Berlin girl - is taking Tavor(Lorazepam) 1mg once every two weeks dangerous?

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I was born in Berlin, am living here again after many years abroad, am leading a quite happy life with a wonderful boyfriend, healthy parents, good friends, a fun and secure job, a wonderful apartment, am loving theatre, art, gardening in our garden full of old apple trees and full of flowers and bees and butterflies.....BUT  I have had a huge anxiety problem for decades now. With many deep depressive episodes.

 

I am 48, in the middle of menopause, am scared of many things (terrible fear of loosing loved ones, fears about my future, fear of diseases...) I have NEVER taking antidepressants, thank god. I started taking Tavor (Lorazepam) 2 and a half years ago every now and then. Yet, never more than once every week or every two weeks or even once a month in difficult, panicky moments. I never took more than 1mg of Lorazepam/Tavor. I never took Tavor more than one day in a row, I always had one week or more weeks in between two Tavor pills. Yet, I would like to know if someone could tell me if even such a low dosage for over 2 years can be seen as a dependency....and if such a low, not regular dosage can cause alterations in my brain and/or body.

[[pi...]]

Hello TTT,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  It seems as if you have been very careful about your use of lorazepam, limiting it to once a week or two weeks. In my opinion, this type of usage might not cause dependency.  However, it's easy to use these types of drugs as a crutch and run to them whenever there is stress or trouble in our lives.  Then, once a week can turn into almost daily use which can cause dependency. No matter how often you take lorazepam, it does have an effect on your brain and body.

 

I believe there are much better ways to deal with anxiety then taking a benzodiazepine and studies have backed this up. There are modalities such as CBT, meditation, deep belly breathing and others that can be an effective tool in dealing with anxiety. 

 

I'm glad you are looking into the issue of using lorazepam, being educated about these drugs is very important. I'll give you a link to the Ashton Manual. While it discusses tapering in detail, it also gives good information about benzos and their effect on the human system. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Anxiety Board. There you can communicate with others who deal with this issue and perhaps find some ways to deal with it naturally, without a drug.

 

It sounds like you have so many good things in your life.  Believe me, I understand menopause, having gone through it myself.  It's not fun and can cause some unpleasant symptoms, but it is temporary. 

 

Keep reading about these drugs, I think you'll see the dangers they can present. Please ask questions, we're here to help.

 

The Ashton Manual

 

Anxiety

 

pianogirl 

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Thank you so much for your quick response. Thank you for all the information and links and understanding for menopause - and for writing about the dangers of easily slipping into a daily use of benzos whenever there will occur some sort of stress or trouble in life. And there surely will be sorrow in the course of my life....parents dont get younger etc.

Will write soon and will try to concentrate on my job now 

[[Bu...]]

Hello Berlin,

 

Welcome to the board. In a word no I don't believe that the dosage and occasional use of Benzo is causing any real damage... Yet. However, like Piano said will you start to lean on it more in the future? Slippery slope...

 

Dealing with anxiety is best treated with cognitive tools. Learn to find acceptance; sure life has bad episodes, but also many wonderful things as you described. Embrace God and try to understand why he allows bad things to happen in our lives. He wants us to do his work here on Earth so he shows us bad things that need our attention and care. We are his representatives, we help others to heal, we help others who are suffering, we take care of the poor...

 

Yes people we love will die, so will we all. The tenuous nature of life is meant to remind us not to take it for granted and to appreciate all of those in our lives. If you are a believer than you know that we will all meet again in the afterlife, which is eternal. Losing loved ones is temporary and another reminder to help others get through it when it happens to them.

 

Research and consider using 200mg of Suntheanine for anxiety as needed, it works very well and may be all of the help that you need. Maybe even twice a day prophylactically, pitch the benzos.

 

Remember that fear is a warning that something needs attention... Embrace your fears and find answers to the questions that they present. Pray hard and God will answer in time and in his own way. I have always found this lovely poem inspiring...

 

 

Desiderata (Desired things)

Max Ehrmann

 

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,

and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,

be on good terms with all persons.

 

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,

even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

 

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious

to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others,

you may become vain or bitter, for always

there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

 

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;

it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

 

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.

But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;

many persons strive for high ideals,

and everywhere life is full of heroism.

 

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,

it is as perennial as the grass.

 

Take kindly the counsel of the years,

gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

 

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.

But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

 

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

 

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,

whatever you conceive Him to be.

 

And whatever your labors and aspirations,

in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,

it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

 

 

Peace and Love to you,

 

 

Wilson