Hello from Rockingchaircat

[[Ro...]]

As nervous as a cat in a rocking chair factory.  My reason for joining? Well I have just recently discovered that I'm addicted to Lorazepam. My impression of it was that it was a 'simple' sleep aid, during a trying time for me. I've been taking it a little over a month now.  I'd requested something to help me through the night time/mid sleep panic attacks/feelings of suffocation.

 

The Lorazepam helped in that regard, and I managed to sleep well for a least a couple of weeks. Then I noticed that wasn't helping quite so much.  So I decided to ask for an 'upgraded' amount. From a 1mg dose in the evening I tried out a 2 mg dose.  The next day left me feeling like a zombie. I immediately tried to cut back to a 1.

Which turned out to be not such a good idea.  Immediate withdrawal symptoms. But I stuck it out for the better part of a week. Until I gave in and had .5mg dose in the wee hours.

Which left me groggy in the morning and feeling unsafe to drive. So, now I've started taking the whole 1.5 mg at night before bed.  Result- stare at the ceiling and flop around like a fish for two hours.

I guess you could say I have started tapering from the one time dose of 2 mg and am now down to 1.5mg. And that alone wasn't easy.

I go to see the Primary Doc this afternoon to discuss an appropriate reduction schedule.  I just got down with Gallbladder surgery, and now this. Joy.

 

My reason for joining- no man is an island.  We all do better with support of our peers.

[[be...]]

 

Hi Rockingchaircat Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am so happy you found us. Unfortunately it does not take long to develop a dependency to benzodiazepines. They are really meant for short time use. The recommended reduction for long term use is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. However if it was me I would try a much faster taper as I would not want to have my taper last months when I was only on the medication for a month. I personally would try to taper off quickly.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

 

[[al...]]

Hello there and welcome to BB!

 

                                            I am very glad that you figure that out so quickly. You have only been on the drug for a month now, that is what we consider a short term user. Benzos are only meant to be taken for a maximum of 4-6 week. After that physical  dependency can occur, and that is when our brain chemistry changes. Right now it may feel like you are dependent but it is not the same as a long term user. It is recommended that you speak with your doctor to get their support in doing a quick taper as soon as you can. Remember the longer you are on the drug the more chance you have of dependency, so a long taper would not be advisable. I would personally reduce it over a week to 10 days maximum...but please consult with your doctor before doing anything. You will feel some discomfort in withdrawing, but you should recover quite quickly. Those people on here, BB, have all long term users and as such there experience will be quite different from your own.

 

A great place to start though would be to read through The Ashton Manual This is a wonderful resource written by Dr Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field of Benzo Withdrawal. Here you can learn about all the ins and outs of Benzodiazepine withdrawal. But remember that this manual was written with the long term user in mind. Not the short term user.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Feel free to post on any of our other boards. And for any technical questions you may have concerning how to do something  on the website  please do not hesitate to post a question in our Technical Support section.

 

Again, welcome! AlabamaWerle. xo

[[Ro...]]

It's been close to the two months max. One thing I've not posted yet- is that I've been going through withdrawal with something else. I'm not sure what though.

 

Essentially- much of the same withdrawal symptoms as I'm getting from the Lorazepam from 2 mg down to 1.5. Only much more intense. It was by and large a constant muscle burn that worked great when I was working out, but every two to three weeks I'd end up completely fatigued to the point of needing several days to recover.

It may have something to do with my gall bladder, it may not.

The medical docs were simply stumped about it. They ran every medical test they could think of and get away with- and everything pointed to me being JUST FINE.

Right now I just want to take it easy.  But I can't. The Lorazepam withdrawal is the next to go.  The anti-depressant can wait.  THAT at least I know has somewhat of a good effect.

 

Part of the problem- I've used up all of my sick leave for the Gallbladder problem.  I'm the breadwinner so if I lose the job, there goes the house and retirement.  No pressure.

 

The gallbladder issue was that I was observed of having all the symptoms of a gallbladder attack save one- no detectable gallstone.

5 ER trips later...I found a Gastro Surgeon who was willing to cut, with him browbeating me all the way. Result- one rollercoaster of a ride of recovery. (Whoever invented Percocets- was either an angel or a devil if not both).

 

I tried a wee bit of chocolate this morning- not only was it delicious- I appear to have succeeded in not having any bad attacks from it- yet.

[[be...]]

It's been close to the two months max. One thing I've not posted yet- is that I've been going through withdrawal with something else. I'm not sure what though.

 

Essentially- much of the same withdrawal symptoms as I'm getting from the Lorazepam from 2 mg down to 1.5. Only much more intense. It was by and large a constant muscle burn that worked great when I was working out, but every two to three weeks I'd end up completely fatigued to the point of needing several days to recover.

It may have something to do with my gall bladder, it may not.

The medical docs were simply stumped about it. They ran every medical test they could think of and get away with- and everything pointed to me being JUST FINE.

Right now I just want to take it easy.  But I can't. The Lorazepam withdrawal is the next to go.  The anti-depressant can wait.  THAT at least I know has somewhat of a good effect.

 

Part of the problem- I've used up all of my sick leave for the Gallbladder problem.  I'm the breadwinner so if I lose the job, there goes the house and retirement.  No pressure.

 

The gallbladder issue was that I was observed of having all the symptoms of a gallbladder attack save one- no detectable gallstone.

5 ER trips later...I found a Gastro Surgeon who was willing to cut, with him browbeating me all the way. Result- one rollercoaster of a ride of recovery. (Whoever invented Percocets- was either an angel or a devil if not both).

 

I tried a wee bit of chocolate this morning- not only was it delicious- I appear to have succeeded in not having any bad attacks from it- yet.

 

In the world of benzodiazepines at two month use will probably require a taper longer than if you were on them for only one month. I certainly would discuss with your doctor the best route to get off of them.

[[ba...]]

Hi Rockingchaircat,  love the name !! 

 

i took xanax a long time for 30 months i found this support group around a year and half ago, i found great support and guidance here people here are caring i was suggested to reduce my doses slowly i quit taking xanax 2 1/2 months ago i felt a great peace of mind knowing that people i talked to quit at the same dose size i reduced to 0.0625

 

im still recovering it can take a few months - a year to fully recover for me activating and exercises helped me quit with the least withdreawals ,

nice to meet you , again i love your nickname here !! i hope you enjoyed thanksgiving 4 days ago too ,

Katie

[[Ro...]]

Thank you. Babie angel. I want my life back too. And I will get it. I don't like life lived in fear.  Every day I live, is a day closer to recovery.

[[be...]]

Thank you. I want my life back too. And I will get it. I like life lived in fear.  Every day I live, is a day closer to recovery.

 

You have that right!

[[Ro...]]

I talked with the Doc yesterday, he feels that a 0.5 mg taper per month should be fine. I'm kinda on board with a more of a 0.25 mg taper every two weeks.

That way the last dose will not jump from 0.5 to nothing.

 

I'm planning on doing a 1.25 mg on the 9th of December. Then see how that goes.  If I'm feeling as good on the 23rd as I'm feeling now- then it'll be down to 1.0 mg then.

 

Then a 0.75 mg on the 6th of Jan.

A 0.5 mg on the 20th of Jan.

0.25 on the third of Feb.

And then a choice for Feb 17th- final jump or cut down to 0.125 for a couple more weeks.

 

I think I'll play it by ear.

[[al...]]

You will essentially be adding  3 months  on to your usage. Thus withdrawing longer than you were on the drug therapeutically.......this creates dependency when that is exactly what you want to avoid. That will bring your total exposure time on benzos to  5 months. I personally would do it much faster than that. I would personally cut 0.25mgs every 7 to 10 days max. Get off them as soon as you can...safely.  These drugs will change your brain chemistry...you want to avoid that at all costs. You are a short term user, please try to stay that way.

 

alabama.xo

[[Ro...]]

You will essentially be adding  3 months  on to your usage. Thus withdrawing longer than you were on the drug therapeutically.......this creates dependency when that is exactly what you want to avoid. That will bring your total exposure time on benzos to  5 months. I personally would do it much faster than that. I would personally cut 0.25mgs every 7 to 10 days max. Get off them as soon as you can...safely.  These drugs will change your brain chemistry...you want to avoid that at all costs. You are a short term user, please try to stay that way.

 

alabama.xo

 

They already have changed my chemistry. And I think I've been on some kind of Benzo before- thus my quick reaction.

 

I understand the desire to get off of them quickly- but my impatience has done me bad before.  As it is - it doesn't do me any sleep aid now. I've had some insomnia off and on during the last week.

 

And I've got a full time job to hold down. The boss is understanding. but....he's got his limits.

 

The doc wanted me to do 0.5 a month. I will be doing 0.25 every two weeks, technically not the same.

 

I may try and see what cutting down to 1.0 will result in.  As I seem to have regulated at 1.5 now.

[[ba...]]

hi again rockingchaircat,

 

i saw on your signature you take some vitamins thats great . you should try to take magnesium as well , that helped me . i try to drink a couple of cups of milk each day vitamins work better this way. have you ever tried chamomille tea ?? that helps me relax every supermarket has it for $1 - $3 a box of 20 tea bags . i exercise in the evenings & after i shower then fill the bath tub with hot tub temperature water. for awhile i wore sunglasses indoors i felt sensitve to lights i was like squinting constantly without them. the kind that worked best for me was amber colored lens sunglasses from the $1 dollar tree. ,

i really hope this helps you, god bless you,

Katie

[[Ro...]]

Thanks Baby Angel, Yes I do work out.  Or at least I'm getting back into doing so after my gallbladder removal surgery. The last couple of days were small bouts of it here and there to insure I didn't pull something out of place that I shouldn't.  So far so good.

 

As to vitamins- yes I do. Right now I've been taking a daily multivitamin, with some B12 tablets. I shall give the magnesium a try.  As to teas- yes I enjoy some tea every day now, particularly since I'm laying off of the caffeine products (coffee etc) for now, other than the caffeine withdrawal headaches it does make for an improvement. Chamomille, Peppermint in particular I prefer, Apple Cider, and some some Teeccino Vanilla Nut "herbal coffee" (no caffeine).

 

Soon I shall see if I can stomach milk again- I went off for a couple months due to the high fat content (even in skim) to trigger gallbladder reaction.  Now that the G.B. has been emancipated I will be reacquainting myself with it.

 

Note to alabamwerle- I went ahead and cut down my dose 1.25 mg last night. I'll wait and see how I feel over the next few days. If no big reaction, I'll knock it down to 1.0 within a few more days.  I think you're right- I don't want to be on it for months more.

 

Unfortunately I've not got the kind of bathtubs big enough for one such as I.