What is this?

Lorazapam? The doc. gave it to me for sleep and anxiety. Will it help? Is it addicting? And will the soboxone let it work?

[lonote]

Thanks for a quick reply. I've been stressed. The weather here in the Twin Cities so muggy. I've been having panic attacks, along with asthma. Mt best friend had her breast removed, they sent her home the next day, just to find out she had 3rd stage cancer. My ex hubby had open heart surgery yesterday so i've been hospital hopping. It takes me outside of myself gives me a break from all this addiction stuff and back there in my other world, its been a while since my emotions have been running raw. And this I don't admit to many but   ssssshhhhh this is on the down low .. i am really scared. About everything right down to my own mortality.

[lonote]

Whats a benzo? Yes it was that doctor. i'm calling walgreens pharamacy right now

[invincible]

Used to be called Ativan.  Here is the wikipedia link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam

Should help for sleep and panic attacks but can be addictive..

steve

[hopeless]

Hi I take this, well used to anyway... Have it here now, all it is, is a relaxer it helps if you feel anxiety or get worked up...It is supossed to help you sleep too. Never did for me though, to tell you the truth it gave me the jumpers (BIGTIME)...We are all different though, I hope it will help you.

Hopeless

[Tim2H]

You are in a tender place right now. I can't imagine all the emotions you are going through. (((((lonote))))))  We are here for you and will get you through this. Life sometimes deals us a tough hand and boy, you got dealt a beauty. All I can say is that I am praying for you and everything will work out. One of my best friends, very healthy and athletic, went on a ski trip to Calgary. He had on a helmet and went into a tree. He is a complete paralegic and has no use of his body from the neck down. I think of my troubles and feel so guilty because I don't know what I would do in that situation. He is very strong and positive. He makes me feel like a wimp. Whenever I get real down, I think of him. I saw him the other day and he is so positive. I have no idea how he does it. He almost died last year because of a resp infection. The priest came to give him last rites and he made it through. He went to the Red Sox game a few weeks ago in a special van. He is my hero.

Love ya,
Tim

[FLaddict]

The benzodiazepines (pronounced [?benz??da?'

[lonote]

The pharamcist said when she pulled up sobox,and lorazepan there was no reaction. she also pulled up valuim and no bad interaction

[FLaddict]

[edit] Tolerance
Tolerance develops to many of the therapeutic effects of benzodiazepines rapidly with daily or frequent use. Generally, tolerance to the hypnotic and sedative effects occurs within days; however, tolerance to the anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines takes longer to develop. According to a 1988 report published by the Committee on Safety of Medicines, there is little evidence of continued anxiolytic properties from benzodiazepines after four months of continuous use other than the suppresion of withdrawal signs.[11] There is also evidence that long term use may actually worsen anxiety in some people with or without prior psychiatric history as was found in a study of 50 patients.[12] A possible explaination for increased anxiety from chronic use of benzodiazepines is that it is a side effect of tolerance with increasing doses required to suppress withdrawal effects. However, patients should be aware that this could lead to a cycle of increasing doses and worsening side-effects. In addition, as dosage is increased, the potential for addiction becomes greater.


[edit] Cross Tolerance
Benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action to various sedative compounds which act via enhancing the GABAA receptor. Cross tolerance typically means that one drug will alleviate the withdrawal effects of another. It also means that taking of one drug will result in a decreased pharmacological effect of another similar acting drug. Benzodiazepines are often used for this reason to detoxify alcohol dependent patients and can have life saving properties in preventing and/or treating severe life threatening withdrawal syndromes from alcohol such as delirium tremens. There is also cross tolerance between Alcohol, the benzodiazepines, the barbiturates and the nonbenzodiazepine drugs which all also act via enhancing the GABAA receptor's function via modulating the chloride ion channel function of the GABAA receptor.[13][14]


[edit] Dependence
Long-term benzodiazepine usage generally leads to some form of tolerance and/or dependence. It is estimated that up to 50 percent of patients prescribed diazepam for 6 months at therapeutic dosages are physically dependent. Withdrawal symptoms can occur when benzodiazepine dosage is reduced. Abrupt or over-rapid dosage reduction can produce severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms can even occur during a very gradual and slow dosage reduction but are rarely serious. The withdrawal symptoms may include:

Insomnia
Rebound REM (or dreaming) sleep
Anxiety, possible panic attacks
Tachycardia
Hypertension
Depression, possible suicidal ideation
Tremor
Perspiration
Loss of appetite
Dysphoria
Depersonalization
Tinnitus
An abrupt or over-rapid discontinuation of benzodiazepines may result in a more serious and very unpleasant withdrawal syndrome that may additionally result in:

Convulsions, which may result in death[15][16]
Catatonia, which may result in death[17]
Delusions
Psychosis
Effects similar to delirium tremens
Hence, every person on long-term or high dosage of any benzodiazepine should be slowly and carefully weaned off the drug, preferably under medical supervision by a physician who is knowledgeable about the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome. This can usually be avoided or minimized by use of a long half-life benzodiazepine and very gradually tapering off the drug over a period of many weeks or even months.


[edit] Withdrawal
Main article: Benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome
Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Syndrome is the symptoms seen when a patient who has taken the drug for a period of time stops taking the drug. Benzodiazepine withdrawal is best managed by transfering the physically dependent patient onto an equivalent dose of diazepam because it has the longest half life of all of the benzodiazepines and is available in low potency 2 mg tablets which can be quartered for small dose reductions.[18][19] The speed that benzodiazepine reduction regimes should be carried out at vary from person to person but usually is between 10% every 2 - 4 weeks. A slow withdrawal with the patient in control of dosage reductions coupled with reassurance that withdrawal symptoms are temporary have been found to produce the highest success rates. There is strong anecdotal evidence that a slow withdrawal rate significantly reduces the risk of a protracted and or severe withdrawal state. About 10 - 15% of people who come off benzodiazepines develop protracted withdrawal syndrome. There is no known cure for protracted benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome although flumazenil in a placebo controlled study seemed to bring about temporary relief although the author Lader et.al noted that further research is required in this area.[19][20][21]

Commons withdrawal symptoms include:

insomnia
nightmares
Hypnagogia-hallucinations
anxiety
panic
muscular spasms or cramps, fasciculations[22]
seizures
A slower withdrawal rate mitigates the symptoms.


[edit] Abuse
Abuse of benzodiazepines is probably greater than the abuse of illicit drugs. Misusers of benzodiazepines develop a high degree of tolerance, coupled with dosage escalation, with misusers often increasing their dosage to very high doses. High dose misusers often develop a high degree of tolerance and dependence and are at risk of severe withdrawal syndromes. Tolerance and dependence on benzodiazepines develops rapidly with users of benzodiazepines demonstrating the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome after as little as 3 weeks of continuous use. Benzodiazepines are sometimes abused intravenously which can lead to medical complications including: Abscess, Cellulitis, Thrombophlebitis, Arterial puncture, Deep vein thrombosis, Hepatitis B and C, HIV or AIDS, Abscess, Overdose, Gangrene, Thrombosis. Once benzodiazepine dependence has been established a clinician should first establish the average daily consumption of benzodiazepines and then convert the patient to an equivalent dose of diazepam before beginning a gradual reduction program, starting innitially with 2 mg sized reductions. Additional drugs such as, antidepressants, buspirone,

[marcatj]

yes, call the pharmacy.  the benzo's are teh valium/klonopin/etc..  the ones that actually do help thru dt's.  that said - i have no idea how is works with the sub.  AND if you've had a prob with the benzo's in the past, you just gotta be real careful.

they are very helpful with anxiety tho.  about a year and half ago i had a couple anxiety attacks, and that is why i still have the klonopin - it DOES work.

but you are goin' thru some major stuff.  if the doctor/pharmacist says it's safe, i say go for it.  and i'm not one to usually say "pop a pill."  but you got alot goin on, kiddo...

xox
warm wishes,
mj

[FLaddict]

I am still looking for where I read it... i know it can decrease respitiory function. And i know Dutchess has told people to avoid it while on Sub..  I will keep looking..

[lonote]

I'll have to use my better judgement on this one. Its going on the medicine shelf. I guess it will be for
when i'm beyond stressed and in dire need of sleep which neither is now.
See how free the doctors are to just hand out a pil? '' here take this".

[lonote]

Thanks you guys for the quick reply. Tim besides all that i'm doing alright. its
so hot i have to stay in cuz of my asthma. feels like i'm grounded   lolol

[FLaddict]

You may be safer to use them for those few days after you come off the Sub. I would recomend calling the doc and getting clonidine if he hasn't given it to you yet. Also my doc gave me Lunesta.  It doesn't work for everyone so maybe ask for samples first. I got samples from the Sub doc even though I already had a script for it.

[lonote]

Good Advice since I didn't know what to say to your last reply. (let alone understand it)  but i thankyou for all the time and knoeledge you have and so freely give. you are a real sweetheart. How are you feeling today?

[Tim2H]

You will know when you need one. Just come on here and keep me company.

[Tim2H]

I think it is like a valium. How you doing darlin?

[Tim2H]

It might be addicting if you take it for awhile. The doc is prob just trying to make you comfortable.

[FLaddict]

Valium.. its a benzo.. its addicting.. did your Sub doc give that to you??? IF he did... I will be even more on a rampage...(not you of course)  They discourage benzo use while on Sub... combo can be dangerous... be careful

[Tim2H]

The only drug I really ever took was hydros. I did cocaine a few times in my 20's and it made me feel hyped to much. I am hyper to begin with, could ya tell? One time when I was 22 someone gave me a joint laced with pcp. It was a nightmare and I never went down that road again. I am sort of a virgin when it comes to drugs other than pain killers. heh heh  I have taken valium but not very often.

[lonote]

I'm on my way to give you a hug....Here you, i'm right next to you = HUG!!!!

[FLaddict]

I am hanging in... did have chills/sweats last night and didn't really sleep.. but once I got outta bed and up and moving I felt alot better (after yelling at my hubby that I didn't want to cuddle) Not sleeping really makes me take it out on him.. luckily he knows or it would be hard to fake it that I was ok.. tonight he did say "I want my wife back"  my response was since I had been on pills since we have been together seriously "was he sure he knew who that person was?" I also said I would need a little space this weekend..so hopefully we don't fight all weekend and the silent treatment stuff..

[lonote]

Well you were expecting this. you were ready for what was coming your way. In a short peirod he wife back like he's never known before and  remember
the honeymoons not over!