Help tapering off ativan

[[Sk...]]

I am 33 years old. I have suffered with panic attack since I was 18 years old. I seemed to overcome them by age 20 and enjoyed a full and exciting life. However the past year my anxiety had returned and my doctor put me on .5 mg of Ativan to take as needed. I have been taking .5 mg one a day(at night) and it really seems to help. In the past, I have had a few nights that were worst and I would take 1 mg to easy the stress ( only once or twice have I done this). About two weeks ago I got the flu and I did not take my Ativan for two days. All seemed fine until that night. I started to have rapid heart beats, and shortness off breath unlike any panic attack I ever had, I was scared. I assumed it was the meds I was taking to treat the flu, however reading I learned that I may have been experiencing Ativan withdrawals. After hours of pacing and trying to get my thought together ( in the past I have learn several tricks to help with my anxiety) because I was afraid to take the Ativan because I was worried it would interact with the flu medication I was taking at the time, I have one of those things that you put on your finger to check your heart rate, when this first hit, my heart rate was 130 bps and that freaked me out which cause it to jump to 149 bps, I was scared ( I am a big big worrier btw, I tend to overthink and over analyze everything). After a couple of hours, I ended up calming myself down, and was  exhausted, which made it easy to fall asleep that night. I woke up the next morning better, but on the edge so I took my .5 Ativan. Within an hour I was fine and back to my old self. This was a wake up call for me, I want to get off this pill, but I am afraid of the withdraws, and I am not sure what is the best way to tapper off safely. I'm afraid I may reduce too quickly, and from what I read, it can be dangerous. That's my story, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

[[ma...]]

Hi Skeeter1984

 

Welcome to Benzobuddies!  You are making the right decision in coming off these drugs.  Benzodiazepines are meant for short term use, 2 or 3 weeks, that’s all it takes for the body to become dependent on them. Tapering slow will help to make symptoms manageable,  you will receive a lot of support and information here on withdrawing from benzodiazepines. 

 

The recommended withdrawal/tapering rate for those who have taken benzos for more than a short time,  is 5 to 10% reductions every 10-14 days.  I know some symptoms can be scary, remember they are temporary,  you will come through this and eventually recover. 

 

I would suggest you read the Ashton Manual it is an authoritative resource on benzo withdrawal and recovery, written by an expert in the field.  It explains how the benzos affect the body, and also lists symptoms.

 

“Professor Ashtons Manual”

 

Here is a link to information on tapering:

 

General Taper Plans 

 

Post here with any symptoms you might have

 

Withdrawal and Recovery 

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice this link will show you how to”Create a signature”

 

Welcome  aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[Sk...]]

Thank you for the reply, I have read though these links and I find them very helpful, reading some of the success stories has really given me hope and ease of coming off these pills. I am starting my 10% cut next week and go from there, thank you for the support.

[[Bu...]]

I am 33 years old. I have suffered with panic attack since I was 18 years old. I seemed to overcome them by age 20 and enjoyed a full and exciting life. However the past year my anxiety had returned and my doctor put me on .5 mg of Ativan to take as needed. I have been taking .5 mg one a day(at night) and it really seems to help. In the past, I have had a few nights that were worst and I would take 1 mg to easy the stress ( only once or twice have I done this). About two weeks ago I got the flu and I did not take my Ativan for two days. All seemed fine until that night. I started to have rapid heart beats, and shortness off breath unlike any panic attack I ever had, I was scared. I assumed it was the meds I was taking to treat the flu, however reading I learned that I may have been experiencing Ativan withdrawals. After hours of pacing and trying to get my thought together ( in the past I have learn several tricks to help with my anxiety) because I was afraid to take the Ativan because I was worried it would interact with the flu medication I was taking at the time, I have one of those things that you put on your finger to check your heart rate, when this first hit, my heart rate was 130 bps and that freaked me out which cause it to jump to 149 bps, I was scared ( I am a big big worrier btw, I tend to overthink and over analyze everything). After a couple of hours, I ended up calming myself down, and was  exhausted, which made it easy to fall asleep that night. I woke up the next morning better, but on the edge so I took my .5 Ativan. Within an hour I was fine and back to my old self. This was a wake up call for me, I want to get off this pill, but I am afraid of the withdraws, and I am not sure what is the best way to tapper off safely. I'm afraid I may reduce too quickly, and from what I read, it can be dangerous. That's my story, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

 

Hello Skeeter,

 

Welcome to BB. The good news is the length of time you have been on Ativan is relatively short. The great news is your decision to get off of it! 

 

Quick thoughts:

You learned what missing a dose for two days was like, taper slowly and you will be fine.

Updosing randomly is not good.

Ativan half-life is 10-20 hours, you may notice inter-dose withdrawal issues if you haven't already.

You learned when your heart rate spikes it won't kill you, like exercise... it may happen again during taper, but I doubt it...

 

I would:

Really learn to accept life, quit worrying, what will be will be, God has it all under control, you are going through the boot camp of life, embrace the suck! That's how we learn and grow.

Crossover to Valium at 7mg a night for one week, then go down to 5mg after that for 2 weeks.

Then start a liquid daily taper of 1% every other day, til finished about 3 or 4 months.

Get a few good supplements around in case it is needed during taper, Theanine is my fave, perhaps some Kava tea as needed.

Start taking vitamins, D3K2, B complex, Omega3, magnesium...

Get on a good exercise regimen, learn to deep belly breathe, meditate and pray nightly.

Quit worrying about this benzo thingy, you have not been on them that long and will be fine in time, go slow, look forward. Don't read all of the horror stories here at BB or anywhere, most people do just fine.

Stop worrying about what other people think or say or what will happen. It all works out, quit caring so much about small stuff. (Hint, its all small stuff...) 

 

Best regards,

 

Wilson 

 

[[Sk...]]

The interdose withdrawals have kicked in this week with more stress from work, my doctor has me starting my taper this Monday. He said picking a date and sticking with the schedule seem to be very successful. You are 💯 percent correct, over worrying will get you nowhere. This past few weeks on this site has been very  informative  and helpful, and I am bless to have found it. God bless you all. I will overcome this, and I will make other aware of what these terrible drugs can do to your brain.