← Return to Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Discussion
Comment receiving replies
@benzossuck

Last November I did a cold turkey of .05 Ativan after about 7 months. I knew better but did it anyway. I had successfully tapered 4 years ago and had no problems or real sleep issues during that taper. Well this time the cold turkey really did a number on me. During the cold turkey I did not sleep for more than 0-2 hrs for three weeks. I finally went to my NP and she told me to tough it out. I finally talked her into prescribing the liquid Ativan so I could taper correctly. She raised my dose to get me "stable" from the anxiety I was having and told me to take as much Ativan as I needed. Thank goodness I did not listen to her. I finally found a doctor two hours away that had a clue. I started the taper again in February. This doctor put me on Mirtazapine as well to help with sleep. 7.5. I had some unpleasant side effects but it was definitely helping me sleep. If you would share how much Ativan you were on and how long you took to taper and the schedule if you don't mind. I am also tapering the Mirtazapine by using a compounded liquid to try to get to the lowest dose that will still allow me to sleep to try and minimize the side effects from it. I am now at 2.25 of Mirtazapine and still able to sleep on that. The 7.5 was too sedating for me along with the other side effects I had from it. I know you said you are doing well after the Ativan taper and wondering if you had anxiety during the taper and wondering if you plan on continuing the Mirtazapine for sleep? I am not sure my taper schedule is the best for me so would like to see what worked for others. Thank you for sharing

Jump to this post


Replies to "Last November I did a cold turkey of .05 Ativan after about 7 months. I knew..."

Hi, I’m planning to stay onthe 7.5 mg mirtazapine at least through October. Have a lot going on till then. Then I’ll try to taper that as you’re doing. How are you getting it in liquid form? I just saw my doctor today and he’s thrilled that I’m off the Ativan. No major issues with my taper.
I started at .5 for over two years. Then did .5, .5, .25…for two to three weeks. Then .5, .25, .5, .25… two to three weeks.
Then .25, .25, .5…
Then .25 every day
Then .25, .25, .125 (I cut pill in quarters)
.25, .125, .25, .125
.125, .125, .25…
.125 every day
.125, .125, 0…
.125, 0, .125, 0…
.125, 0, 0….
Then done!!!
I hope that helps