I need help from the community, you guys, about?
- Posted:
- 23 Apr 2011 by Cathleen186
- Topics:
- ativan, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, detox, doctor
Details:
whether I should go into detox or not. My doctor, who i don't trust and therefore why i'm writing this found me taking too much Ativan. I have always have had extreme anxiety issues. 1mg of Ativan was way too little to curb my anxiety, so I though taking 2 or 3 would work. It did work, but the end of the month was montruous. BTW I've been through many doctors, but the last 25 years, always on one benzo or another. THIS doctor wants me to do to detox right away for a week, wash away all the bezos out of my system forever!!!
If I hear from you guys that this is the most wonderful idea on the planet, then I'll go for it. If there are concerns, please tell me. He wants to combat my anxiety with Neurontin, Celexa Buspar. Please help. When my anxiety hits the top it spills over into depression which is very hard to get out of. I really rely on those benzos to get me through some tough times.
Any input is great, CAthleen
23 Apr 2011
I don't know... the number one reason for pain killer abuse is due to the pain simply not being treated by the doctor. Sounds like a similar situation. I'd find someone else who can treat the anxiety with a dose that actually works. Benzos have been around for a very very long time, and outside of the dependece issue, are relatively safe. The SSRI class of medications are arguably much more risky than are benzos, even if there's no abuse potential with the SSRI. As long as you use the meds to treat the anxiety and aren't abusing them, I'd deffinately find another doctor. Some docs simply have a fear of that class of medication.
23 Apr 2011
I don't know - you have been on the benzo's for 25 years. It might be a good idea to get off of them for awhile and see how things really are - the benzo's might actually be causing some of your problems, much like pain meds can cause more pain (hyperalgesia). I wouldn't recommend replacing them with 3 other medications though - you might end up on two more than you need and you would never know.
Tough situation. Do you have much of a choice - with this doctor? Is he telling you that you must do this? I've read your previous posts - your anxiety is really through the roof at times, completely incapacitating. Would you be inpatient for this, where they could help you through a crisis? I'd say there would initially be a time where the anxiety would escalate - what would you do during that time?
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Do you have any alternative-medicine practitioners in your area? I am finding some really good help from herbalists and homeopathic practitioners, and their help with nutrition. A lot of the crap in our foods and medications really does affect us badly - especially with the severity of anxiety you experience, you have to wonder if there is something you are ingesting that you are allergic, or very sensitive to. Rather than drastically go off the benzo's, I would recommend that you do a nutritional detox - eat only organic fruits and veggies, along with a good, whole-body cleanse. Just my opinion.
Let us know what happens Cathleen - I do care, and I know a lot of others do too. I wish it didn't have to come to a decision like this, but I do believe everything happens for a reason. I'll be watching for your posts -

Anonymous
23 Apr 2011
I think the detox is worth a try. I really believe you have anxiety but maybe benzos aren't the answer anymore. If you've been on them that long and it's not working ie. you have to keep taking more and more than they may be doing more harm than good. I've heard benzos are hard to detox on your own because you have the original anxiety disorder that's topped with the anxiety of withdrawl. A facility sounds like a good idea. I'll be praying that you make the best decision for yourself. Whatever that may be, you have my support. Good Luck
23 Apr 2011
Hi, i agree with Elizajane, very good response! Literally EVERYTHING you put in your body affects the way you feel in your body and mind. I have had a load of different advice from a lot of different doctors, in different countries all on the same subject! As well as using facts and figures, and tried and tested medical data, medical practitioners often are too quick to hand out their personal opinions and some think they know better than science, and it can become an 'I know best battle' and the patient gets lost and thought of as a 'problem that has to be fixed'. Sorry about that little rant!! Anyway, contrary to what i just wrote, if i had the chance of an inpatient detox i would jump at the chance. I did a short detox in a private hospital for 2 weeks in South Africa and (although i think i left before i was ready) it has completely changed my view on meds, alcohol, tobacco, even food.
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I think the most worrying thing is that people/patients get so desperate for help but help in the past has not worked and people loose their faith. And also people are too scared to keep going back to a doctor (especially if you don't trust them) and self medicate instead, when the majority of the time we don't really know all of the detrimental affects we are inflicting on ourselves. I'm sure most people read through the side effects and general doses of meds to be 'safe' but everybody's endurance is different. I am not saying that rehab is for everyone and i wouldn't recommend it if you are not going in as an inpatient. It really can change your life though, and i don't just mean it will get you off the meds, the things that are discussed and and that you learn from lectures/classes will open your eyes so wide, if you want the help. I did relapse after coming out but i am still 90% better off that i was before i went in the rehab facility. I look back to last year and can't believe how wrecklace i was being. You need to WANT to get 'better' though and involve yourself in the process. 'WE' don't know everything there is to know about all the medications and combinations so we shouldn't be too quick to dismiss an idea unless we have personal experience. 25 years on the benzo's worries me though. I have got a bit carried away, sorry. If there is anything in particular please post again or pm me, let us know how your going anyway.
23 Apr 2011
Cathleen, I agree with almost everyones comments. These doctors are getting afraid to write scripts & it's getting worse. Don't let that deter you. I had this problem & went to my Primary & he called around until he found a Pain doctor who would listen to my needs & prescribe what I needed. Keep searching until you find the right one. I had to take a urine test & sign a contract with my primary for just Xanax last month. I don't care. He knows what I've taken for years. Then when I went to the new pain doctor the same day, the took my wirrten script & gave me a new one. Said they would take care of all my meds for pain & sleep/anxiety. I'm happy now. Not completely out of pain, but never will be. Sorry for all the typos everyone. Doing this with one hand as I had surgery one my left one. Kind of hard Good luck to you Cathleen, but I would get a second opinion. Maybe in the meantime your Primary care can give you scripts to get by...
23 Apr 2011
Cathleen, I would not want to see you go through detox after the length you've been on them. I know Ativan and Xanax are short acting, but some claim they work wonders. I take Klonopin, and that works well due to its long acting properties. Neurontin is not a drug that will taake away your anxiety. I had to take it for a while to no avail. I did not like Buspar either. My doc has me take three Klonopin daily (3mg total). Find another doc and fast, especially if you don't trust him. It's getting more difficult to find doctors that will prescribe the meds we need, so they prescribe drugs we either cannot tolerate or are more dangerous. You should know if you need treatment or not. DO you feel you are abusing them? Or was it just an experiment to see if the extra would work better? 1mg is not very much at all. This is just my opinion, but I don't agree with your current doctor.
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Thank you so much for that nonjudgemental answer. I think the same thing as you, that if they found the right benzo at the right dose, there would be no need to abuse it and my life could go on. Now I'm in constant anxiety over this doctor who wants to strip the only thing that works. Cathleen
Yes & it's getting worse with aall this new Fedulations... Mary632998
Cathleen186,
I totally agree with JK, my mom is 93 and I go with her to office visits, she just needed something on the mild side but the doctor wanted to discuss Paxil, my mom just took the Rx once home destroyed it, called him and told him. she takes 1 medication. I think I've seen some friends have about as many unhappy results from the SSRI class of meds, I think in too many cases some doctors think you fix problems with SSRI drugs, my neighbor had a reaction to one, had been on it 2 weeks, almost wrecked the car after 2 weeks, he is responsible through this community and recently lost his 88 y/o mom, In the scheme of things I do no believe you would have been doing this if you had been having adequate medication. don't mean to sound negative it's your decision but this is what I feel from within.
I am not agreeing or disagreeing with what she should or shouldn't do I just think I've seen enough bad reactions from close friends who I would say they did it all the way instructed people who had serious ramification from a group of drugs I mentioned previously, A good friend looked at me in Church services and said to me where am I? His internist concluded he had a reaction to yet another SSRI, I am sure they have a place in medicine but I am just saying a doctor will prescribe these, It concerns me. didn't mean to go on and I don't mean to offend anyone I am just concerned.
Hi JK,
I agree with you, and Cathleen, find a doc that has the b@lls to actually prescribe the amount that you find efficacious!!! You've struggled for so long.
If benzos are not abused they are a great med, but like jk said docs are reticent to prescribe them. Do NOT go cold turkey off of them, but I'm sure you know that Cathleen.
Your friend,
Lara
Hey Lara, would you post a regular response instead of a comment so I can give you a thumbs up once in a while?
Mary,
OK my Sistah!!!
Love,
Lara