Tapering

[[Mr...]]

My anxiety has been getting progressively worse, went to the ER twice with panic attacks so bad, I thought I was having a heart attack.  They prescribed me lorazepam (1mg 3x daily) the side effects are too much for me and I asked for something else.  I have only been taking it for about 2 weeks, they switched me to "Buspar" and I am taking (5mg 2x daily) of the Buspar.  I am trying to ween off the lorazepam down to (.5 mg 3x daily) I am wondering if i have even been on it long enough to have withdraw symptoms, but what I understand these are extremely addictive and to be truthful I have an addictive personality.  Any help is appreciated.

[[St...]]

Hi Rocco, welcome to BenzoBuddies

 

From my research it's possible to have withdrawal symptoms from a short time of use but everyone is different.  Did you cut the Larazepam dose in half? I'm thinking your anxiety might be from the newly prescribed Buspar. Have you asked your doctor about this?

 

I'm sorry you're having a hard time, you're not alone. You'll find plenty of support and understanding here.

 

Welcome aboard, Star

[[Be...]]

Hi Mr. Rocco and welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

It is pretty unusual but we have had a couple of members since I've been a Buddie (~ 4 years) that reported having a problem stopping Ativan after just a few weeks use.  Still, I think you should taper off quickly.  It seems the longer you are on them, the more dependent you can become.  And it's true that adding Buspar may or may not be helping.  It's always difficult to know what is causing what when two or more meds or supplements are added/dropped/changed.  Whatever benzo w/d symptoms you are having they shouldn't last long after such short use.  If an increase in anxiety is one of them, you might want to check out the Anxiety Board.  Here's a link to a thread there than I refer to often:

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=13001.msg180729#msg180729

[[li...]]

You mentioned having an addictive personality - that has nothing to do with a benzo...if that makes you feel better.  We have a PHYSICAL DEPENDANCE on these medications...which is very different.  It's all in how it acts on our brains.

 

I hope this helps some.  Good luck!