Bipolar Disorder Support Group

Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.

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Frustrated

TC40
TC40

So i have gone from 2 mgs of ativan to 1.5. I have been on the 1.5 about a week. SO far i have had a numb tongue and mouth and a nasty metallic taste. Also i have had a few episodes of ringing ears. I am still sleeping ok though and have not had any unusual mood changes. But i am afraid of what will happen when i go down to 1 mg. I am going to start the 1 mg on Thursday and hold it there for a week. I am very nervous about this and frustrated  well angry, really. My memory capacity and learning ability have been PATHETIC for years. I lost THREE JOBS IN SIX MONTHS back in 2015. I had a neuropsych eval that showed cognitive impairment. I even saw another provider for a second opinion. I was then put on RITALIN because i couldnt concentrate. Never mind the fact that i was headed down the path to possible dementia. NOONE ever even seriously looked at my meds and considered the Ativan and the fact that long term benzos are BAD. and now the very provider that landed me in this spot is basically turning her back on me. It is very disheartening. I pray that i can make it off from this crap and be ok. 


Thank you for listening. 

fireflywing
fireflywing
I’m sorry that this happened. How many yrs have you been on benzos? I think everyone’s case is different. I hope your doctor will be able to give you some clear direction. In the meantime, I hope the symptoms improve. Hugs.
MoobbusT
MoobbusT
Concentration and memory recall --talents i have learnt to get by with limited success also TC. What has really helped me recently is learning a breathing technique to centre and ground myself and many sports stars have been trained in methods when calming themselves for multi-million dollar putts playing golf etc. Somatic psychotherapist Susan McConnell shares a couple of things here https://www.embodiedself.net/single-post/2012/10/04/Conscious-Breathing-Techniques --just trying to help somehow
Community LeaderSunCloudJD
SunCloudJD
That's great Moobs...... grounding techniques can be really helpful sweetie..... xo
irishwriter
irishwriter
hi TC. didn't your pdoc say to titrate down by .5mg/month so you wouldn't be due to go down to 1mg for another three weeks. please don't rush this as you seem to be having strange side affects. what did your GP say about the metallic taste, upper abdominal pain and now the tongue numbness? it could very well be something else going on and some other med may need to be tweaked or your body might be low in something that a blood test might reveal. it would be worth checking. let us know how you get on and please don't go down by another .5 on thursday. that is too soon. pdoc told you she meant monthly not weekly. good thoughts and energy to you and hugs. keep us posted as to how you are getting on. see what your GP says before you do anything else. take care of you. that is your priority.
OlderCPer
OlderCPer
TC, your doing the taper too fast. A Benzo taper should be done by decreasing .5mg each Month, not week. If you do it too fast you will have side effects and withdrawals. It takes your brain chemistry and neurophysical systems time to re-learn how to function without the Ativan.

By doing it too quickly (by the week) you are also psyching yourself into panic and anxiety about whats to come on the next dosage drop. That will do nothing but make things harder.

With psych meds like Benzo's you have to do a slow steady taper to give your Physical body and Mental brain time to adjust to not having this chemical in you.

Please do the .5 reduction per month like your Pdoc said.
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