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can paxil, lorazapam and buspar cause major personality changes?
My husband started taking 30mg of paxil, buspar and 1 mg of lorazapam 3 times a day in October. Since then life has been
insane. He says he isn't addicted, but continues to take all of these drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist with only 3 month checks. We have separated and he denies anything is wrong. After all of the research I have done, this is scary..Why isn't anyone informed of the dangers of these drugs?? What is the possibility of stopping these...He says he is perfectly normal and everyone says he isn't. What can be done...He is a drastically different person than before and I seem to be the only one very concerned...He also drinks 2-3 drinks a night and says I am over reacting to the change of personality.
What is the logical step trying to convince him it is addictive.
What can be done to get his psychiatrist to stop this?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
CACY
insane. He says he isn't addicted, but continues to take all of these drugs prescribed by a psychiatrist with only 3 month checks. We have separated and he denies anything is wrong. After all of the research I have done, this is scary..Why isn't anyone informed of the dangers of these drugs?? What is the possibility of stopping these...He says he is perfectly normal and everyone says he isn't. What can be done...He is a drastically different person than before and I seem to be the only one very concerned...He also drinks 2-3 drinks a night and says I am over reacting to the change of personality.
What is the logical step trying to convince him it is addictive.
What can be done to get his psychiatrist to stop this?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
CACY
Hi Cacy,
Can you be more specific about the personality changes that you have observed? That would help me try to respond. I work in a Psych clinic.
From the meds that you listed, my guess is that he was diagnosed with an Anxiety disorder. The only medication of the three that you listed (Paxil, Lorazepam, and Busbar) that is addictive is the Lorazepam. It is otherwise known as ativan. It is a benzodiazepam and definately can create physical and psychological addiction. The Paxil and Busbar are well know meds that treat both anxiety and depression, and tend to stabilize people, not make them worse, but..everyone's system is different. Your husband should not be drinking on these meds. Alcohol will pretty much stop the Paxil from working, and can be very dangerous in combination with the lorazepam.
Paxil can also make some people who have bipolar disorder have a manic episode. Is this part of what is going on with him?
Please give us a bit more information, and maybe I can be more specific. The Psychiatrist should be informed of any dangerous behavior.
good luck!
WW
Can you be more specific about the personality changes that you have observed? That would help me try to respond. I work in a Psych clinic.
From the meds that you listed, my guess is that he was diagnosed with an Anxiety disorder. The only medication of the three that you listed (Paxil, Lorazepam, and Busbar) that is addictive is the Lorazepam. It is otherwise known as ativan. It is a benzodiazepam and definately can create physical and psychological addiction. The Paxil and Busbar are well know meds that treat both anxiety and depression, and tend to stabilize people, not make them worse, but..everyone's system is different. Your husband should not be drinking on these meds. Alcohol will pretty much stop the Paxil from working, and can be very dangerous in combination with the lorazepam.
Paxil can also make some people who have bipolar disorder have a manic episode. Is this part of what is going on with him?
Please give us a bit more information, and maybe I can be more specific. The Psychiatrist should be informed of any dangerous behavior.
good luck!
WW
Today as been a bad day for me. I have uncontrolable crying and deep depression. It's only noon...so I hope the rest of the day gets better. I scored some more vicadin....now I'm down to 4.....again. What a vicious cyle this is. Can't live with them and can't live without them. Think I'll go back and curl up in bed. Maybe things will look better later.
Hi Katie, I'm glad you posted..I was starting to worry about you.
The fact that you posted, that you keep coming back to us, is a good sign. I know the despair that you feel, the inability to moderate the med use..most of us here know exactly what you are going through.
The important thing is that you posted, you reached out, and I want you to know that we are here for you no matter what.
I remember when I first started posting here, I honestly did not think I was going to be able to stop using. At first I didn't think I could stop due to the pain. But part of me also knew I just plain ol' didn't want to stop. Then, when I began to want to stop, I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to deal with the withdrawals. I went back and forth with myself around this for a long, long time. Hell, even before my back pain was bad, I knew I was badly addicted and should stop, but had no desire to or intention of it, though I tried a few times and couldn't. I just stayed stuck in that cycle. For years. Very nearly lost my marriage, and withdrew from all my friends...I'm just starting to reconnect with friends that I had all but abandoned to the lure of that little white pill.
So Katie, please don't beat yourself up too badly. You are still trying. You are reaching out. Just never give up hope, as Wiz would say "never give up reaching toward the light" no matter how dark things seem now. And please, never think of yourself as a bad person for having this problem. There is always hope, and I think we get a little closer to recovery and learn a little more each time we use.
love,
WW
The fact that you posted, that you keep coming back to us, is a good sign. I know the despair that you feel, the inability to moderate the med use..most of us here know exactly what you are going through.
The important thing is that you posted, you reached out, and I want you to know that we are here for you no matter what.
I remember when I first started posting here, I honestly did not think I was going to be able to stop using. At first I didn't think I could stop due to the pain. But part of me also knew I just plain ol' didn't want to stop. Then, when I began to want to stop, I was terrified that I wouldn't be able to deal with the withdrawals. I went back and forth with myself around this for a long, long time. Hell, even before my back pain was bad, I knew I was badly addicted and should stop, but had no desire to or intention of it, though I tried a few times and couldn't. I just stayed stuck in that cycle. For years. Very nearly lost my marriage, and withdrew from all my friends...I'm just starting to reconnect with friends that I had all but abandoned to the lure of that little white pill.
So Katie, please don't beat yourself up too badly. You are still trying. You are reaching out. Just never give up hope, as Wiz would say "never give up reaching toward the light" no matter how dark things seem now. And please, never think of yourself as a bad person for having this problem. There is always hope, and I think we get a little closer to recovery and learn a little more each time we use.
love,
WW
WW...first of all thanks for the kind words. So? You went thru this too. This feeling of "I'll never be able to break this habit." That's where I'm now. I'm not able and not sure I want to. I enjoy the opiate high so much...I just don't see myself living without it. I always look for advice or help or kind words or even a good laugh from Thomas cause I know he loves opiates as much as I do. I'm scared......what will happen when my supply is gone and there is no other recourse! I can't imaginge life the way it was last week with no lortab. I wanted to climb out out of my skin. I feel so helpless and so hopeless and so very NOT in charge of my life.
Thomas....make me laugh.
Thomas....make me laugh.
I resent you saying I love opiates as much as you do -- NOBODY loves opiates as much as me!! It's not humanly possible!!
That said, katie r, look under the "5 HTP" thread below. Try my detox recipe, then, do what I do: my doc gives me 90 vics for the month. I indulge like only I can do and burn through them in a tre wonderful 2-3 days. Then I wait the rest of the month for my 90-vic treat. It might not sound good to you now, but this way, I don't go through withdrawal, and when I use, it's like the first time, everytime. You'll function much better, avoid withdrawal, and be able to maintain a real life in between. Of course, if some vics come around a little ahead of time, I'm not one to refuse pharmaceutical hospitality ... but, truly, if you get through withdrawal and then blaze through your supply in a few glorious days each month, you won't develop a tolerance or feel the way you do now. In between rx's, do the L-Tyrosine I recommmend in my withdrawal recipe. It will set you up in fine style ... king of all opiates siging off.
Thomas
That said, katie r, look under the "5 HTP" thread below. Try my detox recipe, then, do what I do: my doc gives me 90 vics for the month. I indulge like only I can do and burn through them in a tre wonderful 2-3 days. Then I wait the rest of the month for my 90-vic treat. It might not sound good to you now, but this way, I don't go through withdrawal, and when I use, it's like the first time, everytime. You'll function much better, avoid withdrawal, and be able to maintain a real life in between. Of course, if some vics come around a little ahead of time, I'm not one to refuse pharmaceutical hospitality ... but, truly, if you get through withdrawal and then blaze through your supply in a few glorious days each month, you won't develop a tolerance or feel the way you do now. In between rx's, do the L-Tyrosine I recommmend in my withdrawal recipe. It will set you up in fine style ... king of all opiates siging off.
Thomas
the lorazepam by itself will cause personality changes if used to excess (alas, the only way I know). Add buspar, an anti-anxiety drug (like the lorazepam, but just a different drug family), and those weird-out SSRI's like paxil, and you've got a bigtime personality changing combo. Why is he taking all three of those drugs, anyway? In many ways, Buspar and lorazepam (a valium family drug) overlap and probably potentiate each other more than is healthy. As for the paxil, while I enjoy the 5-HTP for boosting serotonin, the SSRIs give me the creeps.
The short answer to your question is, obviously, "yes."
Thomas
The short answer to your question is, obviously, "yes."
Thomas
Hi Cacy,
Currently there are some class action lawsuits springing up against the pharmaceutical company that makes Paxil. I can't think of the name of it right, now, but I am checking into this as I have a 23 year old son addicted to Paxil. The drug company deliberately concealed the addictive nature and other problems with this drug. My son started taking it a little over a year ago after becoming depressed following the end of a relationship. He was seen in an emergency room, the psych doc on call prescribed it and my son's regular family practice doc continued it. He was seen by a psychologist only once and never by a psychiatrist other than the ER guy on call. I have been after him to get some help, but he doesn't listen to me. The Paxil changed his personality remarkably. He was always a quiet, kind of shy kid, very creative and smart. He is still smart I guess but he is very outgoing now, which for him has been good in some ways but the few times he has tried to go off it he has experienced horrible symptoms, dizziness, nausea, extreme mood swings. He is seeing a different MD now with a plan to taper him off but I am really afraid for him. Ultimately the use of this drug is his responsibility, but obviously he and many others who have had it prescribed have not had the whole story prior to getting on it or they might not have.
Currently there are some class action lawsuits springing up against the pharmaceutical company that makes Paxil. I can't think of the name of it right, now, but I am checking into this as I have a 23 year old son addicted to Paxil. The drug company deliberately concealed the addictive nature and other problems with this drug. My son started taking it a little over a year ago after becoming depressed following the end of a relationship. He was seen in an emergency room, the psych doc on call prescribed it and my son's regular family practice doc continued it. He was seen by a psychologist only once and never by a psychiatrist other than the ER guy on call. I have been after him to get some help, but he doesn't listen to me. The Paxil changed his personality remarkably. He was always a quiet, kind of shy kid, very creative and smart. He is still smart I guess but he is very outgoing now, which for him has been good in some ways but the few times he has tried to go off it he has experienced horrible symptoms, dizziness, nausea, extreme mood swings. He is seeing a different MD now with a plan to taper him off but I am really afraid for him. Ultimately the use of this drug is his responsibility, but obviously he and many others who have had it prescribed have not had the whole story prior to getting on it or they might not have.
I had to comment on your behaviour sir. Why don't you offer some genuine help to the addicts that come here for legitimate help? Instead like the dope fiend you are, you revel in your drug use! You are one sick man and need professional help ASAP. Your techniques your share for preventing withdrawal is further signs of how sick you are. You should offer help to no one until you have proven that you keep your disease in remission. Sir, you have a serious yet treatable disease! So be a man and get some help! Do not become defensive! Just go deep down inside beyond the DENIAL do what you know you must do! Get some real help before it is to late! Be Spiritual!(your higher power is waiting) Good Luck!
I know that you were not attacking Thomas in any way...just giving some helpful advice as a fellow addict. Well, he does at least make me laugh with some of his honest talk! Nobody loves opiates as much as he does, it's not humanly possible. Thomas, me and a lot of other folks here have been through "the mill", so to speak, and are quite used to comments like yours.
When someone asks for advice from a specific person here, they will get it, warts and all. J.B.
When someone asks for advice from a specific person here, they will get it, warts and all. J.B.
Thomas' ability to laugh at himself and admit his weaknesses don't detract from his sincerity in trying to help others. Anyone in AA or NA knows how destructive it is to judge others. Thomas is finding his own way,and shouldn't be judged and dictated to by the person who reamed him. Regarding Paxil, my son was given it in the er also, following a drug overdose. It is commonly given because it goes into the system more quickly than Prozac or Zoloft, so has quicker effects. However, it also goes out of the system extremely quickly and can cause horrific emotional plummeting if discontinued too quickly. Celexa or Wellbutrin are much less catastrophic if one forgets a dose which depressed people are wont to do. My son almost died when he decided to quit the Paxil. He crashed emotionally, despired, went back to the streets. We were called to the ER at 3:00 am to witness him hallucinating and writhing in emotional pain.. Encourage your son to explore alternatives, please.
I had to respond to your comments to Thomas. Maybe you do not realize the withdrawls that people can go through once they stop using opiates. I do not know what your situation is I am not sure if you have shared it or not. Thomas has helped so many people here who have tried over and over again to withdrawl and finally made it because of him. What exactly do yo find wrong with that? If it helps people stop using then what is wrong with it? I truly do not understand what you find offensive. I hope you find whatever help you need by coming here there is a lot to give and to take.
I was not going to say a word on this one,,,but I had to read what Thomas wrote and follow under my buddy JB,,,,,Thoams has been an opiate addict for many many years by his own admission.....and his ability to find humor in his own faults and weaknesses seem more positive than anything else to me would be more along the lines of denial which is not the image that Thomas has portrayed on this forum as you have indicated. He is far from being in denail.....His recipe for detox is genuine as he has the tried and true rmemedy to alleviate the uncomfortable symptoms that peopel go through when detoxing,,what is so wrong with trying to help someone out,,,he never told anyone to run from their problems and use...he has never justified his using,,by saying he loves opiates is not really justifying anything...he has never glorified using..what he does with his own being is his business and I see nothing wrong with still being able to offer his timeless insight and genuine concern to those still suffering ,,,and Thomas shows no indication to me that he is truly suffering himself.....he knows what he needs to do....he knows how to do it and he has been here for me and several other members of this forum from what seems the beginning of time for me (sorry Thomas) and I have him as well as the others for helping to pull me out of the pits of grief and pain several long months ago.......love to all cin
One of the main reasons I come here is read Thomas's posts. When you're in a situation like I....then, well.....misery loves company. I've been an addict for about 30 years. Thomas finds humor in places I've never looked. He's been honest and we all look to him for advice and humor. His detox recipe has done wonders for some. So if we were to take a vote on who had to leave......I guess it would be you. If you are an addict and need help then read the forum and skip over Thomas's post if his posts bother you. This is a place for honesty and support. We support people while they're using, while they're in withdrawals, and when they think they've been cured and then again if they end up back using again....which is where I'm at. I have an unnatural love for opiates. It's on my mind day and night. Matter of fact...I'm driving several miles tonight to borrow some from a friend. When I say this in this forum I expect support, sympthy, pity but not the **** you dished out.
I don't know what your problem is with Thomas, but not only do I find his information very helpful, I love his sense of humor. I have stated before that a man as eloquent as Thomas does not need me to defend him, but I want to offer my support because he has always been helpful to anyone who asked. If you need help ask him, if not, then don't judge him or anyone else here.
Way to go, Thomas! I'm sooo glad you don't let people like Danielincc keep you from posting. We need you too much, you diseased person. Did you hear me? WE NEED YOU TOO MUCH!
You are the one I look for a post from first. I can't tell you how many times I've been as low as a snakes belly (that's pretty low) and come to this forum and read one of your posts and laughed out loud. My laughing out loud is something I don't hear too often. Crying...yes, but laughing...not too often!
Now if you'll excuse me....I'm going to drive 45 miles to pick up around 20 vicadins. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. Thomas? I forgot that you are diseased and hard of hearing. BYE FOR NOW, MY FRIEND.
You are the one I look for a post from first. I can't tell you how many times I've been as low as a snakes belly (that's pretty low) and come to this forum and read one of your posts and laughed out loud. My laughing out loud is something I don't hear too often. Crying...yes, but laughing...not too often!
Now if you'll excuse me....I'm going to drive 45 miles to pick up around 20 vicadins. Desperate times calls for desperate measures. Thomas? I forgot that you are diseased and hard of hearing. BYE FOR NOW, MY FRIEND.
Believe me, any comfort or amusement I've been to you or to anyone on the forum has been returned to me one hundred fold.
To be myself, even in print, and have such friends as you, cindi, angelica, the dean of all addicts J.B., jbear, nicee, witchywoman, milo, the wizard, chad from philly, Francoise and so many, many more, moves me and humbles me. You're all special and irreplaceable, and I treasure all of you.
Have a safe drive both ways, katie r, my friend, and find some peace tonight. God knows, it's in short supply these days.
Thomas
To be myself, even in print, and have such friends as you, cindi, angelica, the dean of all addicts J.B., jbear, nicee, witchywoman, milo, the wizard, chad from philly, Francoise and so many, many more, moves me and humbles me. You're all special and irreplaceable, and I treasure all of you.
Have a safe drive both ways, katie r, my friend, and find some peace tonight. God knows, it's in short supply these days.
Thomas
You my friend,,,,are irreplaceable....all of you from the old timers to the new comers of this forum...many many nights and days I have sat at this computer reading your posts of insightful wisdom, humor, delight and even at times...sorrow,,,i have laughed out loud and have cried on the keyboard..and many times I have wanted to reach through this screen and give you a gazillion hugs.....you have never led me to believe anything false or negative about you your friendship and kindness has been nothing but genuine and soul warming and for those of you that have ever doubted that just because this is the "net" it cannot be real..I will fight to the death on this one...I have met more wonderful people on this forum than in my own backyard.....and oneday we will meet,,if not on this earth I know God has a spot for Thomas and the others waiting for them and if I make it to the pearly gates.....i will then give out those gazillion hugs...............PS Thomas did you get my mail? Love to all cin
Hopefully, we won't have to wait that long for a few hugs ...
I did get your e-mails, by the way. I shall take your advice.
In mentioning my friends on the forum in my last message, I forgot to include Jennyfla in that special list. I know things are tough for her right now. For what it's worth, I didn't mean to leave her out. Sorry for sub-letting your e-mail.
Thomas
I did get your e-mails, by the way. I shall take your advice.
In mentioning my friends on the forum in my last message, I forgot to include Jennyfla in that special list. I know things are tough for her right now. For what it's worth, I didn't mean to leave her out. Sorry for sub-letting your e-mail.
Thomas
Well folks.....I'm home. I drove to my friends and "borrowed" about 20-25 vicadins.
Jbear? I emailed you? Did you get it?
I'm still suffering severe depression.....but I'm hoping I'll snap out of it soon. For awhile anyway. I know after I get my script filled and finish those off and these I got tonight...I'm gonna be in one hell of a state of mind. My friend also had a few ativans she gave me. So I took a couple of those and a couple vic's and lit a couple of those so called "mood" candles. I'm hoping soon I'll find something to smile about. Usually the vic's would make me grin from ear to ear but now I'm looking beyond...what happens the next time I run completly out. Darn it! The harsh reality of the future is screwing up my present.
This addiction has got ahold of me in such a way that it scares me. Do you realize....nobody knows this....I never had children because I didn't want to stop popping pills long enough to make sure my baby wouldn't be effected. Now how selfish it that???
Do you guys really think there is hope for someone like me?
Jbear? I emailed you? Did you get it?
I'm still suffering severe depression.....but I'm hoping I'll snap out of it soon. For awhile anyway. I know after I get my script filled and finish those off and these I got tonight...I'm gonna be in one hell of a state of mind. My friend also had a few ativans she gave me. So I took a couple of those and a couple vic's and lit a couple of those so called "mood" candles. I'm hoping soon I'll find something to smile about. Usually the vic's would make me grin from ear to ear but now I'm looking beyond...what happens the next time I run completly out. Darn it! The harsh reality of the future is screwing up my present.
This addiction has got ahold of me in such a way that it scares me. Do you realize....nobody knows this....I never had children because I didn't want to stop popping pills long enough to make sure my baby wouldn't be effected. Now how selfish it that???
Do you guys really think there is hope for someone like me?
Hi Katie,
There is hope for us all, and this is a site that will continue to offer it to you. We share the same dragon. I was taking 7 Norocos a day, am now down to 2. I am supplementing with codeine phosphate. You could say I am substituting one Jones for another but the codeine phosphate doesn't give me the euphoria that the Norocos do, just stops the withdrawals. I've been on the Norocos for 5 years. I've also dropped from 6 drinks to 2 a night and found a caring physician who will detox me when I get down to about one or two pills a day. His regimen is interesting and I will share it on the board.
But I ramble. The simple act of posting is reaching out, realizing that you want to come back to the living. I found your note about not having a child poignant. Isn't this drug and our involvement so sad, that we would do that. For me, I feel as if I've been numb to my kids for 5 years. I actually went to soccer practice and watched my son last week, which I could never do before because I had 5 vodkas under my belt.
There is hope. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Frank Lee
There is hope for us all, and this is a site that will continue to offer it to you. We share the same dragon. I was taking 7 Norocos a day, am now down to 2. I am supplementing with codeine phosphate. You could say I am substituting one Jones for another but the codeine phosphate doesn't give me the euphoria that the Norocos do, just stops the withdrawals. I've been on the Norocos for 5 years. I've also dropped from 6 drinks to 2 a night and found a caring physician who will detox me when I get down to about one or two pills a day. His regimen is interesting and I will share it on the board.
But I ramble. The simple act of posting is reaching out, realizing that you want to come back to the living. I found your note about not having a child poignant. Isn't this drug and our involvement so sad, that we would do that. For me, I feel as if I've been numb to my kids for 5 years. I actually went to soccer practice and watched my son last week, which I could never do before because I had 5 vodkas under my belt.
There is hope. I'll keep you in my thoughts.
Frank Lee
Yes, there is always hope for any of us no matter how far down we think we are! Depression and fear are major stumbling blocks for us. Somehow each of us has to be able to get past this feeling of hopelessness before we can heal ourselves. Most of us cannot do it alone and need the help of others who have managed to overcome these feelings of frustration. NA and AA have been helpful to me in the past. These programs take a lot of effort and time to work.
The Big Book says that some of us are beyond all human help and they are the unfortunate ones. That means that only God himself can save them. Are you asking if you are one of these people?
I too have driven many miles to get a few pills in order to feel good for a while. Last month I got a refill for 150 vicodin ten days early due to my script being rewritten by my PCP. I was on "cloud nine". My depression instantly vanished with a pocket full of Vic's! Sadly, they disappear so quickly. Each time I look at the bottle the sadness gets a little worse. What an obsession I have with these little beauties! Then of course they allow me to be able to walk and work with less pain. Too bad my tolerance keeps building daily.
Take care, hope for the best and stay with us! J.B.
The Big Book says that some of us are beyond all human help and they are the unfortunate ones. That means that only God himself can save them. Are you asking if you are one of these people?
I too have driven many miles to get a few pills in order to feel good for a while. Last month I got a refill for 150 vicodin ten days early due to my script being rewritten by my PCP. I was on "cloud nine". My depression instantly vanished with a pocket full of Vic's! Sadly, they disappear so quickly. Each time I look at the bottle the sadness gets a little worse. What an obsession I have with these little beauties! Then of course they allow me to be able to walk and work with less pain. Too bad my tolerance keeps building daily.
Take care, hope for the best and stay with us! J.B.
You are strong, wise and above reproach. Take care my friend, for you are greatly loved.....Susan
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