Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

I was on it for YEARS and after repeated requests to my doctor about wanting to stop, I just started tapering myself by cutting the pills in half for a month or 2, then into quarters for a couple of months, and then just taking that quarter pill when absolutely necessary until I ran out. Now I smoke weed when I really need something, but thats safer and more controllable then the pharmaceuticals.

Yes, I had been on it for years. Very slowly tapered off. Was at .5mg twice a day then down to half that .25mg twice a day then just once a day. Then I was to take it if needed but managed through the holidays with out any needed. Tapered slowly over months to be done with this med. I was told that this increases falling risk in older folks and since I'm 71 with other issues I didn't need this to be another risk. Good luck with your tapering off this med.

helpful discussion!

I’ve been taking 1mg of Ativan for six weeks for insomnia and anxiety. Now my primary care provider is having me taper slowly from 1mg per day to 0.75 ( pill cut). I’ve also been taking 30 mg of Cymbalta for seven years successfully. However my PCP determined that the Cymbalta wasn’t doing its job so to speak and increased the dosage to 60 Mg.
Since the Ativan taper began and the Cymbalta dosage was increased I’ve experienced bouts of serious anxiety and depression. Is this to be expected due to the taper and will the increased dose of Cymbalta eventually help with the anxiety and depression ?
Thank You
Tom

@tommyboy1946 never taken cymbalta but my provider rarely changes two meds at once, unless he believes that the effects will balance each other out (I.e. decrease one sleeping med and increase a different sleeping med). I would probably tell your PCP about these negative effects and possibly ask about holding off on changes to cymbalta until you can complete your benzo taper. Good luck and hope you find a combo that works for you.

@ashleyharris728 ,
Thanks so much for your response. I’ll definitely speak to my PCP about this.
Thanks again. Much appreciated

It takes about two weeks for dependancy to Ativan to start, I’m not surprised that you’re feeling some anxiety but it shouldn’t be too difficult to get off them being only six weeks, however going slowly still applies. I’m appalled that your doctor started reducing both your meds at the same time, some doctors either have no clue what they’re doing or they don’t care, honestly find a new doctor if possible.

My PCP actually increased my Cymbalta dosage from 30 mg daily to two weeks of 40mg and finally the
60mg.daily. At the same time she directed me to taper down Ativan to the amount that I stated in my original post.
Nonetheless I certainly appreciate your response and I thank you

@ch2232 hello.So glad you were able to go down on lorazapam .Im on 0.5 2 times a day of lorazapam.Im trying to taper this but its going bad .Im in tolerance it seems .very bad vertigo.I guess I should go over to Valium and see if that works..the symptoms are terrible. Ever time I take the pill.

I was taking 0.5 mg. twice daily and started on Peroxitine for depression, the side effects were profound and totally intolerable, after about six weeks my doctor weened me off them too fast and I had serotonin withdrawal which is just easing a little, my Ativan was increased by .05 mg. to help me cope. I remained on.5 mg. 3 times a day for a while and then I noticed that my last dose at bedtime was making me feel sick, it just felt too strong and worried me, I was advised to reduce it by.25 mg. and after a week it started getting better, I hope to reduce the other .25 mg. but I’m still not ready. It’s very frustrating and scary when your meds aren’t working the same as before and can cause a lot of anxiety.