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Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?
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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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.
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
@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.
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1 ReactionNothing 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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1 ReactionOMG! You are soooo correct, it was not a SLOW AND GRADUAL TAPER that is hammered into everyones head. Something terribly similar to me happened except my Medical Professional team gave me the incorrect dose to taper. Switching to Valium was the correct start but obviously was not followed thru with the slow taper. Did you discuss this with your Medical Professional and if so what did he tell you? So very sorry this has happened to yet another. When will the FDA, besides issuing the most egregious Black Box Warning, start making the Doctors accountable for long term use?
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3 ReactionsI really hate to type this, but I have had second thoughts many times about stopping my 12 or more years of taking 6MG of Lorazepam. Incorrect tapering left me in very bad shape and you cannot go back and start and start over. I have read many articles that the elderly, which I am, may be better off if they haven been on Lorazepam for many years to just stay on it. I have not had more than 2 to 3 hrs sleep since stopping Lorazepam. Extremely upsetting because this is when your body restarts and helps you recover. I went from minimal problems, sometimes depressed and sometimes with anxiety, I personally think most people go thru these normally. If your husband is taking Lorazepam and has had more than normal falls and not having auto accidents and seems happy, why should he stop?? Ask the Doctor WHY he should stop, don't let him just say it is bad for you, ask the Doctor WHY IT IS BAD FOR HIM? Hope this makes some sense.
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2 ReactionsI know someone who tapered off in a year very slowly but still watchful for increased anxiety.
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2 ReactionsOne will never avoid withdrawal even with the slowest taper. It just won’t be as bad.
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2 ReactionsI was recently tapered off Prozac and started on Duloxetine. Due to the Oxiplatian chemo treatment, it affects the nerves in my hands, legs and feet. With the help of my oncologist and psychiatrist, they worked together to safely make the switch. I was concerned with how I was going to feel because I've been on Prozac for years. But it is the best thing ever. Duloxetine not only helps with nerve pain but depression and anxiety as well. I was also on Lorazepam. A low dosage. But it was only as needed. My psychiatrist started me on halving the pill to cut the dosage. Since it is a sedative, I was concerned as well. I also take Ambien. But my oncologist has dropped the dosage to taper me off because I am to start on Gabaplatin in a few weeks.
The best suggestion given to me is to take one step at a time. This is not a race but a marathon. It will get better once your care team finds the right medicine mix for you.
Here's to taking one day at a time. (:
Michele
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4 ReactionsI want a tapper to come of 6 lorazapam a day taken I 3 doses of 2mils with diazapam to help me 10 mils how do I do it