Not a drug user, I'm an older lady who was given Ativan for anxiety disorder and now I'm dependent on about .05 mg, never took more than 1 mg a day for worse anxiety.

Now I have to wean off of it, and I've read you have to go very gradually. Any suggestions as to where to start and what to do with breakthrough anxiety during withdrawal?

Right now I've started first day down from 1 mg to .05 mg (in 2 doses) spread out. I had some anxiety right before time for the other half of the 05 mg.

How long should I stay at this taper? And suggestions on how to deal with the anxiety?

Thank you

:eek:

Hi Sugarpi,

I'm sorry to hear that you've developed a dependency. I assume your doctor prescribed the medication? If so, have you made him or her aware of the dependency you've developed and your plans for coming off the drug? Surely a doctor could advise you as to the best course of action.

Best wishes!

I think cutting your dose in half is too much, you have to cut much smaller amounts at a time or you'll surely have w/d symptoms.

I have been cutting Klonopin, that I got on from the doctor for the same reasons as you & I have been cutting very small amounts & then staying at each cut at least 2 weeks before cutting again.

I am no youngster either, was put on 6 diff. meds for back pain last winter & am finally down to just one left to get off of.

Do a search for tapering on the net, I'm sure you'll find some good info.

Thanx! As for as asking my doctor, or any doctor, all they do is put you on something else - :eek:

Lori: I seem to have done okay with cutting back to .05 now for a couple of days, a bit irritable, but will see if I can maintain this for 2 weeks and then begin dropping it down to the next taper.

God bless!

:wave:

Thanx! As for as asking my doctor, or any doctor, all they do is put you on something else - :eek:

Lori: I seem to have done okay with cutting back to .05 now for a couple of days, a bit irritable, but will see if I can maintain this for 2 weeks and then begin dropping it down to the next taper.

God bless!

:wave:

You are very lucky then, I'm very near my last cut & have all these w/d side effects:
Horrible headaches
Nausea
Chills
Fever like (face feels warm all the time)
Dizziness

It's certainly no picnic, but I got off 5 other meds, I need to get off this Klonopin, it's the last one.

Good luck to you on your taper.

You are very lucky then, I'm very near my last cut & have all these w/d side effects:
Horrible headaches
Nausea
Chills
Fever like (face feels warm all the time)
Dizziness

It's certainly no picnic, but I got off 5 other meds, I need to get off this Klonopin, it's the last one.

Good luck to you on your taper.

Lori,

I may be lucky. but you're are VERY BRAVE! I'm not sure how I'd handle what you're going through. I pray that you'll be totally successful and start a brand new lifestyle w/o these drugs. :)

Blessings,

Sugarpi

Lori P
Sorry to butt in on your post. I'm curious about your tapering of Klonopin since I am just beginning to do the same thing. What dose did you start out on and how long were you on it? How long did you take to taper? My doc said to take 2 months. I am on 1mg for insomnia.

just cruisin through. benzos are very dangerous to w/d off of. I woke up in a mental ward strapped to a bed in the MICU. easy does it and get medical help to comeoff of them