Should I not take Ativan for anxiety and Ambien for Sleeping?

[detoxmom]

I am on day 5 norco free.  I have been taking ativan (1mg) twice a day for the anxiety and Ambien for sleep.  I have four kids and work.  Any advice on how to overcome the two issues?

[detoxmom]

So I went to the vitamin store and got guava tea for anxiety and methalyn? tablets for sleep.  I do not take ativan just had them leftover from fear of flying a couple of years ago.  When someone mentioned the word w/d again I stopped the ativan.  These last five days have been some of the hardest and longest days of my entire life.  I have my support group meeting tomorrow night at church and that seems to help.  The ambien works great! I am going to try the other (natural) stuff tonight wish me zzzzzzzzz.
xxxooo thank you everyone for your support no rainbow yet but i am starting to believe I will someday see it again.  mom

[ranger11]

Ambien is what i used so i could get some sleep. Stuff works pretty good.

[sudie58]

well done on your 5 days, i think you do need some help with the ativan and ambien, both are hard to get off the longer your on them, can you see a dr, or drug advisor about this?, they both need different ways to come off of, ativan is a short acting benzo, and ive heard ambien is hard work, i am sure more experienced people will advise you also, but tapering is the usual way to get off, best wishes, sorry not to be more help,  sudie

[Silleestarfish]

I wish I had an easy answer. Insomnia has been really tough for me and I even made an appt with a psych to get prescription for ambien. I ended up cancelling it as I just didn't want to take any more pills right now, but I do know that others have used medications to ease the anxiety/sleeplessness and it has worked for them. I just keep telling myself that in the grand scheme of life, this will only be a blip on the radar screen and my insominia has improved, little by little each day. I was able to sleep 6.5 hrs last night which the most I've been able to get so far. My anxiety is 100% gone at this point. I know other members will answer your question with their opinions. Congrats on your accomplishment:)

Stephanie

[ANewLife4Me]

Hi,
Have you been taking the two just during your detox, or have you been using them for some time as well?  If just during the detox, I'd say drop them fast.  You don't want to get addicted to something else when you just got Norco free - congrats on 5 days by the way!
If you've been taking them for some time now, I am pretty sure you have to taper off the ativan, and I'm not sure on the ambien, I can't really give advice on that, so hopefully somebody else can come along and help you on that.  Keep up the good work!