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Ativan Taper Help

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Posted 8/13/2008 6:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Guys

I have been on 0.5mg X 2 per day for about 3 years now.  I recently switched Drs (the one I saw moved) and the new Doc wants me off of Ativan and Wellburtrin and put on Paxil.  I never really felt the wellburtin helped all that much b/c I was first put on Ativan.  First day on ativan stomach ache went away, anxiety cleared, felt like a new life.  Then I guess I got used to the dose and anxiety has been ok at best ever since.  I dont know why I was on ativan for so long- but before my first Dr left he said if I wanted to get off of Ativan to do so over 3 months.  The new Dr only gave me 30 0.5 mg pills (good for 15 days at 2 per day) and said to use those to get off of ativan. 

I always thought ativan would have to be tapered slower than that. 

I was thinking about doing 1 mg every other day and 3/4 mg every other day for one week

Then switch to 3/4 mg every day for a week

Then to 3/4 every other day and 1/2 every other day for a week

Then 1/2 for a week

then 1/4 every other day and 1/2 every other day for a week

Then 1/4 for a week

Then 1/4 every other day for a week

Then get off

But I dont have enough pills for this plan.  I already tried to go from 1 mg a day to 0.5 mg a day and I felt like I was in a haze all day.

Will the Paxil help with Anxiety?  Should I be taking the Paxil while withdrawaling from the ativan?  Any help on this situation would be appreciated.

Posted 8/13/2008 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I have taperd off Klonopin in the past and this sounds like a very reasonable plan to me. I know what tapering too fast feels like, yuck! Feels like I am asleep and awake all at the same time. Do you meet with your Dr. again? I would think you will see him/her relatively soon since you are starting new medication. Go over your schedual with Dr. They should be able to accomadate this plan. I recently started SSRI for anxiety after being on only a benzo (on and off) for a few years, and yes, they do help :)

Good luck!
Posted 8/13/2008 6:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the reply badgenetics. What SSRI did you start on?
Yeah I am going thru the tapering too fast right now becuase i only have those limitted pills... blech I think I will make an apt soon to go over the tapering schedule. Plus i felt like I was rushed last time at the office and that he wasnt really listening to me.
Posted 8/13/2008 6:59 PM (GMT 0)
Thats not cool...Dr. should make time for you, you are the one in need.

I took Lexapro with good results, except it caused some weight gain...I am working through that :)
Posted 8/13/2008 7:02 PM (GMT 0)
I would kill to gain some weight!!! send it my way!! I had a real bad time about 3 years ago last semster of college. Got real sick- probably over stress and worry and lost 35 lbs. I have gained back about 15 but would I love to get back to where I should be. I think that since i am skinny I dont have as much energy as one should (and I am only 26).

Thanks again
Posted 8/13/2008 8:57 PM (GMT 0)

Terps,

I am just going to give you the link to the site and schedule I used. I printed the schedule and took it to my pyschiatrist and she agreed.  It took me almost a year to wean off Ativan........I was on 4 mg per day.

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm

Schedule 3. Withdrawal from lorazepam (Ativan)

If you are taking 1mg  mg of Ativan per day you could start at step 8.

Remember you are the patient and you do have rights. This worked for me and now I do have  the Valium 2 mg tabs for  increased anxiety which hold me fine.

Take care.

Kitt

Posted 8/13/2008 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Terps,

I hope you'll get a realistic schedule established soon.

Regarding Paxil, yes it does help with anxiety although most people probably consider it an antidepressant. I began taking it for depression but have had really clear personal experiences that it helps with my anxiety as well. I'm pretty sure the offical sources about it agree; check to be sure.

percycat
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