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Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Posted by healthlady22 @healthlady22, Feb 5, 2019

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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njoys | @njoys | Jun 16, 2024
In reply to @mollydog "I am currently taking 2-3 mgs a day of lorazepam and have for about 7 years..." + (show)
Profile picture for mollydog @mollydog

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.

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

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gmamrj | @gmamrj | Jul 8, 2024
In reply to @pamee "Hi my name is pamee. I need help as I have a rare disorder from Ativan...." + (show)
Profile picture for pamee @pamee

Hi my name is pamee. I need help as I have a rare disorder from Ativan. It's horrific excruciating pain 24/7 with minimal sleep so I'm also sleep deprived. The pain is killing me at times I want to die. I take 2 mg 4x a day fir 13-14 yrs and recently been having blackouts. I'm scared. Can anyone please give me suggestions whether I taper one dose at a time or should I taper all 4 doses in a day at about 1/4 of the pill. Thank you for any help you can give. Kind regards, pamee

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Is anyone familiar with taking L-theanine to calm your excitatory neurotransmitters?
I am trying to slow taper my Ativan. Been taking .5 mg at night for 5 years.
I want off of it. I think it is affecting my memory. Plus I do not sleep well at all

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1 reply
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audame | @audame | Jul 8, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "Is anyone familiar with taking L-theanine to calm your excitatory neurotransmitters? I am trying to slow..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

Is anyone familiar with taking L-theanine to calm your excitatory neurotransmitters?
I am trying to slow taper my Ativan. Been taking .5 mg at night for 5 years.
I want off of it. I think it is affecting my memory. Plus I do not sleep well at all

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I did not find L-Theanine to work for me or my dog who has seperation anxiety
I have taken nootropics before with no luck, that does not mean it would not help you
My concern was taking it with my antidepressants
They both affect the brain so who knows if it could help or hurt
Good luck

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gmamrj | @gmamrj | Jul 11, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open heart surgery. Started off with 1mg a day and have reduced it to .5 mg per day for about 4 years now.
I am now feeling anxious, jittery and dealing with insomnia. Do not want to increase dosage. I want off Ativan My
PCP prescribed Lexapro (small dosage) to take along with Ativan to start withdrawal. That was the worse 2weeks of my life. Insomnia, climbing the wall. Quit the lexapro. Still on .5 mg of Ativan.
Feel terrible. Any help would be appreciated.

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I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting to get off of this drug. My doctor has prescribed a tapering schedule which should wean me off of the drug in about 8 weeks.
My question is what will the withdrawal symptoms be?
Anyone had this experience?
Have you used a supplement to ease symptoms??
Thank you

REPLY
2 replies
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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | Jul 11, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting to get off of this drug. My doctor has prescribed a tapering schedule which should wean me off of the drug in about 8 weeks.
My question is what will the withdrawal symptoms be?
Anyone had this experience?
Have you used a supplement to ease symptoms??
Thank you

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Hello @gmamrj - I moved your discussion and combined it with your previous discussion on Ativan Withdrawal - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ativan-withdrawal/.

Here you met @frouke and @sears who may appreciate seeing your updated protocol and plan.

I'd also like to invite @cherawgirl and @riverpark who you met in another Ativan tolerance discussion.

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gmamrj | @gmamrj | Jul 11, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open heart surgery. Started off with 1mg a day and have reduced it to .5 mg per day for about 4 years now.
I am now feeling anxious, jittery and dealing with insomnia. Do not want to increase dosage. I want off Ativan My
PCP prescribed Lexapro (small dosage) to take along with Ativan to start withdrawal. That was the worse 2weeks of my life. Insomnia, climbing the wall. Quit the lexapro. Still on .5 mg of Ativan.
Feel terrible. Any help would be appreciated.

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My pcp provided the following withdrawal plan
I have been on .5 mg for 5 years
Now start withdrawal
.25 mg for 2weeks
.125 mg for 2 weeks
.125 mg every other night for 2weeks
Then stop. !!
Here is hoping this works.
I really want off this drug.

REPLY
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mikayla | @mikaylar | Jul 12, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open heart surgery. Started off with 1mg a day and have reduced it to .5 mg per day for about 4 years now.
I am now feeling anxious, jittery and dealing with insomnia. Do not want to increase dosage. I want off Ativan My
PCP prescribed Lexapro (small dosage) to take along with Ativan to start withdrawal. That was the worse 2weeks of my life. Insomnia, climbing the wall. Quit the lexapro. Still on .5 mg of Ativan.
Feel terrible. Any help would be appreciated.

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I love this drug. I works, no side effects (that I know of) and have been taking it for years......I take .50 mg to sleep at night and for the last year have reduced to .25 mg some nights. My doctor actually upped it for pain. In later life we just want to be comfortable.

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2 replies
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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Jul 12, 2024
In reply to @gmamrj "I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting..." + (show)
Profile picture for gmamrj @gmamrj

I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting to get off of this drug. My doctor has prescribed a tapering schedule which should wean me off of the drug in about 8 weeks.
My question is what will the withdrawal symptoms be?
Anyone had this experience?
Have you used a supplement to ease symptoms??
Thank you

Jump to this post

I was on .5 mg of Ativan for about five years. Tried to get off and struggled with insomnia. I went to a sleep doctor who gave me a longer weaning period and I lengthened it even more.
Happy to say that I weaned with no symptoms and have been free of it for over a year!

REPLY
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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Jul 13, 2024
In reply to @mikaylar "I love this drug. I works, no side effects (that I know of) and have been..." + (show)
Profile picture for mikayla @mikaylar

I love this drug. I works, no side effects (that I know of) and have been taking it for years......I take .50 mg to sleep at night and for the last year have reduced to .25 mg some nights. My doctor actually upped it for pain. In later life we just want to be comfortable.

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I tried that and it didn’t work. Here’s what I did; VERY slow and it worked for me.
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3 replies
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kawanhee | @kawanhee | Jul 13, 2024
In reply to @kawanhee "I tried that and it didn’t work. Here’s what I did; VERY slow and it worked..." + (show)
Profile picture for kawanhee @kawanhee

I tried that and it didn’t work. Here’s what I did; VERY slow and it worked for me.

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Please note: I’m not a medical professional. I took the taper schedule the doctor gave me and made it slower. No withdrawal symptoms and have been off for over a year

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