HELP!!!!!!!! AMBIAN/LARAZAPAM HELP PLEASE!!!!!

[mbaez1953]

I have been taking ambian and larazapam every night for around 2years or more, the other day I had a panic attack at least that is what I think it was. I thought I was suffercating and could not breath, Is it safe for me to stop taking this stuff,lately I feel tired all the time feel like my head is in a cloud,could this be from this medication,No one ever told me they were addicting. please if some one can help thanks. MORGAN  

[RCA7591]

Morgan,

Ambien is a sleep aid similar to benzodiazepines, and Lorazepam (Ativan) is a benzodiazepine. Both types of drugs can lead to physical and psychological dependency with prolonged use.

Stopping the Ambien abruptly will cause rebound insomnia, although it would be safe to stop it.

Ativan (Lorazepam) is an anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) drug, and should never be discontinued abruptly. This drug must be tapered very slowly to prevent withdrawal symptoms (some of which can be severe, ie: seizure). You'll need to speak with your doctor and set up a slow taper plan to get off of the Ativan.

Stopping both Ambien and Lorazepam simultaneously is potentially very dangerous, and I don't recommend that you try.

One option is to cross over to Valium, and once stabilized on the Valium, taper directly from it. Valium is easier to taper from than Ativan. Once the cross over is made, you can remove 1 mg of Valium every two weeks until you are completely free of it.

I mg of Ativan = 10 mg of Valium

-Ryan

[mbaez1953]

Thank You Ryan tonight I have bron both my ambian and larazapam in half,do you think that is a good Idea,I want to be free of this stuff before it gets real bad. I feel like my head is in the clouds all the time I think this maybe due to
this hipnotic medication , I hope I can sleep tonight. lol. morgan

[mbaez1953]

HI Well iI did it I cut my ambian and larazapam in half last night I did have a hard time sleeping and a few nightmares, I hope this is as bad as it gets
tonight I will take the half again. and wait a few days and then I will cut ambian in half again. Wish me luck Morgan.

[396SS]

Yep, ambien was a little weird for me the next day, but it did make me sleep.  I tapered off of it with a little help from my friend Remeron - it makes me sleep and is an antidepressant (also makes you hungry though).  Anyway, I was on Ativan for the last 1.5 yr 2mg at night to sleep, and it has worked the whole time, but I changed to Tranxene but tapering my Ativan by cutting into 3/4, then 1/2 then 1/4 and then started the Tranxene.  I sleep.  Anyway, point being, I have tapered off of a lot of drugs, namely Ambien, Remeron, Ativan, Valium, and have had no problem as long as I take it SLOW and remain patient.  Do not go cold turkey.  

[mbaez1953]

HI THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY, I have been on ambian and larazapam  for about two and a half years last night I did the unthinkable and went from
ambian 10mg to 5mg
and larazapam 1mg to .5
I went against all advice but so far it has not been to bad last night I did have nightmares and did not sleep well but I was expecting that I hope this as bad as it gets.  I will will take half dose for nest few days,then cut ambian again
am I doing this right .  I do not feel to bad today.thanks Morgan

[RCA7591]

Hi Morgan,

I see you cut each of the pills (Ambien and Ativan) in half. The withdrawal might not hit you full force for a few days (if you continue on this path).

I would've cut 1/4 off of the Ativan (Lorazepam) instead of 1/2.
If you cut 1/4 every four weeks, you may be able to directly taper from the Lorazepam itself.

I think you're going to fast, and are eager to get off of the drugs for good (but you have to do it more slowly).

Starting this week, take 3/4 of the Lorazepam, and 1/2 of the Ambien.
After four weeks, take 1/2 (0.5 mg) of the Lorazepam, and 1/2 of the Ambien. Continue to remove 1/4 of the Lorazepam every four weeks until it is removed. This leaves you with 1/2 of the Ambien (5 mg) to deal with. Once the Lorazepam is removed fully, you can cut the Ambien in half again (2.5 mg), and take it for four weeks. After four weeks, you can stop taking it for good.

If the withdrawal effects are minimal, you may be able to cut 1/4 off of the Lorazepam every two weeks (instead of four). But seeing as how you took it for two years, I'd go 1/4 every four weeks. This would be the safer way to go.

-Ryan

[RCA7591]

Hey 396SS,

Do you drive a 1970 Chevelle 396SS? If so, fun car!

-Ryan

[mbaez1953]

Thanks ryan, So far so good I hope It does not get any worse, how long does
this stuff stay in your system.

[mbaez1953]

Hi Ryan after carefull consideration I have decided to do it your way, I am getting way to scared of getting another panic attack. thanks Morgan

[396SS]

It's a 1972 - helps with anxiety sometimes:)

[RCA7591]

Morgan,

How is the Lorazepam withdrawal going for you?

-Ryan

[mbaez1953]

Hi  Ryan I think you were right, this stuff  is much more powerfull that I ever Imagined.  I did well on 3/4 larazapam and half ambian 5mg but that did not last,Around the third day I was getting very gittery and felt hyper all day, I went out for a hair cut while I was waiting I felt sob started feeling traped I think I was having a panic/anxiety attact and  I had to get out of there. I have resumed my  full dosage again and am back to square one. I do want to get off
but  tapering is hard, Is this all in my mind or is it physical whithdrawal
thanks again Morgan is there a better way without  feeling all the hell.

[athlon64bit]

definately sounds like physical withdrawals. You should research benzodiazepines in general and the diazepam cross over and taper protocol. You should talk to your local doctor about this. Here is a web page about the diazepam protocol. http://www.bcnc.org.uk/whyvalium.html You can visit this website for withdrawal support http://www.non-benzodiazepines.org.uk

[ladybug51]

Hi Ryan,
My Name Is Penny, My Doctor Put Me On Lorazepam 1 Mg . As I Was very Upset. I Have Interstitial Cystitis Which You Have A Lot Of Pain At All Times, Bad burning Of The Bladder. So He Put Me On the meds Two Months Ago. Well Now I Want To Get Off The lorazepam, So I Went Off Of It Two Days Ago, Now I Can't Sleep . Last Night Was The Worst. I'm So Tired but I Can't Sleep AT All.
Since I Have Not Been On It For That Long Do You think If i Just Took Half Of A Pill For About A Week And Then Try To Stop The Med For Good Would That Be A Better Way To Go To Get Off Of this Stuff ? I Sure Could Use Your Input On This Matter  Please.!!!!! Thank You ........

[lovebugs]

i went to doctors cause i was a little stressed out he gave me lorazepam 0.5 took for about little over 2 weeks i stoped taking it cause i could not sleep and now it is worse i get termors depressed sleep hardly none its making me week as hell i work all night and when i get home i still cant sleep what can i do  help please

[ativan]

Hi There couldent help but see that you are taking tranzene, I was on 15mgs of tranzene but they withdrew this of the market so I can no longer get it of my doctor, I just wondered where you live? i,m in england. I also take ativan 1mgs 4 times daily, please noone should just stop this drug, just do it very slowly a little at a time and good look as it can be done.
yours janis.

[Indiansummer]

How long does this drug stay in your system and take to get out, when completly off the drug?

[nursegirl6572]

You may want to start a new thread...the one you posted on is very old.  I don't want to see your post get missed!

If you can elaborate if you're trying to d/c a med, which one, how long you've taken it, how much you take, etc etc?  

Start a new thread and try to be a bit more specific so we can help you!

[ativan]

As someone that as been on ativan for many many years I beg you to do it slowly, I havent managed to get of my ativan but then I take 4mgs daily whick is alot. You can do it but I beg you just take your time and you will succeed,    One question I would love you to answer, I was also on tranzene15mgs but in england they have taken it of the market and I had been on tranzene for nearly 30years, have you heard if they are keeping it were you live? that was hard for me I had to go on valium to withdraw from tranzene so I am now stuck on 4mgs of ativan , 5mgs of valium and 75mgs of trazadone at night, as for your head feeling in a cloud that is just how mine feels no pain just an awlful queer feeling, good luck but take your time theres no rush you will do it.
janis.

[ativan]

sorry I aalso dident realise this was -posted 2007,
Just hope you were successful and your free of the benzos
janis.

[Mitch1994]

I started taking Lorazepam in December 2007 due to overwhelming stress.  I find now I can't sleep without it.  Usually take it three times a week.  I do have panic attacks, but they seem to lesson.  My concern, is occassionally I have a few drinks, but taking the lorazepam I have had few occasions where, I guess what you call black outs, and I don't recall things that have occurred.  I will not be drinking while on this medication of course, just wanted your thoughts.