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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 18:30:10
Can I just let it leave my system? Can I anticipate a possible withdrawal discomfort?
I now have Ativan as needed (benzo of the week club, here).
I have also responded to Lunesta and can take up to 6mg as needed. So far 3mg is working (with Valium). My pdoc understands, I think, that I need an emergency exit.
Plus good news. I have an appt at Stanford's pain clinic. Hopefully they will help with fatigue and sleep as well as pain. They deal with lots of fibromyalgics. Just in time, too, because my pain is increasing because norco just does that. My 20mg just doesn't go as far. I have to really work the timing. Last night was not out of control, but uncomfortable. I had three flector patches on, including my front pelvis/abdomen.
Flector patches and Voltaran gel are modern miracles.
And emsam we push until the insomnia becomes intractable. Then we regroup.
Off to count those darn norcos and see what's left for today.A tiny victory.
fb
Posted by phillipa on June 13, 2011, at 18:55:27
In reply to on saying goodbye to valium, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 18:30:10
FB just switch to the ativan no problems I've switched benzos lots of times and no problem. The valium lasts for up to 200 hours. And that accumulation you spoke of could be longer. Ativan is good. I liked it when took it. Did'nt even cross my mind that a problem would occurr as the doc said switch to this it's new. Remember 41 years on benzos.
Great about the pain clinic at Stanford when do you go? Love Phillipa
Posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on June 13, 2011, at 18:58:31
In reply to on saying goodbye to valium, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 18:30:10
What dose are you on, and how long have you been taking it?
The taper could vary from 4 days to 8 weeks depending on dose and length of use
Posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 19:43:27
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium, posted by JONO_IN_ADELAIDE on June 13, 2011, at 18:58:31
Hi Jono, thanks for your concern. I think it's been about two-three weeks on Valium. I first had a cap at 5mg daily (yikes) which was raised to a lenient 15mg. Some days though, I did take as much as 25mg. That was rare.
Let's just say 3 weeks at 15mg for simplicity's sake.
I gave my remaining diazepam to my pdoc. So a taper with that is not possible. Only benzo here now is Ativan.
I hope to take as needed. Maybe not everyday. But let's face it. I do have an anxiety disorder.
I remember cutting back my xanax last year to .25mg. I felt so proud. But why did I feel so indiscribably strange in a not so good way, I asked my pdoc. Sounds like xanax withdrawal. Oh, nah, I said.
An hour later, I did take another 25mg and the strange feeling vanished.
Just trying to avoid another uncomfortable feeling. I usually blame myself before chemistry.
I have 1mg tabs w/ instructions to take 1/2 to 1 tab as needed.
Thanks Jono. Did I catch that you are from Australia? And are you new w/in the past few months?
fb
Posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 19:48:00
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » floatingbridge, posted by phillipa on June 13, 2011, at 18:55:27
Hey PJ!
But you can switch and stop all sorts of things :-) Still, I don't expect a big problem since Ativan trumps Valium (I assume).
I go next week for my consult at Stanford. I hope this works out. I'm tired of bouncing around with this dx.
You making any headway regarding your treatment plans?
fb
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 13, 2011, at 20:06:41
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 19:48:00
If you are switching straight from Valium to Ativan, you wont need to taper, just substitute 1mg Ativan for each 5mg Valium and you'll do fine.
If you want to go from taking Valium regularly to taking Ativan only as needed, then a taperd withdrawl of Valium would be wise.
Posted by phillipa on June 13, 2011, at 21:44:25
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » phillipa, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 19:48:00
FB no doing my own thing so to speak cut out the dumb lexapro as the girl or lady at our store said I was gaining weight. Can't have that and also the hormones. No back pain today no idea why. I mowed the lawn, rode my 6 miles on bike, and walked the pups. Meds are strange. Got a box of them here could open own pharmacy. Never know if the world decides to go under!!!! Love Phillipa ps I know why no pain meds disciplinary action for them found on internet.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 21:56:26
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » floatingbridge, posted by phillipa on June 13, 2011, at 21:44:25
Phillipa,
Can you explain what you mean by disciplinary action? Do you mean for your entire state?
But surely people have pain issues. What do they do?
So glad you had a pain-free (or just about) day. Good weather for biking, too?
Posted by sigismund on June 13, 2011, at 23:49:52
In reply to on saying goodbye to valium, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 18:30:10
So now you won't accept my Valium for your Norcos?
This must be getting close to breaking a rule.
So you are leaving planet Valium? I hate to see you leave. Take me with you. I suspect planet Ativan will be no better.
Voltaren gel made my knee peel. Diclofenac is also used for solar keratoses.
My feeling is that I need a time machine with precise coordinates.
Posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 0:05:55
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » floatingbridge, posted by sigismund on June 13, 2011, at 23:49:52
I am leaving planet Valium as I write this. With each hour that passes, Valium's mysterious accumulation in my body lessens. Like gravitatonal pull lessening, soon I will be off, but to where?
There are quite a few of us interested in your time machine project, so try to build in a few more berths, okay?
I already had occasion for .5 mg ativan under the tongue. It's not bad. Not slow and dopey. Not rocket fuel like xanax.
We'll just see, won't we? You know I'll post. I'm compulsive.
Now the gravitational pull of the one you spent three days with. Better than any med?
Are we really getting close to breaking a rule? Oh, goody :-)
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 0:15:56
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium » JONO_IN_ADELAIDE, posted by floatingbridge on June 13, 2011, at 19:43:27
Yes, I am from Australia, and I am new.
I suffer from depression, anxiety and panic disorder.
Meds are sertraline 100mg each morning, reboxetine 4mg twice a day (its a noradrenalin reuptake inhibitor) alprazolam 1mg 2-3 times a day as needed and risperidone 1mg at bedtime.
I'm just starting the route of CBT and psychotherapy - not sure what it has got to offer me, but I have nothing to lose.
Oh, I long for the days when my medicine cabinet consisted of some Advil, some Contac cold capsules and a packet of band-aids
Posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 3:31:27
In reply to Re: on saying goodbye to valium, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 0:15:56
Yeah, Jono. I did have less meds once, but sure wish I had them earlier. I'm sorry if this all cranked up on you rather suddenly
I fell asleep on .5 ativan and 3mg. of Lunesta. It was beautiful.
That was only 3 hours ago.
I know this is not good sleep hygiene , but just had to share. My frustration. More Lunesta? At this hour? That would be, well, I was going to write would be cumbersome. But it's not
bothering me much now.Now the risperidone that you take at bedtime, Jono. That's an AP?
I thought you were newish. Belated welcome to you, odd as it might be to
welcomed what I call Babble Island. :+)Time to dig up a second lunesta. Probably best to take together. Will try that tomorrow.
Panic disorder. That's rough. I'm sorry. You are doing o.k. on a lowish dose of
Xanax? I guess you do not have the xanax xr. I liked that, but still needed regular around for breakthrough anxiety.Thanks for the introduction :+) And best with the cbt. It helped me with social phobia quite a bit.
fb
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 4:24:08
In reply to Re: on trying to say goodbye to valium » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 3:31:27
Risperidone as an antipsychotic, but not at the 1mg dose - its mostly a 5HT antagonist in low doese, and has been found to be an usefull addition to standard treatment for anxiety, depression and panic disorder.
I realy would like to quit Xanax - every time I get a prescription filled, I can here Mick Jagger singing about "although she's not realy ill, theres a little yellow pill" "mothers little helper"
Re sleep, have you tried taking an OTC sleepaid such as Sominex or Nytol with your Lunestra - they can be suprisingly helpful
Posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 4:31:09
In reply to Re: on trying to say goodbye to valium, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 4:24:08
I always thought mother's little helper was valium--but what the heck.
I hadn't thought of those. Thanks!
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 4:51:38
In reply to Re: on trying to say goodbye to valium » jono_in_adelaide, posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 4:31:09
Yeah, you're right, mothers little helper WAS Valium, but same same, well, actualy, i think Xanax is worse.
I'd rather be on Valium (longer half life etc) but because of the rules of the national drug benifit plan, its easier to be on Xanax (Valium they give you 50 pill, no repeats, because it is only licensed for short term use, Xanax, they will give you 100 tablets and 5 repeats, because its registered for use in panic disorder, which is a chronic condition)
I would seriously consider prefrontal leucotomy if there was a good chance it would give me the old me back, and not leave me a drooling vegetable
Posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 5:36:03
In reply to Re: on trying to say goodbye to valium, posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 14, 2011, at 4:51:38
2mg more ativan plus another luesta. Still awake and now norco has to be retaken.
Seems lunesta worked
!with Valium, not ativan.Back to the drawilng board.
Crumbs.
Posted by phillipa on June 14, 2011, at 11:23:11
In reply to calling pdoc morning, posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 5:36:03
Just saw mail is it passe? Ativan didn't work? Yikes!!!! Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 11:33:55
In reply to calling pdoc morning, posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 5:36:03
Ha! My message was too funny.
"Back to the drawling board."
Yes, I have a call out now.
I took over the evening 3mg ativan and 6mg Lunesta. Come on.
I slept like an angel from 10:00 til 1:00. I just sat unpright and have been awake ever since.
Makes for a long day :-/
Posted by phillipa on June 14, 2011, at 18:59:18
In reply to Re: calling pdoc morning » floatingbridge, posted by floatingbridge on June 14, 2011, at 11:33:55
FB did you get some sleep during the day? I seriously remember having the same horrible sleep problems at your age with the change. If only I'd known what it was would have helped. As for diciplinary action yes the whole state for this doctor. I guess I'm my own now. Maybe will just save money and stop them all? Love Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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