Coming off Ativan

Options
sduch1
sduch1 Member Posts: 104
edited June 2014 in HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer

Hi--So, I'm sure like many of you, once I was diagnosed, all of my drs were writing me prescriptions for Ativan as part of the whole diagnostic process. They were practically giving it away for free---here take an Ativan! Anyway I have always had anxiety about taking meds, awesome irony since I was being signed up for heavy duty chemo meds. I took my first Ativan during a panic attack I had during my first chemo infusion----my nurse was staring into my eyes saying Take an Ativan! I refused for the longest time to take it and then finally gave in when I was suffering from insomnia during chemo. Now, I pretty much need it to go to sleep at night. I have told my drs I want to come off it. We agreed that I would stay on until I finish Herceptin and then I would taper off of it. I'm a little worried about my dependency on it and taking it this long. Just wondering how/when you came off Ativan (if you took it) and if you found that the further you were out from treatment/Herceptin the less you needed it.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • politicomama
    politicomama Member Posts: 187
    edited February 2013

    I haven't had to come off Ativan, but I completely understand your feelings.  Have you tried anything else to help you sleep?  My MO said that it was okay to use Melatonin.  I use that in between chemos if I am struggling.  Best wishes to you.  

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Letlet
    Letlet Member Posts: 1,053
    edited February 2013

    I used Ativan to combat my nausea during chemo...nothing else worked so i pretty much used it throughout treatment. When I finished I had no problems stopping it. I used Ambien to sleep and that was harder to let go...I still use that occasionally.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories