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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JACJ on June 5, 2005, at 17:06:14
It has been over 14 months since I have come off both meds. I was on over 13 meds in 2.5 years. I am a victim of medical mistake. That is too long of a story in itself but I have tons of questions but no answers. I was on 3 mgs of Ativan for 2.2 years and came off it in 4 weeks which was too fast. Sometimes, I would take anywhere from 4-7 mgs of ativan. I reached tolerance so quickly but never knew. I was on 80 mgs of geodon for a while and came off that in 3 weeks. I came off the ativan first and then right off of geodon. The drugs have literally ruined my life. I am 85-90 percent better and I am also pregnant which probably contributes to w.d symptoms. The w/d didn't hit me until I came off the geodon.
Did the geodon mask the effects of the ativan w/d? Why am I still having w/d? I read all there is to read but get so discouraged. I know the difference btw. normal anxiety and drug induced anxiety. I still have anxiety, obsessive thoughts and fears, spiral thinking, muscle twitching and some others but they aren't as bad as they use to be. I hope to make a full recovery but who knows if I am permanently damged. Anyone know people who took years to recover? I am so afraid to take other meds b/c what if that rev's up my w/d symptoms again? I just need to talk and vent.
JACJ
Posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 13:16:00
In reply to Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon, posted by JACJ on June 5, 2005, at 17:06:14
NM
Posted by SLS on June 7, 2005, at 16:41:33
In reply to Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon, posted by JACJ on June 5, 2005, at 17:06:14
One thought is that your original condition has become worse over time. I doubt this has anything to do with your medication. I don't think you are suffering withdrawal. It seems more likely that the Geodon was helping you. I don't think that it would have masked withdrawal from the benzodiazepine. It may have helped mitigate the withdrawal immediately upon your discontinuing Ativan, though.
You are not damaged. I think you have an anxiety disorder that is manifesting chronically because you are not being treated for it.
I don't know what to suggest to you during your pregnancy. Sometimes, pregnancy actually improves depression/anxiety. However, the post-partum period might be difficult without treatment. I think you should take things one step at a time and make decisions based upon your changing circumstances.
I am still very much undecided as to how one is best managed during pregnancy. Perhaps using relatively small dosages of Seroquel makes sense.
- Scott
Posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 19:26:17
In reply to Re: Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon » JACJ, posted by SLS on June 7, 2005, at 16:41:33
Hi Scott,
First, thanks for replying. Umm, some of my thoughts are it is still the medication b/c I have never experienced these feelings even when I was feeling bad. I always had anxiety and some depression but not to the point of craziness like I do now. Also, I know alot about these drugs and how it can take months and years to fully get back to normal. In the PDR book, physicians are told not to even diagnose mental illness until one has been off the benzos for a full year and the list goes on.I am doing so much better without these drugs but yet I have some setbacks which just throw me for a loop. I am in therapy now which is helping and staying away from sugars and bad foods which I am so sensitive to b/c of the drugs I was on. I worry about Postpartum but all I can do is wait. So far, my pregnancy has been good with the exception of some outbursts of tears and anxiety and worries but I think that is every mom. These doctor's almost killed me and I think I am suffering from post tramatic stress disorder.
These are my thoughts. I am so afraid to take any medication incase it ramps my w/d symptoms. Um, if I was to use pain killers/anesthesia which would be the best for the least side effects? I am just very angry at what these drugs did to my life.
Thanks for listening,
JACJ
Posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 20:37:39
In reply to Re: Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon, posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 19:26:17
I also forgot to mention I have muscle twitching which I never had until I came off these drugs.
Posted by SLS on June 8, 2005, at 6:59:45
In reply to Re: Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon, posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 20:37:39
> I also forgot to mention I have muscle twitching which I never had until I came off these drugs.
Despite my suggesting in my previous post that what you are suffering from is not withdrawal, I have learned that almost anything is possible when it comes to these drugs and the brain.
I wish you nothing but the best for your baby-making! It sounds like you are going to make a great mom!
- Scott
Posted by Jeroen on July 10, 2005, at 15:13:46
In reply to Re: Withdrawal of Ativan and Geodon, posted by JACJ on June 7, 2005, at 20:37:39
hi, i took it for 3 weeks and developped TD
excessive eye blinking, it destroyed my social lifeBE AWARE!!!!
This is the end of the thread.
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