-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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sammy
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 13952
posted
Usually if you are to experience withdrawal it will happen & be worse immediately after adjusting medication dose.
Withdrawal time & symptoms severity can vary based on initial dose, how long you’ve been taking med, & persistent severity of anxiety.
Doctors always hope that prescribed dose adjustment allows for initial withdraw symptoms to be tolerated. Often though, dose adjusting causes acute increase in symptom severity. Once those symptoms subside & are minimal for 1-3weeks, doctors typically lower your dose again...
If you have severe & intolerable symptoms with any medication adjustments, please contact doctor ASAP. That is not intended to happen.
Also, the fact that you stated tolerating the reduced dose for a few weeks & now have bad anxiety again makes me believe that you still need some form of treatment for the anxiety.
Ativan or any benzo is not intended to be taken regularly for a long time. They generally stop working as they should so patients need higher & higher doses to find relief.
It’s would be wise of you to schedule an appointment with your PCP to discuss what’s been going on.
Then consider ask for RX ”Buspar”. It’s a unique long acting anti anxiety med. Not addictive & not a barbiturate (like Ativan & Valium). Side effects rare, few, not severe.
Another great option for you are SNRI’s (like “Effexor” & “Cymbalta”) they work Very Well to support proper serotonin, dopamine, & norepinephrine levels. They work to directly reduce anxiety & stress. They also reduce pain, reduce depression, improves sleep, & improves energy. Side effects rare, few, not severe.
Once you’re done with your Lyme treatments then it would be a safer time to attempt stopping supportive meds. By treating the anxiety now, you will be able to tolerate necessary Lyme medications better. And you will have a far better quality of life.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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posted
I have been taking Ativan also for anxiety and just reduced mine also. I think there is a big withdrawal factor you are dealing with. It is a horrible drug to be on and that is why I want to come off. I was speaking with my llmd and she wants me to start Wellbutrin today and I am scared to start another antidepressant. I didn't do well before on them. Not sure what I am going to do but go slowly, they are not easy to get off of. Good luck and you can pm me anytime you want.
Posts: 468 | From boston, ma | Registered: Feb 2018
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posted
Also I was told to reduce the Ativan by 1/4 pill every three weeks if that helps. How much Ativan do you were you on and how much right now
Posts: 468 | From boston, ma | Registered: Feb 2018
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