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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benzossuck | @benzossuck | Dec 11, 2022

Yes you first have to find a doctor to help that will not try to put you on another psychotic drug to quit, then you don't have to wean off the new drug later. Your doctor prescribes the liquid form of Ativan usually from a compounding pharmacy. Don' t go down more that 2.5-5% in a two week period. It takes several months depending on how high your dose was but it is worth the time.

marjou | @marjou | Dec 12, 2022

I finally did but it was very slow taper after being on it for years.

sears | @sears | Dec 13, 2022

In reply to @marjou "I finally did but it was very slow taper after being on it for years." + (show)

How long did you taper? Mine seems soooo long!

marjou | @marjou | Dec 13, 2022

@sears It took me years but I was on low dosage 1 mg then cut pill in half and then again at .5 mg cut pill in half again for at least 6 months. I will caution that I feel my anxiety is a little more active at times but am glad to be off it. Still have sleep issues but use 1-3 mg of melatonin along with CBD oil gel capsules with no THC. Work with your doctor and what works best for you.

marydoe | @marydoe | Dec 20, 2022

What’s the safest way to taper off of Ativan?

mikaylar | @mikaylar | Dec 21, 2022

In reply to @marydoe "What’s the safest way to taper off of Ativan?" + (show)

Oh boy, good luck with that! You will need a doctor for that. Mine said he would help me when I was ready. Most likely they will put you on a different medicine.

reese1 | @reese1 | Dec 23, 2022

In reply to @marydoe "What’s the safest way to taper off of Ativan?" + (show)

Ativan does not dissolve very well in a glass of water. You could ask your doctor if you could switch to Valium which has a longer half-life and start water titration with the Valium. I had to ask my doctor to switch me from Xanax to Clonezapam. He was willing to do that, and I water titrated off of the Xanax. This doctor knew me for many years and was fine with it. I did have to titrate for 6 months or more, but I finally made the jump and still had withdrawals, but they were significantly less than if I had cut the pill. Sometimes, finding the right doctor is challenging but it is worth the effort.

astra | @astra | Dec 30, 2022

In reply to @laleewal68 "I have been taking .5mg daily during the covid but have noticed that I have no..." + (show)

I have the same question. I have been taking .5 for a month (upped from .25 because of GERD pain at night). My PCP says to taper down to .25 for several weeks; the "sleep doctor" says to just stop.

Colleencuknfunt | @donrealtesting | Dec 30, 2022

Hi, I've been having issue from 1 mg of xanax that i've taken for years. Chest pain and shortness of breath. I went to the urgent care trying to get a solution versus waiting for my doctors appointment. I was given Hydroxyzine pamoate. This is an antihistamine yet works for anxiety, this should help me get off my 1 mg of xanax. Was told to only take .5 mg of my xanax once a day instead of twice, and this 25 mg 4 times a day. This was ordered by a physicians assistant. Crossing my fingers!