Ativan and Ambien

[[Buddie]]

I'm really not good at these but I think if it were me  I would try to taper the Ambien first. I say this because we usually advise tapering the short acting drug first. Also, I have no idea how to do a crossover and substitute for two drug simultaneously. But maybe there are some other different options from others?

[[Buddie]]

Are you getting close to making a decision about tapering from the Ambien and Ativan or switching to Valium?

[[Buddie]]

Hi!

Just bumping this here. I am doing .5mg Ativan 3x a day (I need the first two doses, less so at night) and have cut Ambien down to 20mg. As long as i take these meds I appear to be stable now and am eating and functioning like a human. I am still tired from the meds but otherwise ok (for now). I would love help with a tapering plan for Ativan as i do think it should come before Ambien and i have only been on it for a month as opposed to 15 years for the Ambien.
I want to avoid going on Diazepam if possible. I am not great at cutting pills and would love anyones advice on a taper plan. I have a psychiatrist who will work with me and has read the Ashton Plan but she doesn't know much more about it than I do and will listen to me (and my body) when I tell her what I think we should do. Any help would be appreciated!

[[Buddie]]

I had missed your note, [...]. I would love to try to taper directly off Ativan if possible since it's only been 4 weeks (having said that i can tell you that my body is fully dependant!) as opposed to going on Diazepam.

Thanks!

[[Buddie]]

I'm glad you've made a decision, that helps with mental preparation. 

Do you want to taper the Ativan or the Ambien first?

[[Buddie]]

I think it makes sense to do Ambien first? What do you think?

[[Buddie]]

I agree.  What are your current doses of Ativan and Ambien and how long have you been taking these doses, also what size are your pills of each?  Also, when was the last time you took Valium?

[[Buddie]]

Hi [...],

My current doses are .5 mg of Ativan 3x a day and 30mg of Ambien a night although last night I took 20mg and slept through the night. Usually i take 20mg and need another 10 in the middle of the night. I will try to keep it to 20 but that may fluctuate. The last time i had valium was 2 days ago and I'm not sure i feel any withdrawl from it. I never have before but who knows with this cocktail i am on!!

I have been on the Ativan on and off for the last month (though now i am consistent with the 3 doses in order to stabilize) and I've been on the Ambien at this dose for about 5 years. Before that i was lower then hit tolerance.

For the Ambien i have 10mg tablets and for the Ativan I have 1mg and 5mg tabs but can ask my doctor to prescribe differently if needed.

Thank you for your help!!

[[Buddie]]

I'm a little worried about the Valium, it takes awhile to leave and you may have symptoms show up, I wonder if you should wait a couple more days before making any changes to your routine.  Maybe take your normal amount of Ativan and Ambien but no Valium. 

[[Buddie]]

Yep makes total sense.

I just spoke to a new psychiatrist who is familiar with Ashton and willing to work with me. She is really worried about the Ambien part and thinks that will be hardest of all to quit and worries too that there is no specific protocol for tapering that...