Hello all

[[De...]]

Hi everyone.  I am joining this forum to get some advice and support, especially about whether I should continue taking Ativan or stop right where I am.  I have struggled with severe health anxiety for almost three years.  Right now I have a prescription for Ativan 0.5 mg but I am really afraid of Benzos and have just taken it about 20 times, spread out over the past six months.  It seemed like my anxiety was improving a lot over the past year with different types of therapy I've tried, etc., but it's still bad.

 

The past month has been *really* bad and I feel so discouraged and sad.  (And desperately anxious)  Before Saturday, I hadn't taken Ativan for a long time -- I took it while I was flying like 6 weeks ago maybe -- but on Saturday I had a terrible attack of dizziness and took Ativan then.  I am tempted to start taking it more often because I want so badly to feel better and feel "like myself again" after 3 years of this.  I'm planning to read in the forum a lot and try to figure out whether people here overall were helped by Benzos but now are having a pain of a time getting off of them, or if people here overall just wish they had never taken them, etc.  So that I can make an informed decision about whether to keep taking Ativan or how to deal with this question.  I also will be looking at the resources you all have found for coping with anxiety without medications, too.  Sometimes I wonder if anyone ever gets better from intense health anxiety.  It has its own built-in cycle because the anxiety causes symptoms, the symptoms cause anxiety.  I know all anxiety is awful, not just health anxiety.  I wish you all really well in your healing journey.

[[ma...]]

Hi  Denali Welcome to benzobuddies

 

You will find plenty of information here.  Benzodiazepines should only be used short term, (2 or 3 weeks) it doesn’t take long for  the body to become dependant.  Sporadic use can lead to dependency.  Some of our members deal with GAD and anxiety, they have found that benzos used long term actually create more anxiety. 

 

I would suggest you think careful about staying on a medication like this.  If you do decide to taper, benzos should be tapered slowly. We usually recommend to those that have been taking a rather erratic dose to stabilise at a set daily dose with which they feel reasonably comfortable, before starting their taper .

 

A very good resource about these medications is the Ashton Manual, written by an expert in the field.    The rule of thumb is to taper slowly by making cuts of between 5-10% every 10-14 days. You can alter the schedule, whatever feels comfortable. 

 

Please feel free to check out the forum and post to any of the dedicated boards, you'll find a great community of people who are here to support and encourage you.

 

Here are a few links you might want to check out:

 

Professor Ashtons Manual

 

General Taper Plans

 

Withdrawal Support 

 

Anxiety     

 

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

 

Please let us know If you have any questions.

 

Welcome Aboard

 

Magrita