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[kev_123]

My name is kevon..I am dx with bipolar 1. I have been taking zyprexa for over two years now with, suprisingly,very little weight gain from it. It works to tame the mania and keep a stable mood. The other meds I take are wellbutrin, rozerem, and vistaril, and ativan. I'm also a recovering addict and that's where my problem comes in: My parents are

Comments

a couple points

[filoviridae]

While the following is no substitute for professional medical advise, here are a couple things to keep in mind to keep you on the right track.

-be honest about your addictions recovery with your prescribing doctor
-stay within the doseage limits for your ativan (as well as all your other medications)
-if you notice a change in your desire to take (or not take) any of your meds, or you think they may be having more or less than the originally desired effects, consult your prescribing doctor as soon as possible as it is not at all uncommon for medications to lose their effectiveness or for the body to become increasingly sensitive to them as time goes on.
-if, for some reason, you cannot get in to see your prescribing doctor or a clinic (be prepared to give anyone seeing you at a clinic a very complete history as to your illness, addiction history and current medications, including doses) quickly, you may be able to get some stop-gap ideas from a local pharmacist.

Hope this helps a bit.

Re: a couple points

[kev_123]

Yes..Thanx so much. I took by your suggestions that you are well informed and no stranger to the bipolar community. Yes..you helped me so much just by taking the time out to write what you did. THANX!

Re: a couple points

[filoviridae]

I am glad my words have been helpful. As you have gathered, I am indeed quite familiar with the mental health/bipolar community as well as with the nature of the beast that is addiction.

Keep up the good work in your personal battles and things will, in time, come together around you.

[angelundercover]

Your family is right. Ativan is very addictive. I find it suprising that a doctor would prescribe it knowing you are a recovering addict.

How are you sure Ativan is the only thing that helps with the anxiety? Have you tried other meds?

Your question is "why worry about getting addicted to something if it's working for you?" Well. Your body will build up a tolerance to the dose you are on eventually. And so you will take just a little bit more to get the effect you need. If you are a recovering addict, you know all this already.

I've never suffered from anxiety personally so I don't know what it feels like but I'm sure it's awful just from hearing other people's experiences.

I hope you figure things out.

[herbertisme]

I'm not familiar with Ativan, but I can agree with you on people minimizing anxiety. It's so hard to get support for something that everyone sees as "nothing".

[3shades_of_jade]

How about taking the ativan and also getting involved (either with your therapist or a group) to learn how to handle your anxiety better? I swear to you I had the worst anxiety ever I would barely ever leave home, never use the phone, not talk to anyone.... it literally paralyzed me. But I found that by learning how to DEAL with the anxiety it helped tons!

Just sharing my experience and hoping it help in some way... :)

[bloodedblossom]

I took Ativan for over a year and didn't get hooked. I was on a minimal dose, but I still took it nightly. I doubt this helps, but I thought I'd let you know that you don't necessarily have to form a dependence.

ativan

[kev_123]

No..thanx alot..I was hoping to hear that from someone who had taken it before! Thanks!