Kim's Ativan Story

[SUE]

 was put on ativan due the fact that I had a very tight chest muscle from waterskiing.  The doc just told me to take these muscle relaxants.  Within a month I was having severe digestive problems.  I was drinking xylocaine/Pepto-Bismol combinations to kill the pain.  I eventually went through mega stomach tests, etc.  I stopped taking the ativan for a day to undergo some day explorative surgery and went into withdrawal.
 
I became depressed, suicidal and had insomnia.  I continued on the pills at the advice of my doc-not knowing that they were the root of the problem.  I took a leave of absence from my job by this time.  Ended up in a "shrink's office."  He increased my ativan to 10mg per day and tried to put me on antidepressants-I refused.  This went on for months.  Finally one day, I went to a health food store and met up with a lady-God had to have placed her there.  She knew tons about benzos and she told me that was what was causing all my grief.  At this point, I had tried every antacid medicine-got so bad that my whole digestive system stopped working-I lost 25lbs in two months, couldn't breathe, was a mess.
 
Once I realized what I was taking, I instantly started to taper.  Got in touch with Geraldine and many other ppl for support.  In three months I was off-then the fun began.  I became so sick, that I had to take my 2 year old daughter, move out and go live with my parents-my husband couldn't care for me.  I had seizures, and on and on. I was so suicidal.  This went on for almost nine months.  Then, honest to God, one day I was at my very worst-barely made it through and the next day I woke up and I felt very different.  The suicidal depression had lifted and wanted to live-it never returned.  So from that day forward, I still struggled with mild depression, but it was the sensations in my brain that would not subside. Felt like my brain rocked back and forth in my head, I felt like my head was wrapped up in cotton, I couldn't smell, see things clearly, and about 100 other symptoms. That was back in 2000.   That brings you to today.  I have had two children since then, I help run an insurance company, I lead a VERY full life.  I am almost back to myself.   Here is the advice that I can give to you to get back where you were, and you will get back there, unfortunately it takes time.
 
Rely on the support group-they have been there and they will get thu
 
A  high dosage magnesium/calcium supplement before you go to bed-relaxes you and makes your brain heal.-very beneficial.   
 
When you are able to tolerate it-high dosages of B vitamins
 
Soak in Epsom salts to detox
 
I went to a brain specialist here and another province and they do biofeedback on my brain waves.  These drugs change the speed of the your brain waves.  These people use light and sound to return your brain waves to their natural state.  Your body will eventually do this on its own-it just takes longer.
 
 
Avoid stress if possible-once you have been on these drugs-your nervous system is quite sensitive
 
Exercise and also do deep breathing.  The best to return your body to a natural state is inhale for 5 counts and exhale for 5 counts.  Try to get it so that you are doing it very smoothly-not jumpy.  This is really good for healing. 
Try to eat lots of veggies and juice veggies-awesome for healing 
If you have insomnia, the best thing that worked for me is tryptophan.  It is an amino acid that you can get from eating turkey or boiling milk.  It is all natural and it really does work.  The trick is to take a high dosage-I started with 4000mg before I went to bed.  Only take it every second night.  I eventually keep cutting it down.  And obviously now I don't take anything for sleep.
 
MOST IMPORTANTLY, remember this:  Your body is designed to heal, and your brain will find balance again.......it is natural.  You will get better-it just takes time.  I was extremely sick and I am almost 100%-just stuck with some derealization and a bit of bland moods.  I truly believe that I did not live such a stressful lifestyle-that would all be gone as well. 
 Take care and please believe that you will be better-that was the hardest thing that I struggled with-I always thought that my brain was stuck and would never heal.  Things can turn around quickly.
 
Love Kim

[dave]

Sue, out of curiosity how long was Kim on Ativan?

Thanks

Dave

[BenzosNoMore]

I liked reading this story...gives me more hope.

[marshlakemom]

Thanks to Kim for her story.  There are a few things in there I'm certainly going to try, and I bet you guys can guess what it is.

Yup...4000mg Tryptophan

I just happen to have some.

Deborah

[BenzosNoMore]

Thanks to Kim for her story.  There are a few things in there I'm certainly going to try, and I bet you guys can guess what it is.

Yup...4000mg Tryptophan

I just happen to have some.

Deborah

Best of luck to you, Deb!!!

Sure hope it helps!!!

[SUE]

Sue, out of curiosity how long was Kim on Ativan?

Thanks

Dave

Dave
Sorry for the delay in my reply to you on this question.
I am waiting to hear back from Kim. Along with your question I also got a few more questions fro Kim via PM  so as soon as I hear back from her I will get back to you all who are waiting for answers.
Sue

[dave]

Dave
Sorry for the delay in my reply to you on this question.
I am waiting to hear back from Kim. Along with your question I also got a few more questions fro Kim via PM  so as soon as I hear back from her I will get back to you all who are waiting for answers.
Sue

Not a problem Sue 

Your partner in crime, lol

Dave

[Donna]

bump

[hed]

sue do you know this womans details? or how long those head sensations took to clear up?

gd to see all these protracted withdrawal recoveries

[kurt36]

Exactly. How long was she on and how long has she been off?

[Lemonkrayola]

Thanks for the story Kim. It gives me hope.

[ForeverTense]

Thanks for the story Kim. It gives me hope.

Nice seeing you in chat Jen. Hope to talk to you again soon.

--carl

[faith20]

Thank you for giving me hope and encouragement.

Faith

[cfgonz108]

Very encouraging story, thanks.

[LBURTON]

Sue:

Thank you for the post.  After I read "Kim's Story" I went out and bought Magnesium and started taking the supplement.  I don't now if it's all in my "head" but OMG, what a difference!!  Before, after coming off Ativan, and being off of it for almost year, I was still so irritable and nervous, when stress came my way, look out, it put me almost in a tail spin.  I feel like my old self!!  I am so much calmer, it maybe just because I am a year out from my last dosage, but it's really odd that I became calmer after I started the supplement.  Don't know, don't care.......... just love the feeling!  Thank you for sharing, that's what this site is all about, sharing experiences and helping one another with those experiences and tried remedies! 

• Downloads
• Benzo Equivalence Table
• Water Titration Instructions