Taking "medicine".

hope · 05-29-2005, 10:31 PM

I've just taken the ativan at night for several nights now and It's amazing how much better if feel. I"m off the sofa curled up in a ball and doing stuff. I think I"ve been sick for so long that it was just tearing my body up, and tearing me up mentally. The "seizures" (if that's what they were) have eased up quite a bit. My husband does not want me to take the depakote. I'm still out to lunch about the klonopin but I did read that the klonopin is prescribed for seizures as is the Ativan. I think the Zyprexa might be too much. Near the evening the dizziness and all the neurological stuff gets worse, which is also when I'm the most tired. I may see a nutritionist about what I can do to support myself (organs, etc). I no longer feel angry at Dr. Braverman because I do feel he was able to give me a good diagnosis as to what was happening. My GABA and dopamine were very low, especially the GABA. and From what I've read extremely low GABA levels can cause seizures. I'm sure that this is from Paxil withdrawal but I was on Paxil for a very long time and I don't think I'm as capable of bouncing back from this as others who were on a shorter time. I think almost a year and a half off I should be seeing more improvement but in some ways the neurological stuff was getting worse and I couldn't take it anymore. I was having the awful myoclonic seizures in bed every night along with the brain shocks - brain surges (? name) all night long. I couldn't do very much by myself and I couldn't go anywhere without knowing if my body was going to just go nuts. I starting having body jerks one evening at whole foods and it was so embarrassing. So for now I'm going to take what medication I need and try to support it with integrative medicine. Today I almost bought a nice digital camera and was thinking about getting into photography again. I cooked breakfast. I was halfway human.

I need to research the Klonopin and maybe get another medical opinion as far as the meds go. Maybe I'll give Dr. Braverman a call and see if I can just get by on the Ativan for now with the supplements. He believes in using medication for as short a time as possible and I think for me that's what i need right now. Thanks for the support. I gave it a good shot but right now I need some quality of life which I haven't had for a very very very long time. Thanks everyone.

Diana

scotty · 05-29-2005, 10:33 PM

Hope, it sounds like your giving your body the rest it needs. Nothing wrong with that!

Delynbetter · 05-29-2005, 10:33 PM

Best of luck to you and keep us posted!

De Lyn

elisa · 05-29-2005, 11:51 PM

Hope, you deserve a rest from all the physical and mental turmoil!!

As what Klonopin (Clonazepam) is concerned read up this link:

www.benzo.uk.org I know it is an anti benzo website, but you might get an idea what to expect should you take that route!!

Suze · 05-30-2005, 11:17 AM

diana, i'm just so happy to hear you are getting some rest!
that's really good news.
xxoo

safarigal · 05-30-2005, 11:57 AM

Diana, that is great news that the Ativan is working for you! I believe quality of life comes first even if it involves taking medication. You are not giving in, you are taking control of your life.

hope · 05-30-2005, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safarigal

Diana, that is great news that the Ativan is working for you! I believe quality of life comes first even if it involves taking medication. You are not giving in, you are taking control of your life.

Thanks. My head doesn't feel like it's going to go rolling down the hall all day - that's a relief.

rdjanis · 05-30-2005, 10:40 PM

Take care Hope, quality of life is most important, and I am glad you are finding some relief.

neogbf · 05-30-2005, 10:57 PM

I believe in the long-term taking the benzos might be troublesome! They are, of course, absolutely second-to-none for short term relief. You might want to investigate natural ways of working on your GABA system (which the benzos target). I believe GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) and L-Taurine (an amino acid) are gabaminergic.

hope · 05-31-2005, 12:41 AM

I do have some supplements for working on the GABA. It may be a long time before I get straightened out and I've come to accept that. I have some books and tons of supplements. Problem was I couldn't tolerate the supplements but with the medication I can take more supplements. Thanks so much. Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. Bev and I talk quite a bit and she is doing much better than me. It seemed any little change would set me off, a cold, a new supplement, would take me weeks to recover from. I know the benzos will be a problem later, but hopefully I will be a little stronger and by then have better medical care. When coming off the Paxil I had horrible advice from doctors. I am finding now that the withdrawal is becoming common knowledge. If I had waited until now to begin tapering, I might have had better advice and less of a difficult time. Just even Dr. Glenmullen's book only came out in January and it made so much sense. If only I'd had that book then it would have saved me so much grief, or even a doctor that believe withdrawal existed and knew how to taper a patient properly.

kizzie · 05-31-2005, 10:39 AM

Hi hope - You know that Im still on some medication (30mg clomipramine). I just had to be able to live and I for one would never blame you for taking anything if it helped you get through the day. just glad you're getting some respite. One day we'll be free.

Buy the camera!!! You'll get some real pleasure from it.
Kizziex

wills11 · 05-31-2005, 05:50 PM

Hello Hope

I agree wholeheartedly with SafariGirl (Julie) in that we all need to focus on quality of life. I strongly believe in different strokes for different folks, and that there are many paths to good health.

Thinking of you :-)

05-29-2005, 10:31 PM	#1
hope Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,185	Taking "medicine". I've just taken the ativan at night for several nights now and It's amazing how much better if feel. I"m off the sofa curled up in a ball and doing stuff. I think I"ve been sick for so long that it was just tearing my body up, and tearing me up mentally. The "seizures" (if that's what they were) have eased up quite a bit. My husband does not want me to take the depakote. I'm still out to lunch about the klonopin but I did read that the klonopin is prescribed for seizures as is the Ativan. I think the Zyprexa might be too much. Near the evening the dizziness and all the neurological stuff gets worse, which is also when I'm the most tired. I may see a nutritionist about what I can do to support myself (organs, etc). I no longer feel angry at Dr. Braverman because I do feel he was able to give me a good diagnosis as to what was happening. My GABA and dopamine were very low, especially the GABA. and From what I've read extremely low GABA levels can cause seizures. I'm sure that this is from Paxil withdrawal but I was on Paxil for a very long time and I don't think I'm as capable of bouncing back from this as others who were on a shorter time. I think almost a year and a half off I should be seeing more improvement but in some ways the neurological stuff was getting worse and I couldn't take it anymore. I was having the awful myoclonic seizures in bed every night along with the brain shocks - brain surges (? name) all night long. I couldn't do very much by myself and I couldn't go anywhere without knowing if my body was going to just go nuts. I starting having body jerks one evening at whole foods and it was so embarrassing. So for now I'm going to take what medication I need and try to support it with integrative medicine. Today I almost bought a nice digital camera and was thinking about getting into photography again. I cooked breakfast. I was halfway human. I need to research the Klonopin and maybe get another medical opinion as far as the meds go. Maybe I'll give Dr. Braverman a call and see if I can just get by on the Ativan for now with the supplements. He believes in using medication for as short a time as possible and I think for me that's what i need right now. Thanks for the support. I gave it a good shot but right now I need some quality of life which I haven't had for a very very very long time. Thanks everyone. Diana __________________ Hope. "I never cared much for flim flam doctors." (Doctor Baker, Little House on the Prairie). Put on Paxil in 1996 for Post-partum depression. After 5th withdrawal attempt, went into severe debilitating withdrawal, restarted Paxil in the ER which didn't work anymore. Taken off again quickly by a shrink, started on Lexapro. Body rejected all drugs except benzos. Currently off all drugs. Not quite 100% yet, but working towards getting there.

05-29-2005, 10:33 PM	#2
scotty Administrator & Advocate Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: new jersey Posts: 38,590	Re: Taking "medicine". Hope, it sounds like your giving your body the rest it needs. Nothing wrong with that! __________________ AKA Laurie "If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere." ~Frank A. Clark

05-29-2005, 10:33 PM	#3
Delynbetter Join Date: May 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 10,518	Re: Taking "medicine". Best of luck to you and keep us posted! De Lyn

05-29-2005, 11:51 PM	#4
elisa Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 11,509	Re: Taking "medicine". Hope, you deserve a rest from all the physical and mental turmoil!! As what Klonopin (Clonazepam) is concerned read up this link: www.benzo.uk.org I know it is an anti benzo website, but you might get an idea what to expect should you take that route!! __________________ On A/D's since 1995, switching due to side-effects on 30 different brands of TCA's, SSRI's, SNRI's, Antipsychotics, Benzo's & Imovane. 6 ECT's. Tapering from 225 mg Effexor XR May 17, 2004. (Equiv. to 60 mg Paxil) Last taper Effexor XR Jan 17, 2006 down to ZERO. Currently protracted withdrawal. Sept 2006: 25 mg Doxepin. March 13/09: 10 mg Desipramine

05-30-2005, 11:17 AM	#5
Suze Banned Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2,531	Re: Taking "medicine". diana, i'm just so happy to hear you are getting some rest! that's really good news. xxoo

05-30-2005, 11:57 AM	#6
safarigal Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Clearwater, FL Posts: 4,891	Re: Taking "medicine". Diana, that is great news that the Ativan is working for you! I believe quality of life comes first even if it involves taking medication. You are not giving in, you are taking control of your life. __________________ Julie Paxil free since Nov 2002! Forum Rules Withdrawal FAQ

05-30-2005, 10:40 PM	#8
rdjanis "has a lavender scented keyboard" Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ontario Posts: 22,238	Re: Taking "medicine". Take care Hope, quality of life is most important, and I am glad you are finding some relief. __________________ Rita

05-30-2005, 10:57 PM	#9
neogbf Join Date: May 2005 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 67	Re: Taking "medicine". I believe in the long-term taking the benzos might be troublesome! They are, of course, absolutely second-to-none for short term relief. You might want to investigate natural ways of working on your GABA system (which the benzos target). I believe GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) and L-Taurine (an amino acid) are gabaminergic.

05-31-2005, 12:41 AM	#10
hope Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 3,185	Re: Taking "medicine". I do have some supplements for working on the GABA. It may be a long time before I get straightened out and I've come to accept that. I have some books and tons of supplements. Problem was I couldn't tolerate the supplements but with the medication I can take more supplements. Thanks so much. Any additional suggestions would be appreciated. Bev and I talk quite a bit and she is doing much better than me. It seemed any little change would set me off, a cold, a new supplement, would take me weeks to recover from. I know the benzos will be a problem later, but hopefully I will be a little stronger and by then have better medical care. When coming off the Paxil I had horrible advice from doctors. I am finding now that the withdrawal is becoming common knowledge. If I had waited until now to begin tapering, I might have had better advice and less of a difficult time. Just even Dr. Glenmullen's book only came out in January and it made so much sense. If only I'd had that book then it would have saved me so much grief, or even a doctor that believe withdrawal existed and knew how to taper a patient properly. __________________ Hope. "I never cared much for flim flam doctors." (Doctor Baker, Little House on the Prairie). Put on Paxil in 1996 for Post-partum depression. After 5th withdrawal attempt, went into severe debilitating withdrawal, restarted Paxil in the ER which didn't work anymore. Taken off again quickly by a shrink, started on Lexapro. Body rejected all drugs except benzos. Currently off all drugs. Not quite 100% yet, but working towards getting there.

05-31-2005, 10:39 AM	#11
kizzie Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: UK Posts: 771	Re: Taking "medicine". Hi hope - You know that Im still on some medication (30mg clomipramine). I just had to be able to live and I for one would never blame you for taking anything if it helped you get through the day. just glad you're getting some respite. One day we'll be free. Buy the camera!!! You'll get some real pleasure from it. Kizziex __________________ 1999-2001 paxil for PND. 2001-2009 Trying to get off AD's Advice from AD expert is to stabilise on low dose (approx same as 5mg paxil), stay on that for at least 2 years then try v slow withdrawal again. I'm a mum and a journalist and I love my boys 'Life isnt about waiting for the storm to pass. Its about learning to dance in the rain.'

05-31-2005, 05:50 PM	#12
wills11 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 373	Re: Taking "medicine". Hello Hope I agree wholeheartedly with SafariGirl (Julie) in that we all need to focus on quality of life. I strongly believe in different strokes for different folks, and that there are many paths to good health. Thinking of you :-)

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