Thank you ladies both for your reply. I've been on lorazepam for probably approaching 2 years. For anxiety and trouble sleeping. The first few months I took 2 mg daily in the morning and at night. I quickly stopped the morning and went to 1 mg at night which I had no side effects with. I continued the 1mg at night up until about 4 or 5 months ago. I've been taking 0.5 with no issues. This is just for sleep. I noticed I'm tired without it and at times I fall asleep without taking it and wake up and take it before it's too late. My plan is to take half of the 0.5mg and then take nothing. I am worried though. I guess just afraid to stop it altogether. Scares me. I've heard a lot of bad stories.

@colleenyoung @ch2232
I've been thinking about my response because I want to be helpful. So if I provide TMI, give me feedback. If you have questions, please ask.

I've reached a point where I take Ativan strictly as needed. I did the slow and deliberate decreasing through tapering. After .5 mg, I went to every other day , then every 2 days--slowly and steadily. When I gave myself permission to take it if I needed it, a tool in my toolbox--I had a kind of relief and release. I no longer put Ativan in my daily pillbox because I don't need it daily anymore. I carry a few in my purse just in case I have a full blown panic attack.
I haven't had one of those since April 2021. Ironically, when that happened, I didn't have anything with me...no Nitroglycerin, no aspirin, no Ativan. Now I keep the "kit" in my purse just in case--a security blanket.
I'm receiving Spravato treatments weekly. For the sake of controlling my BP, two hours before my appointment, I take 1mg Ativan & 6.25mg Coreg.

As I've explained in previous posts I combine strategies, including behavior modification and necessary medications that allow me to take care of my Body, Mind, and Spirit.
I wouldn't arbitrarily stop my blood thinner, but when it's medically necessary, I stop taking Brilinta. Then when I have medical clearance I begin again.

I use my medications with caution. I think of my brain as an organ. My thyroid is off, my meds are adjusted or changed. I need thyroid meds to maintain my well-being. I need thyroid meds to live. My brain is off, my meds are adjusted or changed. My psychiatric meds are whittled down to tools to maintain my health...Plus, talk therapy is essential. Body, mind, spirit.

I've also addressed "masking." I am learning that sometimes what I perceive as anxiety is the result of something else. For example, I really control caffeine because no amount of Ativan is going to help my jitters. I am so sensitive to caffeine that I'm vigilant about where it is hidden.
And when my thyroid is off, I also experience a false sense of anxiety--again Ativan doesn't alleviate it.

I hope I've contributed some helpful info.
"Hope is the joyful expectation of good things to come."

I'm on day 3 of half of 0.5 mg at bedtime. Finally tapered and so far only experienced a headache the last two mornings. Today no side effects. After this dose I will be off of ativan all together. Thanks for your help.

@colleenyoung I was prescribed .5 lorazepam in 2006 and was on it for 5 years. I took one pill .5 nightly and never increased the dosage or took it during the day. I usually had one glass of red wine in the evening before bed along with the pill. I decided to get off of it after 5 years of taking it nightly. I somehow knew I could not go off cold turkey. I started out by cutting the pills in half and slowly got off of it. It took me about a year to be completely free of lorazepam. I did have night sweats and hallucinations during the process, especially the hallucinations at the end of the year. I did this process completely on my own, no doctor supervision. Never consulted a doctor. I was initially prescribed lorazepam because I told my doctor of anxiety I was having from going through a divorce. I wish she would have said "this is normal to have anxiety". Otherwise I was perfectly healthy at the time and still am. The only pill I take daily is a vitamin D. I still walk 3 miles everyday and eat a very healthy diet, am not over weight. Currently 67 years old, still have occasional anxiety but deal with in other healthy alternatives. NO MEDICATION!!!!! If I can offer any more insight please feel free to contact me.