So I’m supposed to get surgery pretty soon...

[[Le...]]

Hi guys! I’ve been lurking around here for quite some time, just let me give you a quick recap of my story...! 

 

Starting in Jan 2013 I intermittently took Triazolam for a few months (as a chill pill), because I am an idiot apparently, and wasn’t aware AT ALL of the dangers of benzos.  In that time i took it every few weeks, then like once a week and on 2-3 occasions even 1mg per day until November 2013, when I took a 1mg dose after a night of heavy drinking.

Then the nightmare started. The next day I had my first withdrawal symptoms (insomnia, restlessness, sweating, depersonalisation, derealisation,...) I didn’t give them much attention (although they SUCKED), just thought it would be a 2-3 day comedown or something. 

 

I wasn’t aware how alcohol affected withdrawal, so after another night of drinking (in Dec 2013) i thought i was gonna die the next day, WORST withdrawal symptoms ever, so i stopped drinking altogether and just tested every few months if I could take alcohol again... well, I couldn’t. It got worse, even if the dosages were at a minimal. I didn’t touch benzos again since then, so you could say i quit cold turkey.

 

So now here we are, almost FOUR FREAKING years later, and I’m still not close to be healed, i accidentally ate some tiramisu (contains rum) and had huge problems falling asleep, I feel like half a person, I don’t go out anymore, I’m socially anxious, have brain zaps in the morning while waking up and muscle jerks as well (just to name a few symptoms)

The worst problem, which I’m VERY afraid of is: I am supposed to get a hip replacement soon (at 31 years old, it’s a lifelong condition with my hip joint, which is pretty damaged and won’t hold on much longer) and after some research I found out EVERY SINGLE anaesthetic works through the GABA receptors (directly or indirectly). So I’m scared of the surgery because I don’t want to fall into heavy withdrawal after this huge operation and wish death upon myself. I know I can talk to the anasethesist about it, but I’m afraid he won’t know anything about Benzo withdrawal or not take it seriously (LIKE EVERY OTHER PERSON I TALK TO ABOUT THIS!!! – „no that can’t be“  „you’re just imagining it“ – „It’s psychosomatic“) 

 

So has anybody else have experienced anything like that? Is there a way to get through that surgery without revving up my withdrawal? Or is just alcohol worsening it and I shouldn’t worry about it?

 

Thank you guys very much, take care and let’s hope we can beat that benzo bulls#!t together! 

[[Le...]]

So, because I'm not getting any responses, my question shortened:

 

Has anybody gotten surgery while in withdrawal and experienced a setback? Are there any kinds of anaesthesia which leave my GABA receptors alone and don't hinder my recovery? Thank you! )

[[ne...]]

Hi Leckerschmecker, I'm sorry that you are in this though situation. To my knowledge there aren't any substances used for anaesthesia that don't act on GABA receptors. People say that is not a problem to use them once, even in recovery, there are plenty who have taken rescue doses and others who drank alcohol once in a while. The problems arise with regular use.

 

I don't know what to say in your situation though. :'(

 

Hopefully others will chime in soon!

xoxo

[Guest [ch...]]

It's true that all anaesthesia affects GABA. However I had no problems with Propofol when I had a colonoscopy in December. I felt sleepy/relaxed for a day or so afterwards with no rebound effect that I could discern. (Just don't think about Michael Jackson! In a hospital propofol is safe. He should've heeded "don't try this at home". ).

[[Ho...]]

Hey!  I'm really sorry to hear about your situation.. I started having issues with alcohol, even in small doses, around age 29... before that, it was just regular "hangovers"... headaches and nausea.  But by 29 I started having these awful heart palps... which is what led to multiple ER visits and benzos (which I was told were "safe" HA).

 

Anyways, I don't know much about surgery and anesthetics but I was in the hospital and given IV Lorazepam like... way too much.  12mg a day when I'm supposed to be tapered down to 1mg.  It's been super difficult to readjust, but not unbearable. 

 

Gabapentin has helped me a lot, and Propranolol helps with my heart palps, which for me are really bad and definitely the worst symptom.  I try to stay rational but I'm always scared of a heart attack/stroke because my resting heart rate is so high (normal is between 60-90, and even on all that Ativan in the hospital my HR was almost always over 100bpm).  Restricting my salt intake really helped my BP but of course, back at home, I haven't been eating as well as I should be.. I actually kinda wish I could be back in hospital.  I know that sounds weird, but I felt safe there... I wish it was possible (even if you're not a millionaire) to truly detox over the course of a few months in a hospital situation.  But since that's not feasible.... (insurance sucks, after all....)

 

I'm 31 also.  Feel like my health should be much better, considering my age!  Sorry about your hip probs, but anyways I think you'll be ok.  I'm *always* scared of health issues, but things usually turn out all right.  I doubt the surgery will severely affect your recovery... just let the docs take good care of you.    A lot of drs aren't benzo-wise, but when it comes to surgeons, they usually know what they're doing.  I wish I could give you more specific advice, but the only surgery I had was my appendix removed at 19 and that was way before I'd touched Ativan... so I don't know much about the connection. 

 

Just tell yourself you'll be ok, because.. YOU WILL.  I sometimes doubt it when people say it to me but I still appreciate hearing it... it at least makes me feel someone cares.  And I do.  We here, do.  Families often don't get it.. I know my own have offered some of the worst advice possible.  Honestly, they've sometimes made me feel I don't deserve to exist.  But we do.  We just.. go on.  For now at least.  I sure don't have all the answers.  But I just want you to know I'm rooting for ya!  Let us know how it all turns out, I hope it goes well and you're healed and happy soon 

 

Sam

[[Le...]]

Hi guys! Thanks for all your nice and positive replies! It's a bummer to hear that there's no anaesthesia that doesn't act upon GABA receptors...! I also read about propofol (yeah the "MJ Killer" who would've thought it could be lethal to use a heavy anaesthetic as a sleeping aid... )

 

The problem I have is that, when I try alcohol, it sets me back immediately for A FEW WEEKS, even a single dose, even a REALLY small one (like 100ml of Beer), it gives me huge problems which had already disappeared, so I figure it WILL BE a problem, even if it's just a single dose of anaesthesia....!

 

I think I might have to live with the fact that I probably will have a setback after the operation (maybe it's just the alcohol that's the problem, I was awfully drunk while on my last benzo dose almost 4 years ago...), but being painfree in the hip and also losing my scoliosis, shortened left leg and reducing the probability of another slipped spinal disc is gonna give me the strength I need to go through that. And if it does NOT set me back, then even better! =))

 

Thank you guys again for your insights and opinions, I will give an update after the surgery!!!