Kayla50

I have agreed to therapy starting next week. Seems too far away. May need to take a few days off to detox. Things are getting pretty bad here. I'm scared of this whole process. Been through it before.

Kayla50

Does anyone believe Ativan can help withdraw syptoms? Mine are off the charts right now and I'm freaking out!

Finnie

Stick with it Kayla. Get help that's offered.

I am going through some major crap at work as well if it's any help to you. My job and position are being recallibrated ( for the worse) and I'm just 11 days dry. My mind is gone, my paranoia and anxiety are off the scale. I'd say the drinking had been masking things for years.

The way I see it I'm going to have to suffer for a while but every day should be a tiny bit better.

I'm praying and went back to my local church for the first time in 25 years this weekend.

Hang on to anything that will help.

Dee74

It really is best to see a Dr, Kayla & ask them about meds etc - I hope you will

D

needtostopthis

I'm sorry Kayla. I been there and I am still working through my anxiety and panic but it got so bad for me too. One time I almost drove down to mental health and checked myself in. I say in your other post that you can't get a ride so maybe just take the Ativan to clam you down a tad until you can get a ride. Also call a crises line. I did that and it did help a lot and I didn't think it would. I was so bad I thought I was dying. I was crying non stop, couldn't eat, sleep, anything. Good luck.

Bostonsportsfan

I took Ativan when I went to the hospital to get my stomach checked out before my last detox. It helped calm me down.

bigsombrero

I think that starting to worry about specific pills and drugs to help you through this is a mistake. Unless you're about to keel over, you'll be fine. I've been to the hospital myself for anxiety and have had terrible attacks and I know what you're going through. Breathe, relax. Get that doctor's appointment on the schedule. Don't start seeking out meds...down deep, there's a part of you that is craving a high. Again, you'll be fine. Just wait until you talk to a doctor before you start throwing pills on top of this. Good luck!

MattyBoy

When you understand how heavy drinking affects your brain chemistry, it will become clear why you're having panic issues. It's all to do with alcohols effect of GABA receptors in the brain which are your brains natural "calming" chemicals. Drinking totally messes with these and the withdrawal can send the brain in to overdrive resulting in panic and debilitating anxiety.

But of course it's no good knowing this if nothing is to be done about it. I hope you can safely get detoxed and see your doctor about any concerns you have. I can't guarantee that your anxiety will completely go away when you quit drinking but it sure will get much better and you probably won't have the panic attacks once the alcohol is removed.

Sending you love and light Kayla !

EverySngleNight

Kayla, I'm glad to see you're still posting!

If the Doc's think you need to take meds, then take them! Do what the doctors tell you- please!! I understand that some people think it's best to "fight it out" and everything, but alcohol withdrawal can and DOES lead to death. The meds they give prevent some people from dying in withdrawal. It's not about building character or being a tough guy, it's about taking the steps that medical professionals think are necessary- to give you the best chance at making it through withdrawal without your drug of choice, while not dying. Don't wait until you "keel over" pls.

I understand that you're going to therapy in a week. I'm not sure if you've seen a doctor? I know you were considering going to the ER yesterday, but did not go as you were concerned about where they would place you. IMO, if you haven't yet been to a doctor- I really think you should go.

These last coupla' days have been really rough for you! You've been describing pretty acute withdrawal symptoms. Is there an addiction specialist, hotline, or social worker that could help you to manage your case? I'd love it if you could find a "team Kayla" to help you figure out all of the logistics of your recovery. You may be asking too much of yourself, to handle finding the help that you need, while battling the alcohol.

Hang in there Kayla! I'm rooting for you. :::hugs:::

Kayla50

Thank you. I need more Ativan but my doctor has not offered to give me more, even when I asked. I'm hoarding it and drinking beer when I'm home. I use Ativan when I start having panic attacks. I wish she understood I am not quitiing my job but that I am getting help. May have to find another doctor. I need help with the hard part.

Kayla50

My outpatient appt is next week. Cannot come soon enough!

Dee74

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Dee74

Kayl;a I'm not being m,ean, but this might be the reason why she's not prescribing anymore:

Drinking on ativan can be very very dangerous.

Ativan (Lorazepam) and Alcohol – Safety Medical

Kayla50

I know you are not trying to be mean, but I don't drink during my work hours (and I get up at 5am). What would you suggest for a major panic attack?

Kayla50

And by the way I've had depression and anxiety way before alcohol because of abandonmnet, rape and divorce.

Dee74

I dealt with my anxiety with breathing exercises counselling and meditation.

I'm not a Doctor Kayla, but I think you'd be hard pressed to find anyone to prescribe you Ativan if they knew your drinking habits.

Thats not an attack on you - I simply want you to be safe....everyone here does.
Did you read that link?

I'm sorry for the bad things that happened to you in the past. I had bad things too - I thought drinking helped but it just made things worse.

what are you going to do about your drinking?

D

karate

It's unsafe drinking , long after the initial benzo effects wear off .

The med is still in your system .

I would advise not to drink and take benzos the same day .

The drink is causing a great portion of your anxeity .

I have been there and it is rough .

If you keep on , it will get to where the drink won't stop the anxeity .
Been there too .

hopeful4

Benzos and alcohol are a lethal and even deadly mix. They will cause you anxiety off the charts. Have you called the crisis hotline? That is part of addiction...the need to have alcohol and pills to get you through. If the doctor will not Rx you anymore that means the doctor believes it is not safe. Saying you will get another doctor to get a Rx is doctor shopping.

Please please get help, but get the appropriate help. You are making your own situation worse.

God Bless.

needtostopthis

Call a crises hotline, I have before and just talking to someone helps. They can also help you find a doctor and help.

It will be hard to get Ativan if a doctor knows your drinking. I binge drank and my doc would not give me klonopin, even though it helped me so much. It sucks but they have to do what is safe.

MattyBoy

I think the Doctors doing you a favour in the long run by not prescribing the Ativan. Benzos are notoriously difficult to come off and will only compound the problem once you've grown tolerant to them. You don't want to become a prisoner of benzodiazepines Kayla. You'll end up in the same cycle as with the booze - taking a pill to ease the panic attacks and then when the pill wears off the panic attacks become more intense. You're anxiety will get better after you get through the initial few weeks completely clean and sober. It may be a rough ride to begins with, but it sure pays off in the end!