Benzos (Lorazepam & Valium) PAWS Help

[Anthranxiety]

FIRST OF ALL, SORRY FOR THE LONG POST

I'm terribly sorry for writing this new topic when, through search, I see that it's been covered many times. I Just wanted one or two personal responses to make sure I'm not over-reacting or going crazy. I have read the other threads but I cannot understand why I'm having such a horrid time after such a short time of use.

I was prescribed Lorazepam for anxiety in January, and in February I had a heart operation. I was taking minimum 1mg a day and max 3mg a day up until this point.

At this point, I had no idea I was addicted (I'd only been on it for a month) but five days before my heart operation (catheder op for wolff parkinson white syndrome), I had to stop all meds. I stopped Lorazepam cold, and had heightened anxiety, shaking and the feeling of wanting to vomit every single day but I put this down to just being nervous for the op.

To calm me down, they gave me Lorazepam in the hospital before and after my op.

When I went home, I wanted to vomit all the time. I was worried because I thought something was wrong with my heart. I found that taking Lorazepam helped this go away completely, and I thought this was just the anti-anxiety effect - I didn't think this was prolonging the addiction.

Anyway in March I realised something was wrong and went to the hospital. In one week I called an Ambulance 3 times with blackouts, extreme anxiety, agitation... The list goes on.

I was told by every hospital that I had a problem with Lorazepam and that I must stop, but that they couldn't help me with that. I eventually begged to see a Psychiatrist who agreed that I was addicted and put me on a Valium substitute.

I was also put on Valpro (1500mg!!) and Cipralex. I managed to taper down to 4mg Valium before going right back up to about 20-30mg a day and checking into a hospital where I stayed for 11 weeks (!!). I really tried so hard to taper myself but the withdrawal was unbearable. I couldn't stop dry wretching and couldn't function properly at all.

Anyway in total I've only been on Benzos for 6months total and I've been off them for about 6 weeks but my anxiety is through the roof and my cognitive behaviour is weird. I'm forgetting things still, and the anxiety is crippling.

I just want to ask - is this normal?? People who complain about this seem to have been on it for years and I was only on it daily for 6 months. Is it normal that I'm still feeling awful for 60% of the day even after getting through the AWFUL withdrawal effects in the hospital and being clean for 6 weeks?

I'm on 450mg Lyrica to help with the anxiety and it does help, but I'm worried that people think I'm over-reacting, or if it's a placebo effect this whole anxiety thing? It was never this bad before Benzos but by all means I'm finished with the Benzo Withdrawal Syndrome so I just don't understand what's happening.

Can anyone shed some light onto why I'm feeling so awful after such a short time on Benzos, and why it's continuing? It's not as bad as the withdrawal which was genuinely awful, but my anxiety and restlessness is absolutely through the roof and I'm concerned.

Thanks so much, and I'm sorry if people are annoyed that this has been covered before - I'm just a bit desperate for answers that's all.

 

[Anthranxiety]

I realise it's a dead topic but if anyone could even PM me with info, that would be wonderful.

Thanks very much.

 

[neversickanymore]

Hey Anthranxiety.. sorry you are feeling this way benzodiazepine withdrawal is considered by many to be the worst withdrawal out there and many consider it worse that heroin. Its funny the dont mention little things like that when the offer you the pills or maybe they do and we just don't imagine they will be that bad. The withdraws or paws off of benzo withdrawal (and valium is a benzodiazepine) can last a long time for some.. but the good thing is in my experience and IMO once you are through the paws you should not be bothered by a life long psychological addiction as the taking of benzodiazepines do not manipulate the dopamine reward pathway or VTA which is the root of cravings for drugs like coke, meth, heroin, alcohol, and nicotine to name a few. SO once you get past this stage you should not have that little life partner. What is the name of the valium substitute that you have been given? Also im sure you were given some pain medications after the surgery and all these other medications that you have been given have the chance of drawing out the paws.. I AM IN NO WAY SAYING STOP TAKING ANY MEDICATIONS THAT YOU ARE PRESCRIBED BUT PLEASE take a look at these two great links.

>Why We Don’t Get Better Immediately: Post-acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS)<

>Post Acute Withdrawl (PAW) Excerpt From "Staying Sober" By: Terence T. Gorski with additions by: Lee Jamison<



Have you looked into counseling to try and identify and start to deal with the root of your anxiety. IMO anxiety is an emotion, and I know that many doctors state its because of a chenical imbalance in you brain, which is true, but often times it is your brain making this uncomfortable imbalance to motivate you to change or address something to do with your life

Also If you a directly manipulating the GABA in your brain through alcohol or other means this may prolong or prevent you from healing from the paws.


If you can let us know what drug your doc gave you as a substitute for the valium it may be beneficial.
y steps to get better but then you may still be left with the anxiety you have not found the cause of that you sought help through medication in the first place.. If someone is going to take a benzo for anxiety it is really in their best interest to address the cause as a medication may make us feel better it rarely actually addresses the problem.

Your doing great and I hope this may help a little

 

[Anthranxiety]

Thank you very very much!

Sorry maybe I wasn't so clear at the start - first of all I was on Lorazepam (ativan) and then I was moved to Valium as the substitute.

I am now prescribed Lyrica 450mg daily to help with my anxiety.

Thanks again so much for the reply, it really helps!

 

[Tryptamine*Dreamer]

Your brain will not be producing enough GABA after being on benzos for a long time. You can buy GABA pills but they may not help much as GABA does not easily cross the blood brain barrier.
Hopefully the Lyrica is making you feel better as it works on some of the same receptors.

There is a modified version of GABA called phenibut that is sold at some offline supplement stores and just about any place online that has things like that. There was a product at GNC that contained it as an ingredient a while back. It is uncontrolled and usually considered a nootropic (smart drug). This does cross the blood brain barrier. If you take it at the recommended dose, it could be useful but the problem is that you can get an intoxication if you take 3 or 4 times the recommended dose. Overuse will result in withdrawal and you don't want to substitute one addiction for another (phenibut is not as addictive as benzos, but you can get addicted to it). If you can use it as directed, it might be helpful. If you are not certain, you should probably avoid it.

If you check with GNC, look for ingredients on products for sleep, stress, and mood.