Question about dosage of benzo to trigger wd symptoms

[[Ge...]]

Hello, this is my first post. I have been lurking here for several weeks, but have decided to post in order to ask a few questions.

I completed a  one month taper off of 0.5mg Ativan which I had been taking at bedtime for at least 10 years or more. I jumped off one month ago and have had almost every symptom other Buddies have talked about. My doctor was skeptical that such a small dose could trigger wd symptoms, but I know how I felt. Is it true that such a dose could trigger symptoms?

[[ma...]]

Hi Gezint Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

I am glad you found us!  You did quite a fast taper, 0.5mg Ativan is roughly 5mgs Valium its not such a low dose.  Benzodiazepines should be tapered off slow.  How are you feeling?    It does get better, It can take quite a while for the CNS to fully recover. You will find some very valuable support and information on the forum.  Feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

I will put a link to the Ashton Manual, it is a definitive resource about these medications. It helps in understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

I will leave a few links for you to check out:

 

Professor Ashtons Manual

Cold Turkey Detox & Rapid Withdrawal Board

Post withdrawal recovery support board

 

Please feel free to ask questions, members can respond with the best information if they know your medication history so I will ask you to create a signature line listing your medication and dose.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

[[53...]]

by all means it is withdrawalrs 10 years and then off it ,the doctor does not know anything about benzos so dont listen to him/her even that amount you were on is alot for any person .you are going to have to ride it out in my opinion.you need alot longer than a month to taper off than amount that is why your hurting .

[[Ge...]]

I have to apologize, I made a mistake in my post. I tapered over 3 months, not one, and have been off one month. As you said, 0.5mg is not exactly a low dose of Ativan, so maybe 3 months was not slow  enough. Thank you for your reply and support.

 

 

[[An...]]

My doctor was skeptical that such a small dose could trigger wd symptoms, but I know how I felt. Is it true that such a dose could trigger symptoms?

Yes, it is true. Welcome Gezint !

[[Ge...]]

Thank you. Tolerance was one of the reasons I wanted to stop Ativan. I hope you will be able to finally quit. The We is very tough, but things do get better.  Hang in there. Every here is so supportive.

[[Sa...]]

Welcome Gez,

 

We’re here for support.  How are you feeling today?  In early withdrawal, each new day seems different.

 

We are healing, healing is not linear.

 

SaraSue 

[[Ge...]]

Hi SaraSue, Thanks for checking on me. I'm doing ok, except very anxious waiting for some lab test results. I still have some dizziness off and on, muscle spasms in toes and feet, and restlessness,  but overall, less than in the beginning. Yes, it is not linear. Waves and windows is exactly right.

[[Sa...]]

Gez,

 

I have horrid muscle spasms in my feet and toes 24/7, you are the first person I’ve seen post about it.  Driving me nuts!

 

We are healing!

 

SaraSue 

[[Ge...]]

Hi SaraSue,

Yeah, the muscle spasms are awful, but slowly getting less and less. I know this sounds crazy, but an old and odd remedy is to put a bar of soap under your sheets in bed. It must have a scent to it, like lavender or such. Somehow this interrupts some receptors and quiets the spasms or prevents them. I’ve had success with this. Change out the bar with a fresh one when the scent dissipates over a few months. Can’t hurt to try it.