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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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Just 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.
Yes I used Valum to taper Xanax and it was very scary from the physical pain
Then my pain management Dr had me do it with Ativan and Valium and it was worse than ever I could imagine. He took me off Valim and started me back on Ativan
I'm so sorry to hear how much you have suffered because of these drugs and also doctors who don't have the experience to wean you properly. These type of drugs were designed for a quick fix during a bad situation but many of us are using them on a daily basis. I've been using ativan for over 20 years but then suddenly my doctor decides to reduce my dosage without even a discussion about it or even a plan. I told him he was doing more harm than good by doing this and since I had cancer twice I'm more stressed than ever. It might be a good idea if you talk to your doctor about another type of med that helps with anxiety on a long term basis. I'm also taking a antidepressant and it also reduces the intensity of my anxiety so I can use less of the ativan. I wish you the best with your mission and hope you will come out on top.
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2 ReactionsThey say it is best to go on a longer acting Benzo such as Clonazepam when trying to wean off Ativan. Does your husband see a psychiatrist? If not it may be worth a visit. He/she can help with the tapering process. You have to be insistent though, otherwise they will try to put him on another drug.
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2 Reactions18 months