Bad day: I’ve only been taking Ativan... - Anxiety and Depre...

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Bad day

Jloava profile image
16 Replies

I’ve only been taking Ativan for less than a month. I am finding that now it’s making me feel more irritable. I have stopped taking it and the withdrawal symptoms are horrible. It’s terrible that a drug taken for such a short time can do that. I told my husband I just need support. I feel horrible because my kids are suffering because I have asked them to stay away while I go through this. I thank God that I was only taking a small dose of 0.25mg. I have read that it’s terrible to go cold turkey but I don’t want to be irritable and snapping on my kids either. I am staying in the bed and taking magnesium, GABA and some other supplements. It is very hard, but I have to do it even if I have to stay in this bed for a weak. Anxiety and these meds are horrible, but I’m grateful for support.

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Jloava profile image
Jloava
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16 Replies
kenster1 profile image
kenster1

hi I am sorry life I hard.please don't push the kids away.it may well b your best support.

jkl5500 profile image
jkl5500

I also take Ativan, and my doc warned me not to suddenly stop taking it. Ativan is a benzodiazepine, and you have to step off it over a 10-day period to avoid any withdrawal symptoms. If you want to get off Ativan, I strongly recommend contacting your doctor immediately for advice on how to do it.

Jloava profile image
Jloava in reply to jkl5500

Thank you. After I posted this I read that. I will see my doctor after the weekend. They just make more depressed. They have to go.

jkl5500 profile image
jkl5500 in reply to Jloava

I'm sorry they don't work for you. They do make me a little sleepy, but to me, it's well worth it for the relief it provides.

Jloava profile image
Jloava in reply to jkl5500

I’m glad to hear that.

ChicagoGirl1961 profile image
ChicagoGirl1961

It would be better to taper a bit. .25 to .125 to .050 over a couple of weeks so it wouldn't be as unpleasant. But at .25 mg for less than a month stopping cold turkey is fine....in a week or two the symptoms will dissipate and you'll go back to base line. Good luck

Jloava profile image
Jloava in reply to ChicagoGirl1961

Thank you. I will talk to my doctor about it

hypercat54 profile image
hypercat54

Hi didn't your doctor tell you it will take 4-6 weeks for any meds to kick in and you can feel worse until then? If the side effects aren't unbearable then it is best to persevere. If they are then go back to your doctor and ask for different ones. It's often a case of trial and error before you find one that suits you. x

AZ1970 profile image
AZ1970

My daughter who is 17 has been in and out of hospitals since she was 6. One time was really bad and we spent several days in the ER. They kept giving her shots of Ativan. We discovered the hard way that she had horrible rebound effects from it that lead to intense escalations. I now do not allow her to be give any benzos. Some people have the opposite reaction. You are doing the right thing by taking care of yourself and limiting your children's exposure to your anger. Hang in there. You will get through this . Benedryl can take the edge off a bit if you need something to help. Just only take it as directed. Too much can wire you up. I hope you feel better soon.

Jloava profile image
Jloava in reply to AZ1970

I want to tell you thank you. I took your advice and went to see my doctor. I am currently detoxing with the help of Benadryl and the Benadryl is a God send. My family is supporting me and it’s wonderful. Even when I wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety attacks, the Benadryl helps. Day 3 of 10 and I’m making it.

AZ1970 profile image
AZ1970 in reply to Jloava

Your response is bringing tears to my eyes. I am glad you are getting relief and your doctor listened to you.

JEG325 profile image
JEG325

You are doing the right thing. Magnesium, GABA, L-Tryptophan and other supplements can work wonders. No sense enduring somethign you don't have to. I know many supplements that can help if you need some advice. But, the prescription pad should never be the first line of treatment anyway. I will pray that you recover quickly and that all of your problems improve. Have a blessed day!

JkBrauer profile image
JkBrauer

Hi, I'm sorry you are struggling so bad with your medicine. It sounds like you should go see your doctor again and tell him/her that this medicine is not the right one for you. I remember a medicine I had just started taking years ago when my kids were little. I had the absolute worst side effects. I went back to my doctor after a week of being on it, I told him what was going on. He changed my medicine and my husband and kids noticed a huge difference in me right away and I started feeling better too! Don't make yourself more miserable or your family, go talk to your doctor.

pink318 profile image
pink318

Hi- I’m sorry you are going through this. I hope you will get better after your doctor's appointment. Please update us. God bless.

Jloava profile image
Jloava

So I went to my doctor today and she recommended a tapering dose with Benadryl and after CBD oil. Someone else here also recommended Benadryl. I am on a small dose of Ativan, but I don’t think the taper will be any easier. To my advantage I am already on a beta-blocker for blood pressure and it helps with my anxiety. I also decided to drop my classes for the semester. I will let everyone know how it goes.

efishman profile image
efishman

who prescribed the Ativan? its a benzo very addicting. i had withdraw from xanax. i went to a detox. they gave me valium i can relate to ur withdrawal

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