I have been taking Ativan and Celexa for 9 years now. I have taken some type of medications for anxiety for the past 30 years! All doctor prescribed and as prescribed. Now I want to get off these two medications. I think I won't have too much problem with the Celexa with just tapering but I am very worried about the Ativan. I have read terrible stories on this one. I take 1mg 3X a day. No more than that dose for 9 years. I know when it is time to take my next dose because I start feeling sick. How do I get off this med?? I have tried tapering but I get so sick that I start back. Please can anyone offer advice. I would so much appreciate any and all advice and hearing from people that are going or have gone through this...... I need support and a plan. Thank you

Hi JufyJuice

And welcome to the Board. I believe the way to get off of Ativan is to switch over to an equivlent dose of Valium, and from there you will begin a very slow taper downward. Of course consult with your Doctor before you do anything, like how you already tried to taper straight off the Ativan. I believe a move like that can very easily send you into seizures. I am waiting for a friend to come on the Board, and she has sucessfully stopped taking Ativan after using it for so many years. I will definately ask her to get in touch with you and she should be able to help you...

until then, maybe others wil also offer you help and advise...

Take Care, JufyJuice

Kinda-unwell

I have been taking Ativan and Celexa for 9 years now. I have taken some type of medications for anxiety for the past 30 years! All doctor prescribed and as prescribed. Now I want to get off these two medications. I think I won't have too much problem with the Celexa with just tapering but I am very worried about the Ativan. I have read terrible stories on this one. I take 1mg 3X a day. No more than that dose for 9 years. I know when it is time to take my next dose because I start feeling sick. How do I get off this med?? I have tried tapering but I get so sick that I start back. Please can anyone offer advice. I would so much appreciate any and all advice and hearing from people that are going or have gone through this...... I need support and a plan. Thank you
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Hello JufyJuice

Ativan is a benzodiazepine and highly addictive. It is a difficult one to come off. Having said that I tapered off 3 mg of ativan very successfully - so dont worry - it can be done. (I started last Christmas and finished my taper by autumn)
Your best bet for now is to read up on it and get as much information as you can. Online there is a tapering Manual written by Professor C H Ashton - a world authority on withdrawal from benzos - she is a psychopharmacologist of world wide standing. If you type in the Ashton Manual into google - you will find it - you can download and read. I really recommend you do this. I followed her recommendations - almost to the letter - and had a successful taper off ativan using valium.
Another great place is a site and forum where people who are tapering off benzos meet and talk - you will get excellent advice on this site - it is full of very informative and helpful information. I am not allowed in here to give you the exact site - but it is a benzo org uk site - type in benzo org into google and again you will find. This is a private forum - I would encourage you to join. There is such a wealth of information and support on that site.
Take heart - you are right to want to get off ativan. Ativan should be prescribed for a max of between 2 and 4 weeks!!!!!!!! After a few weeks it becomes ineffective and you develop tolerance to it - and it starts to have negative effects and actually causes lots of side effects like anxiety, depression, insomnia etc - the very things it is meant to combat.
You will have to face up to perhaps a year to taper off ativan - you have to reduce little by little......... there is just no fast way to do it and c/t is out of the question (its dangerous - can cause seizures and long term withdrawal symptoms). Please read Asthon. It is all there.
Good luck
yinksy

Ya see, I told you she would come on the Board and try to help you and offer advise. She's been there, and she knows what she is talking about. Your best move would be to listen to her about those sites and continue to post to her when you have more questions. I hope you listen, cause it can be done safely.....

Kinda-Unwell

Thank You Kinda-Unwell and Yinksy! You are a Godsend! I will do just as you say. Thank you Thank you Thank you!

Good for you JufyJuice! Once you have read and explored as above - if you need any more advice - just ask - I can certainly share my experience with you.
If you go the the benzo org site - ask to speak directly by pm to the owner of the site - he will tell you exactly what you need to do - he is very direct - I reckon he knows more about benzo withdrawal than almost anyone else in the world - except for Prof Ashton.
Dont be afraid - it is a difficult one to face up to as the taper is so long - dont be discouraged - it is just so worth it to break free. Ativan is a soul destroying drug. Once you are into your taper you can go at the speed that best suits you and hopefully you can continue as in every day life. I found it hard but do-able!
All the best
yinksy