C/T and Terrible stomach muscle spasms

[[Co...]]

New to this, so I haven't read through all the of posts.  I stopped .5 mg ativan at bed and as needed for stress related blood pressure (used on and off for 4 years until July 2013).  Immediately I started with this wake-up morning stomach spams that would release as soon as I sat up in bed.  this continued for about 3 months (horrible.)  Then suddenly disappeared . . . I wasn't going to question that blessing, was starting to suspect it was related to long-term ativan use.  But I excused myself as I only used a little, not every day, but it was for four years.  I had to start back on Ativan (I chose to start!!) after returning to work.  Approx. 6 weeks into this on and off use of .5, the morning stomach spasm started again (my consciousness becomes awake and aware of a surge of adrenalin and then the spasm.)  I did not increase the ativan knowing that it might be a slippery slope.  I went cold turkey July 28 2014 and continue to have these daily morning stomach spasms.  I went to an accupunturist in April and sure enough, the spasms disappeared after 6 treatments, but one needs to keep going to keep the effect (2 - 3 times a week at $120.00 a visit.)

It also disappears when I travel by train (sleep on the train over night?) but when I used a massager to mimic the train, I don't get the same benefit.  I woke up on my birthday without one - and I thanked God for that gift - again, not aware of anything new or different added.  Does anyone have any suggestions?  Has anyone used beta blockers for the adrenalin surges and if so does it work? (I also have high blood pressure which is good during the day and night, but surges with these spasms.)  And I only get this in the morning and no other times throughout the day/evening. Could use any help anyone has.  thanks

[[ea...]]

First of all, Im glad youre posting.

Second, have you spoken to your doctor about this? Might be a good idea. But....third, gastric problems are extremely common in benzo withdrawal. This is because the GI tract is chock full of gaba receptors (a critical part of the nervous sytem-) and when we go off a benzo, these receptors react by causing unpleasant symptoms. You could think of these symptoms as signs you are healing.

Please be careful about going cold turkey again. There is evidence that going CT more than once causes something called "kindling." Kindling means that each withdrawal may be worse and last longer than the last....not something you want to have happen. (It happened to me, and I learned my lesson!)

All this talk about gaba receptors etc sounds very confusing, but it really isn't. All you need to know is that benzos Do affect your central nervous system, both while  youre on one and when you get off one. Your CNS includes your brain, your spinal cord and everywhere throughout the body.

east

[[br...]]

Hi CountryGal,

 

Eastcoast is bang on! I don't have any suggestions as such in terms of relief because what works for one person may not work for another. I can tell you that I suffered a lot with GI issues through out my benzo taper and the worst parts of Acute withdrawal.

 

Thankfully some real improvements are now being made at almost month 17. I still have some way to go before I am fully recovered but we do all heal. I am proof of that, and many others on here. Once those GABA Receptors start to work again things will start to improve.

 

If you have a chance take a look at the 'Stomach Healing Place' thread. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=94455.0

 

Good Healing.

 

b

[[be...]]

I am sorry you are feeling so badly. These symptoms are referred to as "benzo belly".

[[Co...]]

Believe me, if I had known about the problems associated with CT I wouldn't have done it the first time.  The second time I asked my doc for valium to start the taper.  After my first dose I had a severe reaction and couldn't breath. . .  I had to force myself to breath, if that makes sense.  It took two days for that symptom to go away.  The pharmacist said that sometimes happens to people.  So I went down to .25 on the ativan for a couple of days and there was no change in the stomach issue so I just jumped.  The doc offered to put me on a beta blocker (since I am already on bp meds) but I was afraid to start something  new.