A Thank You to GreenLydia & Nursegirl! Remeron Q too.

[cnote]

First of all I just want to say THANK YOU to GreenLydia and Nursegirl for making me realize that I have not been seeking the CORRECT treatment for 4 years. I thought I had it under control for most of the past 4 years... but looking back... I hadnt.

*This is just an opinion and in my personal experience, so if you are just seeing a regular MD and are happy with that. Way Good! Stick with it!*

I personally, in my situation... made the wrong mistake in seeing my personal regular MD... All my Dr. was doing was treating symptoms... not my anxiety issue. He had me taking ativan for 4 years. I started going through tolerance withdrawal about a week ago... and it was HELL.

I just wanted to vent some... after feeling HELPLESS b/c my Dr. didnt care how to wean me off the Ativan without serious withdrawal... I called a pharmasist who told me how I should wean, but he said it's still could be a rough ride if your Dr. doesnt do a crossover to another medicine while weaning, b/c you've been on it for so long.

I then was scared even about this taper. I was giving myself A TON of anxiety on TOP OF anxiety and other physical symptoms from my ativan tolerance withdrawal.

FINALLY, I found a psychologist... and HE IS NOW, GOING TO BE MY DR.!

I should have done this 4 years ago... and yes, Greenlydia and Nursegirl told me to. lol. But I didnt do it.

After an hour session with my psychologist... he said I def. have GAD. His remarks were (shaking his head).. I would NEVER give a patient like you Lexapro, or Paxil or even Lorazepam.

He made me feel so good. He said, he want's me on Remeron, and so far lastnight and today has been a TOTAL CHANGE! JUST LIKE THAT! He gave it to me b/c of my symptoms... I havent been eating for almost a month... no appetite. This medicine has STOPPED my nervous stomach and has allowed me to PIG OUT today like I have not done in years! lol.

It also isnt supposed to have sexual side effects! YES! LOL.

He has also agreed to taper me slowly off the ativan with using the Remeron, and in about 2 weeks crossing a tiny bit of klonopin in the mix to help with the w/drawal as well.

I'm SUPER excited! I FINALLY FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS GOING TO CHANGE FOR GOOD!

I can already feel it! My mom and brother noticed today that I was like the GOOD OL' ME all over again.

My psychologist said, after I told him my story... that I will more than likely not have to be on ANY medications ever again! =) With hardcore CBT! =)

He said I could have corrected this a long time ago, instead I kept going to my MD, who I still do love, but all my MD was doing was putting a band-aid on me... that's it. A band-aid that I soon became tolerant too...

THANK YOU AGAIN GREENLYDIA AND NURSEGIRL!

I HAVE TAKEN THE HORSE DOWN TO THE WATER! AND IT IS NOW DRINKING!!! =)

My question about Remeron, has anyone else taken it?

My only experience with it my 1st night was, seeing FLASHING LIGHTS when my eyes were closed. The lights were in sync with my pulse in my head. Then I'd see strange textures, like carpet, tile, concrete etc. and I'd see those textures zooming up to me really really fast! I also had little bit of restless leg syndrome with it too.

Do you think this wears off some soon? It's not really disturbing bc this stuff knocks you out so fast you can't even worry about it. lol.

Also it does make me VERY groggy in the morning. And I feel like I could sleep 14 hours on it. lol. Which I probably could have today. ha.

PEACE AND LOVE! On the road to RECOVERY ONCE AGAIN.

[cnote]

Thanks so much for writing. I'm glad I can help! =) PM me anytime if you ever need to talk. Good luck with you on your Alprazolam. But PLEASE be careful on it. Please wean yourself off of it properly. Benzo withdrawal can be not fun. So just be aware. Use it wisely. It's Xanex is what it is. So please please please be careful.

Don't fall into the benzo trap like I did.

Remeron works great for me so far! It helps me sleep, and its giving me an appetite I havent had in YEARS!

I'm not so sure why Dr's are so quick to prescribe fast acting benzos rather than something like Remeron?

I've never heard of Remeron til my Psychiatrist. He said it helps people with GAD very effectively, and you know what? IT DOES!

My primary MD just kept trying me on these Lexapro Paxil, big name crap that only did me more harm.

Good luck on your journey! You'll do good! =) It will only make you stronger! And you'll learn alot about yourself on your journey. Keep on truckin. =)

[lisabeth310]

So glad things are going better for you.  I am new to this whole thing, and have been on this forum ALOT lately.  You have helped many people by commenting on their posts, and those comments have helped me, as well.  ( I share many of the symptoms you have had, too.)  I even experienced the flashing lights very briefly the other night.  I was too scared to search it on here, for fear that no one else had that happen.  I always feel better if several people have the same symptoms I do. (that doesn't sound too nice!)  I am not on Remeron, just a low dose of Alprazolam now & then that I just started.  (They gave me a one time prescription for 15 tablets. "Gee, Thanks!")  That's o.k., don't think it's the right thing for me, either.  I wish you the best of luck, and hope you feel like the "Ol You" forever soon.  Keep us updated and let us know what works for you!!

[cnote]

I guess I'm choosing you as the best answer. LOL. Just an update! My W/D is going pretty well. Didnt know how much this Ativan has ruined 4 years of my life!

I've soon realized LOTS of STRANGE symptoms I was having in the past were all WITHDRAWAL! From tapering too fast. It's just crazy...

Right now my W/D isnt too bad. The Remeron is still helping! My biggest symptom is achy muscles... flu like feeling? Some mood swings here and there, Muscle twitching, stiff neck and a few other side effects that have only happened slightly, like contractions of the throat/gag reflex. But that has passed it seems.

I don't give the W/D symptoms any thought, and so therefor they just really dont bother me. Now that I KNOW it's ALL W/D symptoms I'M NOT AFRAID OF THEM. =)

I'll check back in about 3-6 months and let you all know how my BENZO FREE LIFE IS! =)