Tapering Ativan Suggestion

[[ke...]]

I’ve seen some posts on this subject so I thought I would share how I did it.  I’ve been benzo free for almost two years. I used theMcMaster University's suggestion: "Taper according to the proportional dose remaining: Taper by 10% of the dose every 1–2 weeks until the dose is at 20% of the original dose; then taper by 5% every 2–4 weeks."

 

I was on 1 mg ativan, and cut the pill in half. I took the .5 for two weeks (you can take longer if needed) and then got an oral suspension.  I took .4 for a few weeks, then .3, then .2, until I was done.  This took about three months.

 

I used a syringe and took my dose every night, right from the syringe, at supper time. (It tastes fine.)  The trick with any withdrawal plan is not to reduce your dose until the side effects from the last reduction has dissipated somewhat.

 

I also took omega three caps, which work wonders for any side effects.

 

Good luck.

[[ga...]]

Thanks for the great info!!  What dose and brand of Omega 3 did you take?  I'm assuming this is fish oil? 

 

Please check my thread "DESPERATE: How to taper Ativan & Ambien" as I responded to your note with a couple of other questions.  Thanks again for taking the time to come back on the board to share your experience of two years ago!

[[ke...]]

Hi Gardenlady--my pleasure.  I was in your shoes once, and man I can relate.

 

I can’t recall the brand of Omega 3, but it’s important to have the appropriate level of DHA and EPA.  Mine has 800 EPA and 400 DHA per daily dose.

 

"Many doctors often recommend 1000 to 1200 mg of fish oil because that amount of fish oil contains the total amount of omega-3s the doctor wants you to consume. One thousand or 1200 mg of fish oil doesn’t equal 1000 or 1200 mg of omega-3s. A standard 1000 mg fish oil softgel provides around 300 mg of omega-3s (and even less of the important EPA and DHA), and so in order to meet the 500 mg EPA and DHA recommendation, a minimum of two softgels would be necessary. Make sure to read the “Supplement Facts” label to determine the amount of EPA and DHA in a fish oil supplement.” From //www.naturemade.com/resource-center/articles-and-videos/heart-health/how-much-fish-oil-consider-the-benefits-of-omega-3s#YkMtARwBEgogZyUC.99

 

[[Le...]]

Faith, how were your symptoms?  was it smooth?  difficult?

[[Ph...]]

Quoting Faith:

 

<<"Taper according to the proportional dose remaining: Taper by 10% of the dose every 1–2 weeks until the dose is at 20% of the original dose; then taper by 5% every 2–4 weeks.">>

 

Great post, Faith.  This one sentence addresses 90% of the tapering situations in this forum.  Simple as that.  Even a doctor can understand it!!