I just feel like if I can do without, it would be a great thing not to have to feel need to rely on it. Any tips? Also my lip is spamming or twitching so should I be concerned? Hmmmm I may call my doc.
I was on 0.5 mg The pills I have really can’t be cut as they just crumble they are so chalky and small. This is day two without and I feel kind of ungrounded at times which scares me like I might fall through the floor or float. So far I have used calming tea and distraction I get so busy and I’m so restless and overthinking. But I really want to do this.
Thanks guys! Much ❤️
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The only side effect I had was my eyelid would twitch off and on. it went away after awhile. It depends how long you have been taking it. You should be able to break the .5 in half and even further using a pill cutter. The other thing I did was only cut down one day a week. If that is going ok then take out another day the next week.
Yeah that cutting down a few times a week then one more and so on sounds great thanks!
Quitting anything your body and brain is going to go haywire for a bit.
I took Vicodin 3-4 times a day for about 8 years...quit overnight with bud.
I quit my cymbalta cold turkey months ago and went into mental chaos and hard concentration.
Balance probs. Sweating.
Decided to get back on it and see if I get better and eventually I do but if love to step off it and just stick with greens. But, I can say this because luckily I have support in my wife and others. I’m open about my illness.
For all it’s worth I feel like you would feel better being off the bennies.best of luck dear
Thanks so much... hmmm 🤔 I think I would be better off too. And I hear it could cause cognitive probs like Alzheimer’s and in runs in my family.
I’m on like 4 other meds but they are really helping me at least the Paxil and remeron and Buspar I don’t know about the Zyprexa but i don’t know when I’ll be ready to get off it.
Good you have support. Me too. My husband is supportive, my son who is 25 is a very positive person who encourages me also.
Good for you getting off Vicodin! Weed would just make me paranoid.
Hmmm are there any particular one you suggest? I’ve tried valerian which does nothing or makes me sick kava which can cause damage liver and passionflower but seldom works.
Well...I feel like everyone around me is struggling and need me to man up. We fighting cancer in my old boy dog that’s stable for the moment and my wife is just burnt out from everything piling up. My depression can fuck off for right now I’ll deal with him later. So I’m ready to crush it today
Bless you hun I hope you can keep strong for the holidays it’s not an easy time. But we can choose to try our best and not assume it’s all going to be shit
I'm JUST reading this, Starr, and you wrote it 7 days ago??? I give up.Anyhow...I've been on Benzos since I was 24 years old...I'm 70 now. ADDICTED???? I'd say so!!!! Benzos are horrible devils. Each time I try...and try REALLY, REALLY hard, I experience so many physical and emotional withdrawal symptoms that I go right back on them. I've had Valium, Xanax (THE WORST, for me at least), Ativan that did absolutely NOTHING, and Klonopin. Klonopin is the best...for me. Of course, the generic isn't as good as the Brand name, but it works. I take 1MG. in the morning and the same dose later in the late afternoon. I try to skip a dose. There are times when I take 2MG at the same time. When I've tried to get off of benzos, I eventually begin to sweat, my heart races a mile a minute and it feels as though it's going to burst out of my body. In the pit of my stomach I'm shaking like crazy. Sounds bother me, especially if they're loud. Very tough time concentrating. I feel extremely frightened. But I carry on, regardless, with a multitude of responsibilities.
I take other meds as well...anti-depressants that don't seem to work...Trazadone to sleep...something else..can't remember the name.
I do believe that as you grow older Benzos negatively affect your memory.
On my father's side of the family, his mother, her mother, all of my dad's sibs (3), many first cousins have all suffered with Alzheimers. On my mother's side of the family, her father, my beloved grandfather, suffered with Frontal Temporal Lobe Degeneration. My mother died three years ago after having a five year battle with Frontal Temporal Lobe Dementia, with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson's disease. I was with her almost every single day. I sat vigil for 4 or 5 days and nights before she died. I won't go into detail, but the death is a gory one, as is Alzheimer's.
I was tested for 5 hours the summer before last. In the report I learned that Frontal Temporal Lobe Degeneration was being ruled out. Alzheimer's was not ruled out.
Yes, I have minor symptoms. I believe my chances of dying from one of the dementia's is about 100%.
Of course I have a plan that I'll carry out at an appropriate time.
There is no one who would or could care for me should I develop Dementia. I struggle BIG TIME financially and would be placed in a state nursing home. NOT ME. With the exception of my sister, who is quite ill (I'm her caregiver throughout the day until she goes to sleep). She suffers with excruciating back pain following back surgery. She is also suffering with COPD.
Horid.
And, since childhood, I have experienced the blackest of depressions and raging anxiety, as some members may know.
And so, my life is a constant struggle. I had an auto accident 6 months after my mother died. Long story short...I have permanent back and neck damage. Headaches all day from the neck pain. My back goes on fire sometimes, but I have a high tolerance to pain so I can manage. All of my discs are herniated etc. etc. etc.
The accident was NOT my fault as was clearly written on the police report. I was making a Rt. hand turn as a woman was traveling on the shoulder at a speed of I think they said around 45 mph. She slammed into me. At first I felt fine. I don't have a cell phone. The other driver was unbelievably kind to me and successfully convinced me that I had caused the accident. She 'even' helped me write my police statement. Last line? "I'm extraordinarily sorry for causing this accident."
A well-known law firm accepted my case. After 8 or 9 months of all kinds of tests, pokes and prods, my case was sent to the law department by the Firm's Medical Case Manager who I was assigned to Two days later, I received a letter telling me that the Firm would not carry on with my case...because of the last sentence I wrote on my police statement.
After all of this which has left me with unreal medical bills, taking the very best care of my mother as possible for 5 years, along with caring for my sister for the past 11 years, along with daily tough struggles with depression (diagnosed after third suicide attempt as Clinically Depressed), and with the worries about a serious memory disease, there's no chance I'll get off of Klonopin.
HOWEVER!!!! GET OFF OF THESE DEVILS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. IF POSSIBLE DO NOT BEGIN TAKING THEM. Of course, I am NOT medically trained. This is a subject to discuss 'thoughtfully'between you and your doctor and between YOU and YOU.
OMG...so, so very sorry for ranting and going on and on, and going off on tangents. I usually don't share much about myself. But...it felt good to share all of this. And so, for those members who read all this stuff, I thank you for listening.
OMG, OMG...I just tried deleting this stupid reply to Starr's Post....obviously screwed it up...got it all in blue..thought it was deleted. I've had it. It's 6:29am on Monday morning, Dec.14th. My day begins soon. Now I'm all shook up about writing this long, boring reply. Oh, I am SO SORRY.
It’s ok Sophie. What plan is that that you’ll carry out at an appropriate time?... I may have the same type of plan... because I don’t want to live with others caring for me and me gone in my mind... both my grandmothers had Alzheimer’s so it’s scary. Im scared of loosing cognitive ability and trying to go without ativan. It’s a struggle but I think I can do it. I’m so sorry that you have to deal with all of that pain in your body and mind. You are a true fighter my friend. Keep up the great work you’re doing! Love ❤️ hugs 🤗 joy 🌞 ☮️ peace time you.
I also asked Sophie "what plan...". I saw you "may have the same type of plan". Please PM me with details if you will. I have been searching for such a way to care for myself before they lock me in an "assisted living" detention camp. My body and mind are going and there's no one to care for me. No one. I am terrified of being locked away under kind government care as my mind and body continue to degenerate.
Forgive me if I shouldn't have asked. This exchange hit me hard.
Thank you . I feel for you. ❤️ my grandmother was in an assisted living and she got her own room really cozy and they had group activities. It was a nice place. I hope you will find what is best and good for you.
I am so sorry if my message, which was INAPPROPRIATE in LENGTH and CONTENT was disturbing for you. I sincerely apologize. Feel free to PM me as I think, from what you shared, we have some important things in common.
sophie4, your message was not inappropriate but honest and forthright. I didn't have
a forum or any family/friends support when I choose to wean off 30 years of Xanax/Ativan. No one had told me before time that I could get dependent on a small dose of benzos. It became more of a daily habit to take before I went anywhere. And if I forgot my dosage for that day (even though feeling good) I'd turn around and come home and take it.
It's been over 7 years that I am Benzo Free and never felt better in my life.
I am now addicted to Meditation and Breathing techniques, that is what I turn to when life gets stressful. For me, it was a good decision. I respect everyone's decision in what is best for them. There is no right or wrong, we all want to live life the best we can. thanks for sharing your thoughts xx
What a TRUE statement, Agora1...life, for me changes on a dime sometimes...your invitation to chat is very thoughtful and kind. Going to take you up on it...I have overwhelming responsibilities and am often unable to write when I want to...but I will chat soon.An especially Happy Saturday to you, too!!!
Oh, thanks for your reply, Starr. I have a feeling that is foreign for me...embarrassment. I regret having written that reply to you. It was inappropriate in CONTENT and LENGTH. Thought I had successfully deleted it but then I saw that it was not. I really upset another member. I feel just terrible.I agree. Losing cognitive ability is way off the charts frightening!!
What plan did you have to carry out at an appropriate time? I need to know as my situation much like yours. No one to care for me as my body and mind breaks down. They talk about putting me into an "assisted living" horror. NO no no! Please message me..
But if you click on the name (or avatar) of the person you want to message you will be taken to their home page. At the top right look for a blue button that says "Message".
I would appreciate if you message me as I think that will work.
Oh...I really must give Chloe, one of my darling, angelic dogs a bath right now, so I won't be back on computer for a while.What if HealthUnlocked forbids me to PM?
I don't think that is likely. But you can come right back here and tell me you can't message me. I have asked HU why they won't let me message anyone but they won't answer me.
Sophie,IM so glad you wrote the above statement,as much as it sounds horrendous and most certainly drastic where benzos, are concerned they need to be highlighted as you did, they are meant to have been a temporary measure and to curb Anxiety-----my own plight was similar inasmuch as I have been on diazapam 5mg ------and now its 2mg ------but your experienceneeded to be said as Im sure others who have been on them longterm-----they serve their purpose and leave an impact on your entire being,thankfully,Im slowly beginning to realise this (perhaps too late)but each of us have to find other ways of coping with the Anxiety,and the answer is for the uninitiated......not the victims of these prescribed drugs.!!
Sophie,Im so glad I am not in the USA-with the dramatic changes in weather -we havent had snow since 2010----there was what you call a thundersnow -never heard of it before---but certainly the impact it had on some people was unreal--as I said we have only had that snow that lay for approx 6 months--it was most unusual ,we used to have very extreme cold winters when I was much younger,but climate change has gradually changed -of course there was no central-heating then,coal fires or electric-I do hope that storm blows somewhere else--so you can get peace of mind-and thanks for asking,I have been reading over some posts ,hoping everything else is ok-take care.
Just a storm update...OMG...this is going to be a big one...it's already about 5 or 6" and coming down hard!!!! I'm so afraid of losing power, most especially because my sister needs her oxygen!! But she has two fully charged units for her mobile unit.I really HATE cold weather, snowstorms, never feeling warm...blahgth!!!! (how's that for spelling?).
You haven't had snow since 2010!!! WOW!!! You must be living somewhere absolutely wonderful!!!!!!!!
Try and stay calm Sophie-------- you have to try for your family--its going to pass ---and keep as warm as you can--------its not wonderful at all we dont have the hot summers down south its a lot warmer-so global warning is certainly creating havoc with the world as well as this Virus--but eventually it will go------so im off to get ready for my cosy bed--take care thinking of you.....stay warm!!
Hi dear goldieoldie!!I'm calm. 6" heavy snow. Sidewalks not even started to be shoveled. Can't drive. Need meds about 2 miles away at supermarket. I'm a little confused..."Its not wonderful at all we don't have the hot summers down south its a lot warmer"...do you mean the hot weather is too hot?
Sophie,glad you weathered the storm,have had a lousy day just got ready to get into bed,had conversation regarding my asthma and stress--on Hu,earlier today..anway how are you going to get yourmeds---dont suppose you can get it delivered ,what misfortune--I do hope it will disappear,not likely says you,,,,,,Hoping things improve -weather conditions are a menace and penance---- pray that something better comes along!!WE Dont get Hot days maybe a handful throughout summer-----poor Sophie-- I f I could wave a magicwand ,and clear even half away .....need to clear the drive t/morrow---so much effort ,just to get out ,would probably kill me--take care !!
Sophie...I would love to message with you. I am 63 and experienced trauma a few years ago. Was normal up until then. I plan on starting a benzo regimen soon and I do not care if I get addicted. Life as I knew it is over for me anyways....it is it now quality versus quantity. I personally found your long post very interesting and enlightening.,you have courage to share all that. Message me.
I'd love to..thanks for the invite...this weekend looks good for a bit of chatting time...I'll PM you..what long post are you referring to? All of my replies are long...most of the time too long....just who I am!!
Please do it only under doctors advisement and get the precise titration schedule.
It’s really hard; I got twitchy.
In my experience, I’m glad I went through it at the hospital.
The twitching was so bad that it physically hurt.
Obviously I struggled to sleep.
I couldn’t control it.
The nurse gave my Tylenol because my muscles were fatigued. She also gave me melatonin to help fall asleep but at that time it wasn’t so effective.
That said, it’s doable.
But please allow me to reiterate … do it with your doctors advise!
Whatever you imagine the timeline to get off it will be … multiply the time in your head by 5 so you don’t feel as discouraged. I wish I would have thought that I would titration down and boom … I’d be good.
Go slowly.
Listen to your doctors orders.
Speak with your loved ones about it and make sure you’re able to contact a health care provider in case of an emergency.
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
xx
how I’m feeling 
Agoraphobia/Panic Disorder/GAD- Prescribed Ativan- Advice needed!
a thought maybe
