Addicted to Ativan after 8 days use? - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

adp831 · 07-09-2005, 01:14 PM

Someone please help me. My Dr. prescribed Ativan 0.5mg twice a day for
panic attacks. I started the panic attacks after suddenly stopping Ambien.
I used ambien nightly for 45 days

My husband decided he wanted a girlfriend and I haven't been right since.
My problem is I don't have the panic attacks anymore (or my husband) and I have taken the Ativan consistently for 8 days. I took .25 (cut pill in half) in the morning .25 at lunch and .25 at bedtime. That's it. On day 9 I decided I was going to cut back my dose even farther. I took on .5 the whole day. Half in the am other half in the pm. I went into a flood of withdrawals. The top of my head was tingling immensely, my skin was crawling, my lower back was burning, and I was shaky. I have also been taking toprol XL 50 once a day for controlling my blood pressure. I made it through day 9 with a definite struggle.
I figured since I hadn't been on it very long I should be able to quit fairly easy without too many withdrawals. (I was wrong) Day 10 I only had .25 mg. I was still going through very bad wds. Day 11, which is today, I was going to cut the half pill in half again and that would be it. Day 12 would be nothing. It didn't work out that way. I started to have a panic attack and had to take .25mg. I was so disgusted with myself I cried and cried and cried. I want off of these pills so my bad. First the detox from Ambien, now this. Whoever made this pill needs to go back to drawing board. Why would someone make a pill so effective and so addictive? Did I try to taper to fast?
I need to get off these pills, I am at .25 mg of Ativan a day. How long should I continue this? Someone please help me. I am so tired of fighting this.

butterfly64 · 07-09-2005, 01:24 PM

I am so sorry for what you must be going through.... I really have no knowledge about the meds you referred to, but the symtoms sound like wd to me!!! Someone will have the answers that you are looking for.. As far as getting off of the meds, you already know what you will face, having felt what sounds like wds anyway...it may be the hardest thing you have ever done....just decide to do it, and then do!!! You will be alot better for it, I can promise you!!!

Joan

goddessgrl65 · 07-10-2005, 04:56 AM

Hi-
im also on ativan..for panic disorder-
im very surprised you'd be having any kind of w/d from 1 mg-for 8 days..supposedly you can use them-up to a month or two-minus w/d..
you may be very sensitive to the benzos-or still have w/.d from the ambiem-
but..it sounds like panic to me..
the tingling/strange headiness-etc..are some symptoms of panic disorder..
call your dr. immediately..and they should have some answers for you.
i hope you feel better..!!
Been living w/ this-since my 20s.
peace..
ggrl

adp831 · 07-11-2005, 05:44 AM

Thanks to everyone who responded. I went to church yesterday and got sick. My mom took me up to the preacher in the middle of service and told him I was sick and he stopped the service and had all of the missionaries and
decons come to the pulpit to pray for me. My mom is our district missionary and widely respected in our church. As I was getting prayed for, I sobbed uncontrollably because of the frustration from the wd's. Yesterday I felt better than I had in weeks. I am withdrawing from the Ativan, even though it was a small dose, I think it was because I spread 1mg out over the entire day. (.25mg 4x day)
I know because my symptoms disappear after I take it. Could I be wrong?
Anyway, I am not an expert on this stuff, but I do know I will get through this. I have just never been one to have patience, but the victory is already mine, I just need to claim it.
I will pray for everyone on this board to receive their healing. I don't care how long each of us has been on this stuff, we don't deserve it. Let's trust and believe that God will bring us through as quick as our body can handle it.
I know I decreased my dose too quickly, otherwise my wd symptoms wouldn't be so severe, and I am seeing progress. So I will continue with my taper until I no longer need it. Have good day everyone.

goddessgrl65 · 07-11-2005, 06:29 AM

Hi again..
im glad to hear you felt better..yesterday.
The power of prayer..is real..and your faith will be the foundation of your recovery.
God bless...
Ambien is a safe med..to be used on occassion-no more than 2-3 days in a row.
This is to help break the insomnia.
The ativan made you feel better-as it calms you-and also has properties-to relieve stomach/nausea problems.
But- you may want to consult your Dr. to make sure all is ok..
Thank you for your prayers..
Sending healing back at cha..
peace..
ggrl