hi..new here.

[[ne...]]

I'm new here and have been scared.  I have been ativan for close to seven years.  I recently tried to cut my dose, I can't sleep, I'm very irritated all the time.  My life seems to be spiraling down.  I want quit, but not if i'm going to feel like this.  I'm really just not happy about things and I didn't know where to turn.

[[Sc...]]

Hi NewLife, and welcome to Benzo Buddies.

 

What dose of Ativan are you on?  And how much did you cut from your original dose?  Most people try to make 10% reductions when tapering from Benzodiazepines.  Lack of sleep and feeling irritable are very normal side effects when tapering off of Benzos.  I just want to say it is 100% possible to come off of Benzos - many of us have done it.  Unfortunately, some people (including myself) will experience unpleasant side effects to doing so.  They do not last though and over time things get better.  Many people say they actually feel better than every before once they fully heal from the Benzos.

 

Please let us know how we can help.  All the best.

 

Take care,

Schatje

[[...]]

I'm new here and have been scared.  I have been ativan for close to seven years.  I recently tried to cut my dose, I can't sleep, I'm very irritated all the time.  My life seems to be spiraling down.  I want quit, but not if i'm going to feel like this.  I'm really just not happy about things and I didn't know where to turn.

 

Welcome newlife,

 

I quit Ativan, and i feel so much better now then i ever did when i was taking it.  Benzodiazepines, such as Ativan work for a little while, and then they start us on a cycle of always needing to take a higher dose to keep us from having tolerance withdrawal symptoms.

 

If you want to quit you will receive a lot of support here from many very kind, and understanding people, who are still tapering, or who have finished tapering, and are now benzo free.

 

the best to you

 

pj

[[pi...]]

Hi newlife,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies.  This is a fantastic site that provides so much support and information for those that wish to taper off benzos.  It has been a lifeline for me in this journey.  There are those that have successfully tapered from ativan so feel free to ask questions.  It can be a difficult task but the rewards are great.

 

Hugs,

 

pianogirl 

[[pr...]]

Hi Newlife--

 

Just want to add my welcome to the others.

 

I know it can be really scary and intense when you cut benzos and experience the intense withdrawal reaction for the first time.

 

You can get off the Ativan if you take it slow.  You may have cut too much.  Generally 10% is the most you want to cut at once and often that's too much.  For lots of people a reasonable cut is more like 5%.  And then wait a couple of weeks to see how your body responds.  If you're making small enough cuts you should start feeling better in a couple of weeks.

 

If you cut more than 10%, you can reinstate now, go back to your original dose and wait till you feel more stable and then start a slower taper.  Don't wait more than four to six weeks though, after that a reinstatement doesn't always help and it's kind of a crapshoot.  If you want to reinstate you should do it sooner rather than later.

 

I always suggest starting with smaller cuts and taking long breaks in between cuts, and then speeding up if you find you're tolerating the taper.

 

Hang in there, you were smart to ask for help and advice, and you came to the right place for info and support.