ativan withdrawl/atarax

[chrisc111]

Hi
I was on ativan 1mg for 8 weeks, had some serious side effects so stopped it to fast tapered over 2 weeks, by supplementing with atarax ( vistaril) 2x,25 x 3 x p/day. Have now been off the ativan for 9 weeks and still take the atarax
My anxiety seems to have got worse over the past 2 weeks and i was wondering if the atarax is causing it.
I would like to discontinue atarax ( do i need to taper and could it cause me to have a wobbly ) given i am still having ativan withdrawal symptoms (tinnitus muscle twitching and bad anxiety)

Also is there any danger of slowing down my recovery from ativan if i took valerian and passion flower and st johns wort
I have heard that valerian and passion flower can make your symptoms worse.

Tanks

Chris

[chrisc111]

Hi thanks for the reply.

1.I have been off ativan for 9 weeks as i was allergic to it. my question really is if i take valerian will it ease the withdrawal symptoms or aggravate them.

2. If i ease of the atarax are my withdrawal symptoms off the ativan likely to worsen

I have been to 2 psychiatrist and 3 doctors and a homeopath who don't know, their answers have been mixed.
Two said i should go on antidepressants ( which i do not want to do) the others wanted to put me on a different benzo despite me telling them i was allergic. ( i definitely am as 2 years ago i was put on xanor ( also a benzo and had a allergic reaction)

Please see what you can find out as i cannot get an answer here.

Thanks

Chris

[RubyWitch]

Wish I could answer your questions with some degree of "authority," but I'm not a pharmacist and simply do not have the knowledge when it comes to multiple drug use and possible interactions. Also, please be very careful when adding in herbal suppliments. I've said it a hundred times but will keep on saying it........just because something is "natural" does NOT make it safe to take with some pharmaceuticals. I strongly urge you to speak with a pharmacist regarding these issues, but also bear in mind that a pharmacist cannot tell you to alter/change or stop any medication. Only your doctor can do that, but a pharmacist can arm you with the knowledge you need when discussing this with your doctor.
Very quickly I looked up in one of my nursing books about drug/herb interactions and this is what I found under lorazepam. (Ativan)

Black cohosh will INCREASE hypotension.
Catnip, chamomile, clary, cowslip, hops, kava, lavendar, mistletoe, nettle, pokeweed, poppy, Queen Anne's lace, senega, skullcap and VALERIAN will INCREASE CNS depression when taken with Ativan.

Please speak with a professional before you begin to "mix & match" your various meds. Better safe than sorry.
Peace
Greenlydia