My friends ask me why I chose to get off of a medication that was to stop my panic attacks. It is a legitimate question. The answer is simple, but has a few parts to it.
First, benzos stop working after awhile. They down regulate a part of the brain that keeps the mind and body calm, so you need more of the drug. Benzos are addictive, just like pain meds or heroin. Why would anyone want to continue an addiction?
Second, the drugs cloud your thinking. Benzos are related to alcohol but they are far stronger. Why would I want to live my life numbed out?
Third, the damage benzos do to the brain are pretty horrific. Even on a steady dose, you can have full blown withdrawal symptoms. Some people keep upping their dose trying to get out of withdrawal but the brain is too damaged and no amount of the drug will help.
Fourth, long term use of the drug can cause serious health problems, including dementia.
I am paying a huge price for having believed my doctor and remained on the medication for 19 years. I am healing from a cold turkey withdrawal and it makes my old anxiety look like child’s play.
Why get off of a benzo? To live and love fully and deeply. To be of sound mind and body. To not suffer from withdrawal symptoms even while taking the medication.
In short, to recover my life!
Great post Jennifer!!! You outlined it very well which made it clear why people need to get off this horrid drug. In the hell of withdrawal, I had forgotten all these reasons.
God keep you going!
Hi Jennifer! Thanks for reminding ME why I need to get off this drug!
Jennifer –
Heard about your blog thru Matt. Holy shit, sister. C/Ting at the hands of an addiction specialist? Horrific! I’ve been at my detox for a year. Long story. Same story – doc told me they were benign, would help my pathological insomnia that was due to 4th of July fireworks of hormones related to my second pregnancy. Thanks, Doc. Two years later, my body started falling apart.
Glad you’re telling your story. I’ll keep checking in. If you want to check in on my detailing of the horrors particular to our experience, it’s all on my blog. The good, the black and the ugly.
Melissa
ieatyoumama.wordpress.com
p.s. – can’t wait to look at the videos. Awesome idea. I’ve spent countless nights sleepless and looking for anything to make me laugh. Comedy Central I’ve exhausted!!
What do you for the anxiety that occurs I’ve been intolerance withdrawal for over 2 weeks now my PCP has put me on .5mg of ativan split in two but its not helping with anything should I just stop it doesn’t work for me is the worst over I have anxiety and tinutis now PCP gave me an anti depressant but did not take it scared to I’m not depressed I just gave this anxiety which I never had before please help any insight
I’m sorry you are feeling bad. I can’t offer any advice as I’m not an Medical doctor. Have you posted on benzobuddies.org for feedback? I would start there.
I’ve been on lorazepam since May 14 2012
At 1mg x2 a day I had much stress in my life my mother was diagnosed with cancer in November 2011 Stage 4 uncontrollable uterine Leiomyosarcoma just plain awful had traveled all the way up to her lungs was heart broken but still I prayed and wished for the best and had the best Oncologist and team from Dana Farber but my world got turned upside down when my mother was admitted to the hospital April 4 her lung had collapsed she was in the ICU at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital well that’s when the severe stressed kicked in my mother was put on a vent I was in shock with a tube going down her throat 2 days later they put a trek on her neck they tried weening her off but her lungs were far to weak from the Sarcoma tumors being so large and was justifying away at her lungs come a month later after going to the hospital everyday to see my mom I just didn’t think about anything else other than how I am going to deal with her not being around I was drinking coffee like it was dinner and having grilled cheese sandwiched and working all day then I was going to see her at night well my point is I just wasn’t taking care if myself like I should have been come May I4 I thought I was having a heart attack was taking to the ER they told me I was having an anxiety attack then they gave me 1mg of Ativan they told me to follow up with my PCP that’s when it all started he never warned me if the dangers if it he even prescribed it over the phone when I told him it was making me sick waking me up at night just started to make me feel strange like not myself he told me to up my dose I said no way I started to wean myself off come September 1st come the 28th I felt full blown withdrawals the whole two weeks I had so many symptoms it was horrible I’ve never felt so sick I went to my PCP and they said I had the stomach flu TMJ
They even tried to give me anti depressants what to do stop taking it because at 1 mg doesn’t even do anything for me and don’t want to crossover should I just keep on fighting this my PcP gave me Benadryl to take also I now have heart palpatations severe anxiety and chest pains going to another doc will not help they seem to just want to prescribe more pills please help with any suggestions that will help my recovery Wish I never took this awful poison and why did my doc keep refilling every month he was clueless as of what would happen he said being on such a low dose would not give me withdrawals
No not yet but will do thanks for your reply I just don’t see how a PCP would not make me aware of these dangers but I can’t dwell on the past I just have to look towards getting better for the future
Does anyone know or have an opinion or whether marihuana is helpful during tapering and with withdrawal symptoms?
It has helped some who used medical pot that is mostly cbd.
Pot with thc has messed up a lot of people.