My Experience so Far with Ativan to Diazepam Crossover

[[Ch...]]

I would like to give a little info on myself before getting into why I was put on Lorazepam.  I had a heart attack in July of 16.  Certainly wasn't expected.  I exercised and stayed busy but probably didn't eat right.  I'm only 46 years old.  Had 2 stents put in and felt great after about 2 weeks.  Cardiologist put me on 7 different meds including Atenolol (Beta Blocker).  This drug didn't work for me after about 1 month of being on it.  Starting having insomnia and anxiety.  Went to my PCP and Cardiologist and both said it wasn't the Atenolol.  After doing research online I knew it was my problem.  Works for some and doesn't for others.  Little did I know this was supposed to be tapered down.  Doc told me to quit it cold turkey.  Within 2 days I was having Panic Attacks and Anxiety through the roof.  PCP(Primary Care Physican) put me on Lorazepam to help with the withdrawals from the Atenolol.  Within 4 months I was up to 4 mg a day and still having anxiety.  My PCP didn't let me know the addiction factor that can be involved with Benzos.  She just kept giving me more.  Very scary and considered up dosing.  After research on this site I was able to find the Ashton Method of getting off Ativan.  I was desperate but my PCP would not prescribed the Diazepam I was wanting to use to taper the Lorazepam. 

 

I finally found a psychiatrist that had experience with these meds.  I started my taper 2 weeks ago trying to use the Ashton Method. 

 

I have come down from 4 to 2.5 mg in 2 weeks.  Been uncomfortable most of the time with inter-dose withdrawals.  Had some really bad days and some decent manageable days.  Feel really weird most of the time.  Dizzy and no appetite at all.  Since starting Lorazepam (which never really helped) I have lost 35 lbs.

 

My problem is I don't think the Diazepam has had time to build up in my system enough to handle the crossover with minimal effects.  I have been replacing .5mg of Lorazepam with 5mg of Diazepam.

 

How long does it take for Diazepam to help with inter-dose withdrawals?  I absolutely hate Lorazepam and can't wait to get off of it.  I'll want to end up at about 30mg of Diazepam once finished with my taper. 

 

Any advice would be very much appreciated.

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  I'm sorry you've gone through all this, and it sounds like you may be tapering too fast.  Slowing down the taper might help you with your symptoms.

 

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!

 

 

 

[[Ch...]]

Thanks for your advice and experience.

 

My problem has been that I have had just a horrible experience while on Lorazepam.  I was in withdrawals most of the time I was on it.  I never did get stable before starting my taper.

 

If I can handle it I will try to stick to the Ashton Method.  I want off these as soon as possible.  Almost half way there.  I realize that some people can taper quicker than others.  I believe I might be somewhere in between.

 

How long does it take for the diazepam to really kick in and help with the withdrawals?  I've been on it for a little over 2 weeks.

[[Ge...]]

I was not interdose withdrawl free until I was done with my crossover, which I did over a period of 2 months.

[[Ch...]]

Thanks for your reply.  According to the Ashton Method you can reduce every 2 to 3 days or every week (7 days).

 

I had cut .25 mg the first week and I felt it after about 2 days.  Symptoms progressively got worse over coming days.  After day 7 I felt worse than I did after the initial withdrawal and it didn't seem to be getting better.

 

That prompted me to get more aggressive with my taper.  My thoughts are that my body really doesn't iike Lorazepam.  I have felt that way for about 3/4 of the 4 months I've taking it.

 

I believe the 10 to 14 days are to get past the acute symptoms.  But, if I'm cutting during that period I feel better.

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks

[[Ge...]]

I have given up trying to find rhyme or reason to why some cuts or series of cuts are easy and some are hard.  And why some days/weeks/months are good and some or bad.. there is really no pattern for me.  Everyone is different..consider the counsel of others, but only you know how you feel.

[[Ch...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  I'm sorry you've gone through all this, and it sounds like you may be tapering too fast.  Slowing down the taper might help you with your symptoms.

 

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!

 

 

Megan,

 

I appreciate your advice and I've been in a lot of ups and downs since I started my taper.  You responded to me last night about my timeline of tapering.

 

When you say 5-10% every 10-14 days are you talking about the Lorazepam or the Diazepam?

 

If I were to hold at where I'm at now.  20mg of V and 2.5 of Lorazepam for 10 to 14 days will I settle down and feel a little more normal?

[[Ch...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  I'm sorry you've gone through all this, and it sounds like you may be tapering too fast.  Slowing down the taper might help you with your symptoms.

 

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!

 

 

Megan,

 

I you read my earlier post you will see that I cut my Lorazepam too fast.  Cut 1.5 mg in about 2 weeks.  We'll it's been 14 days since my last cut which was .5mg.  I am still feeling bad with a lot of stomach pains.  I had some time yesterday where I felt ok and into the evening and my stomach didn't hurt too bad yesterday.

 

Right now I'm at 2.5mg of Lorazepam and 25mg of Valium.  Any advice?  I've been taking the Diazepam for about 4 weeks now.  Increasing with each cut.

[[Ch...]]

I had been steady cutting my Lorazepam doing the crossover to Diazepam.  Was getting tougher with each cut.  I could not stabilize on it no matter how long I held.  Seemed to be that way from the beginning of taking it.  I guess my body always wanted more.

 

Just steady cutting the Lorazepam slowly wasn't going to work for me.  I believe the Valium was working but the my body just couldn't handle the Lorazepam.

 

I was at 1.75mg of Lorazepam (Started tapering at 4mg) and 27.5mg of Diazepam and dropped the Lorazepam and went straight to 40mg of Diazepam on 5/10/17.  This was under the recommendation of my Psychiatrist.  Felt extreme relief the first few days then got hit with withdrawals.  Then started to question my decision to drop so much at one time.

 

Have had a rough couple of weeks.  Mainly stomach pains and fatigue.  Stomach pains have went away but the fatigue and anxiety has been rough.  I slept last night for about 6 hours.  The most I've slept in about 6 months.  I will feel ok for about 1/2 a day then the next day be eat up with anxiety.  No appetite but have had some decent meals in the evening.  Still trying to figure out what to eat and what not to eat. 

 

I've been trying to do a really bland diet.   

 

I know it's not recommended to do what I just did but I just couldn't take another ounce of Lorazepam.  I knew it was making me worse and I had all of it I could take.

 

I had spoken with a fellow Benzo Buddie and they did the same thing with 1.5mg of L and switched to 15mg of Diazepam.  They hadn't been on it but 3-1/2 months and didn't have too many problems after about a week.

 

I'm hoping to level out here soon.  Some days I feel better than others but I think it was worth it at this point. 

 

I definitely don't recommend doing such a large drop without consent from a Benzo wise Doc.

 

Has anyone else done what I have done?  If so, please give me your experience.