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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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@sears
Thank you for the reply. I have the Ashton Manual in book form. I've tapered twice with it and it seems I'm somewhat allergic to diazepam. My symptoms became worse. For the most part I would recommend the Ashton Manual to everyone as it's the best taper plan.
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2 ReactionsThe first time I did the Ashton to taper off xanax it took 18 months.
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2 ReactionsDon’t try anything without talking with your doctor.
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2 Reactions@pamee It was a long and slow taper for me after years on Ativan. Please work closely with your doctor with a plan and note any side effects or withdrawals. Good luck
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2 ReactionsThank you marjou!
I've been to many doctors and none know how to do a slow taper from Ativan. I'm not able to do the Ashton Manual taper as I'm allergic to Valium. I've tapered from Xanax with crossover with Valium. It took 18 months, but I was worse off in the long run with Valium.
Thank you again for your support
pamee
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1 ReactionJust take it one day at a time and stay strong. Work with a doctor as well who may prescribe a longer acting benzo such as Klonopin. Meditation is a huge help for me and remember that it is like a roller coaster ride. You will have waves of bad times but you just need to power through them to the other side. Eventually you will come out on the other side. Good luck to you and keep thinking positive that you can do it.
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2 ReactionsI have seen a sleep medicine doctor as I was placed on Ativan for anxiety when diagnosed with cancer (two years out and ok now!) but relied on it for sleep. Major sleep issues but wanted to get off ativan. She put me on a very slow taper that changes every two weeks. Im currently on half the dose (.25) I was on, next two weeks will be .25, .25, 0, etc. I don’t feel great every day but am determined.
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3 ReactionsWhy were you “worse off” with the Valium?
The withdrawals are way beyond what I can handle. Extremely sick, stiff body, horrific physical pain, many different kinds of excruciating pains 24/7 never a break
You did taper off using Valium? I’m a little confused here.