Having bad withdrawal after less than a month on Ativan and Xanax

[[es...]]

Hello, a little less than a month ago I was experiencing many panic attacks that ended up with a trip to the emergency room. I was unknowingly given a shot of Ativan to help calm me down as my heart rate was high and I was panicking. They gave me a prescription for Ativan and I was sent home.

 

I didn't immediately take the Ativan because I thought I didn't need it, but after a few days I started to feel really sick like I was dying. My heart was racing! While lying down it was over 100 bpm and standing would drive it over 140. This of course freaked me out and I ended up in a different hospital this time. The er doctor was not sure what could be causing my fast heart rate as all the blood tests were normal so I was admitted to the hospital and put on a heart monitor for observation.

 

The doctor that was assigned to me at the hospital was adamant that it was all anxiety that was causing my rapid heart rate and so he put me on 2 mg of xanx every 6 hours. I started taking it at first and felt ok but for some reason I decided I didn't want to take it anymore so I would spit the pills out as soon as the nurse would leave. That's when I started feeling horrible. Again I felt like I was dying, nausea,  loss of appetite,  dizziness,  fast heart rate persited, sweating, insomnia. Is it possible to have withdrawals so fast? At the time I didn't even know about withdrawals from benzos I legit just thought I had cancer or a heart disease. I ended up staying in the hospital for a week and when I was discharged I was still feeling like shit. Heart rate over 130 when standing, dizziness etc.

 

When I got home from the hospital it was late at night. I tried to sleep but I had a very hard time even though I felt exhausted. I eventually passed out for about an hour before I woke up sweating, short of breath with my heart going 120 bpm. I panicked and called an ambulance that took me to yet another different hospital. They did more blood and urine tests which came back normal and I was still feeling exhausted but couldn't sleep. I told the doctor about the ativan I was given at the other er and he said ok we'll give you some more of that. So I got a shot of ativan and I was out like a light.

 

I was released in the morning and was told to keep taking the ativan so I started taking 3mg a day. It was around this time when I started reading about the effects of ativan and xanax (which I stopped c/t after leaving the hospital) and discovered the horrible truth about side effects and withdrawals.

 

I've been trying to taper off starting from 3 mg a day to 2, 1, .05 , and now 1/4 pill once a day over the past 2 weeks. I think I might have tapered too quickly but I honestly just want to stop this crap. I've been feeling like shit everyday,  I have trouble sleeping, at times I'll be about to pass out and I'll get jolted awake with a deep breath, nausea, lack of appetite, dizziness, increased anxiety, irritability, muscle twitching, balance problems, digestive issues and more. I just can't believe that I can be suffering so much from such a short period of use.  I just want to feel normal again.

[[pi...]]

Hello espjoe89,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies! I'm so sorry for all the issues you've dealt with recently.  From your introduction post I can not tell exactly how long you've been on benzos.  When was your first dose at the initial emergency room visit? 

 

One of the problems with drugs like Xanax and Ativan is that withdrawal can happen with even short term use.  However, your short usage is in your favor and we actually recommend an accelerated taper for those who have taken benzos for a short duration.  Your withdrawal symptoms are very common and should ease up once off the drug.

 

There is the issue of panic attacks that might need to be dealt with.  There are many modalities that are effective when dealing with anxiety and panic.  CBT, meditation, deep belly breathing exercises and  yoga are a few. 

 

I'll give you a link to the Ashton Manual. It is an excellent resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field. 

 

I'll also give you a link to the Withdrawal Support Board (during your taper). You can post there and receive feedback from members.

 

I understand completely your wish to feel normal again.  These benzos are strong drugs that make significant changes to the central nervous system.  It can take a little while for the system to reset, but it will. You're going to be OK. Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

The Ashton Manual

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

pianogirl 

[[es...]]

My first dose of Ativan was on September 19th. My first dose of Xanax was on September 22nd and the last was on Sept 28th. Thanks for all the information I really appreciate it! I'm trying to stop the Ativan before I hit the one month mark. I'm just surprised that I can have so many symptoms in less than one month.