Physical Withdrawl(withdrawal)

Simple question...has anyone here ever had problems with the drug adivan or valium any of those types of drugs...i just got 30 from my Doc and the stuff im reading its enuff to scare the c.rap outta ya

[Rockerforlife]

Its bad enuff worrying about problems in life as it is....but to worry about the dugs you take ,that are suppose to to stop you from worrying....we live in strange land

[newleaf09]

I would really have liked to find something like acupucture or biofeedback or anger management to deal with my interferon-induced anger, but just don't live in a city large enough to have any doctors who don't just say 'take this'.  I deeply resent having to be on addictive drugs to handle a darn side effect.

I say addictive because your body accustoms itself to the new mood drug within just a few weeks and then if you stop it abruptly, you get a backlash reaction after a few days that is an extreme form of whatever you were taking the drug for.  Lasts a few days and scares you to death.

The way to do it is to either start another mood drug or to wean yourself off of it (still makes me mad just thinking about it).  Weaning is done by dose reduction.  Cut the pill in half and take half for 5-7 days, cut the half in half (a quarter) and take that for 5-7 days, then take the quarter every other day for a week, then every 3 days and quit.  I haven't done it yet but intend to follow that plan.

When I read sad posts about how people were unable to get off the AD's after treatment, I wonder if anyone ever told them how to do it.

[jdwithhcv]

Ativan is not an AD, it is not necessary to take it daily.  The advantage of ativan (as I see it) is that you can take it as needed for anxiety, but you do not have to take regular doses to achieve threaputic levels.  I have been taking ativan intermittently since 2004, without any dependency problem.  Sometimes I go weeks without taking a dose, and that is no problem.  I would not take it daily, but then again I do not need it every day.  I take it when I need it and it gives me relief.  Its nice to know I have it available to me for those times when I need something.

[Trinity4]

Rocker, you've mentioned this before.  

Common sense would dictate if you have had a problem with abusing any substance in the past stronger precautions should be taken not to become physically dependent.  You don't become physically addicted to a benzo unless you are taking them regularly and over an extended period.   As suggested by jd, you do not have to take it daily so just take them when you need them.  

I was on Ativan for a year and did not become dependent.  Took as needed.  Quit when the menopause passed.

[Marc1955]

I think what jdwithhcv said is perfect. I've got a handful of valium I got from my doc and when the anxiety gets pretty bad I take one or two. But I notice it alters my mood and even if I'd like to stay in that spacey place, I know I can't. I normally don't take the valiums during any work day because I need my edge, even if it comes with anxiety. But as drugs go, I think these are pretty benign.

[Rockerforlife]

Thanx all....i guess this is a case where you dont believe everything you read on the net....i cant believe some of the stuff ive read on the dangers of adivan...even taking as little as one mg a day for 4 weeks may cause your head to explode

[meakea]

I do the same as jdwithhcv except I use Xanax.  Don't need it very often (less than 6 a month on average) but, when I do, it helps tremendously.  I'm not on an AD so sometimes the anxiety gets running rampant and Xanax stops it dead in it's tracks for me.

[portann]

Rocker, I think you made a smart decision to take the Ativan if you stick to a moderate dose. If not, see your doctor pronto.

Several people said Ativan can be taken on an 'as needed' basis, so why not add other coping strategies to counter the stress? Music? Biking? Netmending?

Ativan kicked in well for you but now zoom in on alternatives that may tide you over when it's not as rough. Remember it doesn't need to be taken regularly.

[Rockerforlife]

It sure did help me....i was yaking a mile a minute....even as my doc was writing the script for me she said i was making her lose her concentration ...she even told me me to shut the hell up...not in those words ..LOL   i havnt taken any today at all...seems tho best time and dose is first thing in the morning and 2 mg    on and empty stomach...no worries at all...i do feel just a slight drowsy...thank God my chest pain and racing thoughts are gone

[portann]

I just saw this on the hcvadvocate site:

http://www.hepcmeditations.org/

My first reaction was that it had to be a shameless, exploitative crock of .....but then I saw Dr. Robert Gish's name attached to it.

I really don't know what to make of it and still tend to think it's a crock of ...but who knows.

If you check it out, let me know.

[FlGuy]

Netmending? You mean like sewing a bunch of holes together? Or trying to figure out how to get rid of a computer virus?  Or butterfly connection?

[Rockerforlife]

I was going to dig out my hockey goalie equipment and play a game.

[Andiamo1]

I took Ativan to help me sleep during one of my treatments.  I found it very hard to stop.  I had severe insomnia for months after I stopped Ativan.

[FlGuy]

That's 'net minding'

[Marcia2202]

Ronnie, I'm kind of getting worried about you. Please don't get me wrong, but this is coming straight from the heart. From what I have observed since you started treatment, I would think that it might actually be time for you to start taking AD's. I think that the meds are starting to mess around with you and that the Ativan alone won't do it. From my observation, it looks like you need something to stabilize your serotonin levels. I don't think that taking Ativan every day is the right solution at all, if your stress persists. AD's de-stress you without having the 'ladeedaahh' effect and keep you at a stable level. I found it very easy to get off them.

This is just my feeling. Sometimes we don't realize ourselves what is going on, as these meds creep up on us like a burglar in the dark... It can be quite subtle in progression that we do not realize it.

I wish you all the best bro'

Hugs, Marcia

[GSDgirl]

I utterly, totally agree with Marcia.

>>>Rocker sez......i just got 30 from my Doc and the stuff im reading its enuff to scare the c.rap outta ya<<<<<<

I don't think they are scaring you enuf.  I have read a few articles where past drug users relapse while on TX.  If you need proof that I am not full of shltt I will find them for you.  I honestly would hate seeing you go down that road.  Only said in concern

Denise

[Rockerforlife]

I have been thinking the same thing that the TX meds may be messing me up emotionally too,but its difficult to for me to see....what broke the camels back was that slave labour job i just tried out and could not handle and me talkng to emplyment insurance and stuff....it all kinda  hit me at once....i am not one to take prescription drugs but what i will do is try this adivan ...im going to stop taking them as of tommorrow....one week on them is my cut off as i feel "normal" again....i know these are addictive and i dont want that...i was given  30- 1 mg pills  ..and i have been doing 2 a day now for 6 days....i hope im not addicted already...i doubt....ive taken 2 at once at the beginning to calm me down as i am big and i figue 2mg ia safe....ill stop actually as of today.....if i start shaking and my eyes roll up in my head...ill just put on my sun glasses...nobody will even notice

[epiphiny]

You have brought up a VERY good point as I find I am experiencing issues trying to stop taking the temazepam (sleep aides) that I have been taking since Xmas.  Same family as valium, They are from the benzodiazepine drug family, which includes valium, ativan, xanax, lorazepam, amongst others.

I was pretty gung ho as I have used them occasionally in the past esp when trying to adjust to new time zones when travelling and have never had any problems when stopping them.  I halved my dose about 3 days ago (from 20mgs nightly to 10mgs) and today was ugly.  So ugly that I had to issue a health warning to my friends and colleagues that I was irrational and unstable, I was actually going to post about it as I thought it was from stopping tx.  It was far worse than any of the mental or emotional side effects I had whilst on active tx...

I researched on the net and found that the symptoms I am experiencing are directly in line with stopping the Tammies. Looking back I am not sure that they were worth the struggle I am having now and I wish I had stuck to antihistimines for sleep and the ADs for serotonin depletion.

Perhaps the ADs might be more appropriate for your situation, I haven't had the same problems with reducing those in the past...