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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 0:54:48
I get up at 5am...my normal day....I have my coffee...I smoke my cigarettes....I veg out.....then I got up to blow my nose...nothing abnormal about that...sat back down...took another dirnk of coffee...and BLAM......my throat clinched up......I paniced...I could not swallow....I could barely breath....I felt like I was going to choke or vomit or something.....I went to the ER and they gave me Ativan....ran a test to be sure I had no polyps in my throat....I didnt.....I have been to ENT doctors...nothing in throat....they did say my tongue was slightly large....but its not like it grew overnight...I have post nasal drip and a deviated septum.....now...everyday I take it..come rain or shine for the fear that ...that same thing might happen again.....NO dr....can seem to tell me anything...they keep tellingme something new every visit.....GERD....LPR....Post Nasal Drip....Aniety.....Stress.....ETC...ETC....Now to my story a bit more.....
I have now been on Ativan for 12 months....I tried to stop taking it...and oh my I wound up in the ER thinking I was dying.....I have since read up on the rebound effects of ativan.....not good...I wonder what it is doing to my brain....I feel loopy most of the time....I take it religiously everyday twice sometimes 3 times a day at 0.5mg at a time......I am getting more and more depressed at the thought of being on this med forever....but my brain wont even let me fathom life without it......anybody....can you offer some advice? Im losing it...thanks
Posted by Declan on June 20, 2006, at 3:39:42
In reply to Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 0:54:48
All you can do is to take a little less of it, if you can. And once you are feeling stable on a lower dose, never increase that dose again.
That way, if you keep taking it because you can't stop, the bad effects of it will at least be less.
Don't think in terms of giving it up. (But maybe you will)
Be gentle with yourself.
Declan
Posted by Phillipa on June 20, 2006, at 12:05:01
In reply to Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 0:54:48
That is strange as my throat is full of phelm everyday all day I'm not on ativan I think it's psychological no other explanation. If you've been to the doctor and ENT no sence in me going to. IF you want to cut down on ativan do what Declan said. Love Phillipa
Posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 16:57:53
In reply to Re: Long Term effects of Ativan » tiredofthislife, posted by Declan on June 20, 2006, at 3:39:42
Thank you for responding......I am working on it :)
> All you can do is to take a little less of it, if you can. And once you are feeling stable on a lower dose, never increase that dose again.
> That way, if you keep taking it because you can't stop, the bad effects of it will at least be less.
> Don't think in terms of giving it up. (But maybe you will)
> Be gentle with yourself.
> Declan
Posted by bassman on June 20, 2006, at 17:01:42
In reply to Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 0:54:48
A period of panic, perhaps? I say that in part because of your fear of it happening again, which is so typical of panic-it isn't just that you hope it doesn't happen again, you are scared silly that it might happen again. I'm a panic disorder guy, myself. :>} Also, the coffee might have helped the panic along.
You can taper off the Ativan if you want to-as was mentioned, a little at a time-be gentle with yourself, this isn't a contest. What I do, which I haven't seen written before, is to take more frequent, lower doses before tapering-a pain, I know-so I'd take the Ativan 6 times a day, cutting (as best you can with that tiny pill) spaced out as much I could. After you feel alright by doing that (split one dose at a time and leave it for a few days)-you shouldn't feel any discomfort. Then try 5 doses/day, spacing them out as before and stay there for a week-and then, do it again, etc. If you get too anxious, don't get discouraged, just go back to the last dose you were comfortable with. The real secret of tapering, I think, is to just not to be very concerned about it-like thinking all day, "am I going to get anxious because I'm taking less benzo? Is it dangerous? Etc." Just think of it as a hobby or a project...and good luck!
Posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 17:10:48
In reply to Re: Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by bassman on June 20, 2006, at 17:01:42
OMG....that was an awesome post....you read my mind.....wish I could taper off my smoking to nothing.......I only take the ativan like 2/3 times a day....but check this out...I maybe feeling fine....then I will have gone to the grocery store....and half way htorugh my shopping I realize I have forgotton my pill bottle at home....I freak out (in my head)....its like a security blanket..if I know its there...im better....but I staright out dont take it.....oh wow......not pretty. Thank you so much for your post
Posted by bassman on June 20, 2006, at 17:42:23
In reply to Re: Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 17:10:48
Glad to be of help, but then, I've been in Panicland for many years, so I do know the feelings. Yes...too funny...I take Xanax with me when I fly because I'm afraid I'll get really anxious and maybe not be able to get on the plane. But having it in my pocket is enough-I've never taken it. If you are really able to change schedules form 2 Ativan one day to 3 another, you aren't very dependent, maybe not at all. Some people think Ativan is the easiest benzo to withdraw from... I think you are in really good shape, other than you may have panic...:>}
Posted by Greif on June 20, 2006, at 22:55:52
In reply to Re: Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by bassman on June 20, 2006, at 17:42:23
I have tapered off Ativan 7mg day and Zanax 6mg a day. I had been taking both for years. I tapered off thh zanax reducing it by 1/4 mg every ten days. When I got to 3 mg I swithce to Valium gradualy and it was not bad tapering off. I tapered off Ativan swithching to gradual change to Klonopin. I tapered to 2mg a day which was a breeze. Not much difference in relative strength. I will remain on K forever unless something better comes along. I would switch to long acting benzo Valium or Librium to taper. Most docs diont have a clue on what its like to do a taper and their schedules are too rapid. If you can get the meds we can help you. Oteherwise find good MD who understands the taper/substitution method. That is the best way to do it. Also keeep very active. The physical withdrawl is bad but the pschological obsession is wverwhelming unless you are very active and dont think about it. I rememeber the insomnia and sensativity to noise and light like it was yesterday. You dont need to suffer.
This is the end of the thread.
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