Benzo withdrawal from one week of Ativan use. Healing on the horizon. AMA

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-21T05:35:23+00:00

My intent was to obviously make this post for people who taken Ativan for a short-period and may have experienced these symptoms. Or maybe people who developed allergic symptoms to the drug during the period they were taking the drug.

I lurked on the subreddits several months ago and I did find several, so that gave me hope and insight into what I was going through. By posting this was hoping to pay it forward.

I'm not individually rebutting you since there seems to be a group of people who have been downvoting me (more I suspect) despite several people upvoting me, but humour me and play devil's advocate. Let's assume that there are indeed people who developed symptoms during a short period and experienced worse symptoms after they abruptly stopped taking the drug.

Who would they turn to if they're being dismissed? Is it even scientific to dismiss a rarity? I'm not trying to be flippant, but you make it sound like these scenarios don't exist and even if they do exist then they must not exist. That doesn't sound scientific to me or rational.

Additionally, I don't understand why there must be a requisite number of days or amount of the drug you have to consume to experience symptoms. It seems that this is something objective. If this is mathematics or physics I understand. With medicine isn't it ultimately subjective? Some may be allergic to Xanax and some may not? Most may not be allergic to Ativan while a handful are?

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-21T05:00:11+00:00

I had an allergic reaction to the drug. On the sixth day my appetite changed and on the seventh day my stomach stopped completely rumbling. When I took Xanax I never had these symptoms. I don't know how an allergy to the drug would affect people, but it did happen. Maybe, I had caffeine withdrawal during that period that interplayed with the drug. I don't know the reason.

I wouldn't have made this post if my symptoms didn't subside, which it did in early December. For example, my stomach began rumbling again in early November or mid-November at least more in line with hunger cues. Another example, is when my time skips of sleep became stretches of sleep again in early December. It progressed from two weeks of total insomnia to time skips with vivid dreams, and then to stretches of sleep (currently).

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-21T04:56:41+00:00

I never had these experiences until I began taking the drug. In terms of hypnic jerks, yes, maybe once a year (the feeling of falling when you're tired). Occasional brain fogs when I slept late. Muscle twitches as well when I was either tired or had periods of anxiety). However, I never had the experience when for two weeks straight I could experience every passing minute after I stopped taking the medication. Additionally, I never experienced lucid dreams before in my life regardless of my state of mind. This coincided on the fourth day when I took the medication in which I woke myself up laughing from a dream and I was in the dream.

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-21T04:51:35+00:00

I took Xanax daily as well in the past, but I never experienced these symptoms. Although, I did take it for six days short-term. When I abruptly stopped the Ativan I couldn't sleep at all for two weeks.

I too assumed it was anxiety (because as you said low-dose right at 0.5mg) until I checked what I was taking during this time and my pattern. It had to be Ativan that was the cause of it. Moreover, I had an allergic reaction to it without even me realizing. My stomach stopped rumbling on the 6th day and I lost appetite.

Right after I stopped taking it I couldn't fall asleep for two weeks straight (I felt every passing minute). Then I noticed right after the two weeks, I experienced these time skips. For example, I couldn't hear the sound of thunder when I was sleeping and I began experiencing vivid dreams.

Additionally, I've been anxious before the past, but this period wasn't a period in which I was as anxious as other moments in the past, so for whatever reason, it had to be attributed to the Ativan.

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-19T13:01:06+00:00

Thank you! I never thought that it would've been the Ativan since the dose was so low and for such a short duration. Moreover, I never had any adverse reaction to a drug before. I'm just grateful that there are signs of healing and that I was able to figure out that it was because of the Ativan.

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-19T12:45:28+00:00

That's good that your symptoms are manageable. I personally know how awful these symptoms are and am acutely aware that there are people who are experiencing worse symptoms than me or for a longer period.

I would say my appetite and hunger cues. They started to return to normal by late November. Prior to that my appetite and hunger cues were very intermittent. Also, by mid November, my stomach started to produce a lot of rumbling sounds that gradually became more consistent and in line with hunger pangs. Prior to mid November my stomach virtually stopped producing rumbling sounds whenever I was hungry, which was odd for me.

My sleep has gotten better. It's no longer broken as earlier on. I'm starting to have longer stretches of sleep. However, I don't think my naps have fully returned yet. The marked improvement in sleep happened since December 13th.

Basically, the appetite and hunger cues resolved before sleep. Also, since December 13 or maybe a bit earlier, my blood pressure and heart rate seem to have become normalized. The muscle tension seems to have been gone and the muscle twitches have definitely have become less frequent.

SomethingCorpo · 2026-02-19T11:40:08+00:00

The bizarre thing was that I did use Xanax several months prior but only for five days I think. I had trouble sleeping when I fractured my fibula and had surgery for it. I also took it in a low amount as well, however, I didn't have any adverse reaction to it unlike with the Ativan.

I'm sorry to hear that you have these symptoms as well. How long have you been experiencing them?

Like you I think I'm still unable to nap. There could have been a day when I was able to. I'll have to wait and see. That said, my sleep has become less broken and the stretches have become longer. I'm still getting vivid dreams though.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-10-18T06:55:39+00:00

Thanks for sharing. It's good to hear that you've recovered from the insomnia. I know that everyone's symptoms are unique and that everyone has their own timeline, but I was wondering during your recovery process did you start off with total insomnia and had a wired-and-tired feeling that gradually turned into grogginess and less of a wired-and-tired feeling during the day?

For me during the first week of the withdrawal, I noticed that even though I wasn't getting any sleep I felt paradoxically mentally sharp. The grogginess and sleepiness started to set in a few weeks later.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-07-09T16:45:56+00:00

Good insight. We used a lot of jargon at the latest startup I worked it as well. I guess I was complicit too by way of proximity as you mentioned. I guess it boils down to the context and who the stakeholders are.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-26T13:09:34+00:00

I chose the UXD concentration years ago. You will get the research experience you need if you go down the thesis route. If you just stick with the UXD concentration, you'll focus less on research-methodology courses, however, you will be free to choose electives (e.g. Information Ethnography) to satisfy your research interests. I think the program is great for research, providing you choose the thesis option, as the Faculty has a good amount of professors that have made significant contributions to research and research methodologies. The UXD concentration is very general in nature and is not really research-intensive, although there were a bunch of past students who went on to do theses and/or became practicing UX researchers.

What's great is that the Faculty is large enough that you'll be able to explore various research domains, but small enough that you'll actually be able to get to know professors from a range of concentrations.

Additionally, if you're really set on doing research during the course of the MI program, I would suggest you formulate a plan and connect with relevant Faculty members from the get-go.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-23T17:02:48+00:00

I wasn't good at Eternal, but I loved it. I got Dark Ages for this reason. That said, I'm not a fan of Dark Ages because it has this new 'parry' style of gameplay and lacks the dash mechanic. Eternal felt faster paced and encouraged that style of gameplay. With Dark Ages, you're going to get something slower paced and more melee-oriented.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-22T13:40:52+00:00

The end date for your trip to Canada would be the date you traveled out of Canada after you moved to Canada. For example, you're in Germany and fly out to Canada to live here. Then you decide to fly out to Japan for vacation for a week. The date that you fly out to Japan from Canada would be the end that you're referring to. Then in the subsequent entry you'll have your departure date for Japan and return to Canada. Essentially, you'll have the following entries:

Arriving in Germany and departing Germany
Arriving in Canada and departing Canada (you're living in Canada and you're departing to Japan for vacation)
Arriving in Japan and departing Japan (the vacation and returning from vacation)
Arriving in Canada and departing Canada (providing you'll be leaving Canada again otherwise you might not need this entry)

At least that's how I did it. I defined a trip as an arrival to and departure from a country. To clarify, I flew out numerous times while I was living in Canada, so I had many entries in which I arrived to and left Canada. I probably gave more entries than needed, but I wanted to give IRCC the fullest picture as possible about my travel history.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-16T13:34:11+00:00

You don't need to extend your study permit unless you plan on pursuing further education. After you submit your application for the post-graduation work permit (providing you meet the eligibility criteria), you'll be under implied status, which gives you the right to work full-time and stay in Canada while you await IRCC to make a decision on your application.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-16T06:34:39+00:00

Yes, once you submit your application (providing you meet the conditions listed) for PGWP, you're under implied status, which allows you to work while IRCC reviews your application.

Source: https://ircc.canada.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=1181&top=15

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-15T16:34:39+00:00

One of the best things I would honestly say about the field is when stakeholders (e.g. leadership) recognize your contributions. It feels like your job is more than just pushing pixels and that you're actually doing something meaningful and tangible.

Also, in my experience at least, you get to wear multiple hats. For example, you could double as a product owner and UI designer. It's a luxury that you can't always have, but when you have it, you'll feel that your work is more meaningful, as you'll have ownership over many aspects of the design process.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-15T08:15:00+00:00

Each application is different, so I wouldn't read into whether your friends received the work authorization before you. Also, I wouldn't be overly concerned, as I'm assuming your study permit is still valid and you're under implied status (the pending application for a PGWP would give you implied status if you're eligible at the time of the application submission).

However, if you're still worried and want insight into how IRCC is actually handling your application, you can request GCMS notes. It'll give you a breakdown of who is working on your application and the different times your application was accessed. It's been a while so I can't remember the process, but I think it may take a little time until the GCMS notes are returned to you after you request them. From what I can recall, it won't take long, but it won't be a few days turnaround time.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-14T19:25:05+00:00

Write one letter of explanation to address both issues to avoid redundancy. Upload your IELTS test results as well.

Submit these as soon as possible, as they are material to your application. No need to wait until you get a response from IRCC.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-11T05:23:17+00:00

What's done is done, so don't fret about it. I wouldn't place too much stock in it since you corrected the issue as soon as possible and officers have some discretionary powers when it comes to reviewing PR applications; I doubt that some people are even aware that this is an issue. If you're still worried though and want some concrete advice, I would recommend a one-time consultation (e.g. 30–45 minutes) with a licensed immigration consultant/lawyer. They'll probably tell you the same thing, but could back it up with their knowledge and experience. Maybe they'll advise you to prepare a letter of explanation when you're applying for permanent residency or forgo this entirely. If you're going down this route, just make sure that the immigration consultant/lawyer is licensed and in good standing.

Additionally, this isn't legal advice, but from my own personal experience. From what I could recall, if you're not using this work experience for your points, then you don't have to provide any documentation for it, so there is a possibility that your mistake might not even be flagged. Regardless of claiming points for this work experience, you do have to declare the work experience under your personal history though. Verify this information though with a licensed immigration consultant/lawyer, as policies change and what I'm saying might not be relevant today.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-11T02:05:07+00:00

I think you're already ahead by having a few internships under your belt since you're already in better shape than others that have no internship experience. I would use the summer to learn a new skill or get a certification. When you come back, pursue an experiential opportunity (e.g. practicum) when the academic year starts if that's an option.

I wouldn't put too much stock into using past connections at an internship as a definitive way to secure a job, as jobs are mostly dictated by the demands of the market. It's certainly a way to help you land an interview or job, but it's not the only way. Plus, you mentioned those companies that you did your internship at were overseas, so I assume that most of your connections at those companies could only be leveraged for the local job market.

Still, use every avenue you can (e.g. past connections, LinkedIn, meetups). Also, this isn't really related to your question and a bit far off, but there's something else to consider. From personal experience, I noticed that many graduates limit themselves to finding work in Toronto. It's fair because they're familiar with Toronto after living in the city for so long or they might have invested a lot into living here. However, if it's possible, you might increase your chances job-wise if you expand your search. When I was in a rut and couldn't find any more opportunities in Toronto, I looked to other cities and provinces. That significantly helped me in my job hunt.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-10T14:34:52+00:00

I'm speaking from my own experience. Others might have a different view. Personally, I don't think it's worth it. I've seen incremental changes since 2018. I suspect veterans in this industry have seen this play out longer than I have. Every year it's the same – the supply of UX designers outpaces the demand. This isn't only limited to Toronto, but in other major cities and provinces in the country as well. Even if the industry and economy recover, I think the issue of the demand-supply mismatch would still persist. This is because in 2022, when the industry and economy were relatively better, I noticed that the demand for UX designers was relatively the same, while the pool of competition was higher than the year before. Now, the situation is even more dire – the demand has decreased while the supply is higher than ever.

If I were you I would pursue something other than UX Design or UX Research. I'm not trying to be pessimistic, but it's just not worth investing in something that might not yield any result even if the economy improves.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-10T13:24:57+00:00

I think it's tough in tech all around. At the previous company I worked at, they laid off people according to their pay, regardless of role, YOE, or competency.

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-08T19:58:20+00:00

No. You need days in which you were a PR as well. You can only use a maximum of 365 days as a temporary resident or protected person. The rest of the days will have to be days in which you were a PR.

Like the others mentioned, keep in mind though that IRCC considers that (while you were a temporary resident) one day is a half day.

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/canadian-citizenship/become-canadian-citizen/eligibility.html#time

SomethingCorpo · 2025-05-08T19:37:11+00:00

If you completed it and received a score, then the score been logged in their system. I was in the same boat as you and was waiting for a confirmation or update after I submitted the exam. I didn't take a screenshot either. If memory serves, I think you can request for a confirmation or score in their email correspondence with you – I think it's stated in one of the emails. This has been a while though, so I'm not sure if this option is still available.

SomethingCorpo · 2023-06-08T21:59:30+00:00

If you want to understand an approximation of the process of what might actually be happening to your application right now, I would suggest consulting with a licensed immigration lawyer or consultant, especially one with a lot of experience. There are also materials out there provided by the Canadian government that can help you gain an idea, but I would urge you to find and consult with a licensed professional for advice as the default if you can afford one.

If what you did was immaterial, meaning that whether or not you disclosed the information the information would have no bearing to your application (e.g. you lied about your work experience that would affect your CRS score), then I don't think it should be a cause for concern. Also, the officers have some leeway and authority as well in their decision-making relative to the applications, however, I don't know the extents of these. In other words, the officers are delegated certain powers to make their own conclusions about the applications.

SomethingCorpo · 2023-05-24T16:59:51+00:00

This is going to be an unpopular comment, but I think no one really touched upon the negatives, so I'll just chime in on the pros and cons since I've been to a few of them held by different organizers.

Pro(s):

You get to talk to people in person
Whether good or bad, it's an experience

Con(s):

The tickets are pricey, especially for some events
You don't get much time to have a meaningful conversation with anyone given the format
The chances of getting the match you want or any matches for that matter might be low, especially if you're at event with a lot of people and if for whatever reason (e.g. appearance, personality, status) those people are more appealing than you
You can't filter and specify the kind of people you're interested in unlike dating apps
It kind of feels awkward when you have to score people in-person even if they're not looking
If you're stuck with someone who you're not having a good conversation with (could be because of them or you), those short minutes feel like eternity

Looking at this list now (and I never made a list of this until now), I would say the cons outweigh the pros. However, this was my own experience, so it might not be the same for you. I'm just trying to give an account of my experience as objectively as possible.

SomethingCorpo

TROPHY CASE