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Needvto get off Ativan Please Advise

Posted , 3 users are following.

cheryl_62120
cheryl_62120

I have been on 1 mg for 20 years. Please give me some advise. It isn't like it's working anymore and itbiscworsening my depression. And giving me headaches

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • anthony10903
    anthony10903 cheryl_62120

    Posted

    dear,if you feel depression is worsening,please make a doctor appointment .Because the doc may want to go off of it slowly since you have had it for quite some time.If you feel this medication is causing side effects do not wait long to tell your doctor
  • Guest
    Guest cheryl_62120

    Posted

    Hi Cheryl  You need to come of Ativan very slowly especially as you have been on it for 20 years.  No one knows how they will react to coming off benzodiazepines.  Some will manage okay, others will have lots of difficulties.  It is therefore extremely important that you do it very slowly.  I have come off another benzodiazepine after 40 years and it has been very hard.  I tapered off 5 mg nitrazepam over three months but I now know that was too fast.  I am trying to campaign for better recognition of this problem.  

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  • CherylMarie
    CherylMarie cheryl_62120

    Posted

    Hi! I was taking Ativan for 15 years. I actually just completed my Ativan taper last night and was here looking for information on other people's experiences.

    I was on 3 mg of Ativan but was down to 1.5 before I started a strategic taper. Through lengthy research, I asked my dr to switch me to the equivalent dosage of diazepam. It's the longest acting benzo given in the smallest increments of them all which makes the taper smooth instead of wrenching and violent. The equivalent diazepam for 1mg of Ativan is exactly 5 mg.

    So I would ask my doctor to switch me to that in the smallest 2 mg tablets. Once you do that decrease by 1 mg as u see fit based on how you feel. Be prepared, the diazepam is in your system all day and night which made me extremely sleepy 24/7 but also motivated me to decrease faster and easier. I was actually able to cut my equivalent in half a week after switching and then tapered from there. Be prepared to have rebound insomnia (which lasted a week at a time per taper for me), dizziness, nausea, severe headaches, etc...but know it will go away!

    You'll be fine! You're on a small dose and now that you have this information to take to your doctor, you could be benzo free in very little time!

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