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Getting of Ativan(lorazepam) soon

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Posted 11/26/2017 7:48 AM (GMT 0)
Hi.

I just started Lexapro a few weeks ago, from 5 to 10mg. After moving to 10 mg my anxiety increased a lot. So to help me my doctor gave me 0.5 ativan in the morning and in the evening. I think i take them at around 12h apart. It's been almost 2 weeks. It did help a little.

I am suppose to go see my doc at the end of next week to tell me how to taper down and remove ativan. So it would be a total of 4 weeks. I am not scared of the anxiety it might give me when i reduce it, but i am scared of the health effects like seizure and other bad stuff.

Hoping for some advice.
Thanks!
Posted 11/26/2017 3:13 PM (GMT 0)
you havnt used it long enough to worry about seizures etc but by all means follow your drs instructions on a taper to stop. I cant stress this enough. its likely you may have no issues stoping but the drs plan is there just in case . with just 4 weeks use-you should be ok.
Posted 11/26/2017 6:15 PM (GMT 0)
A.,

I agree with S.D. At the dosage you were on, and the short duration of use...

...you'll have no problem with the discontinuation plan that your doctor gives you. smile

Use your daily coping skills, and keep us posted so we can keep you in support.

S.C.
Posted 11/26/2017 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all the support. I will update you once i start the tamper process.
Posted 12/1/2017 6:25 AM (GMT 0)
Well, that day is here. First day when i change from morning and evening 0.5, to just in the evening for 7 days. Scared and anxious sad
Posted Yesterday 12:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, how is it going so far? I am new to the forums but curious how your taper is going?
Posted Today 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Atticus!

Just checking in. How did your step down go? Did you make it through the day alright?

You really will not have much, if any physical withdrawl...but if you struggle with increased anxiety, use your coping skills to get your through.

You are stronger than you realize! You can do this. smile

S.C.
Posted Today 6:10 AM (GMT 0)
I didn't go. The first day i didn't take the morning dose was not good. Couldn't do anything all day. The next day i started taking it again. I will see my doctor this week. Perhaps i need a little more time for cipralex to kick in.
Posted Today 7:01 AM (GMT 0)
Okay, yes talk to your doctor about the best way to proceed....and I am sure together you can come up with a revised plan that will work better for you.

Stay encouraged...you'll reach your management goals!

S.C.
Posted Today 9:24 AM (GMT 0)
I will see her tomorrow. Tomorrow also being 3 weeks of Lorazepam. I am so scared she will insist on getting me off this med, and i don't feel ready yet. I feel i need more time to get the Cipralex effect better in my system(3 weeks so far on 10mg).

But on the other hand i read so many stories of how people got bad withdrawal symptoms even after a few weeks. It's so confusing for me. When i don't take it am anxious for not taking it, and when i take it am anxious for taking it.
Posted Today 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
Perhaps ask her about switching your Lorazepam Rx for Vistaril. Vistaril (hydroxyzine) is a prescription antihistamine taken off label for acute anxiety/panic that is not habit forming.

It is not as fully effective as a benzo...but the trade off is no risk...so, it is worth a try IMO.

Also, you may be far enough into your recovery that you really benefit from this med, even if it is not as strong. Sometimes the mental safery net is just what you need. smile

S.C.
Posted Today 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think she will replace it with another medication. Most likely she will give me something based on natural plants like passiflora or valerian root.
Posted 12/9/2017 10:27 AM (GMT 0)
Well, after seeing my psychiatrist she said to continue taking 0.5 in the morning and evening for another 3 weeks. Until then cipralex should have kicked in enough to no longer need lorazepam.

I have to admit i am a bit scared when she will start to reduce them, but i guess she knows what she is doing.

Will a little over a month at my current dose that bad if she will taper them down?
Posted 12/10/2017 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
i think things will go smoother fro you once your cipralex kicks in. you will no longer need a benzo so that should make your taper down go easier. it was that way for me. once cirpalex started working for me -my taper from clonopin was easy but did take a while . I suffered no withdrawl effects at all . keep us informed of your progress. my taper was slow but successful -which is the goal
Posted 12/10/2017 4:09 AM (GMT 0)
A.,

That is still a short duration, and not a big dose...so I think you have nothing to worry about and can trust your P-doc with the schedule she gave you.

Keep us updated so we can encourage you through the process!

S.C.
Posted 12/10/2017 6:38 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you so muxh for the positive feedback. It means a lot for me. I read so much bad stuff about benzos on the internet, even though my doc said not to worry. I do think the Cipralex is starting to work because my morning dose of lorazepam gives me such a sleepy/Drowsiness state, as opposed to just some small anxiety relief for the past weeks.

@super20dan, how long before your cipralex started making a difference and what does where you taking?

Thank you again!
Posted 12/10/2017 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
took 6 weeks to start working and I am only on 10 mg. no plans to increase my dose if I don't have too. having no side effects except one I would rather not mention-if you get my drift. its a guy thing. i was very worried about stopping the benzo also but the drs schedule worked like a champ
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