Connect
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!
.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.
Connect
To be honest and also a fellow victim of Ativan, I would strongly say that it’s a tempting idea but not in your best interest, alcohol is our enemy until perhaps you get off them completely, all the best wishes for your successful withdrawal.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHad 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.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 ReactionsWhat were your withdrawal symptoms.
@frog43, my dear man, I am shaking so bad after reading the tragedy you are going through, I don’t even know what to say yet I find myself reaching out to you. I must admit that I was having a very bad day filled with anxiety and racking my brain for ways to stop the madness that has become my life, I do believe that God works in strange ways at times, you most definitely need help with what has happened to you, the inhuman treatment you’re going through is absolutely wrong. I truly hope that someone hear will read this and help you with your problems or finding a course of action to get you through this. I live north of the border where things are not as bad as in the US but it’s definitely started making a presence, I also am a victim of benzodiazepines and a family doctor for 24 years who treated me callously taking little to no responsibility for giving them to me. There’s a lot of conversations going on here with people like us who share their lives and thoughts with each other and it’s giving me some well needed information and a whole bunch of comfort in numbers. I’m wishing I could do more for you in your time of need but I feel confident that it’s going to come your way, you are 81 years young and know a lot about life and people, being your age is a great achievement and I hope you will have many more good years ahead, stay strong and make some noise so no one gets to overlook your needs,
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@jfrog43 Wow, way to go!! You asserted yourself in primary care for a significantly lower dose tapering and reminded the provider that it is your life. You didn’t give up and kept up the negotiations. Finally, as you wrote you figured it was the « best you could at this time ».
Your provider really should help you find a geriatric psychiatrist (not physiatrist as your indicated - a physiatrist is a physical rehabilitation doctor). Is that accurate that you want to find a psychiatrist who treats patients for mental health and prescribes mental health medications? But then since you’ve also indicated that you have little confidence in the new primary care provider maybe you can do a search online or ask other providers you see for suggestions.
Here is a good place to start an online search.
Psychology Today: Find a Psychiatrist
— https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists
You have cataract surgery coming up in a few weeks. Is that right?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsRight eye cataract surgery was completed on July 9th. Doctors' clearance to return to normal was July18th. Results were wonderful. Brightness and clarity in right eye are something that is hard to believe. Left eye is scheduled for surgery on July 29th.
Yes, I do want to find a psychiatrist Thank you for your help & giving me someone to talk with in making these decisions. Its' still a long road ahead but at least I have some info on how & what I need to do rather than bullied by my doctors.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsRemember. The lower the dose the better when it comes to melatonin. 1 mg. an hour before bed works well. Using alcohol will only disturb your GABA receptors even further during tapering and cause more problems.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsGood advice. Thank you
What I find that helps me fall asleep is Yogi Bedtime tea. I am almost asleep by the time I finish my cup of tea.
Where can you buy it?