How do you define "Stable" ?

[[Ju...]]

This word,  "stable ", is used quite a bit in these forums, and I think it bears some discussion, since it often seems to determine a course of action.

It could mean;

1) no symptoms, feel ok

2) very minimal symptoms, able to drive, got work/school, have a life

3) minimal symptoms, but they dominate your day

4) symptoms present, but you're hanging in there, read to tick off another day

5) ?

I'm not trolling here, this is something I personally really need to know.

Thank you

J-man

 

[[Lo...]]

That's the best question in the world. I got so sick on ativan, so I had to stop working before even starting the taper.

So, stability for me was 4) hanging in there day by day, calling support lines and not having any severe symptoms like electric shocks or shakes, etc. Sometimes stabilization may mean you're just good enough not to have the urge to go to ER all the time. It all depends.

 

If you catch the problem before an actual chemical dependency occurs, I'd think the taper would be much smoother. I've used my ativan on and off and I had 2 chances to walk away had I known more about how those pills work. Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be.

 

[[an...]]

For me stability is 2) very minimal symptoms, able to drive, got work/school, have a life

[[bu...]]

This word,  "stable ", is used quite a bit in these forums, and I think it bears some discussion, since it often seems to determine a course of action.

It could mean;

1) no symptoms, feel ok

2) very minimal symptoms, able to drive, got work/school, have a life

3) minimal symptoms, but they dominate your day

4) symptoms present, but you're hanging in there, read to tick off another day

5) ?

I'm not trolling here, this is something I personally really need to know.

Thank you

J-man

 

It doesn't mean any of those things.

 

It has nothing to do with how you feel, whether of not your symptomatic, whether you feel good or bad, etc.

 

If your state has been level, if your condition is constant and steady, then you're stable.

 

If you are symptom-free, and remaining that way, you are stable

 

If you are bed-ridden and unable to care for your self, and have been that way for weeks, then you are stable

 

If you are anywhere between either of those definitions, and stay that way from day-to-day, then you are stable.

 

It means what it means, even if folks here try apply incorrect definitions.

 

"stable:

 

:  not changing or fluctuating <'the patient's condition was listed as stable'>"

 

http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/stable

[[Tr...]]

For me stable means #2 and #4. Things aren't extreme and don't fluctuate too much. Symptoms may be present but I can cope. If I have a day or two where I get super depressed or have a panic attack that's not stable then I need to figure out how I can get back to stability. That means I either eliminate something from my life, like a stressful social obligation, or adding a practice that will help, like exercise.

[[ly...]]

 

 

Since "stable" is often used to determine a state where you are able to taper further, I use a state when I feel personally stable - on an even keel and fully functional.  I know that this is not the dictionary definition but it is for me a state that relates to my well-being.  For me, 1 or 2 is stable.  I am not stable while symptomatic and unable to live life fully or very close to it.

 

 

[[an...]]

:thumbsup:

[[Tr...]]

This word,  "stable ", is used quite a bit in these forums, and I think it bears some discussion, since it often seems to determine a course of action.

It could mean;

1) no symptoms, feel ok

2) very minimal symptoms, able to drive, got work/school, have a life

3) minimal symptoms, but they dominate your day

4) symptoms present, but you're hanging in there, read to tick off another day

5) ?

I'm not trolling here, this is something I personally really need to know.

Thank you

J-man

 

In addition to what the others have written I would say you feel you're ready for the possible symptoms of your next cut.  So if you scheduled your cut for tomorrow but today you had a bad day filled w/ lots of anxiety, shaking, irritability, etc.  Then most likely you're not ready to face another round yet.  We're all different and what we can handle is different.  For me, I'm stable if I'm not irritable, can focus on conversations for more than 10 minutes, sleep for 4 hours, etc.  I just figured this out the other day as I was confused as well to what "stable" meant.  So for me, if I don't think I can handle my future symptoms then I'm gonna hold!  Hope that helps.

[[Ke...]]

I totally agree with the last post. I think stable is a dangerous word in this forum. People can think that it means we have no sxs at all. My fear is that I could continue to take the drug for 6 months hoping for something that won't happen for me. I held for two months, I did feel better but nowhere near symptom free. I start tapering when I feel I can handle another hit of withdrawal. I am not sure if it's possible for me to never feel sxs until I get off this drug completely.

[[Ph...]]

Stable means that we can live with our symptoms and current levels of medication without calling a doctor for help.  Symptoms are on a flat line with few variations.  But when our symptoms become intolerable and we need to call (or should call) a doctor and ask for help, we've crossed the line between stable and unstable.  We've moved into rough seas and need a course correction.

[[Ju...]]

I don't think the Dictionary definition applies in the context of what we are going through. I hit tolerance on Klonopin,

so I don't really feel too 'stable', and I'm still in the cross-over phase to Valium. Haven't even started my cut ! I'm wondering what it will feel like to be totally on Valium, and off Klonopin. (I guess that's 'progress', in this crazy world). As for intolerable, even if I called my doctor, what could she do ?

[[bu...]]

I guess we all get to make up ourt own definition? 

[[Ph...]]

I guess we all get to make up ourt own definition? 

Yep, pretty much.