Someone please help me. My doctor prescribed me years ago 1mg Ativan to help with anxiety attacks. I had switched to Ativan from Xanax. When the switch was made, I did not begin taking them, however.

I recently found a bottle I hadn’t used (1mg-3mg/day as needed), and 2.5 days ago (wed night) I took four 1mg pills due to a panic attack. (I didn’t realize they needed to be split up throughout the day until googling it, the label on my Rx didn’t say, and yes, I knew I was taking more than recommended, but I based that on google, stupidly.) I felt them kick in but I felt fine. Just general heaviness/mild coordination stuff.

The next day (thurs) my anxiety was crazy again and midday I took two 1mg pills, and that night a few hours later I took one more 1mg pill. So 7mg of Ativan in about 22 hours. Woke up Friday morning and went to work and just started to feel off. As the day went on I noticed that my coordination was worse, my anxiety was up, my hands and feet were cold and I was a little shaky, my bp was raised, etc. As the night went on it got worse and I had to do everything inside myself to calm down. Pins and needles, I felt cold, spins when I closed my eyes or even laid down/changed positions quickly, dry mouth, clenching my jaw, spacey, uncoordinated, just drunk feeling but worse. About 2:30am I did feel a bit better, and closer to 3-4 I could close my eyes without spinning and almost felt normal.

I woke up today (Saturday) and my symptoms slowly returned as I woke up. I don’t believe they are as severe as last night, but they seemed to taper a bit overnight and come back heavier today.

I have chronic health anxiety. My panic attack stemmed from ongoing worries that make me worried I have cancer. I just need to talk to somebody. Would this short of a time taking this med do this because of the higher dose? Does this sound like withdrawal? I may have taken a couple of them on Tuesday as well, but I do not remember if it was two more than that. Please help ease my mind. I never want to take these meds again if this is what can happen. I also will find peace knowing that is what it is from instead of worrying some sort of cancer is bringing these symptoms on in what seems like waves. I feel it would be a gradual onset, peak, and get better slowly? Not come in waves. Any experience with this would be appreciated. Thank you.