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Using cbd to wean off Ativan
I’ve been on Ativan for past 5 months. Initially I was taking 1mg-1.5mg daily down to 0.25mg -0.5mg for the past 3 weeks. My last dose was 2days ago when the doctor switched me to lexapro. Lexapro has been horrible for me, not able to sleep, feel wired, anxious. I won’t take it again. I want to get off the Ativan but should I have quit cold turkey or tapered? Have I been on the Ativan long enough to need tapering, and can I use cbd to deal with the withdrawal symptoms by itself or along with weaning? Help.
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NO!!!!! YOU HAVE TO WEAN OFF OF ATIVAN!!!!!
Taking 2mg of Ativan and stopping cold can cause seizures and serious side effects.
Doctors recommend tapering off of Ativan rather than quitting cold turkey, as this can be dangerous. Those who stop taking Ativan without weaning themselves off the drug first may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations and psychotic reactions.
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1 ReactionHi karrie999, I have been taking Ativan for about 15 years to help me sleep. I started taking it because I was taking high doses of Prednisone and couldn’t fall asleep. I’m now 70 and my PCP is adamant that I wean off the Ativan ASAP. It’s not a good drug for the elderly.
It can cause confusion, depression, memory loss, drowsiness, discoordination and unsteadiness. Also, Ativan may not relieve anxiety for some elderly people. Instead, it can result in agitation, confusion and increase the risk of falls. I have been weaning myself off of it for the past two months. I’m down to 0.25mg at bedtime. I’m shocked at how much clearer my brain is now, When I’m finally off of it I’m going to try 25mg of CBD Gummies, more than that causes me to have palpitations. I’m surprised that your doctor suggested using Ativan and CBD together.
Ired, try CBD topical. It helps my severe back and neck pain. Ativan doesn’t help with pain but CBD does!
You need a doctor's help to wean off Ativan. I have been on it for 10 years and love it - no side effects and it helps me sleep.
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1 ReactionI've been using Ativan for about 2 years. It's not good but not bad either.
The moment I wake up I become EXTREMELY nauseous. I don't throw up,
but it's horrible. I always take 1mg of Ativan and in 15-20 minutes the nausea
is almost gone.
@doctorj my doctor said I could try THC/CBD as an alternative to Ativan. Take Ativan one night and switch to the Gummie the next night, continue the one day rotation for a week, then try 2 nights of the gummie with one night Ativan. But, I was only on Ativan 5 months, 1mg per night. Unfortunately the gummies didn’t work well for me, but going to try a different product.
My problem is I don’t like the way THC/CBD gummies make me feel. Room spinning, can’t stand upright without falling, etc. Ativan doesn’t do that, and there is no hangover. I guess I will just stay on 2mg at night daily and take what comes. I have done it for almost 50 years, and feel great. The only problem is—taking them too late at night causes a morning drag. Once I took 3 mg, and couldn’t get up. Nothing over 2 mg.
@doctorj I have some plain CBD which doesn’t have the psychoactive components as THC. Even 12mg works pretty well for me. But, of course, everyone is different!
My doctor prescribed Trazodone as an alternative, but doesn’t work for me, although some of my friends say it works great for them. . .
I’ve been taking Ativan for over 20 years and I always called it my anchor, nothing else ever helped me with anxiety and getting through cancer stress, believe me I tried. I always tried to stay on the same dose, 0.5 twice daily and I also used cannabis gummies which helped me to feel more uplifted and a better appetite. Recently I started taking Lexapro and had to stop due to severe side effects so then the doctor switched me to Paxil, this also caused side effects but I micro dose to 2.5 mg and I’m getting better very gradually. Another issue came up with Ativan, I started getting inter dose withdrawal and it took me by surprise, I get nasty symptoms every time it wears off and increasing the Ativan is a bad option because the withdrawal symptoms will get stronger, I’m loathe to switch to another benzodiazepine that stays in your system longer because it’s not a simple thing to do, presently I will see how it goes with Paxil and later try to wean off Ativan when possible.
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1 Reaction@frouke I remember you saying that Ativan helped you for many years; interesting that that has changed. I’ve only been taking it for six months, but already noticing it not working as well as it was. My doctor said he could increase my dose, which I prefer not. So, like you I’m experimenting with CBD. My doctor also recommended Tylenol pm, which I’m not thrilled about. Good luck to both of us!