ativan is yoyoing me - I think

It was hard for me to get my benzo on a schedule too. The Ativan was actually too quick acting for me, because it hits your system quickly which makes it good for emergencies. I eventually had to go on the Klonopin which stays in your system a bit longer. If I actually had to do it all over again, I think I would try out Buspar instead, just because it is not a benzo and easier to work with. You might bring this up to your pcp this Friday.

I hope you get to feeling better. I'm sorry this DD has struck you so hard the past several months. Be sure to get rest, exercise and eat healthy. You might want to discuss taking supplements with your pcp as well. Between doing this and doing intensive CBT on myself, plus you guys is the only reason I'm feeling better today. If MoodGYM is not enough, I suggest the Lucina Bassett program because it wraps the cbt, therapy, relaxation techniques, etc into a really good and easy schedule.

You take care and I am praying for you my friend.

Your Bro Sam :)

Sam and Kitt,

Your replies were such a blessing. I'm feeling marginal right now - hoping a good night's sleep will restore the energy I need to fight through another day. I'm going to give it my best tomorrow and try to face the health anxiety square on, knowing that so far, NO DOCTORS have found anything that gives them concern. Perhaps some things have changed since last year - this week's visits and tests will tell. But for now, I'm going to curl up with my HA book and look forward to restful sleep and the comfort of prayer.

percycat

All,

I have not taken any more ativan since yesterday morning. The effects are just too unpredictable, so I'll be talking with my PCP about other options.

I had a rough spell of throat tightness again last night and almost went to the ER, but a glass of cold water helped. I'm just so confused. Some days, I get short of breath deep down in my chest, yet oxygen and peak flow readings are fine. Other days, I get this throat tightness, usually just on the right side, but then I fixate on it, and I get scared it will close.

I try to tell myself that these cannot be anything serious. Sometimes, they're gone in less than a minute, other times in 2-3 minutes, or they may hang on for 20 minutes or more. If I had something going on in my throat, like an allergy or edema, it would not self-correct! I mean, I just can't believe that those kinds of genuine dangers come and go so quickly and completely.

I know you all must get tired of my HA recitations, and I've had just about every conceivable test - always fine. Tomorrow, my therapist and I begin a new focus on my HA, and I will be asking my PCP about programs in the area that I might go into during the summer. If there were some inpatient program, and I could convince myself that I'm healthy, I'd consider doing that.

*sigh* Sorry all, just a little down. praying for better days for all of us.

percycat

Percycat, we are definitely not getting tired of hearing from you! We can relate to your suffering, don't forget that. I take Ativan as needed. I've noticed with the Ativan, I either have to take it regularly or very rarely. My body gets dependent on it very quickly. The anxiety symptoms will pop up and they subside when I take the half of a pill.

Kitt had an excellent suggestion. I actually took 1/4 pill today and that seems to do well. When the breathing problems occur, try lying down and doing your relaxation technique. Let your body go limp like a rag doll. Anxiety can not happen in a relaxed body. If the relaxation techniques help and the medication, then there's nothing wrong with your body. It's anxiety.

Also, remind yourself when it's happening, that it is anxiety. It will go away. You've felt this way before and you will be fine. Once your fear of these breathing problems goes away, so will the symptoms. I know this because I've been through it.

Hang in there, Percycat! You will feel better and we're thinking about you!