FW: benzodiazepines

[Guest guest]

ativan is an addictive tranquilizer, though the quantity

used for myoclonus is not that likely to involve tolerance.

you can become habituated to it. the best way to withdraw from

using it if you have any problem at all is to involve your doctor.

Remember this is meant to be a comprehensive list and you will

not get all these symptoms. You may not get any. They are trying

to help badly addicted people.

-Sullivan

Ativan Withdrawal

Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam, an anti-anxiety agent. Ativan is a

benzodiazepine and mild tranquilizer, sedative, and central nervous system

(CNS) depressant. Ativan is very addictive. Ativan can cause psychological

and physical addiction. Individuals develop an addiction to Ativan because

it produces feelings of well-being. Once an individual has developed an

addiction to Ativan they will often get multiple prescriptions from

different doctors to support their addiction. Ativan activates the brain’s

reward systems. The promise of reward is very intense, causing the

individual to crave more Ativan and to focus his or her activities around

taking the drug. The ability of Ativan to strongly activate brain reward

mechanisms and its ability to chemically alter the normal functioning of

these systems is what produces an addiction to Ativan. Ativan also reduce a

person’s level of consciousness, harming the ability to think or be fully

aware of present surroundings.

Withdrawal symptoms, similar in character to those noted with barbiturates

and alcohol have occurred following abrupt discontinuance of Ativan. The

more severe withdrawal symptoms have usually been limited to those patients

who received excessive doses over an extended period of time.

Ativan Withdrawal symptoms include but are not limited to:

insomnia

ringing in the ears

shaking

tremors

sweating

nausea

convulsions

abdominal and muscle cramps

vomiting

http://www.addictionwithdrawal.com/ativan.htm

--------------------------------------------------------

From: " ladywon059 " <lczap@c...>

Date: Mon Sep 22, 2003 10:39 am

Subject: Reduction of other prescribed medications?

Has anyone reduced the dosage of any medications such as Ativan since

they have been on LDN? I would like to get off Ativan altogether

(been on it many years!) and find that it does work well for

tremors. The Ativan is terribly expensive, and with no medication

plan any longer it is beginning to put a strain on the already

strained budget! Doesanyone know if this is appropriate! Thanks very

much. C & Toby the Wonder Dog