....just my opinion but people need HELP if their doctors decide to stop one of their patient's medications that is addictive, especially if that doctor has in the past been renewing prescription over and over!! This is not taking candy from a baby! I was taken off after 15 years, given by 2 subsequent drs., and a new dr at hospital took me off - didnt even give me any (none) idea that I even would go into withdrawal. It's totally wrong. Thing is I would love to get off this med but I cannot do it alone as some others, and I would need more than once a month chat on the phone with a social worker! Also, even when cut down on dose did not sleep hardly at all for months....If the government's want us off ... then they should ensure all doctors help or guide patients to help with withdrawal. We are not addicts but our bodies have become dependent on them. Someone here said a famous singer spent 45 days in hospital with withdrawal from a drug... but the average person has to try and deal with it at home with very little or no help: big difference!

That is exactly what happened to me only she did prescribed it for me after a go around she was my new Dr so she didn't know me I had to go see her the next day which was fine she told me she would refill them for me monthly I told her oh no no I want to come off them she gave me a taper down schedule. I was taking 1mg a day for the last 7 years. I really believe (I'm exquisitly sensitive to medication) now that I haven't been thinking clearly the last 7 years and I was falling often enough it was a concern. Interesting enough my brother told me when his wife was dying the Dr put him on ativan he took one on a tough day and fell down a flight of stairs breaking his wrist he said to me you haven't been your fun loving self in a longtime I miss you. I've noticed it myself I've been having mood swings thinking crazy things like my family and friends don't love me anymore because they don't respond to me when I contact them it's not true they work and have a busy schedule I'm home. I'm one week into tapering down I'm at .25 twice a day I've been having the shakes and feeling like I'm jumping out of my skin feeling it doesn't last long and it passes is that withdrawal symptoms? Yesterday was the first time I experienced it twice once during the day and my legs shook I fell asleep without a problem. So far today I haven't had any I did start with a panic attack but splashed cold water on my face and it stopped it I find for an anxiety attack the same distraction it works great for me. I will be glad to get off them and have some fun its been a long while taking them I'm not the positive person I was so there was a personally change with them. I have to taper down to .25 grams twice a day for two weeks and the take one every other day for two months and then stop them. I never felt like I was addicted to them I had misses a few days at a time but learning now two things 1 it stays in your fat cells longer then a regular benzo and two even 1 mg I think its a small dose your body can still be addicted to it. I never really knew anything about it until now that I'm coming off it the benzo is a good thing and also a brutal drug.

My Mom was addicted to Libium it was a nighmare for my family she was taking up to 100mgs a day at one point they got her down to 10mgs a day and she took that until she passed away. Back in the 50's a woman with anxiety was given a tranqulizer to quiet them not knowing how highly addictive they were and the ability to abuse them. I will be back letting you know how its going.