1. < Depression & Anxiety

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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mikaylar | @mikaylar | 5 days ago
In reply to @jann422 "@mikaylar In response to your comment "It has always been pick your poison". That does not..." + (show)
@jann422

@mikaylar
In response to your comment
"It has always been pick your poison".
That does not apply to Benzodiazapines prescribed by Doctors to patients when they KNEW/and KNOW the inherent dangers
The patient did not get to pick anything.
They have been lied to and duped into taking these Benzodiazapines which are now considered very dangerous with harmful side effects and are a horror to get off.
No, no choice here. This is on the medical profession.
Period.

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I have been on a benzo for many years with not one single issue. Remember your doctor prescribes a medicine because he believes that the relief you get out-ways the side effects. Sure, there might be long-long issues but living in the present is what matters now; to get through the rough times you are dealing with in the moment. Getting off a benzo is very, very hard, but remember, the reason you got on them was that you were having a very, very hard time. A doctor will help you get off of them slowly. Good luck!

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2 replies
mikaylar | @mikaylar | 5 days ago
In reply to @sears "A benzo is a benzo. Some have a short half life, some have a long half..." + (show)
@sears

A benzo is a benzo. Some have a short half life, some have a long half life. Some are a little weaker, some are a little stronger. Bottom line is they all cause a horrible dependency and they’re all a nightmare to discontinue.

Jump to this post

But I was getting more sicknesses from not sleeping. They help me sleep which is what I use them for.

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halloweengirl78 | @halloweengirl78 | 5 days ago
In reply to @dfb "Have your doctor switch you to diazepam (Valium) it is milder…no sharp phase transitions and while..." + (show)
@dfb

Have your doctor switch you to diazepam (Valium) it is milder…no sharp phase transitions and while still habit forming far less so then the current class like lorazepam and Xanax that like tobacco will prove to be enhanced to create dependence.

Step down…I find it very relieving and no harsh edges and I am not dependent on either, less than .5 a month after 3mg daily for years.

And I really don’t need that, it saves having to pull over on the highway and meditate for minutes, though that works just well if not better.

We have been poisoned for profit.

I just signed a book deal to expose all of it.

If I can heal anyone can.

Peace and Good Health is your birthright insist on it.

Jump to this post

Do you mean that if your doctor puts you on diazepam, while you are still trying to get off of lorazepam, that it will help you get off of lorazepam faster?
I'm just trying to understand, I'm desperate to stop taking Ativan.

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1 reply
jann422 | @jann422 | 5 days ago
In reply to @mikaylar "I have been on a benzo for many years with not one single issue. Remember your..." + (show)
@mikaylar

I have been on a benzo for many years with not one single issue. Remember your doctor prescribes a medicine because he believes that the relief you get out-ways the side effects. Sure, there might be long-long issues but living in the present is what matters now; to get through the rough times you are dealing with in the moment. Getting off a benzo is very, very hard, but remember, the reason you got on them was that you were having a very, very hard time. A doctor will help you get off of them slowly. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Thank you for your kind words.
My Doctor has agreed to help me but it is doing to take a long time. She is willing to go VERY SLOWLY and seems to know exactly how it is done, vis a vis , The Ashton Manual.
I am ready but I am also scared. I am just going to have to be strong.

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jann422 | @jann422 | 5 days ago
In reply to @halloweengirl78 "Do you mean that if your doctor puts you on diazepam, while you are still trying..." + (show)
@halloweengirl78

Do you mean that if your doctor puts you on diazepam, while you are still trying to get off of lorazepam, that it will help you get off of lorazepam faster?
I'm just trying to understand, I'm desperate to stop taking Ativan.

Jump to this post

No, not faster @halloweengirl78. Valium comes in much lower doses so that the taper can be done more easily. If you will look up the Ashton Manual online. Just type in Ashton Manual and save It as a PDF. It is Free and the whole thing will make a lot of sense.
Knowledge is power.
The Ashton Method is over 90% effective and virtually painless BUT it is very very slow. I think if you read a bit of the manual, and save it, you will feel much better.
I know I did.

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1 reply
jann422 | @jann422 | 5 days ago
In reply to @jann422 "No, not faster @halloweengirl78. Valium comes in much lower doses so that the taper can be..." + (show)
@jann422

No, not faster @halloweengirl78. Valium comes in much lower doses so that the taper can be done more easily. If you will look up the Ashton Manual online. Just type in Ashton Manual and save It as a PDF. It is Free and the whole thing will make a lot of sense.
Knowledge is power.
The Ashton Method is over 90% effective and virtually painless BUT it is very very slow. I think if you read a bit of the manual, and save it, you will feel much better.
I know I did.

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For anyone interested, here is a link to the Ashton Manual https://www.benzoinfo.com/ashtonmanual/

My Doctor is using this Manual. I live in the USA. But, Heather Ashton, was Pharmacologist, M.D., who had a clinic for 20 years in the UK.
Anyway: The point is she is considered the top authority in the world on this.
Forget inpatient and rapid detoxes.

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dfb | @dfb | 4 days ago

I had them switch me to Diazepam because it’s milder, and the faze transitions aren’t as severe.

That said very low dose cannabis, and I mean very low dose, is far more effective, just inconvenient but very low dose.

High doses retard cognition, making emotional processing more difficult and just like diazepam it shuts down the ability to process. My brain tends to fight against it, causing an initial panic attack from the diazepam or the lorazepam. I don’t get the same effect very low dose low THC cannabis. I have a prescription for it.

Bottom line, lorazepam, diazepam, opiates are not designed for human beings they are designed to make money, keep us addicted and make the need for the medication greater greater over overtime, think tobacco and nicotine.

I try to never use any psychiatric medication whatsoever. After 14 years of over 14 medications I am on nothing except very low dose, very low dose cannabis. I haven’t taken lorazepam in a month. I tested diazepam the other day. It made me sick.

If you simply switch medication and do not make other changes, dietary, sleep, movement, social interaction then the medication is pointless. With these other interventions. You probably won’t even need the meds.

I wish you peace in good health all the days of your life.

REPLY
1 reply
jann422 | @jann422 | 4 days ago
In reply to @mikaylar "I have been on a benzo for many years with not one single issue. Remember your..." + (show)
@mikaylar

I have been on a benzo for many years with not one single issue. Remember your doctor prescribes a medicine because he believes that the relief you get out-ways the side effects. Sure, there might be long-long issues but living in the present is what matters now; to get through the rough times you are dealing with in the moment. Getting off a benzo is very, very hard, but remember, the reason you got on them was that you were having a very, very hard time. A doctor will help you get off of them slowly. Good luck!

Jump to this post

Doctors have known about these Benzodiazapines and how dangerous they are for years and yet they still prescribe. I had no idea until last year .

REPLY
jann422 | @jann422 | 4 days ago
In reply to @dfb "I had them switch me to Diazepam because it’s milder, and the faze transitions aren’t as..." + (show)
@dfb

I had them switch me to Diazepam because it’s milder, and the faze transitions aren’t as severe.

That said very low dose cannabis, and I mean very low dose, is far more effective, just inconvenient but very low dose.

High doses retard cognition, making emotional processing more difficult and just like diazepam it shuts down the ability to process. My brain tends to fight against it, causing an initial panic attack from the diazepam or the lorazepam. I don’t get the same effect very low dose low THC cannabis. I have a prescription for it.

Bottom line, lorazepam, diazepam, opiates are not designed for human beings they are designed to make money, keep us addicted and make the need for the medication greater greater over overtime, think tobacco and nicotine.

I try to never use any psychiatric medication whatsoever. After 14 years of over 14 medications I am on nothing except very low dose, very low dose cannabis. I haven’t taken lorazepam in a month. I tested diazepam the other day. It made me sick.

If you simply switch medication and do not make other changes, dietary, sleep, movement, social interaction then the medication is pointless. With these other interventions. You probably won’t even need the meds.

I wish you peace in good health all the days of your life.

Jump to this post

thank you!
I wish I had known sooner.
I am successfully, so far,down to 35% of my initial dose using the Ashton Method. It is working and I have had very few issues so far. I am still scared and have a way to go.

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dfb | @dfb | 4 days ago

You will make it…eat right…love deeply (especially yourself) walk in nature, grieve and know you are loved..,

This has happened before..,we’ll make it,

There is going to be hell to pay…

Hang on find a good doctor not a psychiatrist that’s voodoo but whatever anyone does do not stop cold turkey…

They locked me up and took away all my meds …all fourteen…

Hard to explain the horror,

You will be fine your body will adapt nutrition exercise and lots of hydration will make it easier but not easy,

PM anytime

Peace us your birthright.

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