Tapering off Ativan Support Thread

[[Buddie]]

I wish I could say I was closer to the end. I can only cut .0013 at a time!!  I'm only on Ativan because of a three month baclofen dependency that turned toxic and I had to C/T. I never took more than .35 Ativan. Stabilized a year ago. I may be ultra sensitive because of the combo of cipro, baclofen, Ativan. It's  really a nightmare. I'm hoping none of you have the difficulty I'm having!!! Probably going to have to go all the way to zero. 

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[[Buddie]]

Hello Ativan Buddies!

I was on 3 to 4 [...] for 6 weeks, then within a week went down to 2 - not much happened, but little did I know then.

My family practicioner wanted me to cross over to Clobazam, which I took about 6 days and then stopped again c/t. Then he wanted me on Oxazepam to cross over, which I took for 5 days and then c/t.
Somehow I just felt this crossing over wasn't the way for me on a psychological level. I can't stand the thought of taking another drug to get rid of the present one, although its "just" another Benzo supposed to help me. Also, I have severe adrenal and thyroid issues, and also some sex hormones are out of tune, so I didn't want to have any additional symptoms I couldn't place just from the crossing or the different Benzo. (Those problems were the reason I got the Benzos prescribed in the first place.) So, against all other advice, I decided to stick to [...] (in my country it's called Temesta). Besides that the [...] wouldn't prescribe me Valium anyway. So here I am.

I then cut more, and at 1.5 started liquid titration in milk (many experiments I did showed that it was better for my pills/brand than water, because milk [...] denser and heavier and therefore the particles don't drop so fast to the ground). [...] I have arrived at .75 by dropping .03 every day for about three weeks and some holding, and have just switched over from 3 times to 5 times because of the short half life. I think it was the right decision, but I wonder if the lower dose per time I take it makes any symptoms momentarily? Does anybody know?

I felt very bad when arriving at 1., but generally it has been going well for me in comparison to others, I guess. But then again I can't really tell the difference between all my symptoms and where they come from anyway. And I'm still on a relatively high dose. Guided meditation has helped me, and so has EFT.

So I've just decided on doing .15 5 times now: 8am, 12:30, 5pm, 10 pm, 3am   (3am [...]   )

Looking forward to reading from you!
Thanks for any inputs!

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[[Buddie]]

I'm really insecure if I should first go to 4 times a day.
Or if I even should bother waking myself during the night. It might have a serious impact on my well-being. Additionally, my twins sometimes wake me up during the night, too, so I might be glad for every hour of uninterrupted [...] I get.
Does anybody know if the Benzos are metabolized slower during the night?

 

[[Buddie]]

Thanks for the welcome [...].  Good spotting on the Mum rather than Mom.  I'm in New Zealand, which tends more to English rather than American language. 

I held at 1 for only a couple of weeks, then kept cutting, and was majorly hit around .85.  I held there for months cos of what else was going on in my life, and slowly but surely, the worst improved.

I divide my dosage into three which works well for me - just under half of my daily dosage at night, and I'm sleeping well just now, then 1/4 around 9am and the final 1/4 at 2 or 3pm.

One thing I want to believe [...] that I've been [...] on the way down, particularly as its been such a long slow taper.   I guess I can be our [...].  A lot of people are hit a couple of months after they stop.   

I've found the compounded liquid ativan so much better than titrating or pill cutting.  Its accurate, although my first bottle did have sediment towards the end making me wonder if my dosage wasn't that consistent.  Nevertheless, I'd recommend it.

I guess the other thing I'd like to say [...] that at times I've become timid and cautious in my life during withdrawal, but actually going out and doing stuff and mixing with people has always been okay, actually good.  I've travelled, sailed on yachts with groups, snorkeled, entertained, had a loving relationship, and kept working right through.  Its been tough but doable.  The only thing I regret was putting myself forward for a job interview when I just couldn't think clearly enough.  The panel asked the agency if I'd been unwell.  It was just a couple of weeks after my mum died, and I was suffering. 


good to know you all

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[[Buddie]]

[...]--My husband I traveled to NZ about 10 years ago.  What a wonderful country!  We were there 2 weeks and saw quite a bit--although would love to go back someday to see more.  Loved Milford Sound, Lake Wanaka, the glaciers, etc.  So much to see and do!  I can't believe you've been so productive during your taper.  I feel like I must be doing something wrong I was only on it a short time so I don't understand why it's so difficult to come off.  I think a HUGE part of the problem [...] insomnia.  I can't only [...] 3-5 hours a night and have 2 little kids to watch all day.  I feel like a zombie and it's very difficult.  Also, my appetite has been affected and I have lost weight.  Hmmmm.  My doctor thinks I'm crazy to be tapering so slow since I was initially at such a low dose but I must be very, very sensitive.  I want to be finished in Feb., but my doctor will give me until early April if need-be.  Psychologically, I hate being on this drug and want to do my taper faster, but then my body really feels each cut which slows me down.  I wonder if I just held at a dose longer, if my [...] would return.  But I know there [...] no guarantee of this.  Your [...] [...] great, which tells me that maybe I am doing something wrong here.  Also the tinnitus [...] bothering me more now--[...] that diminishes when this [...] all over...

[[Buddie]]

Hi [...]

Managing two little kids on top of insomnia and other withdrawal symptoms [...] amazing, its a hard hard thing to go through.  Each of us has a different chemical makeup and response, thats the challenge in this, to find the approach and path that reflects what are individual bodies need.   Sometimes I've found the tinnitus and symptoms are worse just before a window.  But not always!  Just trust that [...] will come back to you, and hang in as best you can.

Glad you liked NZ when you came, the scenery [...] amazing huh.  My Mum lived in Wanaka for the last 15 years, and it was our holiday place growing up, so I know it well.  You'[...] have to come back with your kids some time.

[...]

[[Buddie]]

Just reread your post [...]

It may be worth trying a hold for a week or so to see if you get [...] back.  Through trial and error, i found I did better with a slightly larger cut less often, than a gradual incremental drop.  So I have a night or two of bad [...], then it improves to the point that I cut again.  My pace has been glacial lately, but I'm not fretting about it, its all in the right direction.  From my reading its better to slow down towards the end. 

[...]

[[Buddie]]

Hi everyone.  I started my taper at 3mg of [...].  Got down to .75mg and started water titration.  Would get to .5mg. hit a wall and go back up.  Things finally go bad enough and I got so sick I had to go all the way back to 2mg to stabilize.  Am holding until I feel good enough to start a taper again, this time much, much slower.

Glad this thread was started, helps to see how others are doing on this drug.

Hugs,
Poplady

[[Buddie]]

Hi [...], looks like you have been doing it hard coming off this drug.  Have your symptoms leveled off more now?

[...]

[[Buddie]]

Thanks for the advice [...]   I held for 5 days this time and still feel pretty awful [...]--mostly nausea/no appetite, insomnia (only slept 2 hours last night), some high BP, major ANXIETY all morning, heart beating rapidly, tinnitus.  It's like every day I hold, I feel a little worse, instead of better.  I think I felt better 4 days ago or so.  I feel like I might also be getting a paradoxical reaction to the Ativan.  It [...] supposedly more common with Ativan then other benzos.  I'm going to make another small cut tonight.

Can you all give me your input on this taper plan?  I am planning to cut .005 mg. every 3 nights...So I am at .14 mg. right now and will go to .135 mg. next.  Seems like such a small cut, right?  So weird I am still having so many symptoms and that's why I am thinking it might be paradoxical...

Popcorn--How are you feeling now??