Ativan Withdrawal & Insomnia

Hi Frouke, Thank You for your reply. I have also come to the conclusion that my PCP is not looking out for my well-being, but rather her own agenda. There was no benefit to risk consideration, she just wanted me off of them. This flies right in the face of what she told me five years ago. I had a ruptured appendix, and when it was over with she said she wanted to take care of me. I don't see my present problem as taking care of me. I have thought about going to the hospital but I didn't think it would help. I will keep that in mind if things really fall apart. I really appreciate your suggestion, thanks again.
Dave S aka sudsy

Hopenr, Thank you for your message and concern. I have an appointment with my PCP in two weeks and I will tell her what I think about all of this. Her reasoning behind this is that the Ativan will cause problems as I get older. It's not causing any problems now, so why not wait and cross that bridge when I get there?
Thank you.
Sudsy

Hopenr/Frouke, Regarding my forced withdrawal from lorazepam: I don't know where my planned actions will lead, but I have decided that I must have a showdown with my PCP regardless of the outcome. My doctor says she wants me off this drug so I won't have problems in my old age. At 78, how much older do I have to get before I am in "old age"? I believe her agenda for wanting me off of this drug borders on elder abuse. I have yet to experience any problems, and I don't think I will ever have any kind of problems she is referring to.
Thank You for your support.

I will be 72 in 2 weeks and just went through a 2 1.2 hour neuro-psych test. With the exception of visual/spacial I scored in the 99th %ile for all categories and I have been on .5 Ativan since my 2018 following a mild brain injury. Doctors can be appropriately right-sized as we self-advocate. You seem pretty sharp to me!

Several years ago my PCP diagnosed me with dementia after a brain scan showed a slightly shrunken brain. I found out later that it is normal, age related, for brains to shrink a little. I told her that I was born demented, which is why I am so goofy most of the time. She didn't buy it, but that's ok, I still tell everyone that I am demented and then act completely normal..... for me anyway. I had a test also to find out how much dementia I had and I found out that I am completely normal for my age. Go figure. The only reason I need lorazepam is for my problem swallowing that I have had most of my life. It is the only thing that helps me feel at ease when I eat. I choked on a popcorn kernel when I was real young and I believe that is what bothers me today. I turned blue and was not far from crossing the rainbow bridge. I am going to ask the doctor about withholding medicine from a person in antiquity is abuse. I might get run out of her office, but we shall see.

Good luck to you. I pray that you will have an understanding doctor who will clearly see your need for it. God Bless. Please keep us all posted!

I find all your posts interesting.
I am 74 and very active for my age. Unlike all of you my PCP has no problem keeping my dosage of Clonazepam/ Klonopin where it has been for over 30 years. It works well with my antidepressants and as my first psychiatrist said “ If it isn’t broke don’t fix it”
Over the years I have tried other antidepressants trying to avoid sexual side effects. I always came back to Zoloft and have even reduced my dosage from 100 mg to 50 mg.
It would be nice to stop taking Clonazepam/ Klonopin not because of any adverse side effects but rather because unlike my other medications I can only get a 30 day supply because it is characterized as a controlled substance.
I hear horror stories from people on this post regarding withdrawal symptoms. My PCP questioned why I wanted to put myself through that if it was not causing me any problems.
I look forward to hearing from others regarding this subject.

I wish I had a doctor like yours, mine was doing just fine for a long time, then for some strange reason she decided I have to be off of ativan that I have taken for many years. I would find a different doctor, but how does one go about finding out if he/she has a problem prescribing benzos?
Thank you for writing, I am happy to find out that there are still doctors who don't have a problem with prescribing one of those drugs.

👍

I’m in the same situation, my doctor for 25 years gave me Ativan and I never stopped using them, the doctor started giving me problems a few years ago and made numerous attempts to cut them off, he commented that they are bad to use for so long. I have never had problems with them and stayed on the same dosage always, they helped me when other meds failed and they kept me anchored during cancer, my doctor is retiring this year so I too hope that the next doctor will help me out. I have read some heartbreaking stories here about how the doctors took their medication away from them, some people were in their upper 70’s and 80’s and they took them for over 40 years only to be dismissed, I am praying that it will all work out for the best amen.