So sorry people loose their lives on anti-anxiety drugs...

Monita · 02-06-2008, 05:15 PM

I was aware of the recent death of the actor Heath Ledger, who was so young and promising. The first versions were about drugs overdose, but it was confirmed that the drugs in fact were anxiolitics, or known as anti-anxiety drugs.

I feel so sad for him... because anti-anxiety drugs are not like the drugs for getting high... they are basically for easing the anxiety and pain one feels when feeling nervous all the time. I assume if any of us can suffer of this in a "normal" life, an artist can suffer of this pressure from the industry he/she works, and then feel also anxious and in need of the support of such drugs.

I have no idea why he took so many different drugs and so many of them, I just can say I understand how anxiety can feel and how desperate one can be to feel relaxed again. I guess this confirms how dangerous drugs are without proper support and guidance of a doctor...

Anti-Anxiety drugs are not a walk in the park when not taken under strict medical supervision..

RoaryKennedy · 02-06-2008, 06:22 PM

Me too. When he was first found dead, quotes were everywhere about how he took Ambien, and how he was quoted as saying that he'd take two, and still only be able to sleep for an hour.

Needless to say, I got frantic calls from my mom and my dh, begging and demanding that I stop taking Ambien or I'd wind up dead, too.

I live with constant anxiety and constant insomnia. If I weren't prescribed drugs to deal with it, I don't know what would happen. If worrying yourself to death is possible, that's probably what I'd do. No, these conditions aren't a walk in the park. And scary to think how easily--and unknowingly--he killed himself by simply wanting a relief from his anxiety and nervousness.

SnowFlower · 02-06-2008, 08:23 PM

Roary: I totally agree with you. I tried everything before I had to take medicine but without it I would probably die of worrying myself to death or a nervous breakdown. Without the meds right now that I need to keep from feeling like I am dying all day from my anxiety I dont know where I would be. I hope one day I am able to get off them but for now they are needed and thats what they are there for.

I knew it had to be accidental with him especially after knowing there was no note. I believe he would have def. left his family especially his little girl a note. Any medicine can be dangerous combined with others or taken the wrong way... OTC or prescription. Sounds like he just wanted to sleep for a while and feel better and he took too much of the wrong combination. He had so much talent. I feel so bad for his famlily, his baby girl and Michelle Williams. I def. thought they would get back together.

But just for the record of the title of the post its not just anti anxiety drugs. It can be any combo of drugs but it is sad that people are trying to find the relief they need and it can be deadly. You just have to watch what you take, how much and not abuse it or take it with other medicines you arent sure of the interactions.

Monita · 02-06-2008, 09:28 PM

My husband has just told me the same... the problem is not necessarily the drugs, but the abuse of them, and most of the times people who take them are not followed up properly with a doctor to tell them how to use them...

I guess what I mean with the subject of this thread, is that it saddens me a lot that someone who suffers so much with anxiety, in the seek of relieve, can loose his / her life because of incorrect use of anti-anxiety drugs. It saddens me because fortunately I am not yet at that point where it is all the time and not tolerable, however suffering from just one panic attack in your life can show you how scary, how frustrating that condition can be... and the fact that it was not for getting high, but just seeking for relief, makes me more sad.

Hugs to all !!

Bethann · 02-07-2008, 02:34 PM

I read somewhere, can't remember where, that in bipolar patients, severe anxiety is a higher prediction of whether the person will attempt suicide than just depression (although often the 2 occur together.) I can definitely relate to that--in part because for me depression tends to me unrelenting fatigue/lethargy--suicide would literally be two difficult for me to contemplate.

As for sleep deprivation, as someone with chronic insomnia, I can also understand getting to the point where you're so tired you can't think rationally and would take darn near anything to get some sleep.

No matter what happened, the loss of such a young man is sad, and I feel badly for his family who must be grieving, and in such a public way.

KatCarney · 02-07-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoaryKennedy

Me too. When he was first found dead, quotes were everywhere about how he took Ambien, and how he was quoted as saying that he'd take two, and still only be able to sleep for an hour.

Needless to say, I got frantic calls from my mom and my dh, begging and demanding that I stop taking Ambien or I'd wind up dead, too.

I live with constant anxiety and constant insomnia.

I had a severe bout of insomnia once, due to extreme job stress, and my doctor rx'd Ambien - much to my mother's chagrin.

My doc told me to only take 1/2 of one, at first, and not more than 1 per night. Plus she only gave me an Rx for 6 tablets.

I slept really well on them, and asked for more, but she was only willing to rx me 3 or 4 more pills. She was very stern with me about the addictive nature of Ambien, said that if I couldn't sleep on my own after the next 3 or 4 pills, she would talk to me about counseling, but under no circumstances would she Rx any further Ambien pills for me. She helped me look at my 'sources of stress' and told me to actively work on eliminating some of the 'issues'.

Fortunately, I made it through the stressful time, and was able to sleep on my own. But she really was 'anti' Ambien for more than only a few nights.

RoaryKennedy · 02-09-2008, 03:29 PM

Kat, I don't doubt your doctor one bit. I have actually somewhat questioned my doctor's willingness to prescribe so much, and for such extended times. I will openly admit to being addicted to Ambien, at least psychologically. And does that make my doctor my enabler? Yep, probably. To the point that I actually retain two doctors: an OBGYN whom I love and knows how to treat my PCOS but won't prescribe Ambien long-term, and a family practice who will prescribe Ambien long-term. Sad, eh?

Someday, I will have to learn how to sleep without it. But I don't know when I'll be ready, KWIM? I just feel absolutely frantic when I think about the insomnia that would ensue (and that I've had since grade school). Deep down, it's like I fear that I would never be able to sleep again without it. But perhaps once I get in to see a psychiatrist, that person will be able to get to the root my anxiety and insomnia, and maybe someday I won't need it...