Benzodiazepine withdrawl or something else?

[Michael]

I just signed up and am very much hoping to meet other people here and get some answers. Here's my story. About two months ago I had a really bad panic attack and was prescribed Ativan. As soon as I filled my script and got home I took one right away and in about an hour I felt calm and relaxed again. This calmness lasted the entire day and I was able to function normally.

Over the next week however, I noticed that when the Ativan wore off the anxiety seemed to come back a little stronger each time so I'd take another one (sometimes even two of them). Now, it's gotten to the point where I don't know if the current anxiety I'm feeling is coming from withdrawl in between doses of the Ativan or if it's just my "regular" anxiety getting worse.

Can taking benzos temporarilly ease your anxiety but then make it come back worse once the medication wears off?. Here is how I'm feeling in between doses and it only seems to be getting worse:

- Feels like my whole body is trembling/quivering from deep within (like a car engine running I guess). My lower lip quivers too.

- Feeling cold and shivering.

- Feeling like I'm going nuts inside along with health concerns over this.

- Eyes feel fuzzy and blurry

- Feels like I have to gasp to get my breath (varying from mild to severe).

Are any of these strange feelings associated with either benzo side-effects or withdrawl?. I'm just trying to get educated here so I can deal with this and would appreciate any help I can get immensely!!.

[rara]

Well this is of course something you ask youre physician, the one who precribed you the drug if the medicine is a drug.
I mean i dont know anything about medicine but it sounds so physical, and maybe if youre not supposed to withdraw from the medicine you shouldnt ore vice versa.
/Rara.

[Sqeeterz]

YES, the ativan will ease your anxiety.
QUIT trying to figure out if your anxiety is from the meds or your "Regular" anxiety - it is one in the same. 
My experience is that the withdrawl symptons don't kick in for about 36-48 hours, AFTER YOU BECOME ADDICTED with prolonged and heavy use. And if you keep doubling up on the meds, you are in for an UNBELIEVABLE crash when you try to stop the meds.  TRUST ME.  Get on a program, DO NOT SELF MEDICATE and follow it (with a medical professional).  You will have good days and you will have bad days, but learning coping skills will really help.  Try to get some good Pschotherapy, go to group therapy meetings, and participate in things (like this board) with others to keep you occupied and positive.  It won't last forever, it will get better, if YOU WANT it to!  But drug addiction and withdrawl makes the anxiety seem like a hiccup.

The benzodiazepines are a class of drugs with hypnotic, anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, amnestic and muscle relaxant properties. Benzodiazepines are often used for short-term relief of severe, disabling anxiety or insomnia. Long-term use can be problematic due to the development of tolerance and dependency.

Abuse and dependence

Benzodiazepines induce physical dependence and are potentially addictive. An abrupt discontinuation of benzodiazepine input may result in convulsions, confusion, psychosis, or effects similar to delirium tremens.

Hence, every person on long-term or high dosage of any benzodiazepine should be carefully weaned off the drug.

Onset of the withdrawal syndrome might be delayed, and it might be delayed longer than the barbiturate withdrawal syndrome, although withdrawal from short-acting benzodiazepines often presents early.

The benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome is characterized by:

    * Insomnia
    * Anxiety
    * Tremor
    * Perspiration
    * Loss of appetite
    * Delusions

Some of the withdrawal symptoms are identical to the symptoms for which the medication was originally prescribed. Benzodiazepines are valued by many patients for their ability to ameliorate existing conditions, while benzodiazepine dependency can cause them.


Psychological addiction
Psychological addictions are a dependency of the mind, and lead to psychological withdrawal symptoms. Addictions can theoretically form for any rewarding behavior, or as a habitual means to avoid undesired activity, but typically they only do so to a clinical level in individuals who have emotional, social, or psychological dysfunctions, taking the place of normal positive stimuli not otherwise attained

Good Luck!