So I have made the decision that if my dr is agreeable, which I believe he will be considering my circumstances, that I will remain on a daily benzo perhaps for life. I know all about the addictive nature of these drugs and currently he is allowing me to take 1 mg of Ativan every other day or every day if necessary. I am 63 and suffer from not only anxiety, depression, ocd and ptsd but have scleroderma and am already feeling the effects of this nasty disease.
Many of you have shared your experiences, both good and bad, with benzos. I do think that everyone’s circumstance is different. Believe me, I am not happy with taking these drugs but it has come to the point of quality versus quantity of life for me.
Yes,,,I know I said it before, however I received some negative responses from folks via chat telling me how awful they are to come off of, etc, I know I just need to do what is right for me and shouldn’t listen to others.
Thanks....you are correct. I am all set. Doing what I need to do. Quality of life versus quantity perhaps.....remind me...23 years for you? I have so much life to live and if this is the way it has to be then so be it,
Yes I have been on benzo for many years. I'm on a lot of medication. I needed it to stabilize so I could begin to work on healing myself. I do everything with the guidance of my MD. Im very aware and educated on the negatives of medications.
We all have our own story and we all have to find the right path to success. At the end of the day, the bottom line for me is quality of life. I want to be engaged and participate.
You sound like a very brave, wise person. I want to be a participant once again also. I am 63. No time to waste...new granddaughter to enjoy also. If a pill or two helps with that, along with therapy, then so be it, When you have been ‘normal’ the majority of your life, this is especially tough but I will somehow, someway make it. Thank you...
You will make it if you push yourself. It's hard work but it can be done.
I've worked hard and I've found a place of peace. I still have ups and downs... this never goes away. But, after what I have been through, I have settled into a better existence. I am more grounded and life is not as complex as it used to be. I won't allow that anymore.
Thank you for your words of wisdom. May I ask one final question, have you built up a tolerance for the benzos? I only ask this because I did have one psychiatrist who told me that if I took benzos for the remainder of my life I would be ‘chasing my own tail’ as eventually they would not work anymore.
It sounds like you have been needing to listen to yourself-people’s opinions can be confusing especially when you have no easy option. I take Bach remedies that help me a lot. Don’t mean to suggest not to take benzos, just sharing something that helps me.
my neurologist said and I have no idea if it is true, that taking 1mg a day of ativan would not harm me even if I took it rest of my life.
now, I take more, but you are going to take that or less...
just saying this is good according to one neurologist...you could book an appt with a neurologist and get an opinion....maybe it would help you feel more calm or more informed and good ...?
Oh you are very sweet....thank you. I have made my decision. I will take them as directed by my physician. Am I happy that I need to do this, no, I never took an aspirin before trauma and then my poor health diagnosis, quality of life versus quantity is now the goal. Thank you,
Hello Usedto, I was on a benzo on and off for awhile and frankly thought all of the drama around them was overblown. To me it was applying a one size fits all mentality as to why they were bad for people. I never had any problem quitting them by using a smart tapering process. We all have slightly different biochemistry and react differently.
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Eating (slight warning) could use some help lol
Flashbacks TRIGGER suicide 
Would you go to work tomorrow
Is it possible to have P.T.S.D. over just one incident?
