Ativan user who wants to wean off

[[Dj...]]

Hi there! I started taking Ativan in late July of last year because I was having panic attacks. I would take .5-1 mg as needed and 1mg before bed. In the past couple months I've felt a lot better and am down to .5 before bed nightly. I started to wean a few weeks ago but was also very sick so decided to go back to .5 until my cold was gone. Since then I've felt nauseous, very drowsy and rundown. I think this is nh body withdrawing while I'm still on the benzo but I can't be sure.  Anyone out there experienced this? Also looking for a help making a taper plan appropriate for someone at my dose and duration. Very happy to be here, don't wanna do this alone!

[Guest [Le...]]

Hello, Djunabarnz25  - welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Congratulations on your decision to come off of Ativan, and good job tapering down so far already. The side effects are unpleasant but they are only temporary - you've definitely come to the right place for support while you plan a comfortable taper. 

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.

 

Please feel free to post your questions (from above) to any of the specialized boards, which can all be accessed from the BenzoBuddies Community Forum homepage. Based on the information provided in your introduction, the following link may be a good starting place for you.

 

  General Taper Plans

  Withdrawal Support During Your Taper

 

When you have a chance, we highly recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, which is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms with helpful explanations.

 

For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that. One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that. 

 

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

 

Again, welcome!

Leslie 

[[Dj...]]

Hi thanks so much for writing me back. I did post it to the general taper plans but haven't heard anything back yet. How temporary is temporary? I'll look forward to hearing more.

[Guest [Le...]]

Hi thanks so much for writing me back. I did post it to the general taper plans but haven't heard anything back yet. How temporary is temporary? I'll look forward to hearing more.

 

It's hard to say - we're all on crazy, random benzo schedules, but eventually the symptoms drop off one by one.

 

I'm still battling it out after seven months off Ativan - lots of stuff has improved, while new symptoms pop up occasionally. On the whole though, things are improving. They will for you too!" 

[[Dj...]]

That's a little bit longer than I've been on it. Would you mind sharing your dose, how you tapered, symptoms and timeline of all that? How long have you been off it?

[Guest [Le...]]

That's a little bit longer than I've been on it. Would you mind sharing your dose, how you tapered, symptoms and timeline of all that? How long have you been off it?

 

Sure, just click on my Extended Signature, below. I was on Ativan for around six years, ugh. 

[[pu...]]

Leslie Ash I can't find my replies to my posts today? Pushing 60

[[pi...]]

Leslie Ash I can't find my replies to my posts today? Pushing 60

 

Hi,

 

Go up to the top of the page on the left. Under your user name you'll see "New replies to your Posts".  Click on that. If you don't see that, you have most likely minimized the top of the forum page.  Go to the right side where you see Simple Machines Forum and click on the white arrow. This should restore everything.

 

pianogirl 

[[Dj...]]

 

Sure, just click on my Extended Signature, below. I was on Ativan for around six years, ugh. 

 

Hi again, can I ask you how small did you go down to? I have been told to do a 5-10% reduction every two weeks plan but I am only on.5mg. Can I go faster or does it not matter how small the dose you start on is?