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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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I 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
Sorry, I don't reply to detailed personal questions due to security concerns. Thanks for you interest.
Have you only been taking it for 8 days? If so, I would suggest cutting it down to 3 mg for a week, then 2 mg for a week, then 1 mg for a week, then .5 mg until you feel ok. If you are experiencing any kind of serious symptoms, get in touch with your PCP. They can help you wean yourself off of the Ativan. It is dangerous to just stop taking it. Hang in there.
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2 ReactionsYou’ll be fine. Don't overthink this “hooked” thing. You’re not dependent or hooked. Stay busy and go on with your life.
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1 ReactionThat was a short time. You will be fine. You are not hooked yet.
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1 ReactionGet on a benzo website on FB, they can show you. People do not realize how highly addictive this is even in a week. . You must go SLOW on easing yourself off. Majority of Drs and people will try to get you off fast which results in bad withdrawals. I was on it for a month, which turned into 4 months because could not find help. If anyone suggest an antidepressant to get off, run away. They make it worse. Or fast cuts. Finally found help on a Benzo site and currently doing a slow water taper which will take me several months to finally get off off 0.5 mg of lorazepam. Slow tapering is a must. That was a high dose you were on. FDA has already issued a black box warning on how addictive this poison is and it is imperative you wean off slow. Also check U tube for water tapers or cutting.
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