Rebound anxiety from Ativan? (ONE USE)

[Proots]

TOO LONG DIDN'T READ SUMMARY FOUND AT THE BOTTOM.

Okay - here's the thing. I'm normally for the most part kind of a high strung, but nothing like this.

See, every Wednesday night, I go out drinking with my buddies. We go to the same place and play pool and just bullshit. Nothing crazy. There's about 8 to 10 of us - even mix of dudes and chicks. Typically, we'll all enjoy a few drinks, smoke bud, buy some blow from the DJ - whatever.

These past two Wednesdays - and ONLY these past two Wednesdays, I've taken a few Ativan (4mgs) before I went. Just so I wouldn't have too much money on booze.

Well, anyways, last time I went I ended up getting to drunk anyway and making out with some girl who wanted to meet me. I guess we hit it off, because all she does is text me lovey dovey shit.

This sounds like it's a good thing, right? It's not. I feel terrible. The level of anxiety I'm experiencing is beyond probably anything I've ever felt before. Ice in my chest and stomach. A lead hand gripping my heart. It feels like I'm on the verge of crying or flipping out.

Maybe this would be better for Neurons and Needles - but I figured I'd ask here, first. Is this normal? I've abused, become addicted to and kicked benzo addiction and aside from when I detoxed, I don't think I've ever experienced anxiety this intense.

I've heard it's a possibility but, I don't know. Is using it as sparingly as I've been even going to cause such a thing? What the fuck is wrong with me?

TOO LONG DIDN'T READ : I'm anxious as fuck. Verging on panic attack ever since last Wednesday. Can taking a mild dose of Ativan that infrequently cause rebound anxiety?

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by Proots

Can taking a mild dose of Ativan that infrequently cause rebound anxiety?[/b]

YES

Ativan is fucking evil shit, I cannot name another benzo other than maybe triazolam that gives you rebound anxiety so motherfucking quick.

It's well known that even after a week or two of Ativan use at ANY dose (even .25 or .5mg), there exists the very real possibility of rebound anxiety/insomnia.

The only reason I fill my Ativan script is so I have an excuse for taking etizolam if I'm ever drug tested.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

YES

Ativan is fucking evil shit, I cannot name another benzo other than maybe triazolam that gives you rebound anxiety so motherfucking quick.

It's well known that even after a week or two of Ativan use at ANY dose (even .25 or .5mg), there exists the very real possibility of rebound anxiety/insomnia.

The only reason I fill my Ativan script is so I have an excuse for taking etizolam if I'm ever drug tested.

Dude, it's killing me.

I feel so fucking wound up and on edge - I want to take one to chill out, but I'm not going to. I thought I was just over reacting, since I've taken literally only once a week, these past two weeks. Both occasions on the same day and time.


It's a very depleting feeling. It's like I'm being torn in two. I can't wait for Wednesday to get here - but at the same time, I dread it. I have some Klonopin and I've always liked that better, so - maybe it would be a good idea to stick with that this week, instead?

[mexico]

I've never heard of ativan being any worse than the others. But, that doesn't mean it isn't I just have not heard. Drink a beer would be my first thought

[Proots]

Originally Posted by a334jv2df #2

I've never heard of ativan being any worse than the others. But, that doesn't mean it isn't I just have not heard. Drink a beer would be my first thought

That's what I normally do.

I'll take my dose - and head to my one buddies house. We'll each crush a beer or two then head out to the bar to meet up with everyone else. You're right, though. I myself have heard of rebound anxiety. I've also lived with the assumption that one benzo is no "worse" than the next.

Unfortunately in my case, I don't think I can deal with Ativan any more. It feels like my chest is bound with metal, right now.

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by Proots

Dude, it's killing me.

I feel so fucking wound up and on edge - I want to take one to chill out, but I'm not going to. I thought I was just over reacting, since I've taken literally only once a week, these past two weeks. Both occasions on the same day and time.


It's a very depleting feeling. It's like I'm being torn in two. I can't wait for Wednesday to get here - but at the same time, I dread it. I have some Klonopin and I've always liked that better, so - maybe it would be a good idea to stick with that this week, instead?

I hear you brother, I'm still feeling the tail-end of some rebound symptoms from this shit.

The derealization starts becoming crazy and next thing you know you're asking yourself why the fuck you haven't killed those motherfuckers that were pissing you off. They're not even real, right? Fuck I hate that feeling

Thankfully, I assure you it's only going to get better if you stay away from lorazepam. You made it this far, why would you reset the clock and start from the beginning?

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

I hear you brother, I'm still feeling the tail-end of some rebound symptoms from this shit.

The derealization starts becoming crazy and next thing you know you're asking yourself why the fuck you haven't killed those motherfuckers that were pissing you off. They're not even real, right? Fuck I hate that feeling

Thankfully, I assure you it's only going to get better if you stay away from lorazepam. You made it this far, why would you reset the clock and start from the beginning?

Thanks for the advice. It felt good to get this out. I told my buddy about it, but other than that, there's not really anyone I can talk to.

[meateor]

Best of luck to you. I haven't had the same issues with loraz, but I'll probably be staying away from it in the future.

[STD]

Wouldn't say you should be feeling that much rebound anxiety, it's a moderate dose of Ativan but that infrequently I don't think you'd get so much rebound anxiety for so long. Like, I'd expect at most a kind of half day/day benzo hangover.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by STD

Wouldn't say you should be feeling that much rebound anxiety, it's a moderate dose of Ativan but that infrequently I don't think you'd get so much rebound anxiety for so long. Like, I'd expect at most a kind of half day/day benzo hangover.

That's what I thought. I'm no stranger to benzos - and like I said, other than detoxing off of them I don't think I've ever experienced any kind of anxiety this palpable before.

[Gun Lover]

I think I'll add: For some reason, benzos that are selective for the GABAA alpha-4 receptor induce rebound anxiety very quickly upon withdrawal.

Oddly enough, it seems that it's the alpha-2 and alpha-3 receptor subtypes that actually induce anxiolysis, but a-4 controls rebound anxiety...

Fucking weird, but it does explain the differences that have been documented with lorazepam.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

I think I'll add: For some reason, benzos that are selective for the GABAA alpha-4 receptor induce rebound anxiety very quickly upon withdrawal.

Oddly enough, it seems that it's the alpha-2 and alpha-3 receptor subtypes that actually induce anxiolysis, but a-4 controls rebound anxiety...

Fucking weird, but it does explain the differences that have been documented with lorazepam.

Hmm, very informative, to be sure. Thanks again, really. You've been a great help.

[meateor]

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

I think I'll add: For some reason, benzos that are selective for the GABAA alpha-4 receptor induce rebound anxiety very quickly upon withdrawal.

Oddly enough, it seems that it's the alpha-2 and alpha-3 receptor subtypes that actually induce anxiolysis, but a-4 controls rebound anxiety...

Fucking weird, but it does explain the differences that have been documented with lorazepam.

Now that's some interesting stuff. Where'd you find that information? I'd love to see a breakdown of the receptor subtypes activated by different benzos, if it exists.

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by meateor

Now that's some interesting stuff. Where'd you find that information? I'd love to see a breakdown of the receptor subtypes activated by different benzos, if it exists.

Courtesy of ilovechronic...

Under the pharmacodynamics section, you'll see the quip about etiz vs lorazepam and the specific receptor subtypes.

So it goes like this:

There are sixteen different alpha subunits of the GABAA receptor, of which classical benzodiazepines mostly bind to four: the a1, a2, a3, and a5.

Originally Posted by wiki

Different benzodiazepines have different affinities for GABAA receptors made up of different collection of subunits, and this means that their pharmacological profile varies with subtype selectivity. For instance, benzodiazepine receptor ligands with high activity at the α1 and/or α5 tend to be more associated with sedation, ataxia and amnesia, whereas those with higher activity at GABAA receptors containing α2 and/or α3 subunits generally have greater anxiolytic activity.[10] Anticonvulsant effects can be produced by agonists acting at any of the GABAA subtypes, but current research in this area is focused mainly on producing α2-selective agonists as anticonvulsants which lack the side effects of older drugs such as sedation and amnesia.

It's all about subtype selectivity; that's the only reason xanax is different than valium (aside from metabolic half-life).

The previous leads me to believe:

α1 - "stonedness," sedation, amnesia -- think xanax; IIRC alprazolam is a1 selective
α2 - anxiolysis
α3 - anxiolysis
α4 - (apparently) rebound anxiety
α5 - akin to α1? amnesia?

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

Courtesy of ilovechronic...

Under the pharmacodynamics section, you'll see the quip about etiz vs lorazepam and the specific receptor subtypes.

So it goes like this:

There are sixteen different alpha subunits of the GABAA receptor, of which classical benzodiazepines mostly bind to four: the a1, a2, a3, and a5.



It's all about subtype selectivity; that's the only reason xanax is different than valium (aside from metabolic half-life).

The previous leads me to believe:

α1 - "stonedness," sedation, amnesia -- think xanax; IIRC alprazolam is a1 selective
α2 - anxiolysis
α3 - anxiolysis
α4 - (apparently) rebound anxiety
α5 - akin to α1? amnesia?

Brilliant post. Glad to see ilovechronic is still helping and informing people, even after his passing.

Also, does Clonazepam mainly bind to α1 as well?

[iTweaker]

why ativan? is it any better than xanax?

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by Proots

Brilliant post. Glad to see ilovechronic is still helping and informing people, even after his passing.

Also, does Clonazepam mainly bind to α1 as well?

I don't have any data or any personal experiences to go by, so I'll just say this:
If clonazepam almost causes as much amnesia/sedation as an equal amount of xanax, it is probably rather α1 selective.

Originally Posted by iTweaker

why ativan? is it any better than xanax?

Ativan blows huge wads. It's fucking drain cleaner compared to xanax.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by iTweaker

why ativan? is it any better than xanax?

I specifically chose Ativan, because I wanted something less powerful than Xanax. I basically wanted the "weakest" benzo, since I wasn't trying to get all fucked up on them.

Turns out, my plan backfired and clowned all over me.

Originally Posted by Gun Lover

I don't have any data or any personal experiences to go by, so I'll just say this:
If clonazepam almost causes as much amnesia/sedation as an equal amount of xanax, it is probably rather α1 selective.


Ativan blows huge wads. It's fucking drain cleaner compared to xanax.

That's what I assumed. Thanks, man.

[iTweaker]

Originally Posted by Proots

I specifically chose Ativan, because I wanted something less powerful than Xanax. I basically wanted the "weakest" benzo, since I wasn't trying to get all fucked up on them.

Turns out, my plan backfired and clowned all over me.



That's what I assumed. Thanks, man.

why would you want the weakest benzo , Quality over quantity basic rule for anything. it would be cheaper to get something more powerful in the end.

[Gun Lover]

Originally Posted by iTweaker

why would you want the weakest benzo , Quality over quantity basic rule for anything. it would be cheaper to get something more powerful in the end.

I assume he didn't want the shitty amnesia that can come from benzos. Proots didn't know that Ativan barely fucks you up at all but it sure as hell gives some potent rebound/WD symptoms.

I didn't either until I tried to stop 2 months (actually, not even that long) in.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by iTweaker

why would you want the weakest benzo , Quality over quantity basic rule for anything. it would be cheaper to get something more powerful in the end.

Put it this way - I more or less simply wanted to potentiate the effects of alcohol, rather than feel the benzo itself. And, like Gun Lover said, I wanted to cut back on any of the memory loss I usually get from taking them. I notice that when I go 2mgs and up, I usually black out pretty easily.

Truthfully, though - you do make a really good point and it's probably something I'm going to be doing from now on. I'll just take a small crumb of Klonopin or Xanax, instead. I just chuck it up to me over thinking things and bumbling every situation I get handed. It figures. But, yeah - I'll be doing what you suggested from now on.

[iTweaker]

Originally Posted by Proots

Put it this way - I more or less simply wanted to potentiate the effects of alcohol, rather than feel the benzo itself. And, like Gun Lover said, I wanted to cut back on any of the memory loss I usually get from taking them. I notice that when I go 2mgs and up, I usually black out pretty easily.

Truthfully, though - you do make a really good point and it's probably something I'm going to be doing from now on. I'll just take a small crumb of Klonopin or Xanax, instead. I just chuck it up to me over thinking things and bumbling every situation I get handed. It figures. But, yeah - I'll be doing what you suggested from now on.

exactley what I meant use something stronger but with reduced doses , less damage on your body , and saves you more.

[Doki66]

Originally Posted by Proots

TOO LONG DIDN'T READ SUMMARY FOUND AT THE BOTTOM.

Okay - here's the thing. I'm normally for the most part kind of a high strung, but nothing like this.

See, every Wednesday night, I go out drinking with my buddies. We go to the same place and play pool and just bullshit. Nothing crazy. There's about 8 to 10 of us - even mix of dudes and chicks. Typically, we'll all enjoy a few drinks, smoke bud, buy some blow from the DJ - whatever.

These past two Wednesdays - and ONLY these past two Wednesdays, I've taken a few Ativan (4mgs) before I went. Just so I wouldn't have too much money on booze.

Well, anyways, last time I went I ended up getting to drunk anyway and making out with some girl who wanted to meet me. I guess we hit it off, because all she does is text me lovey dovey shit.

This sounds like it's a good thing, right? It's not. I feel terrible. The level of anxiety I'm experiencing is beyond probably anything I've ever felt before. Ice in my chest and stomach. A lead hand gripping my heart. It feels like I'm on the verge of crying or flipping out.

Maybe this would be better for Neurons and Needles - but I figured I'd ask here, first. Is this normal? I've abused, become addicted to and kicked benzo addiction and aside from when I detoxed, I don't think I've ever experienced anxiety this intense.

I've heard it's a possibility but, I don't know. Is using it as sparingly as I've been even going to cause such a thing? What the fuck is wrong with me?

TOO LONG DIDN'T READ : I'm anxious as fuck. Verging on panic attack ever since last Wednesday. Can taking a mild dose of Ativan that infrequently cause rebound anxiety?

I recommend eating 10 hits of acid smoking a gram of meth and eating a half ounce of shrooms. You will never have anxiety ever again especially if you eat a teaspoon of phenazapam also.

[Proots]

Originally Posted by Doki66

I recommend eating 10 hits of acid smoking a gram of meth and eating a half ounce of shrooms. You will never have anxiety ever again especially if you eat a teaspoon of phenazapam also.

Yeah, that sounds like quite the experience. I'll add it to my bucket list. I think my hallucinogen days are over, though. But, if opportunity ever knocks, I'll think of you, Doki.