Ativan taper advice

[Callie67]

A few people have asked for advice, so here are some key things to keep in mind..

1. Do it with the help of a professional!! Ideally a psychiatrist, they’re more knowledgeable than you’re regular doctor. There are also addiction specialists and counselors if you feel addicted.

2. Only cut a dose a small amount at a time. If you take it several times a day don’t cut all 3 doses at once. That adds up to a lot of Ativan suddenly missing from your body!

3. Taper off slowly! (This I learned from personal experience) The brain needs time to heal and stabilize between cuts. I’m personally hoping to cut every 2 weeks.. BUT..

4. Everyone is different! Some people have to cut really small doses. Some people would have to wait longer than 2 weeks to cut another dose. So listen to your body and keep open communication with your dr.

5. Withdrawal symptoms.. I’ve experienced pins/needles in my feet, some stomachaches and rebound anxiety. There are a lot more to google if you like. Once you feel stabilized from these it is ok to cut again. You might feel ok the first few days, but it takes a few days to actually leave your system.

6. Find other ways to help your anxiety. Journal, meditate, exercise, etc.. even a long term med. (Remeron and journaling are really helping me through my taper process) Eat right and drink plenty of water.

7. There is something called the Ashton Method for tapering off fast acting benzos, like Ativan. It involves switching to Valium, which is longer acting and supposedly easier to cut and taper off of.

*I’m not properly educated in any way on this, but have done a lot of research the past few months and can speak from personal experience.

Best of luck to anyone going through the process! 😊❤️

[Agora1]

Hi Callie67, thanks for the post. My psychiatrist had me on the

Dr. Ashton Method when weaning off Ativan. It took a little longer

but it worked. And it worked safely. xx

[Callie67 in reply to Agora1]

That’s great it worked for you! Are you all finished your taper?

[Agora1 in reply to Callie67]

Yes haven't been on any benzos for 7 years. Just on Lexapro

[Callie67 in reply to Agora1]

That’s awesome! I can’t wait to be off the Ativan. Feel like it will be freeing in a way.

[Pugglesworth]

Callie,

Great post and I agree with your psychiatrist assessment. My primary care doctor was out of his league with psychotropic medications so I found a psychiatrist. I lucked out and got a good one on my first try. I went from seeing him twice a month to every three months now (three years later). I'm on Celexa and Buspar now. I still have Ativan for emergencies, but those don't occur to often. I ride out most anxiety attacks, but every few months I'll get a panic attack that I need help with (like in the middle of a meeting at work).

May you be well, happy and free of suffering.

[Callie67 in reply to Pugglesworth]

I was lucky with my first psychiatrist too! Plus it was hard finding one that didn’t require you to be meeting with their therapists first. (The Ativan/anxiety had me so messed up I couldn’t leave the house) That’s fantastic you don’t need the Ativan often. It’s a great medicine if you can use it sparingly.

Thanks for the positive reply! 😊

[gfranklin12]

OMG!!! Thank you so very much, that information is so helpful, and you are truly a Blessing😚😚😚

[Callie67 in reply to gfranklin12]

You’re welcome!! I don’t want anybody to suffer by doing it incorrectly.