So, um, I've never really asked about this kind of thing before, but I am terrified.
I have had panic disorder and severe paranoia for 19 years. Been on a very low dose of Lorazepam/Ativan ( usually .25mg once a day ) for about 5 years. I've never increased my dose, and would not be surprised if it doesn't have any effect on me anymore. I'm just taking it at this point to avoid withdrawal. Initially I was taking 1mg a day, and slowly tapered down to .75, then .50, and now .25 -- some days I can get away with even half of that.
My current issue is my doctor has switched me to Alprazolam/Xanax with no real switchover, and no communication. I am aware of the equivalent dosages and it is the same, but I am absolutely terrified that the Alprazolam won't prevent the withdrawal from Lorazepam. I know they're in the same class of drugs but searching around for this specific question hasn't given me any direct answers. I'm okay with mild withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, but it's the thought of seizures that scares me the most.
I have contacted my doctor but they are currently out of town? And my insurance is bad enough that asking questions about this to my provider has a decent chance of them cutting me off altogether. So, I'd like some reassurance / advice on this.
tl;dr:
Am I going to experience severe withdrawal suddenly switching from Lorazepam to Alprazolam?
I have had panic disorder and severe paranoia for 19 years. Been on a very low dose of Lorazepam/Ativan ( usually .25mg once a day ) for about 5 years. I've never increased my dose, and would not be surprised if it doesn't have any effect on me anymore. I'm just taking it at this point to avoid withdrawal. Initially I was taking 1mg a day, and slowly tapered down to .75, then .50, and now .25 -- some days I can get away with even half of that.
My current issue is my doctor has switched me to Alprazolam/Xanax with no real switchover, and no communication. I am aware of the equivalent dosages and it is the same, but I am absolutely terrified that the Alprazolam won't prevent the withdrawal from Lorazepam. I know they're in the same class of drugs but searching around for this specific question hasn't given me any direct answers. I'm okay with mild withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, but it's the thought of seizures that scares me the most.
I have contacted my doctor but they are currently out of town? And my insurance is bad enough that asking questions about this to my provider has a decent chance of them cutting me off altogether. So, I'd like some reassurance / advice on this.
tl;dr:
Am I going to experience severe withdrawal suddenly switching from Lorazepam to Alprazolam?
You will propably find 0.5mg xanax xr enough for the whole day. I was also prescribed both instant and xr and with instant in the long run, you get "waiting withdrawals" at some point. Its like the instant will work 9 hours at first. And only 7 hours after a few years. So if you want to not be stressed, xr is better as a medicine.