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I am trying to wean off of Ativan. I was on up to 4 mg. per day for 8 years. The doctor who was prescribing retired - I can't find any dr. who will prescribe this medication. I suffer from panic disorder, GAD, social phobia, since a child. This was the only medication I could tolerate - antidepressants all made me manic. I didn't know the repercussions of trying to get off of benzodiazepines. (seizures, psychosis, etc., etc.) Trying to find a doctor who will taper me off of this. I live in Woodbridge, NJ. Thank you.

Submitted: 247 days and 16 hours ago.

Category: Medical

Value: $14

Status: AWAITING CUSTOMER ACTION

Posted by FamilyPhysician 247 days and 16 hours ago.

Answer

Stopping Ativan "cold turkey" is dangerous - it can lead to seizures. At this point, your best option would be to find a psychiatrist or addiction specialist who can help you wean off this medication.

247 days and 16 hours ago.

Reply

I already know that going cold turkey can lead to seizures. What I need to know is the hame of a doctor in my area (central New Jersey) who has expertise in weaning of the Ativan. Thank you.

Posted by FamilyPhysician 247 days and 16 hours ago.

Answer

The appropriate county mental health facility in your area would be able to assist you in finding these particular physicians who deal with addiction and panic disorder.

247 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

I've already checked with many different county, state, local agencies, called several doctors and psychiatrists, to no avail.
I thought there might be a doctor you or one of the other doctors online would know of in central NJ that definitely deals with this problem.

Posted by FamilyPhysician 247 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

I will opt-out and see if any of the other experts who can help you

Posted by DoctorRich 247 days and 15 hours ago.

Info Request

when did you doctor retire? And was he in NJ?

247 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

A month ago - yes, he was in NJ.

Posted by DoctorRich 247 days and 15 hours ago.

Info Request

Are you still able to contact him in some way?

247 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

No. He was also working at Muhlenberg Medical Center, besides the Health Center I saw him at - I tried calling Muhlenberg to see if I could get in touch with him, but could not.

Posted by DoctorRich 247 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

That is too bad- he is supposed to arrange to a transfer of care for you- because of this type of situation. I would consider calling the NJ State board to find out his location- they have to have it on file... he needs to arrange this. You should not be left out in a lurch like this.

247 days and 15 hours ago.

Reply

What would I look for?...NJ State Medical Board? ..and yes, he certainly did leave me in a lurch!

Posted by DoctorRich 247 days and 15 hours ago.

Answer

New Jersey State Medical Board.
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/bme/bmesitemap.htm#consumers

I would call them Monday and explain. It is state law- when a physician retires or can no longer see patient (personal conflict), they HAVE to arrange transfer of care. Heaven forbid you need your medical records for something..

In the meantime, if you are in a jam, you can always go to the ER for help. They can write you for some ativan. I would be as honest and courteous as possible- they are doing you a favor and they don't have to write this. I would consider asking them for a librium taper- it is longer acting than ativan (it is also a benzo) and we give it to alcoholics we are trying to taper off.

Best wishes

Press the green accept button if this was helpful

247 days and 14 hours ago.

Reply

Thank you, XX. XXXX, for that information. I agreed to pay $14, but when I pressed the accept button, they said I had to pay $18. I just sent them an email - when I hear back from them, I will certainly pay the $14.
Thank you, again,
and God bless you for your help.
Susan

Answer

Thank you :)

Expert:	DoctorRich
Pos. Feedback:	99.0 %
Accepts:	2951
Answered:	6/7/2009

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American Board Certified in Emergency Medicine

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Have your own Medical question?

Question

Answer

Stopping Ativan "cold turkey" is dangerous - it can lead to seizures. At this point, your best option would be to find a psychiatrist or addiction specialist who can help you wean off this medication.

Reply

I already know that going cold turkey can lead to seizures. What I need to know is the hame of a doctor in my area (central New Jersey) who has expertise in weaning of the Ativan. Thank you.

Answer

The appropriate county mental health facility in your area would be able to assist you in finding these particular physicians who deal with addiction and panic disorder.

Reply

I've already checked with many different county, state, local agencies, called several doctors and psychiatrists, to no avail. I thought there might be a doctor you or one of the other doctors online would know of in central NJ that definitely deals with this problem.

Answer

I will opt-out and see if any of the other experts who can help you

Info Request

when did you doctor retire? And was he in NJ?

Reply

A month ago - yes, he was in NJ.

Info Request

Are you still able to contact him in some way?

Reply

No. He was also working at Muhlenberg Medical Center, besides the Health Center I saw him at - I tried calling Muhlenberg to see if I could get in touch with him, but could not.

Answer

That is too bad- he is supposed to arrange to a transfer of care for you- because of this type of situation. I would consider calling the NJ State board to find out his location- they have to have it on file... he needs to arrange this. You should not be left out in a lurch like this.

Reply

What would I look for?...NJ State Medical Board? ..and yes, he certainly did leave me in a lurch!

Answer

Reply

Thank you, XX. XXXX, for that information. I agreed to pay $14, but when I pressed the accept button, they said I had to pay $18. I just sent them an email - when I hear back from them, I will certainly pay the $14. Thank you, again, and God bless you for your help. Susan

Answer

Thank you :)

Related Medical Questions

I've already checked with many different county, state, local agencies, called several doctors and psychiatrists, to no avail.
I thought there might be a doctor you or one of the other doctors online would know of in central NJ that definitely deals with this problem.

Thank you, XX. XXXX, for that information. I agreed to pay $14, but when I pressed the accept button, they said I had to pay $18. I just sent them an email - when I hear back from them, I will certainly pay the $14.
Thank you, again,
and God bless you for your help.
Susan