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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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flow65 | @flow65 | Apr 25, 2022
In reply to @paromita87 "Hello, Here is my story and I hope somebody can help me. On Feb 6th of..." + (show)
Profile picture for paromita87 @paromita87

Hello,

Here is my story and I hope somebody can help me.

On Feb 6th of this year, I had a panic attack, was not able to calm down or sleep, went to ER and was given a ativan to calm down.

I subsequently contacted a physctratist who gave me ativans on PRN basis. And later added that to my treatment. She told me to take 1mg Ativan twice a day (2mg). But I was actually taking 1.5 mg Ativan because I was cautious of it. Later however as I did not want to go against it, I took 2mg. So taking 2mg for about 2 months now.

She also gave me Pristiq 50mg per day which I have been taking and feeling better. But now my problem is I feel anxiety when I do not take Ativan. Or I am confused that Pristiq is not helping my anxeity ?I also feel very sleepy if I take half Ativan in the morning (0.5 mg 4 times a day). So not able to work.

She has now told me to take the first dose in the morning of Kolonopin to help withdraw from Ativan. So instead of taking 0.5 mg Ativan she want me to switch to 0.25mg Kolonopin in the morning.

I want to know what do you feel about this, I have read most Ativan withdrawls are with Valium and not Kolonopin.
Can I get some help with getting rid of Ativan, and just be on Pristiq for my anxeity ?

Thanks for listening,
Mita

Jump to this post

Thank for your response. I’m just wondering if others have the same problem with pharmacies. They’re very vague. Thank you.

REPLY
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syvie | @syvie | Apr 27, 2022
In reply to @paromita87 "Hello, Here is my story and I hope somebody can help me. On Feb 6th of..." + (show)
Profile picture for paromita87 @paromita87

Hello,

Here is my story and I hope somebody can help me.

On Feb 6th of this year, I had a panic attack, was not able to calm down or sleep, went to ER and was given a ativan to calm down.

I subsequently contacted a physctratist who gave me ativans on PRN basis. And later added that to my treatment. She told me to take 1mg Ativan twice a day (2mg). But I was actually taking 1.5 mg Ativan because I was cautious of it. Later however as I did not want to go against it, I took 2mg. So taking 2mg for about 2 months now.

She also gave me Pristiq 50mg per day which I have been taking and feeling better. But now my problem is I feel anxiety when I do not take Ativan. Or I am confused that Pristiq is not helping my anxeity ?I also feel very sleepy if I take half Ativan in the morning (0.5 mg 4 times a day). So not able to work.

She has now told me to take the first dose in the morning of Kolonopin to help withdraw from Ativan. So instead of taking 0.5 mg Ativan she want me to switch to 0.25mg Kolonopin in the morning.

I want to know what do you feel about this, I have read most Ativan withdrawls are with Valium and not Kolonopin.
Can I get some help with getting rid of Ativan, and just be on Pristiq for my anxeity ?

Thanks for listening,
Mita

Jump to this post

Bonjour ! paromita87 @paromita87, As you probably already know, with benzos we must be very careful, cause we can make regrettable mistakes. It’s not too late to avoid unnecessary suffering. I strongly encourage you to join Beating Benzos, it’s the best support group on Facebook. The administrators have over 50 years of experience with benzos. Through this group you will find the help you need and get a proper taper plan. I’m on Ativan as well. I'll spare you the details of my story. Don't delay going to Beating Benzos. It looks like you have built up tolerance with ativan. So it's time to start tapering off and doing it the right way. Good luck to you!

REPLY
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rosa66 | @rosa66 | Jun 12, 2022

Psych put me on ambien 5 and Ativan .25 three x/day 7 weeks ago.
Never talked to me about how long, side effects, etc 🥺
My depression and anxiety are thru the roof worrying about it.
Now I’m reading very scary things about Benzo’s!
Please help
I’m also on Primidone a barbiturate for essential tremor and see that they should not have been added to it.
Hoping to get off Primidone after the Ativan and ambien taper.
Please help

REPLY
1 reply
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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @rosa66 "Psych put me on ambien 5 and Ativan .25 three x/day 7 weeks ago. Never talked..." + (show)
Profile picture for rosa66 @rosa66

Psych put me on ambien 5 and Ativan .25 three x/day 7 weeks ago.
Never talked to me about how long, side effects, etc 🥺
My depression and anxiety are thru the roof worrying about it.
Now I’m reading very scary things about Benzo’s!
Please help
I’m also on Primidone a barbiturate for essential tremor and see that they should not have been added to it.
Hoping to get off Primidone after the Ativan and ambien taper.
Please help

Jump to this post

@rosa66, it sounds like you've got a lot of changes happening at one. I encourage you to work with your doctor to find the right combination that works for your anxiety and depression and doesn't make things worse worrying about side effects.

You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion so you can connect with others:
- Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan/

One thing at a time. One step at a time.

REPLY
1 reply
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rosa66 | @rosa66 | Jun 15, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@rosa66, it sounds like you've got a lot of changes happening at one. I encourage you..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

@rosa66, it sounds like you've got a lot of changes happening at one. I encourage you to work with your doctor to find the right combination that works for your anxiety and depression and doesn't make things worse worrying about side effects.

You'll notice that I moved your question to this existing discussion so you can connect with others:
- Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan/

One thing at a time. One step at a time.

Jump to this post

Thank you

REPLY
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cmd | @cmd | Jun 16, 2022

Is his insomnia every night?

REPLY
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sears | @sears | Jun 16, 2022
In reply to @lindasmith1222 "Congratulations. I am inspired by your taper. I am done to 1 mg of Valium, medication..." + (show)
Profile picture for lindasmith1222 @lindasmith1222

Congratulations. I am inspired by your taper. I am done to 1 mg of Valium, medication in the benzodiazepine "family," at night for sleep. reading that you can sleep on .5 mg of lorazepam and even cutting that in half, lifted my spirits this morning as I have hope. I just went down to 1 mg and not sleeping well. Thank you for sharing.

Jump to this post

Try taking a small amount of melatonin, chamomile, Ltheanine, magnesium . Take as directed on the bottles before sleep. Start the melatonin at .5 mgs. None of this can hurt, it may help.

REPLY
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ainsleigh | @ainsleigh | Jun 16, 2022

Yes I did and it really was very easy. I broke the pill in half and started gradually reducing it- eg a whole one every other day and a half on alternate days. When this felt comfortable I went to a half every day. When this felt okay I went to a half every third day, then every
fourth day and eventually I ju

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marjou | @marjou | Jul 2, 2022

@healthlady22 I agree with you that lorazepam triggers anxiety. Have been on this medication for sleep but now I have trouble sleeping without it. Have noticed my anxiety and depression have worsened the longer on this medication. Have been on it for years but am working on weaning off slowly from 1 mg to .5 mg to cutting that pill in half. During that time I also took 1 mg of melatonin. Have been off it for 2 weeks now but increased melatonin to 3 mg and CBD oil capsule of 15 mg which seems to help me sleep naturally.

REPLY
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laurine7 | @laurine7 | Jul 2, 2022

Nothing is better than a Doctor or Psychiatrist's knowledge of tapering off a Benzodiazepine. The Ashton's Manual is the best you will find on line and you can discuss this with your Professional. Tapering is to avoid withdrawal, everyone is different but with the correct plan you will be ahead of the game.

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