Cold Turkey Ativan - 10 days

[Briefglory]

I have been taking .5 mg of Ativan for the last several years to help with sleeping.  I started taking this after my husband suddenly died.  My doctor prescribed 1 mg 3 times a day.  I took that for awhile but didn't want to get addicted so started just using the .5 mg at bedtime.  It really helped me to sleep through the night.  The last 6 months or so I noticed that my sleep was getting worse again.  I decided to quit using the Ativan.  I had actually kept a supply from when my doctor was prescribing the higher dosage so she didnt know I was still using them.

I told the doctor that I couldn't sleep and she prescribed Ambien. It has been 10 days since I last took the Ativan.  I had no idea that it would cause withdrawal symptoms.  I had been pretty irritable all week but wasn't too worried about that  Yesterday I started having weird sensations in my brain so I started looking up Ativan withdrawal.  WOW - unbelievable!  My doctor never told me that this was so damaging.  

So my question is since it will be day 11 tomorrow - Monday - have I made it through the worst and should I just continue on or should I take .25 mg for awhile and try to step down that way?  I am scared that I don't want to damage myself and don't know what is the worst thing to do.  Can't see the doctor until tomorrow at the earliest!  Probably won't be able to get in then.

Appreciate any help!

[Briefglory]

When people say have you dealt with the loss of your husband I'm not sure what they mean.  I am a Christian and believe he is in a better place.  It is hard on the ones left behind.  We were married for 35 years.  It seems you just get adjusted to it.   I'm confused as to the different places to post on here  -As I told you in a different message  I have recently got remarried.  That's one of the reasons that I thought it would be ok to get off of the ATivan. Now I feel like this is going to be really rough on my marriage because we don't have that deep knowledge of each other!!  I will just have to trust God that the timng is right.

[Nighthawk61]

I'm so sorry for your loss as well dear, I lost my husband as well, back in '96, and I know how hard it is to continue on without them. Just know that he is watching over you, and look for little signs that he is there. I feel tears falling on me out of nowhere every so often, and I have come to know that I am being watched over. I lost my husband when I was only 35 years old, and fell in love with another wonderful man a few years later. I abused drugs after my husbands passing, and my new man helped me to get clean and sober.  I never thought that I would ever be with anyone else, but it happened, and I know that my husband would want me to be supported. If you ever feel like talking, I'm here to listen. God Bless You. Liz

[Jinx1942]

Im sorry for your loss,

If your 11 days off the drug then I wouldn't start it up again now, I think that would have a backwards effect. im sure your over the worst of it now.  

At least thats what i would guess from my experience with withdrawal...

Have you had withdrawal symptoms before from anything?  
it would appear everyones withdrawal times are and symptoms are different

Either way you have people to support you here, so hang in there and feel free to share :)

[dominosarah]

I would tell the doctors office what you have done and are experiencing.  Have you dealt with the loss of your husband?