Hello, New here and need advice

[[He...]]

Hi,

 

My name is Henry. I am 38 years old and have been on Ativan for almost 7 years. I suffer from generalized anxiety. I never had a problem with depression until the last year. It's been progressively getting worse but not to the point that I think I need an antidepressant.  I took paxil for about a year and it made me feel worse so I got of that and have just taken the ativan. I started seeing my new psychologist about 2 mths ago and he thinks it's time I get off the ativan. He says that's what is probably making me depressed and it's not doing anything anymore for my anxiety.  I take 4-5 mgs a day and have been at that dose for several years. How fast can I get off these safely? I was told if I go off too fast I can have seizures??? I'm really nervous about this. My wife is happy though because she thinks it's the pills causing me to feel so BLAH.

 

Thanks

Henry

[[be...]]

Hi Henry2253 Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am so glad you found us. Your new doctor might be right about the Ativan. I had the same symptoms while on it as well. You have been on it a long time and on a high dose. The recommended reduction is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. You can always adjust it from there. In my opinion the risk of seizure from a careful taper is low.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms,.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

[[De...]]

Hello Henry,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too 

 

I'm sorry to hear about the depression but I can tell you that I had dreadful bouts of depression during my latter years of benzo use which I now know can be attributed to long term benzo use, benzos can and do contribute to depression issues along with many other undesirable side effects.

 

Benzoscruel has given you the recommended guidelines for tapering, the slow, careful taper is advised to ensure that the withdrawal effects are kept to a minimum. I can tell you that I haven't come across any cases of seizure in members who are tapering slowly and carefully. Seizure is mainly a risk for members who cold turkey from high doses.

 

I will give you a link to The General Taper Plan Board where you can post for assistance with a taper plan when you feel ready to begin tapering :

 

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=56.0

 

 

Can I also invite you to create a Signature line ( history of use & taper) this will enable other members to see, at a glance, what meds you are taking and where you are up to with your taper should you need any advice on the journey. To do this click on "Profile" in the forum menu bar. Under "Modify Profile" from the left side menu, click on "forum profile information. Then scroll down almost to the bottom of the page and type in your information in the signature box. Make sure you click "change profile" at the bottom right.

 

I'm glad you found us and I wish you success with the taper.

 

Debbie

[[ea...]]

Hi Henry

Without doubt, doing a slow taper is the best and safest way to get off a benzo. Please do not be tempted to go "cold turkey" - its unsafe and might lead to a worse withdrawal. Many people taper and have minimal symptoms.

  Your wife is probably right, that the Ativan is making you "blah." Lorazepam is a strong benzodiazepine, and all benzos can cause depression, memory loss, loss of balance, and many other weird symptoms. They are quite addictive.

And you are taking a high dose, which is all the more reason to slowly taper off.

Start reading here, and posting, and you will find the support and information you need to do this in the safest way possible. I wish you all the luck in this, and Im sure you will do just fine.

east

[[He...]]

Thank you for all the kind replies. I will create a signature once I start the taper. I haven't changed anything yet. Thanks for the links too they were very helpful. I am nervous about stopping. I don't have anxiety anymore so I'm scared that once I stop the ativan that'll come back with a vengeance. I don't know if I'd rather be depressed or anxious. At any rate, I have to get in to see my reg doc and get a new prescription before I can start.

 

Thanks again.

[[De...]]

Hi again Henry,

 

Thank you for the update.

 

Please try not to worry about the taper in advance. I'm sure that if you take it nice and slowly, within the guidelines that you've been given, you'll fare very well and the anxiety should remain quite manageable. I feel much less anxious now that I'm free from benzos and I'm sure that this will be the case for you also.

 

Good luuck with the taper!

 

Debbie