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Cannot stop Ativan

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Posted 1/24/2011 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
I was given Lorazapam (Ativan) in September, and since then I have been taking 1mg daily. Now I cannot stop it. If I don't take it, I end up having panic attacks. Is this normal. I can't sleep without taking it at all.

 

I still haven't got a psychiatrist and should I bring this to my family Dr.'s notice?

 

The days I don't take Ativan, I get up in the middle of the night, and then I can't sleep. I feel breathless and scared and panic.

 

Is there anyone else who may have experienced this?

Posted 1/24/2011 9:07 PM (GMT 0)

Hi S&A, I don't know much about meds, but if you are looking to wean off of a prescription, it would be best to talk to the prescribing doctor I would think. 

If that's not possible, go ahead and go to your g.p.  I have heard that it is best to have a progressive weaning schedule, rather than just quitting abruptly-which will cause the break through symptoms, and possibly with drawl.

Again, hopefully someone who knows more about this than me will post soon with advice.  Good luck with this!

Scaredy Cat

Posted 1/24/2011 10:05 PM (GMT 0)
It is quite possible that you need something for anxiety and the ativan is working for you. There are other antianxiety meds if you don't want to be on ativan. Are you taking it as needed? I have been taking xanax for years and it has worked well for me.

Scaredy Cat is right, I wouldn't go off of it without doctor's help. But if you are needing it daily and you aren't getting enough prescribed, I would let the doctor know.

Good luck with the ativan. It is better than having panic attacks. I hope that you feel better soon.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 1/24/2011 11:09 PM (GMT 0)
Definitely consult your doctor! Karen may be on the right track - it may just be that the ativan holds the attacks at bay and when you don't take it they break through. But it's important to be in the know about your body so I would absolutely 100% ask your doctor. I take ativan as needed, but in the early stages i was prescribed .5mg once daily. i found that after a few weeks i was having trouble sleeping without out, so i weaned myself off. now i only take it when i feel extra antsy.
Posted 1/25/2011 3:59 AM (GMT 0)
i was given ativan too and manage to wean off completely after abt 9mths.... but a setback recently got me to taking it again and now i'm back to trying to wean it off, it takes time. recently i started seeing a therapist as well to work on the underlying issues of my anxiety/panic/depression as well...

i think it would be helpful for u to seek therapy, and seek doctor's advice on how to wean it off slowly over a period of time...
Posted 1/25/2011 3:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all for writing in. Having read all your experiences, then I don't think I am ready to stop the Ativan. I think, as you all said, I should wean off slowly, without abruptly stopping it. I still have a lot of anxiety.

 

I am seeing a therapist since October last year. And since I am talking about my feelings, I may be prone to anxiety more.

 

Lululiya, you said you take 5mg, then that should not be that bad, as I am only taking 1 mg and that is what helps me to sleep. I take Trazadone too, but that doesn't help me much to sleep. 

 

But I will discuss with my GP about it.

 

Thank you Karen, Scaredycat, Getting By, smilingrose. I appreciate all your responses.

Posted 1/25/2011 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
I am currently on Klonopin and having the same issues with it. It feels so impossible to come off of! I have nightmares and I wake up constantly at night and its really hard! Often my heart is racing. But if you are taking this medication like it is prescribed and you need it, then take it I say. I have to come off the klonopin bc I'm pregnant even tho my mental health doc doesnt want me to. He thinks the risks of stress and things that my body will go through, is worse than taking the klonopin. Most OBGYN's disagree tho and I'm trying to do whats best for the baby. Its HARD tho!

No you are not alone! If you need to take the med then do. If you want off, get involved in some therapy. You mentioned that you dont see a mental health provider. Start seeing one before coming off. Start some therapy and maybe some CBT. They can teach you all kinds of coping skills to do to help you with your anxiety and panic attacks. Then if you still want to come off, it will make it easier. Its going to be difficult either way but with some CBT, you can have a more can do additude about it. You can learn how to make yourself feel better.

Good luck and God Bless!!
Posted 1/25/2011 5:28 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Raynebow. I am sorry to hear that you too, are coping with this while being pregnant. That must be hard, trying to decide what is best for the baby.

I too get up in the middle of the night feeling breathless. And my heart will be having palpitations. And the next day, it is very hard for me the whole day.

I am seeing a therapy and learning way to deal with it.

I hope you would find a answer for you and your baby's sake. Good luck.

Posted 1/25/2011 6:54 PM (GMT 0)
Well, the palpatations I know can be scary but it wasnt until I had my heart examined by 3 different cardiologists and countless holtor monitors and other tests, I decided to believet them when they said my palps were just anxiety. Now they hardly ever come bc I'm not so worried about them. Funny how we focus and obsess on something and it just keeps bothering us but as soon as we arent afraid anymore, it stops. Thats what worked for me!

I'm still taking some klonopin but working my CBT. It helps alot! I have an at home program that does me alot of good! And some self help books that have been Godsends to me!!

Good luck!!
Posted 1/25/2011 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
I have heard of klonopin elsewhere on other posts as well. I was given Lorazapam by the ER doc when I went in for an anxiety attack. Anyway I will continue to take it, as I am still having panic attacks.

I too had do various tests for my heart and have been given the thumbs up that I don't have to worry. Its just when I have a panic attack, I cant be normal the next day. B/c my heart will ache etc.
Posted 1/25/2011 10:08 PM (GMT 0)
S & A,

I think Lulu stated she took  0.5mg once daily wich would = 1/2 of your dose.

I was up to 4 mg per day at one time and did a slow wean off of Ativan using Valium substitute to get off the Ativan. It took me about 6-7 months.  Using the weaning protocol made it very easy.

I now use 2 mg of Valium per day. My pdoc encouraged me to use the Valium daily if I am having a rough time as taking it a couple of days and then trying to go with out can cause your body to go into withdrawal which leads to increased anxiety.


I know that is clear as mud. smilewinkgrin   I hope this helps you.

Take care and know I am thinking of you.

Kindly,

Kitt

 

Posted 1/26/2011 3:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Kitt, for pointing that out. It is after you told me, that I checked Lulu's amount and noticed it is .5mg! Yes that is half of the amount I take! Thank you for your input, and now I know that I cannot stop them abruptly. That is why I felt really bad when I didn't take it.

I don't think I am ready to stop. I know it has been 3 months since I started. I will have to discuss with my GP about finding other Valium substitutes.

cry
Posted 7/3/2016 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
I am new to the site and suffering from agoraphobia and severe anxiety and depression. I have had a pretty bad setback or break down in the last 3 months. Was on zoloft for over 15 years and was taken off due to a kidney issue. -fast forward- 2 years later have had a break down of sorts and was prescribed Celexa and Ativan. I have NEVER taken ativan before and I am on .5mg 2x day.. I really like it I can see why people get hooked on it... calms me down and lets me sleep.

But the side effects from the celexa have been not good.. extreme exhaustion, confusion and bad mind fog and this weird ringing in my ears. I stopped taking it an in 1 day and my energy level got better, the confusion seemed to be lifted and the mind fog was much less. I have only been on the celexa at 10mg for 2 weeks.. if I tried to go back to zoloft at .25mg and dose up if it would be ok or do I need to wait until the celexa clears out of my system. My GP is the on prescribing this and my psychologist said the celexa may not be the right one for you causing you more issues. Anyone with ideas or suggestions?
Posted 7/3/2016 4:22 AM (GMT 0)
Hi LC and welcome!

It is possible to do a simultaneous taper and start up of compatible Rx's...but only with your doctor's guidance.

Your prescribing doctor or your P-doc, certainly, can both give you the schedule for such a switch. :)

Best wishes and keep posting so we can keep you in support.

S.C.
Posted 7/3/2016 11:14 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know if it's ok to post a link but here is some help with addiction on benzos:

http://www.benzobuddies.org/


If this is not ok for posting, sorry.
Posted 7/3/2016 5:34 PM (GMT 0)
It is fine...this site has been helpful to some people for sure...

However, I am now locking this thread down, simply due to age...:)

S.C.
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