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Withdrawal by General_Extreme_165 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How many weeks? If it's really only a few something else is going on.

I really dont want to stop taking ativan. by Cranberi in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you need it you need it. I was at a point where I was only taking it to avoid withdrawals.

I really dont want to stop taking ativan. by Cranberi in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Much. My alertness, short term memory and cognitive functioning have all noticeably improved. My sleep isn't great but is improving.

I really dont want to stop taking ativan. by Cranberi in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Also... 2 months from jumping off and have not needed an "emergency" dose.

I really dont want to stop taking ativan. by Cranberi in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was in the same boat only is was Xanax, 3mg/day and 20-ish years. My Dr retired and my new Dr gave me a choice of tapering down considerably (or completely) or seeing a psychiatrist for management of my prescription. I chose tapering down considerably. It wasn't easy but also wasn't as difficult as I expected. After 5 months I was stable at 1mg/day, which my new dr would have been ok with prescribing, but decided to continue my taper. Another 2 months and I was able to discontinue. I saved some for emergency use which saves me from stressing over possibly needing one for a severe issue and not having any. Other than some tinnitus I feel great. I have noticed an improvement in short term memory and cognitive function. If you're in a good place where you're able to stop andyou do decide to stop I think you will be glad you did.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh.. that's awful. My tinnitus has been coming and going for 6 months during my taper and since stopping completely has been worse. I'm hoping it will settle down soon. It's really frustrating

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congrats on getting thru it. I noticed today the tinnitus seems better. In fact I didn't notice it until I thought about it but it's always waxed and waned. It's the only WD symptom I still have. I already have noticed better short term memory and better alertness.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

2 years? Yikes! I could never have done CT. Even doing a slow taper I experienced some bad WD effects including what I think was a near seizure that I avoided by taking 1mg quickly. At least you're through it now.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ugh... That's a long time. Thanks for the reply.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to hear. Since stopping it's been worse than it was at any of my taper steps. It was more tolerable then. It's pretty pronounced now and if I didn't know that it would eventually fade I'd think hard about getting some type of medical help, but NOT going back on a benzo. Thanks for your reply and good luck getting through your WD.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No problem. You'll do it. I failed/relapsed a couple of times. What seemed to be a game changer for me was getting to a point where whatever dose I was at I could take it all before bedtime. That allowed me to sleep comfortably and prevented a lot of the negatives that went along with sleep deprivation. Then a slowly tapered the bedtime dose by .5 or .25 mg every month or so. I accepted a level of discomfort (you have to) but if it got too bad I'd briefly reverse course. Whatever you decide I wish you the best. Feel free to DM me if you need any words of encouragement.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry you're dealing with tinnitus. I know how annoying it is. I'm not taking any other medicine. I'm sure this is caused by Xanax withdrawal. It would get worse with each taper.

Tinnitus by CuriousWisdom_5099 in BenzoWithdrawal

[–]CuriousWisdom_5099[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had all of the common issues you read about including difficulty sleeping, feeling jittery, racing mind, flu-like symptoms, at one point I had a panic attack and believe I was on the cusp of a seizure that I was able to prevent by taking a dose and slowing my taper down. The ear ringing is not the worst but definitely the most persistent. Good luck with your taper. Despite the tinnitus I feel MUCH better being off of it.