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
Truth! I was never told what the drugs I was prescribed could possibly do to me in the future. My physchiatrist, internist, pharmacist, OBGYN, nothing from anyone, not one word or warning for over 25 years. Terrible. Had I know the possibilities I, in all likelihood, would not have taken them, for sure not as long as I did.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy point exactly…failure to inform and gain consent is prima facia legal malpractice. There is going to be hell to pay.
On can not choose what one does not know.
I Will contend with debilitating side effects for the rest of my life and they knew from the before anyone ever wrote a prescription.
If one knows and chooses…fine. Chemo makes people sick…my sister refused it.
Would you have refused psych meds if you’d known?
Especially if you were told there were other options that did not poison you.
This is criminal malpractice on an epic scale…watch it is all coming down.
If your meds work for you, bless you, change nothing. In my experience you are one of a very small minority be very grateful…having one’s psyche torn to pieces is not a side effect anyone should agree to.
There is a reckoning coming and not from me…as is the case with most corrupt systems it will implode all by itself..it’s already happening. That risks meds not being available to the minority who do need them.
The crime committed against humanity is unquantifiable…but some lawyer will try to…count on it.
Claim your birth rite to peace and good health.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@halloweengirl78
How are you doing? I canceled my psychiatrist appointment for April 10 but then reset it. I still don’t know if I will be able to go. I think if I am able to make it, once the doctor sees what terrible shape I am in, he won’t even see me for a second visit or may even cancel the first visit. I spent all day yesterday in the emergency room 4/6/25. I went in for sky high blood pressure 199/99/79 and heart palpitations. At 1;30am I called emergency services and they were very nonchalant about the whole thing. They said I should stay at home and have my husband drive me to the ER in the morning so that’s what we did. No one there understands anxiety and panic attacks.
Claudia
I came of Lorazepam after 9 years at 3mg for sleep. After coming off nothing allowed me to sleep. I was advised through friends to try tea, melatonin and CBD. If only it were that easy!! After 1 year of literally 1-3 hours of sleep at night and my husband moving to the spare bedroom so he did not interrupt the little sleep I was getting, I admitted myself to a 30 day program for med review and counseling. During my stay I was put on 3 different meds plus melatonin and magnesium. Although I miss the almost immediate gratification of my 3mg of Ativan, I am slowly forcing myself to take the prescription nighttime drugs and going to bed an hour after taking. I am now getting 8-9 hours of sleep but with help of prescriptions. My Doctors swear this is better than continuing benzos. I struggle everyday like an alcoholic wanting to find a Dr. to give me my benzos, but the hell I have put my family through, I refuse to give up trying.
How did you come off the Ativan and how long did it take you? I’m sorry that you’re having trouble with sleeping because it’s a nightmare not to get the rest you need. I asked you how long you took to stop Ativan, I also use this medication and want to try to stop but it’s a very slow process from all accounts from those who have succeeded in doing so. I believe that if people don’t taper properly then they may relapse or have other problems.
Are you saying you will have side effects for the rest of your life because you took benzodiazepines?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI'd like know
I tried to do it myself, didn’t work. After both audio and visual hallucinations I ended up in a hospital for 6 days and out patients for a month.
My case 3 mg of lorazepam daily was dwarfed by the other poisons. Benzo’s are fast acting and leave the system fairly quickly. That said prolonged use will force the body to fight back and make change to the CNS and brain chemistry that can take a long time to resolve.
In my case the regimen of all my meds has left me with chronic health problems the worst and best is accelerated neurogenesis, feels like losing my mind while my brain remaps, like after a stroke except much faster.
How fast the body recovers is dose and duration dependent and the recovery regimen. It must be active and purposeful
The body seeks hemostats..it rejects poison. Seek balance across all biological systems.
There is no such thing as mental heath.
There is only health and intention…
Claim your birth rite of good health and peace.
It is yours for the taking.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI take Ativan 0.5 mg daily, two months ago I was taking 1 mg but I reduced it with antidepressant and gummies, I hope it will continue to work without any problems. I used to work with a woman who took the same benzo I take and one day she was very upset, it seems her doctor had a stroke and she lost him without another doctor to take his place. She stopped taking the medication and had absolutely no problems with withdrawal symptoms? I was curious about this and my research said that a small percentage of people don’t experience any withdrawal symptoms but no explanation why, I surely envied her for that.