Benzodiazepine Question

Here is my sob Benzo story

20 years ago I had a panic attack I didn't know what it was at first, I continued having the attacks which were violent throat muscle spams and rapid heart beat along with the fear in my mind that I was dying...I was given Buspar and it made me itch and I stopped after using it a week... I was then given the 2Mg Valium and it worked like a charm to help me stop the panic and those terrible throat spasms so I stayed on that drug as needed for almost 2 decades I was uneducated about benzos but I never took them everyday I only took them as needed which sometimes was after I panicked because I didn't know how to use them properly.

6 years ago I moved and tried to get my 2mg Valium and was told Valium was dangerous for the liver and I was given 1mg Ativan which as I now know is many times stronger and much more addicting and I became psychically dependent on the Ativan, I then was interested in getting married and I knew I needed to get off the pill I knew you had to taper and I knew it was not going to be easy but I didn't know exactly what was involved like I do now. I tapered off 50% using water titration and that took 3 months and when I got to .5mg I held my dose and pretty much healed up from the many many symptoms I had, I feel 90% back to my old self but still on the benzo. My doctor is not on my side about getting off these pills and I was told I was bipolar ect.. which is Bullcrap it was the withdrawals from the pill, I am not bipolar I get the winter blues and sad when I hear some sad music like everyone...I am not bipolar, she wanted to add more drugs to my mix and I fired her and have not seen her since, I got my Nurse Practitioner to help me get the Ativan and he listens to the things I have learned from websites about these pills and about getting off them ect... he is on my side and will do anything to help me.

Ok here is my plan, since I am so much older and can deal with anxiety and panic much better now I want to try and get off the pills but I want to switch to Valium because it's longer half life ect... so I would like to know if anyone has or think this can work for me ? Can I go from 1mg Ativan 1 year ago tapering to .5mg then switch over to 2mg Valium and have it work for me then slowly taper off ?

I am tapering the .5mg Ativan now so I can get to a lower more equal dose of Valium.

Opinions ?

Yes I know about Ashton and The Websites for tapering been there done that I need to do this my way because I am only in a hurry to get off the Ativan and not the benzo getting off 100% will come later when I am more prepared to deal with life without the benzo.

thank you

<Edit> No discussion of any illicit drugs are allowed in the forum.  Thank you.

Post Edited By Moderator (stkitt) : 4/5/2011 3:51:27 PM (GMT-6)

so you did exactly what I want to do this is amazing that someone would reply with such IMO a success story plus you are the Mod here...we need to talk : )

there are so many meds out there now...it scares me...good luck though

of course I am serious I am water tapering down every day, my goal is 25% off then hold it there for awhile see how I feel, as of today 0.44mg

Gem how are you feeling off the benzo ?

I have been on klonopin for about two years now...started therapy the other day and my therapist has told me not to take it anymore that I need to push through my anxiety and learn to cope and use my deep breathing and relaxation methods.

Good luck,

Jess

as of today I am 25% off my .5mg dose of Ativan and doing very well. I am feeling much better during this taper than I did the last time going from 1mg to .5mg

my goal is 40% off and then try and switch to 2mg Valium.

Just have a question here that puzzles me....

if someone becomes dependent on the ativan can I ever be non dependent on the valium ? or do I have to get 100% off all benzos and heal up ?

Gem said it well - everyone is different.

I went from 4 mg of Ativan = 40 mg of Valium down to 2 mg of Valium as needed. I went very slowly and really did well until I was nearly done and then I was a bit worried if I would be alright without the med daily.  I am fine.

I was in the ER once since I tapered and the Dr. wanted to give me some Ativan - I said no.  I did accept some Valium but I do not want to take a med that I became so dependent on.

Everybody has their story and I hope everyone is  able to meet their goals but remember to go slow.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt

Good Luck! Don't give up, you will be fine. Let us know how you are doing.

Gem