After ~2-3 months of taking 2mg of ativan daily I have reached the point where I cannot continue to take benzos any further, I need to stop ativan: the withdraw sucks, I have severe nausea and do not feel right, arprox a week ago I cut my dose in half to 1mg and about 3 days ago I began taking only a half a mg, and last night took only a quarter mg, but i feel like shit, I need to overcome this, how long will this bitch last, I need to know how long i can expect to feel like this: I'l try not to take any today but i feel like shit so might, but man this stuffs a bitch, what are ya saying im not at all sure what the fuck to do, fuck this bitch.
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OD Moderators: Keif’ Richards | Tryptamino
Benzos ativan w/d
- Thread starter R(x)AGE
- Start date
Znegative
Bluelight Crew
The good news is that you are on a rather low dose of a pretty weak benzo (lorazepam is 1/2 as strong as Xanax). However, benzo withdrawal is a serious syndrome, and you should not be using Ativan to taper either. I would ask to be switched to clonazepam or diazepam, as these benzodiazepine's have a much longer half life (They're like the methadone of benzo's). With clonazepam or diazepam (Valium) you can taper yourself off in a much safer fashion.
Benzo withdrawal unfortunately can last any where from a couple of weeks, to months, followed by post acute withdrawal syndrome. The slower you taper, the easier the withdrawals will be.
Also, do not stop taking this medication abruptly. Benzo withdrawal can be fatal, and cause seizures. Avoid drinking alchohol, or taking drugs like tramadol, bupropion or venlaxafine which lower the seizure threshold.
Benzo withdrawal unfortunately can last any where from a couple of weeks, to months, followed by post acute withdrawal syndrome. The slower you taper, the easier the withdrawals will be.
Also, do not stop taking this medication abruptly. Benzo withdrawal can be fatal, and cause seizures. Avoid drinking alchohol, or taking drugs like tramadol, bupropion or venlaxafine which lower the seizure threshold.
tricomb
Bluelight Crew
You are tapering too fast.
You should stay at 1mg for 2 weeks, then go down to 0.5mg for 2 weeks, then jump off. This too is a very fast taper, but you are lucky you're on a low dose, and have only been on it for 2-3 months.
Like ZNeg said, you would have a much easier time if you called your doctor and told him you want to get off the Ativan, and have him write you a prescription for Valium (diazepam).
You should stay at 1mg for 2 weeks, then go down to 0.5mg for 2 weeks, then jump off. This too is a very fast taper, but you are lucky you're on a low dose, and have only been on it for 2-3 months.
Like ZNeg said, you would have a much easier time if you called your doctor and told him you want to get off the Ativan, and have him write you a prescription for Valium (diazepam).
Titus
Bluelighter
With benzo withdrawls slower is almost always better is my understanding. I had a client years back taking like 1mg and was being tapered off it by her doctor. She came to me complaining about physical symptoms she was experiencing because of the tapering. She was reassured by learning that with benzo withdrawls feeling physical symptoms of nervousness, etc are commonly part of the experience.
I've tapered off of different benzo's before. Like Z said, the good news is your on a low dose. Lots if people self prescribe benzo's (including me)- and by 'self prescribe' I mean what dr's would consider 'abusing' as in Im not a dr, just acquiring it and taking it without a dr involved. I've tapered off of like 10mg or more a day. IMHO taking like a couple of months to very slowly come off it would produce less discomfort. I don't think it's common for dr's to taper someone that slowly but could be wrong, as I often am. A quick taper off of a dose like 10mg can be dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
Maybe doing some extra self-education on benzo tapering would appease you mentally a bit. Just a suggestion.
I've tapered off of different benzo's before. Like Z said, the good news is your on a low dose. Lots if people self prescribe benzo's (including me)- and by 'self prescribe' I mean what dr's would consider 'abusing' as in Im not a dr, just acquiring it and taking it without a dr involved. I've tapered off of like 10mg or more a day. IMHO taking like a couple of months to very slowly come off it would produce less discomfort. I don't think it's common for dr's to taper someone that slowly but could be wrong, as I often am. A quick taper off of a dose like 10mg can be dangerous, not just uncomfortable.
Maybe doing some extra self-education on benzo tapering would appease you mentally a bit. Just a suggestion.
Jabberwocky
Frumious Bandersnatch
Lots of good posts here! Best of luck OP! FYI you might wanna check out The Dark Side for support while you are in w/d (given how long it can take I mean).
weekend addiction
Bluelighter
The good news is you have only been taking these meds a short time. Taper properly under doctor supervision and you will comfortably start a new med free life.
Pill2Chill
Bluelight Crew
I had the same problem. Well I still do.
I took 2,5mg ativan, then went down to 1.25mg. After that I switched over to 10mg valium. And now I'm gonna start taperiing the valium 2,5mg at a time. (I'm going to cut down 2,5mg after this weekend.)
Remember to take your time. I know it's frustrating when you'd just like to throw them out of the window and never look back. But unfortunately benzos don't work that way.
Good luck with the taper!
I took 2,5mg ativan, then went down to 1.25mg. After that I switched over to 10mg valium. And now I'm gonna start taperiing the valium 2,5mg at a time. (I'm going to cut down 2,5mg after this weekend.)
Remember to take your time. I know it's frustrating when you'd just like to throw them out of the window and never look back. But unfortunately benzos don't work that way.
Good luck with the taper!