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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lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Jan 2, 2022
In reply to @anonymous260206 "Linda, Until a couple of days ago, I felt exactly the way you do: staying alive..." + (show)
@anonymous260206

Linda, Until a couple of days ago, I felt exactly the way you do: staying alive not for my sake but the sake of a couple of people in my life. I "question God" just about every night, asking Him why was I born in the first place. I feel so lonely, so isolated, yet my neighborhood is small, In my neighborhood just about everyone goes to church on Sunday yet practically no one says "hello" to me; when I get angry I am reminded of what Gandhi said as to why he did not become a Christian; his answer? "I probably would have become one had I known one".

Jump to this post

I am lonely and isolated. I am the person who had her house burn down and lost everything 7 mos ago. I have a great deal of compassion for people who are now experiencing the same in another state. I moved to another state, I don't know any one but I have only been here 3 weeks. I need people and miss my friend. I go to the mall and just sit or walk around to have human contact. After the fire, my doctor prescribed generous doses of Valium to help me cope with my loses. I lost my emotional support dog in the fire. Guilt plagues me that I couldn't save her. I miss her terribly as she was my constant companion and best friend for 5 years. She kept me active with walks and trips to the stores and dog park. I recently got a puppy and will be starting training 1/8. One day at a time and I am not a patient person. God, last night I screamed at him asking him where he is . . . this world is in tatters. Seems everyone is looking for a savior.

REPLY
1 reply
victorkach | @victorkach | Jan 2, 2022
In reply to @anonymous260206 "Linda, Until a couple of days ago, I felt exactly the way you do: staying alive..." + (show)
@anonymous260206

Linda, Until a couple of days ago, I felt exactly the way you do: staying alive not for my sake but the sake of a couple of people in my life. I "question God" just about every night, asking Him why was I born in the first place. I feel so lonely, so isolated, yet my neighborhood is small, In my neighborhood just about everyone goes to church on Sunday yet practically no one says "hello" to me; when I get angry I am reminded of what Gandhi said as to why he did not become a Christian; his answer? "I probably would have become one had I known one".

Jump to this post

Hello or bonjour, Nanette. I'm a Christian, a follower of Christ and his teaching. Let me be your friend.
Tell me about yourself. What do you love? What or who inspires you and lifts your spirit, that is, who you are?
I would like to be your friend.

REPLY
1 reply
anonymous-260206 | @anonymous260206 | Jan 2, 2022
In reply to @lindasmith1222 "I am lonely and isolated. I am the person who had her house burn down and..." + (show)
@lindasmith1222

I am lonely and isolated. I am the person who had her house burn down and lost everything 7 mos ago. I have a great deal of compassion for people who are now experiencing the same in another state. I moved to another state, I don't know any one but I have only been here 3 weeks. I need people and miss my friend. I go to the mall and just sit or walk around to have human contact. After the fire, my doctor prescribed generous doses of Valium to help me cope with my loses. I lost my emotional support dog in the fire. Guilt plagues me that I couldn't save her. I miss her terribly as she was my constant companion and best friend for 5 years. She kept me active with walks and trips to the stores and dog park. I recently got a puppy and will be starting training 1/8. One day at a time and I am not a patient person. God, last night I screamed at him asking him where he is . . . this world is in tatters. Seems everyone is looking for a savior.

Jump to this post

Linda, good morning, in what state do you live in? Are you at liberty to say?

REPLY
1 reply
anonymous-260206 | @anonymous260206 | Jan 2, 2022
In reply to @victorkach "Hello or bonjour, Nanette. I'm a Christian, a follower of Christ and his teaching. Let me..." + (show)
@victorkach

Hello or bonjour, Nanette. I'm a Christian, a follower of Christ and his teaching. Let me be your friend.
Tell me about yourself. What do you love? What or who inspires you and lifts your spirit, that is, who you are?
I would like to be your friend.

Jump to this post

Bonjour, bonjour will do: French by birth, American by choice. I came to the US in 1964. Worked in Sales & Marketing, law (oil & gas contract T&C) and, above all, worked at being miserable, and that one, I really had to go out of my way to succeed, and, succeed I did, until I found this group to find that I did not have to be miserable to have friends, I did not need to be miserable to have the attention and the friendship I needed/I wanted.

REPLY
lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Jan 2, 2022
In reply to @anonymous260206 "Linda, good morning, in what state do you live in? Are you at liberty to say?" + (show)
@anonymous260206

Linda, good morning, in what state do you live in? Are you at liberty to say?

Jump to this post

S. Carolina via Arizona via Wisconsin

REPLY
surferdude9 | @surferdude9 | Jan 4, 2022

Hi there, are you currently on this forum? I’ve been on Ativan probably over 15 year, I need to find exact time. I think you mentioned you husband on another thread. Thanks

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surferdude9 | @surferdude9 | Jan 4, 2022

Hi, I am dealing with the same stuff as your husband, I could use some thoughts in dealing with this, thank you.

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goggy | @goggy | Jan 22, 2022

Hello all. I started Ativan 12 years ago to help with sleep due to tinnitus caused by noise exposure. It helped me sleep but now I would like to get completely off as I feel it fogs my thinking in the morning. I have never taken more than 1 mg per day and currently cut 0.5 MG tabs in half and take 0.25 twice a day. I can tell when it is time for next dose. Cutting half a tab into a quarter is difficult. I could skip the AM dose but that would be a 50% reduction and that seems too much. A few years ago I forgot the med while on a trip and it was unpleasant to say the least.
Maybe the liquid form would help?

Thank you and I appreciated this forum

REPLY
1 reply
surferdude9 | @surferdude9 | Feb 7, 2022

Hi there, I was wondering how your husband has been doing since your post as I am currently dealing with what he is going through, if he is seeing any specialist, etc. thank you.

REPLY
surferdude9 | @surferdude9 | Feb 7, 2022

I send you a message earlier, my name is brian.

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