Looking for help to taper off Ativan (lorazepam)

I am currently taking 2-3 mgs a day of lorazepam and have for about 7 years for anxiety caused by my bone marrow cancer diagnosis. I wish to wean myself off of this and try using CBD tincture to combat this anxiety. Has anyone done this and if so, any hints as to the best way to do this and if it works? My MD retired, and my new medical provider wants me off the lorazepam, and onto busiprone, which I do not want. My oncologist has never mentioned to me that I should get off the lorazepam.The lorazepam has worked very well for me, and I can take as needed, but I understand that busiprone must be taken everyday and is also addicting. Any experience with either busiprone or CBD tincutre?Appreciate any help on this.

I was on benzodiazepines and they have the same addictive tendencies so if you want to get off you have to taper S-l-o-w-l-y. 7 years is a really long time to be on this stuff. It will take a long while to get off. And once off do not go on the other one. You’re just switching one evil for another. I have been using gaba for the last 8 years and on an as needed basis only. Since gaba is just an amino acid it is not addictive. But you cannot take it with what you are taking now. The meds you’ve been taking change the synapses of the brain. They are really powerful. Please wean off very very slowly.

@mollydog I don't have experience with a CBD tincture for anxiety but I have taken buspirone. It did not work for me. What did work was an antidepressant that also targets anxiety. My doctor prescribed a few different antidepressants until we found what worked.

I think you have mixed up what's addictive and what is not. Lorazepam is a controlled substance (benzodiazepene) that is addictive. Since you have been taking Lorazepam for 7 years as prescribed that's good however you are wise to work with your doctor to slowly go down in dosage. Your doctor likely recommended buspirone because it's non-addictive.

I can understand why your doctor would like for you to slowly stop taking Lorazpam as many doctors are worried (rightly so) that their patients are addicted to or will become addicted to this medication. Unless their patient has addiction in their family members or are addicted to other substances themselves the doctor cannot predict that in their patients.

Cleveland Clinic: What is addiction:

-- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6407-addiction

Do you have a behavioral health (mental health) professional you can talk with about how to proceed? Or ask your doctor for a referral to a psychiatrist?

Busiprone did NOT work for me! I had a terrible reaction to this medication after a month and I had to get off! Not just the terrible side effects but the weaning was worse!
It exacerbated my anxiety and so much more.
I don’t believe or understand why your new Primary care Provider is taking you off something that works for you. I’ve done my share of reading & research and I’m no doctor but anxiety is not an easy remedy! All medications are addictive in my opinion. If the medication is not working any longer then by all means stop using it, wean yourself with your Dr’s help/supervision and reset. If it is in fact working then trust me in saying you’re better off staying on it and getting a second opinion. Most PCP’s don’t know very much about the brain and chemical reactions to these medications. They are quick in wanting to switch them up to see what works best but in reality they are doing you more harm than good!
Tinctures do work great however, with my severe anxiety they made me a bit more sedated and I occasionally use them but for me isn’t was the remedy.
I’m currently taking 1mg of Clonazepam which is the only thing that works for me without the side effects. Yes, it’s addictive … as are the rest! It’s a huge and personal pet peeve of mine to have your PCP or anyone to not try to have a better understanding of the starting, removing, restarting meds while months upon months of suffering the chemical imbalances these meds cause by going off then on then off again.
Do yourself a favor and get a second opinion. A Doctor that knows brain health!

Check and see if you have a "benzo informed provider" in your state. https://www.benzoinfo.com/doctors/

But just in general, check out the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition. There is a woman who consults with people that want to get off benzodiazepines after long term use. She might be nice to talk to. Lots of great resources https://www.benzoinfo.com/ Don't follow it as gospel as it's not medical advice (she will be the first to make sure you understand that!), but if you can find a medical provider who understands these often misunderstood medications, you will be doing yourself a huge favor! I found someone who is not on the list and it has made a massive difference.

Do you not want to get off the Lorazepam? About what age are you? If you are still on the younger side, I think it's a really good idea to start lowering your dose. Don't let anyone tell you to do it overnight. 7 years is long enough that you just have to take it really slowly and be kind to your body (and mind).

Buspar worked relatively well for me but had me very tired. CBD never did too much. Have you ever tried Hydroxyzine? I would say Hydroxyzine and Buspar are similar in that they both help with anxiety, aren't SSRIs, and aren't Benzos. Maybe getting on one of those while you VERY SLOWLY come off of Lorazepam with the help of a benzo informed physician can help.

Ask any potential doctor if they have heard of the Ashton Manual. Look it up and check it out yourself. Gold standard for getting off of benzos.

Another reference: "The Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines: Antidepressants, Benzodiazepines, Gabapentinoids and Z-drugs" by Mark Horowitz and David Taylor, published February 2024.

How do I wean off lorazepam

Welcome, @hollykyle. I moved your question about weaning off lorazepam to this discussion so you can connect with others:

- Looking for help to taper off Ativan (lorazepam)
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/help-to-taper-ativan/
You may also be interested in this related discussion:
- Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan/
.

To help others help you with a success taper, can you share a bit more? How long have you been taking lorazepam? What dosage are you currently on? Are you working with your doctor to work out a taper schedule?

I am a psychiatrist and have helped patients get off Ativan and other benzodiazepines. Ask your dr. to prescribe the lowest dose tablet available. Then, week by week reduce the dose by one tablet. This is a bit more accurate than using a pill cutter, but you can do it that way, too. Ativan is short acting and if possible, ask your dr. to prescribe one that is longer acting—like klonopin. Do NOT quit klonopin “cold turkey,” as that may cause seizures. It’s permissible to stay on a given dose for an extra week or so to take a break. The point is to wean yourself gradually.
For sleep substitute melatonin.

Please see below for my successful taper off of .5 mg Ativan. Initially prescribed for anxiety then was relying on it for sleep but stopped working. So happy I’m off it!