Driving- in line - no control..

[aod_fuzzylogic]

I can't seem to get enough sleep without sleeping pills. I am bi-polar and take meds for that. My anxiety is probably the worst. It has gotten me into other health issues whilst self-medicating.   I have a RX for .5 twice a day. Ativan. Loraxzapam (sp). I feel I'm getting better taking fewer each day. I take nothing from time to time. I need to know it's there. My question is how soon can you be "immune" to the effects?

It also gives me very bizarre dreams and it has me taking in my sleep.

[aod_fuzzylogic]

Hey.

I take .5 mgs twice a day. Like I said I am rearing myself off of it. My panic attacks are bad enough that I can't drive if I have one. I get them a lot while waiting in lines. Basically, any time I am not in control, i have trouble.  Along with Zoloft and Welbutrin (had me at 450 mgs a day of welbu) The welburtin at that level caused massive sideeffects and was scaring me. One day I couldn't write the number five...yikes! I've taken it down to 150 w/zoloft.

Self medicating. Well, yes alcohol. That is really a thing of the past. Along with an auto immune condition (not yet specified), anemai, and liver disease. I spent 4 months in Hospice. I was due to die. Somehow I  came out of it. So I the bright side...i'm here for a reason :)

[nursegirl6572]

How long have you been taking the Ativan, and what was your "typical" dose that you were taking long term?  How long have you been tapering down (hopefully with your doc's help)?  It's good to know that you are requiring less of the drug to keep your symptoms under control, that will help with the tolerance issue (which you termed as being "immune").  Tolerance is when you need a higher dose to achieve the same desired effect as the initial dose.  I found that just "knowing" the Ativan was there helped a lot.  Many times I never even needed to take it..the panic would start to subside as I was contemplating taking a pill.  Short-acting benzodiazepines, like Ativan, are optimally used on an "as needed" basis, as a rescue drug, rather than taking it regularly, again, because of the tolerance issue.  If a longer acting benzo is indicated, there are better choices, like Klonopin, and Valium.

When you talk about "self medicating"...are you referring to the Ativan, or recreational drugs, alcohol?  Anxiety sufferers must be very careful as self medicating is a common secondary problem due to the need to seek relief.  Many anxiety sufferers end up with concurrent addiction issues due to this.

The very best thing you can do is to discuss your issues with your doctor...if you feel you are needing a lower (or higher) dose of a med...there may be better options out there for you.  Especially if your anxiety isn't controlled like it should be.

Please let us know how you're doing.  Hang in there!  It's a rough road!