Daily users of benzos willing to share?

Hello friends...as many of you know, I have posted a 100 times regarding my concerns and questions about benzos. I promise, I really do, promise this is my last posts concerning it. Due to my many complex issues and the fact that I am 63, my dr has agreed to let me take 0.5 mg of Ativan for the foreseeable future if not for the rest of my days.

So, my final request is: are there any others out there like me...been on these drugs for a long, long time or plan to be for the rest of their lives? If so, how long? What drew you and your doctor to this conclusion? Please note that I am therapy so I know that a little pill doesn’t solve everything. I guess I just need to hear from others who may be in my position. Am I happy that I have come to this point in my life...did I ever think I would...NO...I never took an aspirin until almost four years ago when trauma struck, I was a successful professional with more money that I will ever need, a beautiful family, etc. Mental illness and physical illness does not discriminate.

Please, I know all the downsides of these drugs so there is no need to share horror stories of withdrawal, dependency, tolerance, etc. I just need to know that I am not alone. Anyone willing to share...how long have you been on these drugs, do you plan on staying on these drugs forever? What was the basis for your decision?

Life is short and at age 63 facing all the obstacles I have, I have really come to realize it and cherish it. I am not, and repeat, am not looking for reassurance that I am doing the right thing...there is just a feeling of wanting to know that as I said, I am not alone in this struggle.

Blessings to all.

[Marnie22 Volunteer]

Hi I wish I had some insights to share with you, but I don't have experience in this area. I am sure that you have done your own research, but I found an article that seemed interesting. It has a section on long term use that seems to be quite informative. Here is the link: psychiatrictimes.com/view/r...

I hope you can resolve this to your own satisfaction.

Sending best wishes and a hug.

🙂🌸

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

Thanks....trying to get some emdr so that I can some day get off meds but all practitioners are full. You are very kind.

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

Great article....thanks very much. Actually made me feel a little better.

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

I am glad you found it useful. I do hope you can get some EMDR, it's been incredibly helpful to me. 🙂🌸

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

You are really special. To go out of your way to research the article, etc. is so kind of you. I so appreciate it.❤️

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I know it can be really hard to deal with this stuff. I am pleased the article was useful. 🙂🌸

[Hidden in reply to Marnie22]

It was. I had to practically tell my dr that I was on the verge of doing something stupid to get him to give me the Ativan and agree to a small dose daily. If you have ever felt that way you know how awful it is. So far, the Ativan has saved me.....thanks again.

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

No problem. 🙂🌸

[peacefulandcalm Encourager in reply to Marnie22]

thank you Marnie, I read the article, thank you ...<3

[Marnie22 Volunteer in reply to peacefulandcalm]

🙂🌸

[peacefulandcalm Encourager]

Have a friend, he is now 70; he has been taking ativan for 10 years at least, 1 mg a day .

Now, he added Buspar and takes .5 a day of ativan or so...I will ask him how long he has taken the ativan exactly.

I have taken it 10 years too...I am 51.

.5 mg a day is the lowest dose (very low anyway) ? ; my neurologist said that if I took 1 mg the rest of my life, it would be ok..I think I mentioned ?

if you have more questions, you can ask....I am not doc; I just know .5 mg is very low and what my neurologist said..

I think I will ask more neurologists....or maybe find an article by a neurologist on it too..

<3

[Hidden in reply to peacefulandcalm]

Thank you. You are very kind. May I direct message you?

[peacefulandcalm Encourager in reply to Hidden]

yes

[designguy]

I was on klonopin for a couple of years and up until that time it was the only med that made any difference for me. It was like a switch when I first tried it, lowering my anxiety level and rumination and i fully expected to be on it forever. Then about 4 years ago my psych. med prescriber had me get off of it because a study had come out that declared that long-term use caused dementia. I got off the benzo and started having extreme itching and investigated the study. In the study most of the participants also abused alcohol so no wonder they had dementia issues. I got back on the benzo and unfortunately still have the itching issue.

I later got off of all medication to see if I could resolve the itching and some health issues. I ended up taking a psych pharmacological test (mine was from Genesight) to determine which meds were best suited for me genetically and started on one which helped (Pristiq).

it turned out according to my test that of all of the meds that I had tried previously, Klonopin was the only one that would work for me. I was prepared to also restart taking the klonopin if the Pristiq didn't help but it did.

Personally I think the whole benzo controversy is overblown by overreaction to prescription abusers. For me, and I think this is pretty common, taking the meds did not eliminate my anxiety it just reduced it and helped make it more manageable. It also took the appropriate self-help and therapy to recover.

I agree about the quality of life issue, we're all different and react differently to meds.

[freeandalive1 Volunteer]

You are not alone! 0.5 dose of Ativan is not a terribly toxic amount even if you do take it the rest of your life. For me, I've been taking anxiety medication on and off since I was 25 and I am 58 now. For me, I will get to a point as I did 3 years ago. I had been off of all helpers for years but went through a tough time with my narcissistic mother and lost ALL of my hair! That's when I knew it was time to seek some relief again, with no condemnation. So I went to the doctor who prescribed valium and Prozac. I stayed on them both until I felt like I had my footing back. I weaned off of the valium last May and the Prozac around this past August.

Anxiety is a cruel companion, I know. When I need help, I ask for it, when I feel like I have some footing, I will back off of it because, for me, I have triggers and fears of being dependent on stuff, (my father died of alcoholism and my mother abused Xanax, oxycodone, and roxycodone which lead to me having to "rescue" her time and time again. She is now in a 24/7 care facility due to the consequences brought on by that drug abuse)

That being said, I feel like, for the rest of my life there may arise times where I need extra help keeping my anxiety disorder at a healthy and manageable level, so I know that when those times occur I can lean on anti-anxiety medications whatever they may be. I'm thankful there is something that can help A LITTLE. For me, I still had anxiety even when I took Valium or Prozac...it just helped a little.

[ShadyLady7]

I had my first panic attack around 2015. Went directly to the ER because I knew exactly what it was. Short of breath racing thoughts out of body out of my mind sensation.

Given .5 Xanax and then another about 15 min later.

Back to normal.

Left with a 30 day script from the ER. "Taken as needed"

I continue this prescription through primary doctor. They don't like it but I go through 30 pills in 60 to 90 days. And we discuss how I take it "As needed', never with alcohol etc.

I only take .25 at a time.

I have to sign a form and take a urine drug test. (Even xanax didn't show up!)

I did see a counselor and psychiatrist, they prefer to prescribe anti depressents, but the therapy was very very helpful!

Having this script allows me to go do things with out fear I might freak out.

I don't care if I have to take it this way forever. It works for me exactly as it is supposed to. Never feel high. Just calmer.

Hope that helps!

(I found some homeopathic remedies online, going to buy and try.)