New to the Group

[Guest guest]

Thanks a Million! I am sure you will be in my shoes real soon!

F1b2b3@... wrote: Good luck ! I hope I get to be in your shoes soon!

[Guest guest]

Dear Kelle,

You said:

Hi, I am new to the group. I have been on Ativan for 4 1/2 yrs for

anxiety,sleep and depression, and did not know all of the issues of coming

off this drug. I found out that Ativan is a Benzodiazepine which is related

to Benzene somehow in its structure. Benzene is a major cause of AML (Acute

Myloid Leukemia). My Mother died from this type of leukemia. I just started

to put all of this together two weeks ago because I have built up a

resistance to the Ativan and it is not working very well any longer. I am

really concerned now for my health. >>

** There is no need to be worried about this. You've made an

inappropriate connection. Benzene is ubiquitous in our environment. It is

in the air, soil, and water. Some is naturally-occurring while some has

been introduced from certain types of industrial waste. The benzene ring

that is part of the chemical formulation of benzodiazepines is a

naturally-occurring phenomenon.

You said:

<<I started to wean off this passed Sat. from 2 mg to 1.5. I am seeing

side effects already. How long before I know when to decrease to 1mg? I want

off of this now. I was on Zypreza last year for a year and came off of it

within a month by myself and I don't know how I did it working full time. I

about went over the edge. Does anyone know if either of these drugs can

cause early menopause and osteoporosis? I am 42 yrs old and I am wondering

if it is because of the Zyprexa? >>

** Either drug could have caused this. I am sure that you still have

some vestiges of the Zyprexa withdrawal, though, given your length of time

on it and how you came off it. Why was it intially prescribed/

<<Does it really take as long to come of off the Ativan as you have been on

it? Will your health return or will this med really harm you? >>

** No, it doesn't take as long as you were on it; however, you have

made too large of a decrease.

There are many factors that will determine to what degree you recover.

Some important ones that you can control are how you do the withdrawal, what

foods you choose to fortify your body with, what supplements you take, and

the attitude you adopt toward it all.

You said:

<<Just a note: My sleep has changed this past week coming off, by waking up

several hours early, so last night when I woke up I took two L-Theanine

which is an amino acid for relaxation and it did help me go back to sleep. I

have started the calcium and mag. because of the osteoporosis with other

full spectrum vit. >>

** Who told you to take cal and mag for osteoporosis, a physician?

You said:

<<I am planning on talking with my Dr. about coming off in several weeks. I

already spoke to his nurse last week and she wasn't very encouaging. >>

** What is it that she wasn't encouraging about?

By going slowly and reducing the drug no more than 10% at a time, and

waiting until you feel normal again, you will get off this drug.

Regards,

(list owner)

" Human beings, who are almost unique in having

the ability to learn from the experience of others,

are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination

to do so. "

--

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 10/2/2007 12:34:42 P.M. Pacific Daylight Time,

hilaryengland@... writes:I hate complaining because I feel it's a

constant thing, so I try to suffer in " silence. " I feel friends and family

don't want to hear it sometimes, and that makes me feel alienated.

Yeah, we can burn our friends and family out fast on hearing us go on about not

feeling good. For awhile, I alienated myself from friends and certain family

members, until I could learn how to deal with this is a fact of life for me now

and complaining about it so much wasn't going to make it go away.

Now, I just say something when I am having an especially bad day and I feel

that they need to know what kind of mood that could mean that I am in. I love

having groups like this to turn to, because unless someone lives with constant

pain, they don't really understand the impact that it has on our lives.

Well, welcome to the group. I hope that you find it as supportive and helpful

as I have.

Gentle hugs,

Debi/Ca.

[Guest guest]

Hello and welcome to the group!

I have only been in this group for about two weeks I guess, and it has been a

great experience. No you are not alone as you will find out if you keep in touch

with all of us. I can relate to what you said about feeling like you are

complaining all of the time to family and friends. I feel that way often and I

have expressed it to many of them.

When I did, ironically they said the would rather know how I am feeling so I

don't keep it all inside and then explode because of it. I do find this chat

room however to be more helpful since everyone in here can relate to the pain

that I go through.

Again, welcome.

Sheri-PA

Hi! My name is , and I'm new to this group. I have read some

really insightful posts, and it makes me feel good to know I am not

alone, which is how I feel so much of the time.

[Guest guest]

I would like to say Hello to all of you and hope you are doing well.

My name is Laina and I have being suffering with cronic pain for over 18

years.

I have Arthritis, cronic back pain, Fibromyalgia, carpell tunell in my left

wrist and I am left handed, Arthritis in my hips, I now have to use a kane.

I must say that sure put a damper in my life, as I am only 46years old. I try to

smile everyday but I am sure as with some of you it can be so

hard some days.

Well I will go now and hope to talk to some of you real soon. I am a very caring

person and a good listener so I hope to talk soon.

Bye for now,

a Friend

Laina