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Getting off lorazepam (Ativan). What was your taper schedule?

Posted by grumpypants @grumpypants, Mar 11, 2023

Hi. I know it may sound like I'm questioning my doctors decision, but it's not that. Long story short I've been on 0.5 ativan for 1 year. During this year I've also taken 0.5 in the morning 2 times and tapered down 2 times also.

Now I've started tapering the 0.5 i was taking in the evening (for 1 year), following my doctors tapering schedule. It consists of skipping 1 day 6 times(that means 1 day i take it, 1 day i don't for 6 times). Then i move to skipping it for 2 days x 6 times and so on.

I'm wondering if it's not to fast? What should i expect? If anyone has been in a similar situation.

Thank you all.

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greyred | @greyred | May 16 3:37pm
In reply to @greyred "I’m new to this website so I really don’t know what I’m doing so please help..." + (show)
@greyred

I’m new to this website so I really don’t know what I’m doing so please help I have been on Ativan for about Six months and on Xanax for about six months, I was taking 1 mg Ativan a day I told my doctor I want to get off of this because it messing with my cognitive and I think I’m having side effects from it. He put me on 0.5 in the morning and 0.5 at night as needed he did not give me really instructions and how to slowly come off of the Ativan. so I cut about 25% off and for the last three days it’s been really rough. Today’s a little better and I’m on gabapentin 100 mg at two and 100 mg at night. It does help me sleep at night can help with your suggestions.

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I have cut back 25% for seven days the One day, I may not have too much of withdraws and then the next day the withdraws are a little stronger is this normal don’t want to start cutting back anymore until the withdraws has subsided

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diverdown1 | @diverdown1 | May 17 10:14am
In reply to @greyred "I have cut back 25% for seven days the One day, I may not have too..." + (show)
@greyred

I have cut back 25% for seven days the One day, I may not have too much of withdraws and then the next day the withdraws are a little stronger is this normal don’t want to start cutting back anymore until the withdraws has subsided

Jump to this post

I am not a doctor, but 25% at a time is pretty standard. Your body is used to having the benzo. You could always try to cut back the 25% for a couple of extra days? Also, if you are able to exercise, even just walking, this helps so much. It relieves the anxiety, gets the dopamine and other "feel good" stuff going in your brain. Maybe do the 25% cut back for an additional couple of days and try to do something active as well. One day at a time. Hang in there.

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