Is anyone taking ativan? I have taken it for 15 years, .5 mg 3x per day. I would like to get off but am afraid of side effects. Has anyone been on it for years and gotten off it?

Anna,

I took Ativan for a very short time. I only took one when I needed one and never even finished the prescription.

For someone that has been taking them as often as you are, I would suggest speaking directly with a pharmacist or your doctor about successfully weaning you off the medication SLOWLY. The slower the better!!

Be very careful when coming off this medication. Abrupt discontinuation can cause seizures and worse panic. That's why it's crucial that you do it properly.

Take your time and don't rush it. Wean slow and you'll be successful.

Hi.. I have been on .5mg 4x a day for about 3 months now. I know that doesn't seem long for you, but I am weaning myself off. The best way to do it is very slowly. Start by taking it maybe once in the morning and once at night for about a week and see how you feel. Don't rush yourself, if your not feeling okay with it, go another week, then just keep cutting your dosage's down as much as possible. Even breaking the .5 in half 2 times a day. Everyone is different, but this has helped me. Also drinking water helps, with maybe a big glass of milk at night. (It seems to comfort nerves.) Hope this helps..

Dear Anna,

Have you worked this program?

I for one have been on different anti-anxiety meds for 17 yrs. now. You are the first one that has almost taken meds as long as myself. I never thought I was going to totally be able to relate to someone! I have been thru the program, and hope to start weaning myself soon.

I have heard it's not going to be easy. It must be done very slowly. Also, you should be doing this w/ your doctor.

Be careful and please keep me posted.

Good luck!
Diane

dl,

What about Buspar? I hear that is a new anti-anxiety drug that isn't addicting. Why would a doctor keep you both on a tranquilizer for so long when it's only meant for short term treatment?

That really baffles me. I guess I just don't understand. It seems they have made things harder on you both because now you have to endure withdrawals.

Have you asked your doctor about this? What did they say?

SMears,

If you scroll back to July's posts I have my whole story there titled,"How long have you?"

Take care,
Diane

Thanks to everyone who responded. I realize I have to wean off slowly. I guess I have been on it so many years because it helps me feel better. I was able to wean my self down a few years ago, to just .5 in the morning and a quarter of that in the afternoon and I was ok with that for about 3 years. Then one day I had a real bad panick attack, I was in a grocery store and I everything started to look like it was cut in half, I ended up in the emergency room they said it was just anxiety. Of course, being the way I am, I didn't quite believe them I was sure I was going to have a stroke. I kept having vision problems every now and then, thats when I raised my dose again. I went to the doctor, he sent me to a neurologist for tests and I finally had a cat scan, it was normal. It turns out I have aura that is related to migranes, eventhough I don't always get headaches with it. It funny though when I found out the cat scan was normal I felt pretty good, and thought I can finally put this behind me and stop worrying about having a stroke. And I was fine for a while and then got laid off work. I was home all day and I started obsessing about everything I went through a real bad period of guilt, fear that I was going crazy. I also started to think that the ativan was making me feel that way. That's when I called the Midwest Center and started the coaching program. After a couple of months I started to feel better. I started to exercise, it helped tremendously, I talked with the coach and family and friend and they helped me realize that it was my thinking that was making me feel bad. Once I started to exercise, I started to notice a difference. I also stopped myself when I started to obsess. I was definitely my obsessive thinking that made me sick, because once I didn't let myself obsess I felt alot better. It's easier said than done. For me I truly believe that regular exercise and eating less sugar makes all the difference in the world. I doing ok now. I'm just concerned about being on the ativan and would like to try to get off. Diane I would like to read your history, but I don't know how to scroll back to July. There got to be more people then just you and I who have been on medication for years. For one I know my mother-in-law has been on antidepressants and tranquilizers for at least 10 years. I tried anti-depressants they freaked me out. I thought they were making me think crazy. I'm sure it was just my imagination, because I heard of some of the possible side effects. Anyway I'm going to see my doctor in December I'll talk to him then. Thanks to all.

Dear friend,
I am a nurse who has seen many people come into the hospital through the years who are addicted to ativan. You must see your doctor to develop a plan to get off of ativan slowly. Do not do this on your own. I guarantee you that you will have withdrawals if you stop it suddenly, and it won't be pretty. Yes, you definitely can get off of it, but only under your doctor's care. Ativan should never be given to a patient on a routine basis. It is only intended for occasional use, on an as needed basis. Good luck, and God bless you

I have been taking the anti-depressant Celexa for a little over 3 years and it has been marvelous. Periods of depression are few and far between now whereas before it was a way of life. There is a strong family history with depression and consequently, heart disease. I have ativan to use as needed and I rarely need them. I find that when I am in an anxiety attack I really do fall back on the techniques used in the program and take the ativan only when I'm too far into it to be able to use any other means.

------------------
Jolly

Dear Anna,

If you go up to the top of the page on the right hand corner there is a place that has search. Click on that and just put dl under username and it will bring up my posts.

Diane

Annette,

why is that drs prescribe it for long-term if ativan is for short-term use only? I've been on
it for 2 years and I have been trying to get off
it for the last 3 months. I manage to reduce the
dosage, and frequency throughout the 2years. But,
the last 2mg at bedtime and 1m middle of the night
is proving to be very hard.

The dr did not discourage me from weaning off the
ativan. But, again, I was the one who initiated
the idea and have been pushing for it all along.
He doesn't seem to feel that is a rush to get
off the med.

Could you comment on your experiences with patients who have been on ativan?

Thanks,
Bea