Research Benzos Linked To Alzheimers

[falling_wave]

I just went to the doctor this morning to establish with a new provider. I'm currently using ativan regularly for sleep. Maybe not everyday but a lot of days. She said she would continue to prescribe it and she knew I already knew about dependence risk etc. but had to make sure I knew about a study confirming a connection between long term benzo use and alzheimers. She told me it's because your brain stays strong by going through its own calm down and shut down process. She said that if the brain does not get this chance to stay fit it will not have the strength to carry on with age. She said some people need it but it's a big incentive to really try to avoid using for anything other than emergencies. Here is some info I found after looking it up.
http://www.bmj.com/content/349/bmj.g5205

 

[hodge]

Ish, I hate to see this news, because I really depend on ativan to keep me from getting panic attacks, which I would get every day if I didn't take it. And I'm already doing relaxation and mindfulness exercises. Blah! Will probably need to have a good think on this.

 

[anthony]

I think one should not discard the careful wording concluding the results:

Benzodiazepine use is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The stronger association observed for long term exposures reinforces the suspicion of a possible direct association, even if benzodiazepine use might also be an early marker of a condition associated with an increased risk of dementia. Unwarranted long term use of these drugs should be considered as a public health concern.

The evidence does not cite, take benzo's and get dementia. For the majority of people who do not take benzo's, never have, and get dementia... what is their reasoning?

Don't read too much into studies, as one study finds affirmative, another finds the counter argument. Who is right? I would be more concerned IF subsequent studies compound similar results to form an empirical foundation.

 

[falling_wave]

@anthony I agree with you and have seen some stuff on this before but didn't read into it. I just felt that maybe it was more significant because my new Dr who has received awards for being a top rated physician in the us and has been in practice for 25 years was explaining it to me.

 

[The Albatross]

Having worked on an Alzheimer's unit and dealt with dementia of various types for like two decades... I get that it would be a reason to re-evaluate, but would also reassess non-chemical interventions. Benzos... lots of potential problems. I know cuz I'm doing a med trial now, but it's only 4 months then I'm stepping down and off. Not cuz I'm afraid of Alzheimers though.

 

[Tinyflame]

I agree with @anthony . I've provided full time personal care for nearly 15 years wherein upwards of 80% are seniors & have some form of cognitive impairment, particularly Alzheimer's disease, & from it (getting to know them, what they share with me, what I see) I would argue that the reasons & stress behind what they need the Benzo's for (& other factors) could have more to do with it than anything. Many of my people never were even exposed to or using medications, they barely saw Doctors for much other than pregnancy (the women of course! :rolleyes: ).

 

[Ed Norton]

So many medical studies go awry. I personally don't believe that information. I know two Alzheimer's experts and they tell me how little is known about it. Not even beta amyloid plaques are necessarily indicative of Alzheimer's disease. At this point in time with respect to Alzheimer's, I say, nobody knows.

 

[Flossy]

I figure if I don't take benzo's now, I won't get to be old enough to get Alzheimer's.

Or I will be on weekly ECT within five years with associated memory loss.

I'll take the risk. It's a quality of life thing for me. Benzos stop the cascade and the descent into hell.

I dont want to suffer endlessly.

 

[Foxglove]

My doctor recently told me she is weaning me off the benzo's because studies show it is linked to alzheimers. I don't even need to be weaned off of it because I only take them when I'm having a suicidal episode. (maybe twice a month, give or take a couple depending on how my month is going) I am terrified of what will happen when my benzos are taken away. They are the only things that have ever brought me back down to earth when I am suicidal. I feel like I'm going crazy and NEED to die. I sob uncontrollably in unbearable pain. I take a 1mg clonazepam and within an hour, I stop crying, lay down, relax and the suicidal episode goes away. I had the same response to this news of being taken off my benzos as Flossy. I said, "I will not LIVE long enough to see Alzheimers." I am so frightened.

 

[falling_wave]

@Foxglove I feel your pain. I was talking with my therapist about this and she said she's seen the studies and it's just for regular use. If I could get to once or twice a month that would be ideal. Maybe try a new md.

 

[Foxglove]

It will be hard for me to get a new doctor. I have no insurance. Have applied for tenncare and medicare and was denied for both. I can't afford the affordable care act. So, I am being treated at this place for people who have no insurance and my dr visits are free and my meds are cheap as heck. Which is exactly what I need because I can't afford a dr or even meds elsewhere. Maybe if I discuss with her some more about how much they help my episodes and how I won't need many a month she will understand. I am afraid she is just going to say "no." But I won't know until I try. I just have so much anxiety that I worry and am scared of so many things, so hopefully I'm worrying for nothing and she will understand and give me enough for a few episodes a month.

I am wishing you the best @falling_wave . Are they weaning you off?

 

[falling_wave]

@Foxglove no they aren't weaning me off. My md just had to educate me on the risk but I have anxiety and severe chronic insomnia which was causing issues with my health. She wants me to use them if I really need to in order to avoid other health problems from sleep deficiency. I'm thinking probably if it was just anxiety symptoms they would. I was getting prescribed 30 I a day before even though I was only using them about twice a week. My md just suggested that I get 20 a month so I'm more likely to spread them out. Maybe you can ask for 3-5 a month. I doubt any md would deny that if you have a diagnosis that warrants it. I think a psychiatrist would be more likely to write the script if your general doc wont. You could look for free mental health clinics.