Regina General Hospital Hemo Unit-good

[jmintuck]

I used to hate the hell out of hemodialysis centers. NOW I find it less tough as I can go to the RGH and wait there as the machine cleans up my blood. With that, the good neph gives me 1 mg of Lorazepam to relax. I relax and actually SLEEP with Lorazepam better than ever. Before, dialysis was HELL ON WHEELS! Now I just fall asleep after setup and the lorazepam at the end of setup. No big problem. Gets it seemingly over with in a "few minutes" seemingly to me. Now Dialysis is mainly a breeze to me from the Lorazepam. No more sitting there staring at the boob tube or something and getting bored outta my scull. Mental sanity is well preserved with the lovely Lorazepam. Once or twice I refused at the very beginning when initially suggested to use it. I said, by the third time "To hell with it, might as well try it for a change". Well, it worked wonders. Now when I think of the dialysi center, I think Naptime.

[iolaire]

That sounds scary as in it sounds like something that has a risk for addiction, so I goggled it:
http://drugabuse.com/library/lorazepam-abuse/
Lorazepam (brand name: Ativan) is a benzodiazepine drug that is often prescribed to manage a range of anxiety disorders and related issues. This drug is not typically indicated for long-term use—many practitioners will limit prescriptions to several weeks, at most. However, even after relatively short durations, people may become unable to function without the drug and begin displaying symptoms of addiction. Even when taken as prescribed, lorazepam can be abused. Users can quickly develop tolerance and dependence, and soon find themselves struggling with an addiction.

Be careful, even more so if its the only thing making dialysis bearable.

[Simon Dog]

Some studies suggest that benzodiazapines increase the risk for dementia later in life.

[kickingandscreaming]

Some studies suggest that benzodiazapines increase the risk for dementia later in life.

And they are highly addictive and the devil to detox from.  Best to steer clear of them. Otherwise, you'll be a dialysis patient AND an addict.

[jmintuck]

I would never yet have even DREAMED of asking for any for home, not a chance, so far.

[kickingandscreaming]

I would never yet have even DREAMED of asking for any for home, not a chance, so far.

Addiction knows nothing about location. Home, not home. Same difference.

[cassandra]

I'm sorry, but as a longterm user of Diazepam, also a benzodiazepine, I've had this 'discussion' with one of 'my' nephrologists after about 15 years use. I started using it on PD than in-centre hemo, now another 5 years later I'm still using the exact same amount while on home hemo.
O boohoo I'm an addict? Might get Alzheimer's? In what later life?
I don't think I would have been able to do this, o I'm so glad it exists, life saving D for 20+ years.

Enjoy your sleep jmintuck

     

[Michael Murphy]

I sleep generally about half my 4.5 hour HD sessions.  Problem is noise, hearing Jerry Springer yelling you are not the father is very disturbing.  There is always some smuck who insists on watching tv without a headset. My solution, a iPhone playlist of mellow rock played loud enough to drown out the noise from the center.

[nightwalker]

Benzos are HIGHLY addictive. Let me make it clear that I’m not here to judge anyone for how they deal with HD treatments, but the problem with benzodiazepine’s it that they are a rapid onset fast acting drug that your body develops a dependency to almost immediately. Some might argue they are more addictive than heroine, as the youtube video below explains. I myself struggled with anxiety and was prescribed Xanax so I know firsthand how dangerous and addictive it can be in just a couple weeks after a “doctor prescribed” dose. When you don’t have it, it’s nearly impossible to sleep and you become very agitated and moody.  The withdrawals are a complete nightmare-- It may put you to sleep,  at first, but give it a few months and you’ll find that your body grows a tolerance. In my opinion, Marijuana is a far safer drug if you need something for anxiety or help with a little sleep while your in center.  https://youtu.be/LjpD41mMG8o

[cassandra]

I completely agree with the safer option being marijuana, however I can't see myself passing a drivingtest with any amount of marijuana.
I have only been able to pass my test because of my 3.75 mg Diazepam.
As often is the case with any form of meds. Everyone is different. Even addicts.

Am I addicted to Dialysis too? I really can't do without that though

[kickingandscreaming]

In the states, we don't have to pass a drug test to get a driver's license (yet).  I have a medical marijuana (MMJ) card legally issued by the state, and I would suspect that--even if we had such a test-- if I showed traces of MMJ I would probably be exempted because I am a MMJ patient.  I'm just guessing as this is hypothetical.  I never drive while under the influence.

Ever since developing kidney disease, my sleeping has been for the birds.  I was taking nightly Xanax and I'm not even sure it was helping me sleep.  Now that I am using only MMJ (only at night) and a very small amount. I am totally off Xanax and am sleeping like a baby.  I am so grateful that there is this option, as not sleeping, night after night, is not an option.  And going the benzo route is a fool's journey.

[Simon Dog]

In the states, we don't have to pass a drug test to get a driver's license (yet).  I have a medical marijuana (MMJ) card legally issued by the state, and I would suspect that--even if we had such a test-- if I showed traces of MMJ I would probably be exempted because I am a MMJ patient.  I'm just guessing as this is hypothetical.  I never drive while under the influence.

Definitely not true if you are CDL (Commercial Drivers License) - loads of extra federal regulations on those.

Now that I am using only MMJ (only at n-ight) and a very small amount. I am totally off Xanax and am sleeping like a baby.

So, you wake up crying and screaming the middle of the night demanding food?

[kickingandscreaming]

So, you wake up crying and screaming the middle of the night demanding food?

Ha Ha Ha!   And I pee in my diaper.

[Jean]

It is funny the way lorazepam affects people so differently. I took it for a couple of years for anxiety and then decided I no longer needed it so I stopped. That was that!! Guess I am luckier than most.
I think at age 77 and with a very bad irreparable back along with neuropathy in both arms and legs  I am no doubt addicted to something!!