Relapsed

[sadnurse]

So I recently posted about my recovery and unfortunately I have relapsed after trying to come off my Ativan….. I'm left with constant anxiety and suicidal thoughts and I can't stop crying ……. Has anyone had a hard time coming off benzodiazepines??? What did you do?

 

[NoLightRemains]

I'm sorry your recovery was so short lived. I have no experience to offer with benzos, but I hear it's one of the roughest drugs to come off of.

Unrelated, I was working as a nurse too before my life fell apart. It's a hard job, I could never do it again.

 

[LoveYoux]

Psychotropics are laced with problems I can't believe they're prescribed for weak mentals x

I don't have much experience with addiction other than alcohol and nicotine, all I can say is I know how fucking hard it can be, and forgive yourself for any time you do relapse, it's a mammoth ask to cut something you've become dependant on x

 

[sadnurse]

I'm sorry your recovery was so short lived. I have no experience to offer with benzos, but I hear it's one of the roughest drugs to come off of.

Unrelated, I was working as a nurse too before my life fell apart. It's a hard job, I could never do it again.

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear about that …. I'm supposed to go back to work as a nurse next week but I don't think that's going to happen now and yes it's brutal work.

 

[lostmyacc]

Yep Benzos for me just leave me in a state where I am sleepy and still depressed but I just drift through life.

When I am off them all the feelings that where suppressed come back. It is a short term solution in my case.

 

[Deleted member 31858]

why did you leave the benzos? did you take them for a long time?

 

[Foresight]

When I first stopped benzos my anxiety spiked to critical levels. I was on klonopin for the longest but developed a habit with xanax. I abused xanax for about 2 years. I never had widespread physical problems from stopping like some do. It was just a very dramatic spike in anxiety which I think is physiological. Benzos are brain poison but they are lifesavers for severe anxiety.

I switched to clonidine and was successful. I use clonidine as needed now. It's true withdrawals in your body. Is your tapering doctor supervised? No one should face it down alone. Alternative options need to be given so you can be comfortable and safe during your transition. It's tough, benzos are a different kind of beast to our bodies but it is possible to come out on the otherside.

 

[Wisdom3_1-9]

I wasn't on benzos, but I did stop taking all of my meds. It's hard dealing with the constant suicidal feelings, but it was harder dealing with what I assessed to be a fake version of myself.

 

[peanuts]

Oh no I'm so sorry to hear about that …. I'm supposed to go back to work as a nurse next week but I don't think that's going to happen now and yes it's brutal work.

Hey I am also a nurse :) Did you have to have time off work due to your MH? I hope your unit has been supportive of you. What area of nursing are you in? I'm in NICU.

 

[Funeralprincess]

So I recently posted about my recovery and unfortunately I have relapsed after trying to come off my Ativan….. I'm left with constant anxiety and suicidal thoughts and I can't stop crying ……. Has anyone had a hard time coming off benzodiazepines??? What did you do?

How the fuck did you get prescribed Ativan? That shit was only given to me at the hospital but it works SO well with how up and down my mood is

 

[wljourney]

Are you withdrawing on your own or with medical support? There are some Rx options that can make it easier to phase out benzoes.

While Quetiapine has its very own risk/benefit profile it can be helpful to curb anxiety on a very low dose (but it also makes you really groggy).

You may also want to try CBD/edibles to make the transition easier.

Coming off Lorazepam for me was ROUGH. Headache, nausea, exhaustion for about a week. I had been on it longterm but low dose. First taper down to lowest possible benzoe dose and substitute if needed with Quetiapine (at night, to avoid being tired all day) and/or CBD edibles.

To be honest: if you have debilitating anxiety you may not be able to go without meds completely. You may not be able to return to work, especially not shift work, until you have a stable, consistent medication and sleep schedule.