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Benzo alternatives?

Posted , 9 users are following.

Jen12345678
Jen12345678

Hi everyone, does anyone out there know what I can use to replace the benzodiazepines? I'm completely addicted and when I go off I feel like I can't breathe and I'm dying. I literally cannot catch my breath, like constant hyperventilating. It's debilitating. My Dr wants me to wean off it. What am I going to do???? Any thoughts are appreciated!!

0 likes, 16 replies

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  • steven47549
    steven47549 Jen12345678

    Posted

    Weaning off is unavoidable (unless you want to continue taking them indefinitely). I have experience with this issue myself. The theory I’ve idea many doctors espouse is that they’d like to use another medication (such as an SSRI) to assist in controlling the anxiety, so that you don’t need to be reliant on daily benzo usage, and can reserve them for emergencies. In my experience, there is nothing quite as effective as a benzo when it comes to calming you down in the moment and treating a panic attack. 

    It is my belief that long term, daily benzo use is not good for people. I base this on personal anecdotal experiences, as well as the accounts of other benzo users I’ve encountered. Now, what worked for me was cognitive behavioral therapy. I had the luxury of being able to pursue therapy while also tapering down, and while tapering was a bit uncomfortable, the therapy equipped me with the tools necessary to address the underlying root of my anxiety.

    Everyone is different, but benzo addiction is no joke. It is very difficult to stop, and I feel like people don’t treat this warning with the gravity they should (I didn’t). 

    Now which benzo you are on may also be a factor in how difficult it is to wean, as short acting ones such as alprazolam present challenges, compared to longer acting agents like clonazepam. The Ashton Manual is the definitive source for benzo tapering, but not all doctors are aware of it (mine wasn’t). 

    • steven47549
      steven47549

      Posted

      Oops, sorry for the typos, I wrote that rather quickly *idea = heard, lol. 

      I do hope you are able to find some relief soon! 

  • Guest
    Guest Jen12345678

    Posted

    Hi! Your going to have to wean off it. Im 5 months off. It was intense. Still going through the motions of it. Im not 100% right now. I was a short term user 4.5 months of ativan i tapered off within 3 weeks per doc orders. I definitely could have went slower but doc said my dose was so low and i didnt use long3 weeks was all i need. I have gotten better since i jumped but no where near 100%. Im about 75% better. Thank god!!!!
  • Guest
    Guest Jen12345678

    Posted

    Sorry i type fast. And i meant to mention that i was put on ativan because i had a random panic attack and my doc prescribed this for me for 3 months and my 4th i weaned off. It was brutal. But im slowly getting better
    • carl67287
      carl67287 Guest

      Posted

      How much Ativan would you use a day and how many mgs ?
    • Guest
      Guest carl67287

      Posted

      I was prescibed 1mg take as needed the end of sept 2017...then the middle of october 2017 i had another panic attack(i didnt put two and two together and realize it was the ativan), November i went to my gp again and he prescribed it 1mg twice a day and i took it as prescribed. Then the end december i decided to google ativan and read all this stuff about it and i wanted off immediately so jan 2018 went to my gp and asked to be tapered we did a 3 week taper. I jumped in feb 2018. Man it was brutal. Im not 100% yet and i know it takes time But im far better than where i was.
    • carl67287
      carl67287 Guest

      Posted

      What were your symptoms if they were brutal ?

      What did it feel like etc ? 

    • Guest
      Guest carl67287

      Posted

      Symptoms were dizziness, tremors, insomnia, anxiety/panic through the roof, heart palps, fear of being alone...i seriously thought i was losing my mind. I had shakes, shallow breathing, my pressure was up a little but according to doctors it was still considered normal. I called the ambulance so many times... I thank god i have gotten better. But even though i used 4.5 months im still not completely myself yet. I pray to God he continues to bless me and heal me.
  • samuels
    samuels Jen12345678

    Posted

    Hi,

    I have been using the strongest of the Benzo's for 22 years, withdrawals are unavoidable and should be done over a long period of time for long term users such as myself, it can take up to 2-3 years, we have tried other medications and nothing worked so was put back onto my original benzo, life is as back to normal as it can be for now, I use the medication in conjunction with CBT (cognitive behavouril therapy)

    If you are experiencing those feelings you have described, that is the anxiety resurfacing, possibly rebound anxiety, perhaps the benzo is the only medication that helps you ? how long have you been on them for ?

    The benzo's are specifically designed to treat anxiety over anti depressants as they work on different receptors, anti depressants do help some but I've found it doesn't help the majority.

    everyone on benzo's are addicted but you have to determine if it's psychologically addicted or you go out of your way to get them at any cost and take one when you're body is craving for it's fix, know what I mean ?

  • magmag1116
    magmag1116 Jen12345678

    Posted

    I used to be on 3 mg Ativan from 2002-2014. My dr weaned me off in 6 months and it was like hell. I got anxiety all the time and my panic attack was severe. You really need to wean off very slowly. You can’t do it abruptly as it could cause seizures . I was also on Valium at the same time (until now) . It has a longer half life so it makes the tapering a bit easier. You can google Ashton Manual for tapering . It gives a very good overview of benzos and it provides like a timetable for you to follow. Of course the pace depends on you . Take care 
    • Guest
      Guest magmag1116

      Posted

      You said you were on Valium the same time as the Ativan? Did they put you on the Valium to help you with the tapering of the Ativan? Did you taper them the same time or how did you do that? I’m on 3 mg of Ativan a day too but I’m in severe tolerance and bedridden from it so I’m not sure it’s safe to start tapering until I’m stable but not sure how to get stable. The doctor offered Librium to help the withdrawals because I can’t take Valium.
    • magmag1116
      magmag1116 Guest

      Posted

      First I was prescribed with Ativan and Valium together. Then tapered off Ativan in the same time still on Valium but the dr taught me to take like for example : split half pill of Ativan and take 1.5 mg only but take two 5 mg Valium. Until now I am still on Valium and am taking 15 mg now . 
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