Hello everyone

[[ga...]]

Hi There

i am here for my husband. I'm not letting him go in these forums because i think its too frightening for him right now. so get the info for him, and share whatever I find encouraging. I am from Israel, so excuse my English (-:

 

My husband started having panic attacks after having H-Pylori (which seems to cause stress and depression), and then also depression. he is on 1 mg Ativan for 4 month , plus 20 mg Oxalate for depression. he tried 2 times to stop the Ativan, but not successfully, probably because it was too fast (the doctor said to take 3/4 for 3 days, then half for 3 days, 1/4 for 3 days and then thats it. 2 days later he got withdrawal symptoms which came as a total surprise for us. then the doctor said he should increase his dose to 2 mg daily. at this point we understood it is not the answer. he got back to 1 mg and two weeks later we decided to start a slow and save withdrawal.

i know his dose is considered small, and the period he is on it is rather short, but still he is very stressed about it because of his previous experience and the videos he watched on YouTube.

nevertheless he is very determined to do it.

[[be...]]

Hi  Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am glad you found us today. Actually one mg is not that low. That would be the equivalent to 10 mg of Ativan. The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. A gradual taper really is the best way to try to minimize symptoms. The taper plan his doctor had him on would be considered a rapid taper, and symptoms can be pretty rough if stopped suddenly or too quickly.

 

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. 

 

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.

 

General Taper Plans

Withdrawal Support During Your Taper

 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where your husband is in the process so they can better support both of you.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

[[Bu...]]

 

 

Hi Galgal,

 

Welcome to the forum. How nice of you to do this for your husband; giving him support and understanding with what he's going through is probably the best thing that you can do for him right now.

 

Yes it is a good decision to get away from benzos while it is still relatively early. As you probably know tapering slow is better than too fast. It is recommended to taper no more than 5-10% every two weeks. I believe that the doctors taper was too fast thus the unnecessary withdrawal side effects.

 

Because of the relatively short amount of time that he has been on the Ativan I think that he would be okay tapering at 10% every two weeks. But he should listen to his body if sxs are too severe he can hold at any level for a week or so longer before the next cut.

 

If cutting of the pills becomes too difficult, you can look into making a liquid solution to get the cuts exact, this is not that difficult and works well in getting the proper dose.

 

Also look in to other remedies to ease the anxiety to replace the Ativan; things like Theanine, Bacopa Monneiri, even Kava Kava can be very helpful. Good vitamin supplementation is also good in fighting sxs and depression especially B's, D3K2 and Omega3. General things like eating well, lots of water, daily exercise, deep belly breathing, meditation and prayer will also go along way in supporting him throughout this taper and healing.

 

Good luck, keep us posted.. and BTW, your English is quite good.

 

Wilson

[[Bu...]]

That would be the equivalent to 10 mg of Ativan.

 

Hi BRC,

 

I think you meant 10mg of Valium...

 

Peace,

 

 

Wilson

[[Be...]]

galgal,

 

Since your husband got off to a rocky start, please make sure that you do not taper too quickly. Heed severity of symptoms as an indication to hold until there is tolerability. Good luck to the both of you. Glad you are here.

 

Bennie