Getting off lorazepam (Ativan). What was your taper schedule?

This sounds too fast and skipping every other day is not a good idea. If you’re not familiar with the Ashton Manual please google it and read it. It’s the best tapering method there is to date . The Manual tells step by step how to taper, although it will require you to switch over to Valium for the smoothest taper. This method has helped countless people. It’s tried and true.

Yes, this is too fast. I have been on Ativan for 7 years, just one at night 0.5 like you. I am now on another medication for an unrelated issue that makes me tired so I cut my Ativan in half at night. Now I am more nervous during the day. It is very, very hard to get off of and there are many ways to do it. A good doctor will work with you and not just cut you off on days. Check Google and they will give you several options if you don't like what your doctor is suggesting.

I Believe Ativan is a low dosage benzodiazepine and has less side affects as others. I would talk to your doctor if this schedule does not work well for you. It should be a slow process. It is a habit forming medication. So, please talk to your doctor and see if you can do it at a slower pace. You may need to get to the root of the problem. Is it anxiety? Journal your thoughts before bed. There are many ways to help with anxiety. Meditation, breathing exercises and being around nature can be of help. 🙏

To Grumpypants… hi I was reading about your tapering off Ativan, you asked if what you and your doctor are doing is okay… I think it’s more than okay, you don’t mention that you’re having a bad time with withdrawal symptoms… I hope that you can continue with your program and not suffer too much… unless I missed reading any previous comment about your withdrawal schedule I would have to say you’re doing good..as someone else mentioned, the Ashton Manuals is a very good program with lots of success in helping people get off the benzodiazepines

What does one use instead of benzo’s

Nothing medication wise. There is no substitution. Benzos worked the best. They gave many untold relief. They’re now pretty much a med of the past.

Thank you. I wake up in pain and I have to yoga stretching and heat padding, to hot shower and back to heating and stretching to calm the tension up. It is literally taking up all of my time to unwind. I did not want benzoes but they are the only thing that works! I’m so saddened but at least there is something to help.

Benzodiazepines has an unpopular reputation due to them being so addictive. I was given them over twenty years ago and no one anywhere warned me about the way they work. I still believe that they were dragged into the opioid crisis..people who are addicted to opiates are at great risk if they use benzodiazepines at the same time…they are a lethal cocktail and so it’s easier for them to try and get rid of both. I honestly never had any issues with Ativan, I always stayed on the same dose and they work very fast and bring relief to me in about 10 minutes, of course I tried a bunch of so called better meds but they never helped me much and they came with a bunch of side effects. I started to get messed up when the prescribing doctor was trying to push me to quit benzodiazepines but not offering me any help or support, in fact he started reducing the amount without discussing it with me…well you can imagine the emotional turmoil that caused me. I am now hearing about the struggles of other people in a similar situation and it saddens me because you have so much anxiety and are suffering unduly because of this injustice… I don’t think that there’s a med out there that doesn’t have some adverse effect and nothing is ever perfect when it comes to our health but it’s just harassment for us and we don’t need it..perhaps doctors should do more research before they involve innocent people. We have to take more control of our lives and health and not place too much in the doctor’s hands, it will give you back some well needed control over your health issues and although most doctors don’t take favourably to this, it’s just too bad because it’s your life and taking care of yourself too is going to have a positive effect on you and make you feel stronger for it.

Thank you. Ativan works for sure. I still ended up in hospital so I understand the self care now. I’ll just keep with meditation and yoga and in emergency tiled the meds. I never imagined people getting addicted to these meds. I know now of all the controversy here on this site. I’ll be careful. Thanks again.

I totally agree with you. I have been taking Ativan for years with great results and no side effects. I am trying to get off of it on my own. I take a half of my lowest dose now. It is 2 months and I am still having withdrawal symptoms. I never knew this drug could be so powerful. Be care and be safe!