New to the forum...

[[jo...]]

Hello,

 

I am joining because I am tapering off of Ativan. I was prescribed Ativan for anxiety relating to a trauma due to the loss of a loved one. Within 3 weeks I began to try to stop taking it, but I was having horrible reactions a day or two after (panic attacks, rapid heart rate, heart palpitations, stomach cramps). I am now on a diazepam taper and have tapered to 4mg a day. I still have some withdrawal symptoms and that is the reason I wanted to join.... for the support. I have been to the doctor and cardiologist and all agree I was very sensitive to the Ativan and no other health issues can be detected.

 

Thanks.

[[be...]]

 

Hi jogger1  Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am happy you found us. I am sorry about your loss. This has to be a really rough time for you.This is a great place for resources and support. Unfortunately it does not take long to develop a dependency to benzodiazepines.

 

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

 

[[jo...]]

Great, thanks for the reply. I am doing my taper per the Ashton Manual's suggestions. My primary care doctor doesn't really know a lot about benzo taper and withdrawal so its pretty much been up to me to do the research and get on the right program.

 

Most of the symptoms described previously have gone away, but as I have lowered my dose I do notice a new ringing in my ears and now tightness in my chest, which has lasted about a week. I have had an ekg, 24 hour heart monitor and all of the blood work done, came back totally normal.... so I guess its just part of the game and I gotta get through it. Not to bad considering all of the horrible symptoms I was having. Thanks again.

[[be...]]

Am I right, that it has only been three weeks since you have been on them. The Ashton method of 5 to 10 percent reduction very two weeks is meant for long term use. What reduction rate are you using and can you confirm the length of your use in day. Thanks.

[[jo...]]

Sure, I have been using the Ashton Manual as a basic guide since there isn't really a program for short term use on it. It was 3 weeks into Ativan that I first tried to get off, but 6 weeks total of use before I put it together that I was suffering from w/d.

 

I then went to my doctor and she suggested a diazepam taper. I stabilized on 5mg of diazepam... it took about a week to start feeling normal and then I went an additional week taking 2.5mg in the morning and then 2.5mg at night. I dropped 20% the following week by taking 4mg a day (2 in the morning and 2 at night). I was feeling so well that I decided to have some drinks over a few nights and it was a huge mistake... w/d came back pretty bad, so I am now prolonging my 4mg a day until I feel stabilized again. I can already feel an improvement since the few nights of drinking. Big learning experience. I am going to abstain from drinking for some time, even after my taper is over.

 

So, once I stabilize my plan is to drop to .5mg every 5-10 days depending on how my body feels. I don't want to push it too fast, but I want to be off as soon as possible. I have a follow up appointment next week to go over my plan with my gp. Any advice on a better taper program would be very helpful as I said before I'm pretty much doing this on my own. Thanks again.

[[be...]]

I am glad you are seeing you doctor. Not everyone reads the introduction board so you may want to post on the following board.

 

 

General Taper Plans

 

 

 

 

 

[[be...]]

Also....I can't tell you the number of posts I have read during my time w BB where a member has had a negative experience as a result of drinking alcohol during a taper or post withdrawal.  Fair warning....