New to BenzoBuddies

[[Iw...]]

I'm joining BenzoBuddies because I will be taking myself off of Ambien CR soon but I am not sure how to proceed.

Ambien CR 6.25 mg, Ativan 0.5 mg

Ambien CR - 2 months and 1 week (approx), Ativan - I took it for 5 weeks and quit two weeks ago with a quick taper.

My doctor and sleep doctor told me I can cut the Ambien CR in half to taper, but i have bad anxiety and just thinking about quitting gives me horrible anxiety.

 

EDIT:

 

Also I still have around 30 Ativan 0.5mg pills left if I need to use them to help get off of the Ambien CR

 

My main Question is how will I taper off of the Ambien CR, my anxiety is terrible even when I merely think about quitting...can I safely cut the Ambien CR pills in halves, quarters?

 

Thank you for any advice you can give me!

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  Ambien is a z-drug, they are similar to benzos in many ways, and tapering should be done the same way as benzos.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  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.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual 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 in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

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!

 

 

 

[[no...]]

Don't take any more Ativan! Slow your taper down on the Ambien, if you aren't having WD symptoms while just being on your normal dose of ambien, then the Ativan is adding rocket fuel to a small fire. Taper your ambien slow. Half cuts are way too large. You can do this comfortably. 10% reduction at the most in the first few cuts. Wait atleast a week and make sure you are comfy on your current dose before cutting. I would not stick to a strict schedule, listen to your body. But try not to be hyper aware, you can almost manifest symptoms when there are none of you believe it enough. Take it as it comes and try and go about your daily routine. Keep reaching out. Stay away from horror stories. Don't make any expectations from the experiences of others. Each person has a unique experience. Truly individual. I had terrible anxiety and insomnia my whole life, and benzos only made it worse. Though I am grateful for the experience with benzos because it forced me to break boundaries based on fear and learn coping techniques to handle both anxiety and sleep. I completely changed relationship with sleep.

[[4G...]]

Hiya. I totally agree with Nostalgiapathy. Do not increase your Ativan. That would be a decision you would live to regret. You may just be in the margins to stop the Ativan completely now. Keep on the Ambien and see how coming straight off Ativan feels. You may or may not be dependent, but try coming off completely. If the symptoms are bad, you may be stuck on 0.5mg Ativan for now. But you can taper that.

 

Whatever you do, do not take any extra Ativan. It is not your friend !