Here to help my Mom

[[Pe...]]

Hi.  I am here to try and figure out what is going on with my mom.  My mom has been sick for a while with no real diagnosis.  In June of '09 she presented to the ER with shaking and crying.  The ER doctor prescribed Ativan 0.5mg as needed.  As her symptoms progressed she began using Ativan more often and had a doctor prescribe her 1mg three times a day.  She took this for several weeks.  Long story, short she saw a psychiatrist who told her to get off of the Ativan.  Instead of tapering her, he told her to stop cold turkey.  She did this for 2 days and went through extreme withdrawal.  (crying, baby talk, shaking, GI symptoms, headaches, insomnia).  I got in touch with a doctor who put her back on her Ativan and began a taper.  She tapered down somewhat slowly I guess.  In total she probably got off of all Ativan in about 5-6 weeks.  Once off the Ativan she was fine for a week.  No shaking, no crying, nothing.  She was back to being her old self again.  Then, one day, out of the blue she started the shaking and crying again.  She shakes so badly she stutters.  She can't sit still.  She has insomnia.  She sometimes talks like a baby.  All of the symptoms she displayed while getting off of the Ativan except they seem worse and last longer.  Sorry, I'm getting long with this.  My question is this:  Could her symptoms still be caused by Ativan withdrawal?  Her doctor does not think so.  She stopped all Ativan 2-3 weeks ago.  She was not on any medication at all, but since starting this second round of shaking her MD put her on Zoloft.  Please help.  People are treating her like she is crazy.  What do we do?  How long will she be like this?  We are desperate for answers. 

[[Co...]]

Hi Pennylane,

 

I am sorry to learn that your mother is so unwell. I'm sure you will not be surprised by me saying that there is no way for us to know if this Ativan withdrawal related. What I can say is that I would guess an average member of BenzoBuddies, that has exhibited full blown dependency, probably would take 5-6 months to taper off 3mg Ativan - some would take a lot longer! A cold turkey benzodiazepine withdrawal could cause the symptoms you describe, and at the more extreme end, maybe even the symptoms you describe after a 5-6 week taper to quit 3mg Ativan. It is interesting that your mother exhibited these symptoms during her cold turkey withdrawal, but as your doctor pointed out, she might be expected to have exhibited these withdrawal symptoms sooner after her recent 5-6 week taper.

 

I really cannot say for sure, but we have had some members that have experienced rather extreme withdrawal symptoms, and some, maybe even after a few weeks of quitting. I guess another possibility is that there is something else going on (medically speaking) and the benzo withdrawal has aggravated the problem.

 

I'm sorry that I cannot give you a more specific reply - to do so would be to diagnose your mother (which we don't do around here), and I don't believe even a doctor could do this from what you written. My suggestion is that you have your mother thoroughly checked out, and maybe take her for a second opinion if you are not satisfied with what her doctor tells you.

 

Maybe your doctor could consider a partial reinstatement to see if this resolves the situation. It would at least help confirm that it is benzo-related. She could then taper at a slower rate, making smaller cuts.

[[pa...]]

Hi Pennylane, welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I agree with Colin, I think having a complete check up on your mom would be a good step. If after that there are no answers for these symptoms you can be more assured this is withdrawal. 5-6 weeks is a very rapid taper. It took me about 8 months for 4mg!

 

I wish there were definite answers we could tell you but unfortuantely there's not. I wish you and your mother the best and hope these symptoms improve very soon.

 

Amanda

[[Mb...]]

I read your post, and IMO i dont see any reason why your mom's illness shouldn't be attributed to benzos. If she is having muscle twitching, GI problems, Insomnia, i would say she is experiencing benzo withdrawal.

 

I took klonopin for 6 months, and know that when I stopped C/T, i was an absolute mess. If it is withdrawal, no one can tell you how long it will be until she feels better, but her health will return over time.

 

 

Mike

 

 

 

[[Gm...]]

Hi pennylane,

 

your mom is blessed to have kids like you.  I am very sorry to see your mom suffering like this.  From reading your post, I am assuming your mom had the crying and shaking before Benzos? If this is the case, I would say those symptoms are not caused by the benzos. It is possible for those symptoms to be amplified from benzo WD, but benzos would not be the original cause because she went to the hospital and was prescribed ativan for these symptoms. The baby talk is the first I have seen ( Unless it can be classified under something else benzo related). The other symptoms are on the list for WD and it is possible.

 

I agree with Colin and make sure your mom gets a full evaluation from a doctor..

[[Pe...]]

So very sorry your mother is going thru this

you are a wonderul daughter to be doing this

research and loving her so much to seek answers.

I agree with other opinions and a good work up is key first.

what took her to the er in the first place is my question

and if you do not mind me asking could you let us know her

age and is she living with you now that she is so sick?

can you get back to us?

you will be supported here

and we will help any way we can once you know for sure it is the benzo's

someone can help with a taper plan for you guys to follow when the time

comes if that is what you would like?

 

We are here

you are not alone

in this and

 

Prayers are with you all at this

very difficult time.

 

PennyBLue

 

 

 

[[Pe...]]

My mom is 59.  Over the past 8 months she has been to 3 different ERs and been admitted to three different hospitals.  She's seen several specialists.  She's had hundreds of tests done.  Yet, she continues with shaking.  The crying has stopped.  She's had several good days in a row now.  We are scheduled to see her 3rd neurologist next month.  We are thinking that the shaking is being caused by something muscular.  We believe she was placed on Ativan for the wrong reason.  She told everyone she was not anxious, but they thought it was anxiety so the prescribed Ativan and it seemed the more she took the more she needed to take.  Anyway, been off of Ativan for about a month now.  To answer your question, she lives at home with my dad.  When she is at her worst my dad or myself stay with her.  But, most days she is OK to be home by herself.