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Having surgery and scared to death

Posted , 4 users are following.

gary96225
gary96225

I went through Ativan withdrawal in 2003. It was a nightmare. Now I have to have surgery in a few weeks and I am afraid of taking any benzos. I am not afraid of getting addicted but I am afraid that the benzodiazepines will have the opposite effect on me. Instead of calming me I will freak out. Has anyone gone through this?

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • harriet67221
    harriet67221 gary96225

    Posted

    Hi What makes you think you will be prescribed benzos? Just explain that you do not want any.  The dr cannot force you to take anything you do not want to. Try not to worry.
  • denyse07327
    denyse07327 gary96225

    Posted

    You don t need to take any,  it is normal to feel nervous before a surgery!
  • harriet67221
    harriet67221 gary96225

    Posted

    Hi again Gary

    ​If you do need a sedative due to feeling scared it is not going to have a bad effect on you. I know this because this is what happened to me. A one off dose of a tranquilliser is not going to harm you , freak you out at all. Patients have been given pre medications prior to surgery for yonks without any untoward effect. Even Ativan which makes one drowsy and has amnesiac effect is very safe. Please try not to worry about this. Feeling scared prior to surgery is normal but the dr will reassure you and do everything they can to allay your anxiety. Take care.

    Take care.

     

  • lc72704
    lc72704 gary96225

    Posted

    Hi Gary

    I know how you feel. I’ve been benzo free for 3 years and was so concerned about needing a medical procedure that would require sedation.

    I was not psychologically dependent but the physical withdrawals were unbearable and lasted long after the last pill. 

    I was sedated for an endoscopy and everything went great .  

    I hope that you can share your concerns with your medical team and your surgery goes well!!

    • harriet67221
      harriet67221 lc72704

      Posted

      Hi I was just wondering what benzo you had been taking and how you tapered? Thanks.
    • gary96225
      gary96225 harriet67221

      Posted

       I was addicted to adivan. . I was taking 0.5 mg every other day to every third day. I was very addicted and had severe withdrawal symptoms for quite a while. Be there as it may I had my surgery and I told the anesthesiologist that I am allergic to benzodiazepines and they did not give me any during the operation or after. It was quite simple. 
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