New Member Introduction

[[Be...]]

I am so happy to have found this site. As a paramedic, I was familiar with acute manifestations of benzo use. Only recently did I discover the horror that long term use can bring. After my mother had several psychiatric episodes, my family relocated (700 miles) to  help her settle dad's estate and move her back to the Philadelphia area with us. Immediately we saw some very strange behavior. She was aggressive, sad, paranoid and constantly agitated. Then I learned she had been taking Ambien, Ativan and Zoloft for over 4 years, on top of what we now suspect to be Borderline Personality. This was all prescribed by her primary physician. She began to focus her anger at my husband who has Lyme's arthritis and cognitive problems(from the Lyme's). When we tried to stop her from driving she brought her brother to our home to intimidate my family. She called the police constantly. My husband, daughter and I now all see a counselor to treat anxiety. The same primary physician, gave my husband Ativan (6 a day) to treat his anxiety attacks. Now he is trying to get off them and is in agony. We are trying to taper him off. Of course he gave me diazapam to treat the neck pain and constant and chronic tension headaches. I take 2.5 mg. maybe 3 times a week when I can't take the pain anymore. I feel like hell the next day and am an emotional mess.

[[ma...]]

Hi BenzoBuster

 

Welcome to benzobuddies,  I am sorry you have been through such a lot.  Its sad how the family have suffered because of benzodiazepines.  Your going to be ok, it will get better, you will get plenty of support here.  Have you read the Ashton Manual, I will put a link here for you: “Professor Ashtons Manual” It is an authoritative resource on benzodiazepines and how to withdraw, the general rule of thumb is to reduce between 5/10% every 10/14 days

 

Please feel free to check out the forum and post to any of the dedicated boards, you'll find a great community of people who are here to support and encourage you.

 

For tapering advice General Taper Plans Board  For support with any symptoms you may have post here: Withdrawal Support

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice this link will show you how to”Create a signature”

 

If you have any questions, let us know.

 

Welcome Aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[be...]]

I am so happy to have found this site. As a paramedic, I was familiar with acute manifestations of benzo use. Only recently did I discover the horror that long term use can bring. After my mother had several psychiatric episodes, my family relocated (700 miles) to  help her settle dad's estate and move her back to the Philadelphia area with us. Immediately we saw some very strange behavior. She was aggressive, sad, paranoid and constantly agitated. Then I learned she had been taking Ambien, Ativan and Zoloft for over 4 years, on top of what we now suspect to be Borderline Personality. This was all prescribed by her primary physician. She began to focus her anger at my husband who has Lyme's arthritis and cognitive problems(from the Lyme's). When we tried to stop her from driving she brought her brother to our home to intimidate my family. She called the police constantly. My husband, daughter and I now all see a counselor to treat anxiety. The same primary physician, gave my husband Ativan (6 a day) to treat his anxiety attacks. Now he is trying to get off them and is in agony. We are trying to taper him off. Of course he gave me diazapam to treat the neck pain and constant and chronic tension headaches. I take 2.5 mg. maybe 3 times a week when I can't take the pain anymore. I feel like hell the next day and am an emotional mess.

 

Welcome  I would imagine that the combination of drugs that your mother was on could cause irrational behavior. Is she currently trying to taper any of these medication? Ativan is a very potent short acting benzodiazepines and is one of the more difficult benzodiazepines to withdraw from. I don't know your husband's dosage, but even at the lowest dose of .25, 6 tablets is a fairly large dose. The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. Some doctors will use diazepam as a cross over benzodiazepines because of its longer half life and the pill size is easier to reduce. I would also like to caution you that even irregular use can cause a real dependency. You may want to consider tapering along with your husband. Again, welcome.

[[Be...]]

Yes, welcome. Difficult situation. Sorry for your pain all around.

 

Consider starting a progress blog. Big help as days tend to blend together unless you can see them in print, and memory may temporarily be effected.

 

Yes, please do make a signature for the bottom of your forum profile. A simple statement including drugs and dosage. That way you needn't repeat those things every time you post. We DO read them.

 

Ativan, 6 times a day is NOT a low dose. Hold steady until a workable plan is put in place.

 

Diazepam 2.5 mg three times a week is, I hope, at regular intervals. Interdose withdrawals and worse symptoms can happen when dosages are not regularly spaced or amounts yo-yo up and down.

 

If you have an option, consult a doctor who could work with you through tapering off. It's going to be about managing a taper that minimizes suffering, versus a text book plan.

 

Best,

Benniejets