my sister has been on 1 mg ativan for 15, yes, 15 years.
apparently doctors have realized ativan has an addiction problem. so her doctor will not prescribe it any more.
he told her to jus take half a tablet for a couple weeks every other day then stop.
OMG!!!!! this sister has a heart problem and has a stent.
I told her dont do this, get other advice on how to withdraw. but will anybody in ohio listen to me? oh hell no...
I am so worried but husband jus says, well, plan for funeral. her problem.
how can the medical community do this? this could kill her.
I'm speechless....
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
They do it all the time. They don’t realize how dangerous it is and perhaps they never get sued for it. She will REALLY suffer for this.
Ativan would need to be tapered for at least a year to keep her from going into a tailspin.
I wonder if she can find another doctor to help her?
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Agree, needs tapering - second the motion to find another doctor to help with that. Call around to find one. Perhaps a pain med clinic/doc would help with this?
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
they won't listen.. they call me the crazy one who believes in fibro and lyme....sigh
husband is right.
you can lead a horse to water but can't make it drink....
sometimes I hate the medical community.
the anesthesiologist who did his cancer surgery was bragging about making 3 million a year...egads
and people suffer with lyme and cant get treated.
Posted by aklnwlf (Member # 5960) on :
Addiction Center has some good info in regards to stopping Ativan. Also might want to google natural alternatives to Ativan that might help withdrawal symptoms. Hope your sister will be OK. Withdrawal is a b**ch!
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- [Edited to add: your posts below correct my initial response to the low dose - that it's still a problem.]
You wrote " . . . 1 mg . . . " just to be clear.
It's not really stopping suddenly as the doctor suggested to "take half a tablet for a couple weeks every other day then stop."
at just one mg. per tablet, it seems a very low to begin with still, I think rather than just cutting pills in half and taking just every other day . . . that cutting into quarters would be helpful for the second half of the taper down process and extend the time.
I'd also suggest certain nutrient supplements to consider and be sure that magnesium form and dose is in excellent shape as that can make a big difference in how well one might taper off.
There are also all sorts of support groups around tapering off - various good websites that suggest key nutrients to help. -
[ 03-09-2018, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Keebler ]
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- It may not be so much the "addiction" nature of this as the side-effects and damage that it can cause that has the doctor suggesting this action.
She may feel better after the transition especially if she's refined her nutrient support plan in the process. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- If I recall correctly, this sister is in Ohio. If not, similar searches can find correlating services in her state.
Many NDs are also certified in acupuncture yet below are two key organizations to find good guidance in ways to approach this transition - and what can really help.
is the first and only naturopathic organization in Ohio requiring
all members to be naturopathic doctors who have graduated from accredited 4-year naturopathic medical colleges, who have passed national (NPLEX) board exams, and who all must carry a license from states who currently license naturopathic doctors.
Also here: FIND a naturopathic doctor by location. -
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
The Ohio Association of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine is the voice of Licensed Acupuncturists (L.Ac.) in the state of Ohio to advance the ethical practice of acupuncture and Oriental medicine. -
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
I've friends who have been on 1 mg for years. yes, altho a small dose, it was a nighmare for them and one ended up hospitalized because the taper was too fast.
she ended up taking almost a year to get off.
like this dr, she was told to do a quick couple of weeks then stop.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Thanks for the clarification. In light of what you say maybe she could find a different MD with better expertise in how to help someone taper off even at this low dose.
It does not sound like her doctor is that engaged as to really listen to her or have the patience to properly address all the steps. She might find such a doctor who offers better understanding through even a phone call to a support group leader for this classification of Rx.
Some NDs might also have some suggestions for how to balance Rx with support methods. -