New Member

[[ne...]]

Hi,

 

I've been on various benzo's over the years, most recently was on Ativan 4mg and was forced into c/t by pdoc.  After about 12 days was reinstated but switched to Librium 15mgs.  Stabilized now and want to start tapering soon.

 

Tks,

 

Newrain

 

Edit: Removed personal information

[[St...]]

Hi new rain, welcome to BenzoBuddies

 

Wow, that must have hurt to cold turkey from 4mg Ativan, was there a reason why you doctor wanted you to come off that way? I'm glad you're stable now on the librium, it lasts longer too. You'll find a lot of support here. Please make yourself at home.

 

Star

[[ne...]]

Hi Starbird,

 

The Pdoc cold turkeyed me because he felt that I needed the Ativan too much and that it was covering up the "Real" reasons for my depression.  Actually, he had switched me from 4 mgs of K when he took me on as a new patient in July 2011.  I did not respond well to A and got very sick and kept feeling like I needed more of it just to stop rapid pulse and shakes and insomnia.  Now, I know that the A was about 1/2 as strong as the K I had been taking and also more short lived.  After about 9 days in cold turkey hell, I went to see Pdoc.  He felt that the Serotonin in Zoloft would be enough to offset withdrawal from Ativan.  He told me to call him in 3 days and that I should be feeling a lot better.  That didn't happen.  Learning how to live with it all.

[[St...]]

I'm surprised that your doctor was unaware of the difference between klonopin and Ativan potency and doses..

 

I think many doctors will prescribe an antidepressant to combat the anxiety coming off a benzos, I'm glad you were able to work this out and are feeling a little more stable now. You seem to be back on track, take it slow, you'll be ok. 

[[ne...]]

Yeah, it is surprising and I even asked if they were equivalent because he initially put me on 3 A and I couldn't deal and he gave me one more with no further explanation.  He said they were equivalent, imagine?  He also told me the Librium was equivalent to the Ativan, really?  Librium is so weak compared to all other benzos and the equivalent Valium dose is 6 milligrams.  I guess he thinks I'm an idiot.

[[St...]]

Here's an equivalencey table that can be used, I understand that this isn't exact accuracy but it's what we go by - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_benzodiazepines

 

Also this site which has a list of withdrawal symptoms - http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha01.htm

 

Just know that this will be over and you will get your life back 

[[ne...]]

Thank you Starbird!  What a nice welcome!

 

Newrain