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Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?
Has anybody successfully managed to successfully wean off of Lorazepam?
If so how was it done?
And if it was by way of switching to other drugs, were you then able to taper off of those entirely under a doctor's guidance?
My husband has been on Lorazepam for 16 years
He did well for 14 years, but dragged his feet about trying to withdraw while he was feeling better.
In May he had a relapse of anxiety, and insomnia, with brain fog, heart palpitations, and more.
Currently he's doing better, thinking better, but still feels like crap a large part of the time, can't sleep without the drug, can't nap.and still struggles with anxiety.
At this point, I believe it's the drug that is actually causing the problem. Currently he's doing 1 mg at bedtime and 3/4 mg when he wakes up at 2:30 am.
I know it takes 2 years for the brains GABA receptors to normalize after taking Benzodiazepines.
Also know it's really hard to withdraw, has to be done extremely slowly, and the side effects are exactly the same as the symptoms it is meant to help.
My goal is to eventually wean him off of all drugs as functional health tests show they block his nutritional absorption and may be damaging his intestinal lining. I would like to be able to repair his health using nutrition, supplements, and neurotransmitter amino acids.
All feedback is welcomed!
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Lorazepam and Ativan are the same drug
I have been taking 0.5 mg of Lorazepan for about four years. I only take one at bedtime to help me sleep. I would like to taper off of this nightly pill and only use it for stressful situations like a dental visit or doctor visit. My primary care doctor has told me to just break the pill in pieces and take smaller amounts each night until I am down to none. I am worried because I have been taking this for a long time and my doctor may be minimizing the adverse effects I could get by trying to stop the med too quickly. It really does not help me with my sleep anymore as I am sure my body has gotten used to this same nightly dose. Thank you for any help or advice you can give me.
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1 ReactionI have been on Lorazapam for probably 10 years. I was taking .50 mg at night but now I take 1/2 a pill most nights, maybe 2x a week the full pill. It works for me and I'll never stop it. No side effect and I can sleep. I spent my whole life trying to find something to make me sleep w/o side effects. Visible ones, anyway, ha!!!
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2 ReactionsI needed to stop taking Clonazepam, 1mg BID, after taking it for 20 years, for reasons I won't go into right now. I had tried reducing the dosage by .5mg a couple of years ago, but after several nights of insomnia I decided to give up.
Last year, I started titrating again by 1/8mg. I reduced the morning dose for 2-3 weeks, then went down another 1/8mg for a few weeks. As I titrated I reduced morning and bedtime doses in rotation. It was a long, slow process, but by taking my time I was able to stop taking it after several months. Now I only take it as needed for stressful situations. I would like to be taking it still because of the benefits, but in the current culture of fear it's a hassle to get a doctor to prescribe it in conjunction with the Dilaudid I take for chronic intractable severe pain. I'm hoping that the day will come, after several pending surgeries are performed, when my pain will lessen, and I'll be able to find a non-narcotive solution. Right now I'm just kind of in waiting mode.
But to respond to the question, titrating off benzodiazepines is best done very slowly to avoid withdrawal. Don't feel pressured to cut back too quickly. Let your body be your guide.
Jim
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2 ReactionsThank you so much for your response. It was definitely helpful and I will keep it in mind as I start this process. I have a few medical appointments coming up and I am worried about starting too soon as I might need the lorazepam before I go in for those appointments. I am thinking that during the summer when it's nice and bright and sunny outside, it might be a good time to start titrating down. I think the winter would not be a good time as the dreariness and weather might not help my mood at all and make it worse. I am thinking of going into my local pharmacy where I get my medication and asking the pharmacist if he thinks I should maybe bypass my primary care doctor and see a mental health physician who might be able to help me with this process. Again, thank you so very much.
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1 ReactionI don't know what dosages Lorazepam is available in, but it makes it easier to reduce the dosage, the smaller the pill is. For example, cutting a .5mg pill in quarters is harder than cutting a .25mg in half. It was kind of a pain to cut the 1mg pills into quarters and eighths, and not very precise.
I agree with the idea of doing it in the pleasant summer months.
Jim
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2 ReactionsI am actually on the lowest dose of lorazepam and it is a very tiny pill. I only take it once a day before bed so I worry about the insomnia issues. I will have to find a way to cut the pill down and because it's so tiny it is going to be difficult. I have a pill cutter but it won't be precise. I am wondering how important that will be. I'm hoping a pharmacist at my CVS may be able to help me with that. Maybe he will have some recommendations. Thank you so much for your response.
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1 ReactionI took 4 mg for 8 days to get off lunesta now hooked on Ativan how can I get off or taper off
What is his diagnosis
If he got by well for 14 years on small dose not exactly a horror story and how long the gaba receptors need to normalize is unknown varies
But now with drug he feels miserable?
Oxford uses Z drug to get people off benzo but the whole process is individual. Take z drug 3x a week for awhile then stop
How old are you and do you have a diagnosis which required drug you are so lucky your receptors went to normal
Why do you need it does it make you sleep or feel better