[Sipsy2015]

Hi I was wondering if anyone has experienced tolerance withdrawal from taking Benzos. I have been on Ativan for 4 years and now I am having very weird side effects and dizziness between doses. I am more anxious than ever and my depression has intensified. I was functioning and working but the last few months have been brutal. I tried to switch to a different Benzo but too many side effects and had allergic reaction to one of them . I’m pretty scared since the Ativan isn’t working the same , and some of the side effects almost seem like allergic reaction. I have no idea what is happening with my body. I want to try to take a antidepressant again and hope i can tolerate it so i can wean off of the Ativan. I have taken this in the past and never had an issue . TIA for any suggestions.

[Sipsy2015]

Just bumping this up to see if anyone has gotten tolerant and if so did adding an antidepressant help . Also hoping it will help me taper off the Ativan. TIA

[cool09]

Are you seeing a doctor? You have taken a different Benzo. Which one(s)?

[Sipsy2015]

Thanks for responding. Yes I have a pdoc . I am on Ativan 3 1/2 years now . I can see now last year I was getting tolerant. I took this med many years ago and was on it for 4 years - 1.5 mg and weaned off fine. Now it feels toxic when I take it. It helps me sleep but causes horrible depression and anxiety during the day even when I dose . I want to try an AD again ( Zoloft use to work ) but so worried as my body is sensitive and in chaos right now. I need to get off this med. had allergic reaction to Valium and Klonopin did not work

I ended up tapering off Ativan because I developed a tolerance, as well as a dependence. It also made me feel increasingly depressed. Started at 1mg and was up to 3mg a day before I decided enough was enough. I didn't want to end up one of those people on 10mg a day. It was a slow tapering, with doctor's approval. If you are considering it, I would bring it up to a doctor and discuss a safe tapering schedule.

I am on an anti-depressant as well, but on the Ativan it was barely working. Now it works just fine that I'm off the benzo. To replace what the Ativan gave me (decreased anxiety), I adapted other more natural coping techniques, such as deep breathing. It sounds really lame, I'm sure, but deep breathing does pretty much as good of a job as Ativan, and without any of those pesky side effects. I will never go on another benzo!

[Sipsy2015]

Thank you so much for responding. So were you on the Ativan first and then added the antidepressant? I spoke with my doc today and a slow taper and adding in Zoloft. I’ve taken Zoloft twice in the past and it worked. Then my system will just sputter out and I have to stop the Zoloft. I’m so sick and very depressed. I am going to try the breathing , exercise , acupuncture and everything I can. I pray the Zoloft will work again and that I can wean off this Ativan .

Originally Posted by Sipsy2015

Thank you so much for responding. So were you on the Ativan first and then added the antidepressant? I spoke with my doc today and a slow taper and adding in Zoloft. I’ve taken Zoloft twice in the past and it worked. Then my system will just sputter out and I have to stop the Zoloft. I’m so sick and very depressed. I am going to try the breathing , exercise , acupuncture and everything I can. I pray the Zoloft will work again and that I can wean off this Ativan .

I was on the anti-depressant for quite a while before adding in the Ativan, I'd say at least a year. I hope you find something that works for you!