Could use some help
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 111
Could use some help
Hi all ,
Not sure if you remember me , but I stopped drinking three years ago and have been in a treatment resistant depression ever since . Also have TONS of anxiety with my depression . My psychiatrist at the time three years ago put me on ativan stating that although he knew I had a problem with drinking he felt I would not become addicted to the Ativan . I haven’t become addicted, but I have built up a tolerance to the current dose I am on . It no longer works for me and I will not raise it . I started a taper of this medication last week and already the withdrawals and anxiety are awful . My doctor has given me a tapering schedule. In three years I have tried 24 meds with the Ativan and nothing has worked to get me out of this depression . My fear is that the anxiety will be 10 times worse going off the Ativan because it has never been resolved . I am so very scared and feel like I’m going through alcohol withdrawal all over again . At least this time, with the Ativan, I didn’t stop cold turkey like the alcohol . I could really use encouragement right now as I know this process will take at least 4 months and after the 4 months the withdrawals will probably get even worse . Anyone with insight or encouragement..... it would be greatly appreciated.
Not sure if you remember me , but I stopped drinking three years ago and have been in a treatment resistant depression ever since . Also have TONS of anxiety with my depression . My psychiatrist at the time three years ago put me on ativan stating that although he knew I had a problem with drinking he felt I would not become addicted to the Ativan . I haven’t become addicted, but I have built up a tolerance to the current dose I am on . It no longer works for me and I will not raise it . I started a taper of this medication last week and already the withdrawals and anxiety are awful . My doctor has given me a tapering schedule. In three years I have tried 24 meds with the Ativan and nothing has worked to get me out of this depression . My fear is that the anxiety will be 10 times worse going off the Ativan because it has never been resolved . I am so very scared and feel like I’m going through alcohol withdrawal all over again . At least this time, with the Ativan, I didn’t stop cold turkey like the alcohol . I could really use encouragement right now as I know this process will take at least 4 months and after the 4 months the withdrawals will probably get even worse . Anyone with insight or encouragement..... it would be greatly appreciated.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 1,327
I dunno but it's probably a good thing you're getting off that benzo dude. Just think positively of that. Also what's that, a four month taper? That sounds crazy to me, though I'm no expert... Sounds like you should be changing doctors regardless.
Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Posts: 1,132
I support you!! I've never had the anxiety problem so I can't really comment on that. Benzodiazepines can be a nightmare to come off of and it sounds like your doctor has a solid plan for that. From what I've read on the internet, 4 months is good. I wish you the absolute best with this.
We've talked about getting a new doctor before, so I won't even comment on that.
It sounds like we've tried the same medications for depression and it appears like it's pretty standard treatment. Go down the list. In my case, my psychiatrist thinks the Lamictal might have kicked in after about 2 months. My case was highly unusual. Anyway, my best to you.
We've talked about getting a new doctor before, so I won't even comment on that.
It sounds like we've tried the same medications for depression and it appears like it's pretty standard treatment. Go down the list. In my case, my psychiatrist thinks the Lamictal might have kicked in after about 2 months. My case was highly unusual. Anyway, my best to you.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by Tetrax 
I dunno but it's probably a good thing you're getting off that benzo dude. Just think positively of that. Also what's that, a four month taper? That sounds crazy to me, though I'm no expert... Sounds like you should be changing doctors regardless.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by HeadEast
I support you!! I've never had the anxiety problem so I can't really comment on that. Benzodiazepines can be a nightmare to come off of and it sounds like your doctor has a solid plan for that. From what I've read on the internet, 4 months is good. I wish you the absolute best with this.
We've talked about getting a new doctor before, so I won't even comment on that.
It sounds like we've tried the same medications for depression and it appears like it's pretty standard treatment. Go down the list. In my case, my psychiatrist thinks the Lamictal might have kicked in after about 2 months. My case was highly unusual. Anyway, my best to you.
We've talked about getting a new doctor before, so I won't even comment on that.
It sounds like we've tried the same medications for depression and it appears like it's pretty standard treatment. Go down the list. In my case, my psychiatrist thinks the Lamictal might have kicked in after about 2 months. My case was highly unusual. Anyway, my best to you.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 1,327
Originally Posted by HeadEast
From what I've read on the internet, 4 months is good. I wish you the absolute best with this.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: NSW - Australia
Posts: 14,540
It took me longer than 4 months to taper off benzo's. Haven't had a benzo for 12 months. Things have improved but suffering PAWS still. Benzo withdrawal is the worst circle of hell.
Not true for ALL people.
Not true for ALL people.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2019
Posts: 111
Originally Posted by Steely
It took me longer than 4 months to taper off benzo's. Haven't had a benzo for 12 months. Things have improved but suffering PAWS still. Benzo withdrawal is the worst circle of hell.
Not true for ALL people.
Not true for ALL people.
Member
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 56
Rharman, I don't have any experience with Atvian. All I can say is the more motivated you are to heal your problems, and hence, the more actions you take to solve them, the quicker and more easily you will shift out of the current state you are in to a more positive one. Think of anything and everything you can do to help yourself and do it.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Great Lakes
Posts: 139
I have been taking xanax for over 20 years . I ran out of them a few weeks ago and it could have killed me .
I had what is called cold sweats . It is hard to stop them .
Look up xanax withdrawl on web it is like ativan .
I had what is called cold sweats . It is hard to stop them .
Look up xanax withdrawl on web it is like ativan .
Currently Active Users Viewing this Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
