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How to live without Ativan?
I took this medicine for 8 months last year .5 mg BID. Then tapered it for month and half. Last time I took it on 12/26 just .125 mg in the day. I noticed weakness on 12/29 and 1/1. I felt nothing after that. My husband was home on vacation. He took care of me. But today he went back to work. My toddler went to school. I am home all alone. Am trying to study for an exam. I felt anxious earlier. But now am feeling better while typing this. I hope I have joined MedHelp as a good decision. I want to hear from others who have coped with anxiety. What is your experience? Any advice?
There are also natural remedies you can use that can help, though they won't be as strong as Ativan. Combinations of them can be of great help to some people. Meditation and exercise have also shown in studies to help some people get the same biological results as taking medication. None of these is a substitute for a therapist who specializes in anxiety, however, and learning how to think differently.
I'm glad just reaching out here made you feel better! This site and forum is a wonderful place to be, you'll get loads of support, which we all need, as anxiety is rough!
I did not take Ativan since 12/26. Even today after I felt anxious I came on the forum and typed my question. That made me feel better. I will go to a psychotherapist also. Thanks.
Hello and welcome!
Besides taking the Ativan, what else did you do to address the anxiety? If you only took the Ativan, you likely didn't work on learning proper ways to cope, or explore possible reasons for your anxiety.
Medications can have their place in anxiety treatment, but they don't "cure" us of anxiety. When we stop taking the medication, most of us find that the anxiety is still there, which is why it's so important to learn how to change our ways of thinking and reacting. The best way to do that is with a therapist.
I would recommend that you start addressing the anxiety in other ways, so you are better equipped to deal with it when it rears its ugly head.
Best to you, update us when you can!
Besides taking the Ativan, what else did you do to address the anxiety? If you only took the Ativan, you likely didn't work on learning proper ways to cope, or explore possible reasons for your anxiety.
Medications can have their place in anxiety treatment, but they don't "cure" us of anxiety. When we stop taking the medication, most of us find that the anxiety is still there, which is why it's so important to learn how to change our ways of thinking and reacting. The best way to do that is with a therapist.
I would recommend that you start addressing the anxiety in other ways, so you are better equipped to deal with it when it rears its ugly head.
Best to you, update us when you can!
I have been ativan free for 2+ years now. NEVER touching it again. Consider yourself lucky for a mild withdrawal. I took it off and on for 4 years. More on than off probably. It ALWAYS starts out as "take as needed", you are always careful about taking it. But then Dr's down play pills like ativan and tell you its a small dose and not addictive.
There is a HUGE difference between Addiction and accidental Physical Dependence. And I had NO CLUE I was physically dependent on them. Took me years to figure that out.
Had to find out the hard way. But looking back, I've been through a lot with it, and I know I am much stronger b/c of those awful experiences.
I still can't deny I don't suffer from anxiety. I still do from time to time, but it's NOTHING like it used to be! NOTHING! I think the ativan was a bigger culprit with the anxiety b/c of tolerance and tolerance withdrawal.
Hang in there. How long have you been off of ativan?
Withdrawal symptosm can wax and wayne for a while. I was fine after 6 months. And it really wasnt that bad. I had my moments of days feeling cruddy, to weeks feeling great, then as time went on I just felt great all the time, and no anxiety or weird symptoms.
You can totally do it.
Now if I ever go through a bad anxiety spell, I just see a psychologist who does NOT prescribe meds, and he helps me get through it. it's great and highly recommended. It's just as effective if not better than anti-depressants or benzos, and there is no side effects or withdrawal when seeing a psychologist. :)
Hang in there. You are at the right forum for support. Always keep in check with your Dr. on how you are feeling, and I would def. recommend therapy to keep up on your anxiety and keep it under control if you are wanting to go the non-med route.
Medication and therapy work wonders for a lot of people.
For me, I made the decision to stay med free and see the psychologist only. And that's what works best for ME.
I hope when you quit your ativan you did it under Dr's awareness. :) It's always very important to let them know what you are doing. :)
God Bless! Sounds like you are doing great to me!!! :)
There is a HUGE difference between Addiction and accidental Physical Dependence. And I had NO CLUE I was physically dependent on them. Took me years to figure that out.
Had to find out the hard way. But looking back, I've been through a lot with it, and I know I am much stronger b/c of those awful experiences.
I still can't deny I don't suffer from anxiety. I still do from time to time, but it's NOTHING like it used to be! NOTHING! I think the ativan was a bigger culprit with the anxiety b/c of tolerance and tolerance withdrawal.
Hang in there. How long have you been off of ativan?
Withdrawal symptosm can wax and wayne for a while. I was fine after 6 months. And it really wasnt that bad. I had my moments of days feeling cruddy, to weeks feeling great, then as time went on I just felt great all the time, and no anxiety or weird symptoms.
You can totally do it.
Now if I ever go through a bad anxiety spell, I just see a psychologist who does NOT prescribe meds, and he helps me get through it. it's great and highly recommended. It's just as effective if not better than anti-depressants or benzos, and there is no side effects or withdrawal when seeing a psychologist. :)
Hang in there. You are at the right forum for support. Always keep in check with your Dr. on how you are feeling, and I would def. recommend therapy to keep up on your anxiety and keep it under control if you are wanting to go the non-med route.
Medication and therapy work wonders for a lot of people.
For me, I made the decision to stay med free and see the psychologist only. And that's what works best for ME.
I hope when you quit your ativan you did it under Dr's awareness. :) It's always very important to let them know what you are doing. :)
God Bless! Sounds like you are doing great to me!!! :)
Hi, i think in some ways anxiety stems from a person who has tremendous abilities that are not being utilized or even realized. Its like built up energy that has no reason and is interpreted as something wrong.
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