Today is only my FIRST day on my newest Ativan cut and I’m already breaking down. I know I’m doing it to myself, which is aggravating. Between that and the concussion I’m just spent. Been dealing with these situations since Black Friday and I want to be DONE already. 
I try SO hard to be patient and positive and take one day at a time but I’be spent my entire life dealing with health problems and missing out on things.
Just want to be healthy and “normal” for crying out loud.
I know it’s frustrating and makes you miserable. Try to remember this is not going to be forever.
I was on Ativan years ago. Hated it. Was always tired.
Were you on a high dose? It’s never really had that affect on me.
Only .5 milligrams. I was sixteen. It made it hard to function well in school. I eventually stopped taking it. Sorry for the delay in responding.
It’s ok! When I took it years ago I remember feeling a little hyper. But I think it was a placebo affect lol.. hopefully you found something else to help.
I stopped all anti anxiety medicine back in 2003. I only take an ssri. I tried tapering off it but grew very agitated and angry.
That’s not good. I hate being on meds but know I really need something right now. Figured I should stop being so stubborn.
I don’t doubt the efficacy of the medicine. I just wanted to see if I still needed it. Been on it for twenty years. I think the brain becomes physically addicted.
Yes! It changes your brain chemistry, that’s why it’s so important to taper slowly, so your brain can heal in between cuts. I wish it was something people could quit cold turkey.
God Bless you love... You will get through this, and we are here for you!!! Thank you for all the wonderful and awesome information concerning how to use ativan. You will overcome this... I promise😊😊😊!!!
Thank you. I’m grateful I don’t have it worse but even the smallest amount adds up when it’s been long enough.
I have to say, there comes a point if you've been on benzos for a long enough time, that you might want to stay on a small dosage. I was prescribed klonopin over 20 years ago, and I wish I had never touched the drug. Fast forward to now, and I'm on a the longer acting Diazepam (Valium). My Doctor's attitude is if you need it for anxiety, then you need it. As long as you don't abuse it, I don't see why we should all suffer trying to go through these awful withdrawals. Ativan is especially short-acting, so it's so hard to come off of. Why don't you ask your Doc to switch to Valium and then you can wean from there? It's a much smoother taper. Look up tapering off benzos with Valium. There's this groundbreaking Neuroscientist from England, a woman, who came up with a sound method so patients don't suffer. And remember, if you NEED it for anxiety, that's what it's for! But I would switch to one with a longer half life. Ativan and Xanax are hellish beasts! Good luck and we're all here with you! But don't suffer! Call you Doc if you need to!
Ffiggins42, you are absolutely correct in that there is a time and a place for benzos.
I was on a half of 0.25mg of Xanax for 30 years when it no longer worked. I was then
switched to high doses of Ativan while in the hospital. When that didn't help, my
psychiatrist used the Dr. Heather Ashton method of weaning off my benzos by switching
to Valium while cutting doses. It was hellish at the time but I made it through. It took
time and determination but I won. Today I'm on no benzos, but Lexapro as well as
using Meditation and Deep Breathing daily. As difficult as it was to get off my benzos,
I don't regret having been on them. It was what I needed at the time and bought me
30 years of my life. We each need to find what works best for us in the time that we
need them. Life is about living and not just existing. Thanks for sharing your response
Figgins, I totally agree with you. 
xx
I’m also on Remeron for anxiety. I don’t want to come down on a medicine if it’s helping other people but benzos aren’t meant for long term use. I’ve been on it about 3 months. Was taking 1.5mg/day in January, now I’m down to .5mg/day. Unfortunately I think I was unintentionally abusing it. I’ve read about the Ashton method but didn’t want to go through the time/aggravation of switching to another med. I get the science behind it but I didn’t want to drag out the process with even more tapering. :/
Oh and thank you for the best wishes! I think I’m going to call my psychiatrist tomorrow and ask to increase the Remeron. Started it a month ago, still on a super low dose.
I love what Figgins and Agora had to say i.e. if one needs it, they need it! From what we’ve talked about however, I think this is a good plan Callie. Let me know how it goes with your psychiatrist. I think it will also help with any increased anxiety you experience as a result of coming off the Ativan.
I hear (and feel) your frustration. Also dealing with "health" issues on top of mental health ones. I know it will take a long time to get to "normal" and the new normal will not be like the older one. No advice, just ... what you're going through is hard.
I’m sorry you can relate. It’s a crappy feeling to have problems on top of problems. Feel free to reach out if you ever need to vent. I felt like I always had a crappy level of “normal”. I’d give anything to feel that “good” again!
Got a job interview. Plus my top 3 choice for therapists in my homecity. Overthinking the decisions
What's your name?
Medication help for anxiety/panic attack 
The Real World is Too Overwhelming 
Self esteem and a journey into liking myself again 
