[aik202]

Hello,
I have been on the anti depressant Remeron (60mg) as well as 2mg of Ativan every night since November for treatment of depression, GAD and panic attacks. I have been trying to taper off of Ativan, and am currently down to 0.5mg. My Dr. told me to reduce it by 0.5 mg after 2 weeks. However I am having trouble with withdrawal symptoms: insomnia, depression, higher anxiety during the day, nausea. Does anyone have any tips to help reduce these symptoms? Should I try tapering off more slowly? My psychologist said it might be more useful to try out beta blockers rather than ativan for social phobia. Has anyone tried those? What was your experience?
Thanks,
aik202

[January]

Hi and welcome to Psych Central. You'll find lots of supportive people here.

I urge you to call your prescribing physician so you can tell him/her about your current symptoms. You may need to decrease the ativan at a slower pace, but only your Dr. will know for sure.

I know what it's like to try to go off of one med to go on another and I really feel for you in your situation. I hope things get better for you very soon.

[metamorphosis12]

The sodium calcium channel blockers are good Anxiolytics. They are preagbalin and his little brother gabapentin. They can help you get through this final stage. Pregabalin would be my choice. The side effects include increased appetite. It has been prescribed of label to people with anorexia. Also tolerance will develop but wont be an issue since you are at the end stage of getting of Ativan. So, you wont be using them long necessarily. Most people can't tolerate the weight gain and there is tolerance issues for some.

Also, If you can cut those Ativan pills as small as you can decreasing. Often the last 5mg of benzos( Ativan ) are known to be the hardest. You are going to have to tough it out and keep in touch constantly wit your pdoc. Benzos. are very hard to come off of but your below most of the danger points. Just break them again next time you reduce, baby steps at this point. I think you mentioned the beta blockers-Propranolol and metoprolol. They are usually used for physiological issues like sweating or trembling hands due to to an anxious situation but do have a mild anxiolytic effect that can work.

So talk these things over with your pdoc or doc. There are alot of options and your almost out of the woods!