post-W/D Ativan for flying/MRI?

[[wa...]]

Hi,

 

Ashton's manual says, "[After withdrawal] A single dose of a benzodiazepine given for an operation does not bring back the addiction."

 

Still, my last dose was early Feb--not that long ago--and I'm besieged by insomnia/anxiety. (I stupidly did pop 0.25 Ativan on Feb 19 and Feb 29, before I figured out what was going on.)

 

As a result, I'm worried about taking Ativan for roundtrip flights I'll likely take in 2 weeks. I'll also be flying roundtrip in June. AND my doctor recommended an MRI, for which I'd normally take Ativan. (My usual dose for flying: 0.375 mg. My usual dose for MRI: twice that.)

 

Anyone have any experience on this score? Thanks!

 

 

[[Kl...]]

My daughter hates it when her work requires her to fly on the little float planes up here in Alaska. She started using Ativan for her fear of flying a year ago. She tapered off and firmly believes that the anxiety she suffered from the wd was way worse than anything she had from flying. Now, sometimes she takes and antihistamine (benedryl) an hour before she flies and it calms her.

 

I had to have an MRI for the loud tinnitus that hit me a year ago and put me on benzos. The old MRI machines are very loud and confining and after a few minutes they get really warm. They gave me the standard ear plugs but...because of my tinnitus.... they also added some special head cushions to decrease the noise....you might ask for those to help keep you calm. I felt cold and asked for a blanket....big mistake....I was in for 45 minutes and got very warm and claustrophobic. I had to stop the run after about 30 minutes and had them remove the blanket. I am an old spelunker so I do not normally have any claustrophobia. I was on ativan at the time.....now I would use benedryl...

[[wa...]]

Thanks for the Benadryl tip re: flying. I took it once, years ago, and it knocked me out for the whole weekend. I didn't realize it can help w/ anxiety. I'll have to do a bit of Googling.

[[Kl...]]

Initially the antihistamines will make you very sleepy as well as calm you ( and they reduce nausea). But most of us build tolerance to them quickly......When I first started using them, 25mg of benedryl knocked me out...but I needed sleep. After 2 weeks of use I was up to 75mgs for the same calming effect. So now I use benedryl sparingly and I use other types of antihistamines as well to avoid tolerance. The antihistamines do not work on the same gaba receptors as the benzos and they are not physically addicting. I think some folks with heart problems or other issues may want to check with their doc before using them. I hope this helps.

[[wa...]]

Thanks, Klondike.

 

>So now I use benedryl sparingly and I use other types of antihistamines as well to avoid tolerance.<

 

Question: Wouldn't tolerance develop even if you rotate antihistamines--as it would if you rotate benzos?

 

Thx.

[[Kl...]]

Thanks, Klondike.

 

>So now I use benedryl sparingly and I use other types of antihistamines as well to avoid tolerance.<

 

Question: Wouldn't tolerance develop even if you rotate antihistamines--as it would if you rotate benzos?

 

Thx.

Yes...rotating helps a little but you still build tolerance. Also they all work a little different. My favorite is benedryl but if nausea is big I use Phenergan, which needs a script but also has a lot of antihistamine in it. If I want sleep most...I use unisom. I have Dramamine and hydroxizine(needs a script) but they leave me feeling a little more yucky. 

[[Su...]]

I'm about to fly and my doctor told me to take Magnesium and L-theanine together and it will help with the anxiety...

 

I don't care how long I'm off benzos..unless they are necessary in order to save my life, I will NEVER take another one EVER!  There is no fear, no emotion, and no amount of anxiety that compares to the pain benzos have caused me.

[[wa...]]

Sunny 71, I hear ya!

 

Can you post after flying to let us know how the magnesium + L-theanine work? (And can you provide dosages?)

 

Thx.

 

 

[[Su...]]

Sunny 71, I hear ya!

 

Can you post after flying to let us know how the magnesium + L-theanine work? (And can you provide dosages?)

 

Thx.

 

Sure will..but I can tell you what my doc told me to take..I get my magnesium through the "CALM" drink..it's magnesium citrate or something like that (1 tablespoon), and 300mgs of L-Theanine..I've taken it before to calm myself down from major anxiety and it worked great! 

[[wa...]]

Glad it helped! Does it help you prevent pre-bed jitters/insomnia?

[[Su...]]

Glad it helped! Does it help you prevent pre-bed jitters/insomnia?

 

I was taking it before bed to help me relax and it did help a lot..I stopped because I didn't need it anymore..I fall asleep fine now.  It will also stop an anxiety attack quickly too...