How long between doses for Ativan taper?

[[Ar...]]

Do I have to take a dose every single day? Or can I only take a dose when I start to feel too crappy and keep going that way? I ask this because I am starting to notice that I can go through the day without taking a dose only really needing it at night when the jerking awake thing as I fall asleep happens. I really want this poison out of my system bad. But, I don't want to end up with heart palpatations and BP through the floor again with panic attacks and severe anxiety like I had a couple weeks ago either. Anyone have any recommendations for this during my Ativan taper? Thanks in advance.

[Guest [ba...]]

I wouldn't recommend taking doses when you feel crappy.  It creates a pattern of <feel crappy> -> <take pill>.  I think it's better to establish some minimum daily dose that you can survive on, then taper that down until you're off of it.

 

Ativan has a fairly short half life.  So you'll experience a big variation in the amount of the med in your bloodstream during the day.  Because of this, a lot of people who taper Ativan dose 2-3 times a day (a few even dose 4 times a day).  However, if you don't need that, then go ahead an stick with the single dose per day.

 

Palps are a possibility as you taper.  The risk is minimized if you taper slowly.  So maybe consider tapering at a rate of 5-10% per cut instead of 0.25mg per cut (which is a 25-75% cut depending on your progress in your taper).

[[Ar...]]

Thanks for the advice, slow and steady...I am going to take my dose now for the night...was seriously thinking of trying to skip it and seeing what happens. BUT i def. don't want some of those other symptoms again if I can help it.

[[Ar...]]

Is three to five days holding at a cut ok for Ativan? Will the symptoms show up in that time between doses? I don't want to rush things if it's going to hurt me but, I also don't want to be taking this stuff any longer than I have to.

[Guest [ba...]]

Cuts in Ativan dosage should show up quickly - probably within 1-2 days.  How long to hold depends on how long it takes your body to adjust to the lower dose.  Ashton manual generally recommends two week holds.  Maybe you could do it in a week or 10 days, but don't rush it.  Listen to your body.  If you feel good 5 days after an Ativan cut, then it's fine to do another cut.  If you feel really shaky or have a lot of heart palps or fear/anxiety, then wait until you've recovered a little more from the cut.

[[Ar...]]

Thanks Bads....I think I will give it five days then....if I'm still feeling the heart palpitations and rushes or anxiety I'll keep waiting then....thanks for the advice I can feel those right now if I'm not able to distract myself....especially at night. Sounds like you've def. been there...you hit the nail on the head with those symptoms.

[Guest [ba...]]

Do you use cannabis for your PTSD?  I see you're in Arizona and PTSD is a qualifying condition.  It might help you sleep a little better if nothing else.  I had PTSD-like symptoms when I was in withdrawal.  They were significant enough that I got an MMJ script.  Unlike yours, mine was chemically induced by the withdrawal and eventually resolved.  But I found MMJ to be very helpful - especially during times of intense anger.

[[Ar...]]

I was until all this w/d stuff started happening....my blood pressure is super low right now and on the cann. it was bad o2 levels were super low and I was passing out after sitting for too long after I stood up...don't know if that was part of w/d from not taking Ativan or what but the mj def. dropped things lower. So I'm avoiding it atm.... Then again my BP is still real low...maybe also due to me being extremely underweight...so I dunno, just kinda scared of it atm.

[Guest [ba...]]

OK.  I understand.  Do what you can to get your weight up.  Weight loss is really common during withdrawal.  I lost something like 17 pounds during my first month of withdrawal. 

[[Ar...]]

What did you do to keep your weight up? If you don't mind my asking...

[Guest [ba...]]

Clif Bars (by the case).  Probably not the healthiest food, but they're packed with calories.