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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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@laurine7 My mother has been on lorazepam for sleep for more years than I care to remember. Now at 91 she’s on it 3x a day and her anxiety level is off the charts when she misses a dose. Very addictive medication. At this stage impossible to taper her off.
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1 Reaction@healthlady22 I just got off of lorazepam but it was a very slow taper…years. The tapering off was probably as long as I have been on it. As I was lowering the dosage I started taking low dose of melatonin (1-3 mg). Then added CBD gel capsule 10 mg without THC which seems to help. Be patient with yourself on this tapering off journey.
YOU ARE CORRECT, NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STOP AT 91. I HAVE SECOND THOUGHTS EVERYDAY ASKING MYSELF, WAS IT WORTH IT AFTER BEING ON FOR 17 YEARS. THE WORST SIDE EFFECTS ARE FALLING AND AUTO ACCIDENTS, IF SHE IS NOT HAVING THEM, REALLY THINK TWICE. I REALLY SUFFERED, AND STILL AM WITH HORRIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. ISN'T SHE TAKING ANYTHING FOR ANTI ANXIETY? LORAZEPAM IS A USEFUL DRUG FOR MANY HEALTH PROVIDERS AND SURGEONS. OUR PROBLEM IS THEY ARE FOR SHORT TERM ONLY AND THE PRESCRIBING LONG TERM USE SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE...........NO EXCEPTIONS
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1 ReactionONE MAJOR PROBLEM I HAVE HAD AFTER BEING ON LORAZEPAM FOR 17 YEARS WITH TAPERING IS SEVERE INSOMNIA. LORAZEPAM IS USED OFF LABEL FOR INSOMNIA. MAKES SENSE AFTER USING IT AS A SLEEPING PILL AND YOU STOP YOU WONT BE ABLE TO SLEEP.
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1 ReactionI have withdrawn from lorazepam after 16 years of taking it. This is not for the faint of heart. I went back on it after a tragic loss, and am tapering off again. From 2mg. I am currently at .8mg. The worse part of this whole journey, and the biggest mistake in all of this, was transferring over to DIAZEPAM. DON'T DO IT! It nearly killed me. Diazepam destroys diamine oxidase (DAO) in your system. It's the enzyme that breaks down histamine. Of course, no doctor will ever warn you of this because they don't know what they are doing. Doctors prescribe these horrific benzos to us, but are clueless as to to suffering they cause. My advice is to taper off very slowly. Follow a low glutamate, low histamine diet, and take DAO supplements with essential amino acids. This has worked for me. Daily exercise and meditation are absolutely essential for detox success. Best of luck.
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1 ReactionSwitching to diazepam is a tried and true method for tapering benzodiazepines. It’s the best method we have and has helped many, including myself. I’ve done tons of research and have never come across this histamine thing. Can you provide any sources?
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1 ReactionJust Google "diazepam histamine" and it will be all laid out for you.
Are you referring to the studies done on rats and Guinea pigs?
It's true that there are almost no studies on benzodiazepine withdrawal. I read on theBenzo Buddies website that someone had success easing withdrawal symptoms with diamine oxidase. I tried it, and it almost completely eradicated my withdrawal symptoms from lorazepam.
This is my own personal experience. Reading about what people have found that is helpful in withdrawal is the ONLY thing that has eased my pain I on this horrible journey. This might help someone, it might not.
As for diazepam, I worked with an Addiction Doctor who had done a three year fellowship at Stanford, and he said that after he saw the suffering that diazepam had caused to so many, he would NEVER write a prescription for diazepam - EVER.
I suffered horribly from diazepam myself, as have countless people I've encountered on detox websites.
This is ONLY my own personal experience. But if anything that I have suffered thru or found solace from, can help another soul who is going thru this horror, then I am glad of it.
- Eileen
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1 ReactionWhat do you mean by “suffered horribly”? This is just so contrary to what I have learned through my long journey and countless hours of research and survivor stories. I’m baffled. I must admit I do not peruse the BenzoBuddie site at all.
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