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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Moderator
Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 18, 2020
In reply to @marena "Yes for sure I have had lots of withdrawels but nothing to severe and I have..." + (show)
@marena

Yes for sure I have had lots of withdrawels but nothing to severe and I have taken it very slowly. I stayed on half a mg for a year. It's been a long taper I was over 3 mg 2 yrs ago. And I'm down to .36 mg a day I went to compounding pharmacy to help taper and make the pills so I'm doing 10 % taper every 20 or 30 days. It's rough. 10 years ago I ook half a mg lorazepam for a year and had no problem comingoff it cutting pills in half then qtrs . Then when my dad died 3 yrs ago anxiety and insomnia set in and I unfortanately got back on lorazepam I asked for it cause it had helped before . it was a big mistake. I want off for good and will try cbd or other safe stuff for anxiety and or sleep. Thc has always helped too. But I can say the feeling of being happy is impossible on benzos. I remember how great I felt 9 yrs ago to be off it.

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Are you saying that the feeling of being happy is impossible on benzos because you feel neither high highs nor low lows when taking them, @marena, or for another reason?

REPLY
laleewal68 | @laleewal68 | Sep 13, 2020
In reply to @marena "Yes for sure I have had lots of withdrawels but nothing to severe and I have..." + (show)
@marena

Yes for sure I have had lots of withdrawels but nothing to severe and I have taken it very slowly. I stayed on half a mg for a year. It's been a long taper I was over 3 mg 2 yrs ago. And I'm down to .36 mg a day I went to compounding pharmacy to help taper and make the pills so I'm doing 10 % taper every 20 or 30 days. It's rough. 10 years ago I ook half a mg lorazepam for a year and had no problem comingoff it cutting pills in half then qtrs . Then when my dad died 3 yrs ago anxiety and insomnia set in and I unfortanately got back on lorazepam I asked for it cause it had helped before . it was a big mistake. I want off for good and will try cbd or other safe stuff for anxiety and or sleep. Thc has always helped too. But I can say the feeling of being happy is impossible on benzos. I remember how great I felt 9 yrs ago to be off it.

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I have been taking .5mg daily during the covid but have noticed that I have no energy and am so sluggish during the day. Since I am taking a relatively low dose can I just stop?

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1 reply
jean55 | @jean55 | Apr 9, 2021
In reply to @brandman48 "I have been taking 2mg of lorazepam to treat anxiety for about 12 years and have..." + (show)
@brandman48

I have been taking 2mg of lorazepam to treat anxiety for about 12 years and have decided to start tapering off due to changes in my cognitive functioning. I have cut back from 2mg a day to 1.5. I take it first thing in the morning and feel ok for most of the day. But later in the day like around 6pm I start feeling anxious. I am able to sleep with the help of trazadone. But I wake around 3am feeling very anxious and can't get back to sleep. I am wondering if I am trying to taper off too fast. Maybe I should taper slower like from 2mg to 1.75.

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I have read in several places to decrease by 25% but recently read that tapering by 5-10% is better! Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
sears | @sears | Apr 10, 2021
In reply to @brandman48 "I have adjusted my taper from 2mg down to 1.75mg. This seems to be working better." + (show)
@brandman48

I have adjusted my taper from 2mg down to 1.75mg. This seems to be working better.

Jump to this post

The slower the taper the better. This isn’t a race. It’s all about your health and wellbeing. Google the Ashton Manual. It’s a great tapering method and allows you to hold if your going through a rough spot. Also be careful with the tradozone. One can become dependent on this drug also and have to taper.

REPLY
ainsleigh | @ainsleigh | Apr 11, 2021
In reply to @jean55 "I have read in several places to decrease by 25% but recently read that tapering by..." + (show)
@jean55

I have read in several places to decrease by 25% but recently read that tapering by 5-10% is better! Good luck!

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I tapered off successfully. The smaller the doses you taper the better. Do not reduce more until you feel comfortable with the current dose.
Good luck!
Ainsleigh

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1 reply
davidedlund63 | @davidedlund63 | Aug 23, 2021
In reply to @aarniek "I was on up to 8 mg daily and blacking out suffering 3 concussions and broken..." + (show)
@aarniek

I was on up to 8 mg daily and blacking out suffering 3 concussions and broken bones so I told my neurologist I wanted to stop it. He switched me to Valium,40 mg,week one,20 week two,10 week 4 and 5 mg week five, then none ! Now over 6 years later I cannot walk more than a few feet due to muscle spasticity ,have severe head pressure,loud tinnitus and the worst thing,I have no long term memory! I tell you this because I am sure it was being taken off in a few weeks that is responsible so if he stops ,he must taper off for at least a year ,and as for me I don't expect to survive this cold turkey withdrawal as there is nothing that doctors can give me to help!

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I have been taking 8 mg for two years. How should I taper?

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | Aug 23, 2021

@davidedlund63
EXTREMELY SLOWLY.
If you start having withdrawal symptoms go back up to your previous dose where you didn't have the symptoms.
Cut your dose every 2-6 weeks.
SLOW!!!
Your doctor will likely tell you to taper faster and if you take his advice will you let us know how it went for you
Jake

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kmhickey13 | @kmhickey13 | Sep 16, 2021

I had been on 2.0mg for several years and wanted to taper off Lorazepam. It was recommended I continue the morning dose of 1.0mg and cut the midday dose to 0.75. I got along alright other than my anxiety increased. I switched to a different provider who suggested I decrease the AM dose to 0.5mg and leave the PM at 0.75mg. Within 3 days I began having shortness of breath that was fairly severe. Three weeks ago the morning dose was left as is and PM dose cut to 0.50. The shortness of breath kicked in again and I am very fatigued. I didn't realize until today that it seems that tapering off the Lorazepam is happening too quickly.

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bobby00 | @bobby00 | Sep 17, 2021

Please read this article that is by a nutritionist whose autoimmune diseases almost killed her but she reversed the damage through mainly nutritional changes https://m.theepochtimes.com/how-i-reversed-an-autoimmune-disease-part-1_3970698.html

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lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Nov 15, 2021

I have been taking benzodiazapines for 18 years. I started taking Ativan today. I have three 1 mg Clonezapam and two 1 mg lorazepam leftover and my new prescription, no refills of .05 mg, 60 day supply. Any suggestions of how to taper from Clonazepam and Lorezapam to 1/2 Ativan (ameprazeam). This is it for me. I am moving to another state in 2 weeks and do not want to have to find a doctor to convince and beg for any benzos. I want my life back.

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