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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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No medical professional here, but I think we all react differently to these drugs. From my readings, benzos are not good for your brain and my pcp didn’t want to prescribe it anymore. He agreed to .5 every other day but it wasn’t helping. I was originally prescribed it due to cancer diagnosis but then began relying on it for sleep. Wasn’t helping. With the help of a wonderful sleep med Dr and therapist, I’m on a very low dose of Remeron and I’m doing well off the Ativan.
Also, the therapist recommended a genetic study that identifies which anti anxiety and anti depressants can work you you.
Best wishes to all!
What were your symptoms during this withdrawal?
All meds wind up having some side effects. Remeron is weight gain which will cause other issues. So, I guess we pick what we want to deal with. I just need to make myself comfortable now while I am still alive.
YES!!!
Not sure why you feel the intense need to get off Ativan 0.5mg if it is working and allows you a good sound restorative sleep. Lack of sleep could probably do you more harm from a health standpoint than the minuscule amount of Ativan that you are currently on. If you're having difficulty with the current dose then I understand but if not......
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2 ReactionsIt is not working at that dose. Need more!
Did you have trouble sleeping?
Pharmacist suggested I take 3mg of melatonin at night.
I took 5 mg melatonin and it did nothing.
Same here. If anything it caused anxiety
I am a 81 year old man who has been on Lorazepam (1mg x 3times daily as needed) for 40 years. This has been prescribed by the same Primary Care Doctor during this time. It has helped me greatly with anxiety, essential tremors, neuropathy, hiatal hernia, insomnia, and still does to this day. In June, I requested a prescription refill & when picked, The label read 1 tab daily @ bedtime. That is my notice of Lorazepam reduction from 3mgs to 1 daily. Having a pre-op exam for cataract surgery in a few days , I confronted him then. His explanation was the associates were required to ween anyone over 65 off benzos. His plan for me was "Breaking them (1mg) in half & taking half a milligram 3 or 4 times a day would be a decent decrease. We will also start you on Lexapro. My goal is to get you off Lorazepam before I retire in 6 months". He also told me that the new doctor would not prescribe 3 mgs/daily
I was in shock & told him that I would not do any tapering off until my cataract surgeries were over in mid August. I have never abused Lorazepam but am dependent. I live alone & this thought of no more Lorazepam is consuming me. I have scheduled an appointment with him in mid August to give me time to find options
I have never written to a forum or ask for advice, but I need it now.
Thank you
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