How did you successfully taper off of 0.5 lorazepam (Ativan)?

I was given 30 years ago 6 mg per day. 3 years later I discovered what kind of med. I’m taking and since I’m fighting to lover the dose. Last 4 yers I was on 2 mg. 6 months ago I started slowly go down and I’m presently on 0.5 mg. Next months will be 0.250 mg. And this is my last dose. Pray for me, because took me 30 years to quit and my last step seems to be very challenging. I’m positive even my body and mind goes through Hell. Sides effects of withdrawals are hard to survive but I’m not giving up. Believe me even a low dose like 0.250mg can be hard to reduce. I think it’s more in my head that actual need of it. I’m taking Lion’s Mane drops And Ashwaganda to replace ativan and it helps. Good luck to all of you.

Psychiatrist pxed .5 mg twice a day of Ativan in conjunction with 100 mg of bupropion twice a day for major depression and anxiety. I am 77 years of age and the psychiatrist provided NO information or caution with regard to either drug. Aftertaking the meds for 30 days I went online to check on them and only then did I discover that I may already be hooked. I would like to taper off the Ativan, but I am concerned about the side effects and my age. When I mentioned this problem to the psychiatrist who is also in his 70's he said he has never had any patients who had problems and said he has had many patients on Ativan "long term." I was using the Ativan primarily for sleep. I have continuous rumination in my sleep and wake up with the thoughts. Cannot shake them. Anyone else in a similar situation? What do you do?

It was tapered from 4 mg per day. It was hard yes.

I’ve been taking 1 mg lorazepam for sleep for three weeks. Once in a while .5 mg works other times I need the whole 1 mg which I take in two doses, and even sometimes that takes an hour to work. So my hopes of tapering are diminished. I’m ready to switch back to Ambien. Any thoughts on that from anyone?

My suggestion is to wean off slowly. Took me 6 months but I’ve been off for over two years

It can be done! Don’t give up.

How much were you taking and for how long? How did you taper? Thanks very much. Just starting a taper off 1mg after taking for about 4 years.

I took lorazepam (0.5 mg once a day) for a year 30 years ago for anxiety. I don't remember doing anything special to get off the regimen but within a year or so I got to on demand 20 pills per year. I usually take this on a trip --- I have been doing that 20/year as needed for several decades with no apparent downside. Sometimes it helps with sleep but not always.

My doctor is on vacation so I saw an associate today and she is taking me off the lorazepam. She said take a half tablet again tonight and then switch to doxepin 6 mg..
If that doesn’t work, then I can discuss with my doctor next week about going back to Ambien. Wish me luck!

And does anyone have experience with Doxepin?