Blessing to curse?

[[Me...]]

Almost 10 years ago I started taking lorazepam to combat symptoms that were diagnosed as anxiety: dizzy spells, nausea, and horrible tingling waves in my chest. It was like a magic pill! I immediately felt normal after the first dose of .5 mg. I eventually developed a tolerance and now take 1 mg twice a day. Again I'm looking at a tolerance situation and am learning how difficult it is to get off this medication. It feels like I'm facing a choice of either being on increasing doses my whole life (which I doubt my doctor would allow), or experiencing misery while/after tapering the dosage.

 

This week, before I did much research, I decided to try to taper off, and I did it way too quickly -- was down to just over half my usual dose after two days. After a night spent awake and miserable (with nausea and those lovely chest tingles again) I got back on my usual dose and am now waiting to get an appointment with my doctor to discuss next steps. Really don't want to go through miserable withdrawal and/or be back the way I was feeling before I started taking it. Seems like a no-win situation. I'm frustrated and scared.

[[ma...]]

Hello MeAndLorenzo   Welcome to BenzoBuddies!. 

 

Your going to be okay, none of us wants to go through withdrawal. I was 26 years on benzo’s I reached tolerance level.  I had 2 options, take more to achieve the same effect, or taper off, I chose the latter….best decision I ever made.  You can do this, withdrawal can be tough but remember you will recover from this….it really does get better!

 

The best way to minimize withdrawal symptoms is a slow and careful taper.  It gives your central nervous system time to adjust to each reduction.  It is suggested to taper no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days.  This can be adjusted based on how you feel.

 

We have a great bunch of people here at BB, we'll be here to support you in your journey to become benzo free.  Our members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, and will share their experiences with you.

 

I would suggest that you read the Ashton Manual, an excellent resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw. You could copy a few pertinent pages and take them with you to show your doctor .

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

 

Withdrawal Support

 

General Taper Plans

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice this link will show you how to ”Create a signature”

 

Welcome aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[Me...]]

Thank you for the kind welcome! In addition to the withdrawal symptoms I'm wondering how to control the original symptoms while/after withdrawing. From what I've read it's sometimes impossible to distinguish whether one's experiencing withdrawal or a resurgence of symptoms, which can be identical. That's been the case with me so far.

 

Tricky business, this! Glad to have found the forum.