New here - recently started a benzo taper

[[OK...]]

Hi, just short I was put on ativan 6 years ago for anxiety. I was 18 at the time and just agreed to whatever to help me out of severe depersonalization and years of panic attacks. Within that first week, I felt like a new person. Started going to college again, driving, no panic attacks. Thought it was a miracle drug. As years went by, the drs just kept prescribing so I kept taking as directed. It wasn't until just recently I found out how dangerous they are.. my husband and I moved because of the military and immediately after seeing my new dr, I was told to get off. He wanted to drop me from 3mg to 2mg. 1mg per month. I wasn't having it so I began my own taper of .25 every 3 weeks. I was doing great until I had to go back and was at around 2&1/2 progress and was told to immediately drop the 1/2 to 2mg a day. This causes severe withdrawal. My anxiety got worse, my depression, I wasn't sleeping or driving.. I was housebound and convinced I was having a heart attack. Had no idea what was happening to me. During this time, my provider got changed without warning and I began seeing someone new. She told me to go back up to the 3mg and I just agreed thinking it would solve all my problems.. wrong. It made me worse. She then expected me to immediately start tapering again.. I was unable to do so as my heart rate was out of control and I was ending up in the ER with an ekg every week. From this point, she old me I had to get off so switched me over to valium overnight.. completely cut me off from Ativan and only gave me 8mg valium a day. Doesn't seem anywhere near right. After the first night I didn't sleep, I was profusely sweating, and couldn't sit still. I called into the office and she told me I was making it up. So I went to the ER where I was sitting in the room and my heart rate jumped to 185.. another ekg later I was given hydroxyzine 25mg to take as needed and to see my dr immediately. I went to the dr the next day and she told me she's coming the taper and that I need to stop making up my symptoms. From that point, I lost all withdrawal symptoms and evened out pretty well to the point my only complaint is some jitters here and there. Now, I'm told I have to drop to )mg by this Wednesday. I'm freaking out and terrified of getting bad withdrawals from these two big jumps. I can't switch drs because of how the military insurance works.. in total the plan is around 5 months. It's as follows

 

Week 1: 8 mg a day -- 2mg tab every 6 hours

Week 2: 6 mg a day -- 2 mg tab every 8 hours

Week 3: 5 mg a day -- 5 mg tab taken in half per 12 hours

Week 4-7: 4 mg a day -- 2 mg tab taken half per 12 hours

Week 8-11: 3 mg a day

Week 12-15: 2 mg a day

Week 16-18: 1 mg a day

Stop Valium

 

Someone please help me, is this safe?? I don't want to die

[[pi...]]

Hello OK121222,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!  I am so sorry you are finding yourself in this position, sadly, this is very common. Most doctors don't really understand benzodiazepine withdrawal and how some people have difficulty with the process. They form their opinions based on those that can withdraw with few issues.  There is however, a group of people who don't fit this description.  That's what we are here for. We understand what you are going through and will help and support you.

 

So many thing have gone wrong with your taper, the speed, the direct switch to valium.... But, we'll give you some good information to help you move forward towards benzo freedom.

 

The plan proposed by your new doctor is just too fast.  A slow taper is recommended to help minimize withdrawal symptoms. A reduction of no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days is suggested. I'll give you a link to the General Taper Plans for additional information.

 

I'll also give you a link to the Ashton Manual. It is an excellent resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field.  You might consider printing off the pertinent pages and taking it your doctor.  I did this and my doctor was receptive to the plan. I will warn you that some doctors dismiss or disregard this plan but it's worth a try.

 

Your doctor is very mean and certainly not understanding at all about how you feel.  She is not doing her job by telling you that you are faking your symptoms. The one good thing about her plan is that it seems you will be allowed to stabilize once you reach the 8 week mark. 

 

You won't die and what you feel is temporary.  We are here for you so please do ask questions.

 

General Taper Plans   

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

 

 

[[OK...]]

I got a new dr!!!! It just happened about an hour ago and he wants to work with me the right way. I couldn't be more happy or relieved. I'm going to print out all the information you gave me and I see him tomorrow. I really hope this turns out good, he personally called me to welcome me to his team and gave me his personal cell and email for anything I need.

[[Lo...]]

I got a new dr!!!! It just happened about an hour ago and he wants to work with me the right way. I couldn't be more happy or relieved. I'm going to print out all the information you gave me and I see him tomorrow. I really hope this turns out good, he personally called me to welcome me to his team and gave me his personal cell and email for anything I need.

 

I am so happy for you!! There are doctors who are calm and knowledgeable about this and can help, and they don't panic at the first sign of trouble.

 

What I've found out is that, the more confident the doctor, the better off you are. If a doctor gives you a "glazed" look or a fake laugh or panics too much when you mention tapering, it usually is a sign that tapering people off meds is not their area of expertise.

[[OK...]]

Good to know! I emailed the office and he specifically reached out and said he'd take this on. He just graduated about 2 years ago, so new and young. They replied with this:

 

I have been assured that this dr will do his best to handle it according to your needs. I have prefaced him on your situation, and he is prepared to treat your needs. He will discuss in detail with you further at your visit tomorrow. I did forewarn him that you are working on the taper, and your concerns with doing so. He understands, but prefers to speak more directly with you, so that nothing is lost in communiction. Please let me know if after your appointment tomorrow you have any concerns or feel that you did not have all of your questions answered.

 

Seems positive, right?

[[Lo...]]

It sounds very encouraging.

 

[[OK...]]

Ah, Ok good! Wish me luck tomorrow. I'll keep everyone posted