Posted by bassman on June 20, 2006, at 17:01:42
In reply to Long Term effects of Ativan, posted by tiredofthislife on June 20, 2006, at 0:54:48
A period of panic, perhaps? I say that in part because of your fear of it happening again, which is so typical of panic-it isn't just that you hope it doesn't happen again, you are scared silly that it might happen again. I'm a panic disorder guy, myself. :>} Also, the coffee might have helped the panic along.
You can taper off the Ativan if you want to-as was mentioned, a little at a time-be gentle with yourself, this isn't a contest. What I do, which I haven't seen written before, is to take more frequent, lower doses before tapering-a pain, I know-so I'd take the Ativan 6 times a day, cutting (as best you can with that tiny pill) spaced out as much I could. After you feel alright by doing that (split one dose at a time and leave it for a few days)-you shouldn't feel any discomfort. Then try 5 doses/day, spacing them out as before and stay there for a week-and then, do it again, etc. If you get too anxious, don't get discouraged, just go back to the last dose you were comfortable with. The real secret of tapering, I think, is to just not to be very concerned about it-like thinking all day, "am I going to get anxious because I'm taking less benzo? Is it dangerous? Etc." Just think of it as a hobby or a project...and good luck!
poster:bassman
thread:659012
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060617/msgs/659340.html