Addiction to Ativan

[sharkeysgirl]

I need a tapering plan to decrease my use of ativan.  I've been on high doses of ativan after being diagnosed with a chronic disease.  I am now taking 2mg in the morning and 2mg at night.  Please Adise ....I'm so stressed out.

[my_mayberry]

2mg in the am and in the pm isn't all that low...but yes, withdrawal can be horrible. i maintain that if you have a legit reason for using it and it's helping you rather than harming you, then think very carefully about your options. whatever condition you have, will it cause you great anxiety when this drug is discontinued? as you've stated, there is no cure...which would lead me to believe it will.  i suppose its worth a shot, though...to see if you can now manage the anxiety on your own...but be very careful in the way you withdrawal. get a good plan with your doctor if you're going to do it. most often the horror stories of withdrawal occure because someone has not done a proper taper. even with a proper taper, it can still be difficult...more difficult for some than others. i can understand the desire to be clear headed and free of dependence on this med. just be careful to prepare for anxiety to return if you do discontinue it and try to have a plan for dealing with it. support groups...meditation.....even the anxiety forum, as i mentioned earlier.....those can all help reduce whatever anxieties you have related to your condition.

i wish you the best. if you truly want to be free of this med, it can  happen but make sure you've prepared yourself for life without it.

[idontgetit34]

Luckily you are a low dose. From experience I cannot stress enough the importance of tapering and sticking with that as best you can. Not only is there a risk for seizures and whatnot but it is one of the most uncomfortable feelings that you can experience. I have been on benzos for 11 years. Ativan withdrawal is unbelievable. I went 48 hours without any and it was hell. The worse part was the fact that my mom has some in her room that she never takes but her husband thought it was better that I suffer. I would fall asleep for an hour and than it would take 3 hours to fall back asleep. TAPER

[sharkeysgirl]

Thank you so much for all of your responses.  I will talk to my doctor about this asap.  

My diagnosis was not anxiety, but a truly, chronic disease that does not have a cure.  So it created a great deal of stress when I was originally diagnosed. My husband thinks I should stay on it too.  It doesn't interfere with any thing that I do, it's just the fact that it makes me feel weak I guess. I also am very able bodied, I don't sit in a stupor staring into space.

I will keep you posted of my progress and welcome additional thoughts, concerns, or advice.

[my_mayberry]

yes....as they said....a doctor is a must!

if you are treating a chronic condition, why do you wish to d/c this therapy? i mean no doubt you are on a higher dose.....and if you've actually began abusing it or wanting to abuse it, then thats certainly an issue....but what i'm getting at is if you still have a chronic condition and an actual need for some sort of medicine, then you should consider all options. i don't know what you mean by chronic disease....but if you experience anxiety due to this disease, or if anxiety is the disease itself....then perhaps discussing with your doc meds that may help releive your symptoms that aren't addicting and that will allow you not to rely so closely on the ativan. just a thought. my only concern is that if you're just trying to get off these because you don't want to take them anymore....then if your initial symptoms are still there, then your need for them is still there and i don't think you'll be very successful without possibly considering other options with your doc.


anyway, best of luck.

[dominosarah]

Please discuss this with your doctor as that is the safest way to go.  He/she knows your medical history.  We are here to talk to and support you~~~sara

[LeaAnn807]

Hi! You will have to get that from your doc. We don't give them out here. It's against the rules. We can help support you though!