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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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So, just drop half each week… seems easy enough! But I doubt it is. Thank you for that formula. I tried Eszociplone 3mg (generic Lunesta, and I’m not sure how generic medication dosages versus brand are offered) when my Triazolam (generic Halcion) wasn’t letting me sleep longer than four hours. The Lunesta Gave me the most horrible metallic taste in my mouth-like eating a metal can! I can say it put me to sleep within minutes, but it would not keep me asleep longer than three hours. It is difficult for me to sleep, always has been, but I believe Lunesta is not known for helping you sleep through the night but more for ease of falling asleep, so there you have it. Lists of side effects terrify me because I always seem to fall into that one percent that gets those side effects rarely seen. But I did not get any wacky hallucinations or have weird dreams or anything other than the taste. The bonus is, you try it for one night and if it’s weird for you, you don’t take it again. I read a side-by-side analogy of sleep meds, and mine are supposed to help the most as far as getting to sleep and staying asleep. So I went back to Halcion. I have decided 5 1/2 to 6 hours is my future at my age. Good luck, and thanks again for the help!
So glad it worked for you. I have been taking 2-3mg per night since March of this year. I don't know how long it is ok to take it, but after clonazepam nightly for over a decade, surely this is better. Yet just having gone on Medicare today!! - I'm having problems finding a plan that will cover even the generic.
I reduced dose by 50% for w
2 weeks.
.375mg
.225 mg
.125mg
Only took dose at night
Pretty much hell!
Sleep specialist has me on 2 mg of Lunesta. Last night was first night. Slept a solid 6 hours. Feel great today.
That’s awesome!! I don’t remember what sleep was like. Thanks again!
Just walked 2.5 miles. Working off anxiety
Praying tonight I’ll sleep well
My sleep Dr also recommended that I use CBT-I.
You can find self help books on Amazon. Also maybe you can find a psychologist that does this. I’ve heard a lot of great results from this.
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/
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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?
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2 ReactionsI 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.
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2 ReactionsPlease 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!
I had to reduce my dosage of clonazepam a few years ago and my doctor wrote specific directions for tapering off. I had 0 withdrawals and couldn't have done it without a specific schedule. I had been on it for almost 30 years. I do just fine now on a very low dose. about 1/8th as much as I took previously. Good luck getting off of the lorazepam-- sorry to hear of those awful side effects.