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@jfrog43 I can understand why you are reluctant to reduce and ultimately discontinue the Lorazepam you've been prescribed for 40 years. While it is a controlled substance and there is research literature showing that benzodiazepine medication is addicting - just as you noted - it seems to me that the doctor you've been recently working with who will retire in 6 months isn't much interested in having a conversation with you about this. I wonder if your current doctor who is retiring soon would have a suggestion of another doctor who would continue to prescribe for you and work with you on your medication. This is what psychiatrists do best. I know it's hard to get an appointment with a psychiatrist these days. But I suggest that you try psychiatry because the anxiety you describe and the many years you've been prescribed Lorazepam would seem to require an expert in these medications.
By the way, I had cataract surgery four years ago and was very anxious pre-op so I totally understand your concern. The thought of managing the anxiety as you come up on the date for cataract surgery would be consuming. I get it. If you were my brother (I'm 72 so I'm suggesting you as a brother instead of my father) I'd advocate that you continue with your present medication until you get into an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in geriatrics.
What do you think you might do next?
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Had appointment Primary Care associate on Monday afternoon, Turned into visit from "unavailable" Doctor. Conclusion is they will NOT continue my 3mg Lorazapm Rx based upon practice policy & FDA guidelines. They have no references as to who might continue the prescription & told me finding a Geriatric Physiatrist. would be fruitless because long time scheduling. They wanted to adhere to a tapering schedule of 1mg a week until none. I told them that I would not do that because it was way too aggressive & would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. They then countered with .5 mg a week. I said that it was still too quick & demanded that it was my life & countered with .25mg a week. We settled on.25mg.
With these people, I thought that it was the best that I could do @ this time I will continue to look for any Doctor who might be able to help me continue plus any Geriatric Physiatrist
Until then, I will try to maintain my withdrawal schedule & slow down if I need to
Thank you for your excellent advice. I haven't given upon it. This just seems to be the best solution for this predicament.