Re: Holly

[Guest guest]

Hi Sandie,

Thanks for your concern. To be honest, it worries me, too. The thing

is Dad has been on it since January; before we knew what we were

dealing with and the dangers of benzos. He is addicted and I do

believe it leads to his " episodes " and other times it seems to mellow

him out.

I would really like to see it stop but Mom thinks it actually helps

him. He used to get up to 4mg so we've cut back to 2mg. It's suppose

to be used " as needed " but Dad seems to need it every day and his

doctors agree. He's addicted to it and when he doesn't get it, he

majorly crashes. Some times, when he's in his crash zone as soon as

we give him a lorazepam, he snaps out of it withing 30 minutes or so

and he's dear old dad again. Other times, it adds to his aggression

when he's in his crash zone and this goes on for a few days.

We've tried weening him off of it completely and after almost a week,

it was pure hell. He was in serious withdrawls and in the end, it was

decided to give him a pill.

If Dad was to be weened off of the lorazepam, it will take 5-6 months

and it's going to be 5-6 months of bad quality of life, according to

the doctors.

I don't know what to do. I know it's bad for him but at the same

time, the thought of 5-6 months of hell is unbearable.

I do think Dad is progressing very quickly with this disease and I'm

sure the lorazepam has something to do with. Along with all the other

meds he's on. The doctors are constantly trying to balance the meds

and so far they haven't gotten it right. The past few days have been

horrible and I think it's because the meds have once again been

altered.

When he was in the hospital last September and this past January,

they pumped Dad full of Ativan and it seriously made him nuts. We

didn't know at the time what was going on and the hospital almost

shipped Dad off to a mental institute and terminated our rights. It's

been a nightmare with this drug. However, at this point, I feel like

we're stuck with it.

I don't know... is 5-6 months of serious withdrawl issues worth it?

Sorry this is so long- yikes! Okay, stopping now.

Thanks for reading,

Holly

>

> Holly-

> Each time I read that your dad is still taking Ativan it worries

me.

> My dad had been given Ativan for months, maybe even a year. I had

it stopped. The first week was horrible and the NH wanted it started

back up. I told them it would NOT happen and to give my dad time.

Told them the Ativan is what is making him aggressive. After it was

out of his system and he was started on Exelon he came out of a

cocoon. He was more clear and followed instructions. He had only

mumbled and grumbled for so long that after the Exelon was started he

began talking a bit. He understood what I was saying. This only

lasted a month or so and he progressed again in the disease. I

believe because of the Ativan he never went back to his normal.

> Keeping you and your dad in my prayers. My heart goes out to you.

> Hugs-

> Sandie

> Des Moines, IA

> dad, Merle, passed from LBD 9-20-2, at age 65

>

>