and suffer from panic attacks (not necessarily related) from time to time; though I am not fully claustrophobic I am sympathetic to your concerns as I was in a similar situation and shared similar concerns when I went in for my MRI a few years back.

Speaking from my own experience, when I had my MRI of my head done, I told my doctor and the technicians upfront that I had a fear of enclosed spaces. I was given a mild sedative (unfortunately, at the moment, I don't remember which it was) and combined with the fact that only my head and my shoulders were in the machine, I was relaxed/anxiety-quelled enough that the MRI ended up being a very painless procedure. I was awake enough to respond to the technician and sedated enough that my anxiety was quelled to near nothingness.

With that said, before I give a suggestion for a medication, I would very much suggest that you speak to the medical technician(s) (if you haven't already) who will be handling your MRI and let them know that you are extremely claustrophobic. Claustrophobia - including extreme claustrophobia - is a very common issue in regards to MRIs so the technicians and doctor(s) at hand should honestly have the best idea on how to handle your particular situation.

Now onto my personal drug choices:

Xanax is available in a variety of dosages ranging from .25mg to 2mg and for myself, it is quickest acting with few side effects and allows me to maintain awareness/wakefulness while still being more relaxed. I DO experience drowsiness, but it isn't overpowering.

If there is concern about the half life, there IS a Xanax XR / extended release version that is supposed to last longer than the normal Xanax. Maybe that is an option to investigate if you decide to investigate Xanax?

But since we're adding an opiate into the mix:

Beware of potential side effects of mixing. If possible, it is best to know how you yourself react to the mixing of drugs before you mix them for the MRI. The last thing you want is a problem in the MRI room.

Personally speaking, I have mixed Xanax (taken for anxiety and panic) with Oxy (taken for extreme pain) and experienced no additional side effects aside from the side effects of Oxy on its own (intense sleepiness and then nausea) and Xanax on its own (milder sleepiness).

For myself, if I had to be on oxy while doing my MRI, I wouldn't even choose a benzo if only because of the fact that I would be close to zonking out even without the benzo. Zonking out = near asleep = not awake enough to be anxious.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

-> bdd

 

[carl]

If I were in your position, I'd take morphine and xanax. Since the xanax isn't at hand, and would have to be gotten in the hospital, the second best option would be the morphine and diazepam, in my opinion.
I'd choose the morphine because oxycodone can occasionally have stimulating effects. The xanax has great anxiolytic properties, adds a bit to the sedation, and doesn't last too long. The diazepam will add a bit to the sedation, but has slightly less immediate anxiolytic properties, in my experience. Lorazepam is not a bad choice either, it's a great anxiolytic, and should ensure you are calm.
You really shouldn't have any problems with any of the medications you have access to. Just make sure you are within a safe range, and the medical staff knows you are taking benzodiazipines and opiates in combination, as the CNS depression caused by the two can be fatal.

 

[Violenza666]

Klonopin n hour or so before and Xanax30 minutes before. You won't give a shit about anything. There is no issue with taking either of these together. Klonopin is really good for anxiety in general and is super long lasting and Xanax will knock a panic attack clear out of you. You will be calm and sedate. Adjust dosage according to your tolerance. Good luck.

 

[woamotive]

Yes, xanax is great for anxiety but for me is far too sedating. I like clonazepam because it works quickly and lasts for a long time-also is not very sedating (not much at all actually). I DO like lorazepam for anxiety and have had it prescribed for panic attacks at a 1mg dose. Valium, without a tolerance to benzos, can be effective but for me seems to be the weakest of the ones I have mentioned. The good thing about valium is that it seems to not make me sleepy in doses under 30-35mgs.

 

[phatass]

xanax for panik attacks, cause its short acting, valium for all day stress relief, but makes you a bit sleepy and relaxes your muscles... i don't really enjoy klonopin, but some think it has great therapeutic value, also it lasts a long time... ativan, never tried, and heard mixed reviews on this one

 

[DeLee]

I would go for a good decent dose of Valium i think, just because they last long versus Xanax that lasts so short.
Not fun if the effects start to wear of when doing the MRI.

 

[boardzrus]

just hammer the ativan im on it for atcks and i just pop one and in like 2 min there gone if you pop to manny your a fucking zombie