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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andytheman | @andytheman | Aug 17, 2023

In reply to @dkappel "Xanax is a much tougher medication to get off of then valium and some others. Of..." + (show)

I tried Xanax years ago but I no longer take it because my psychiatrist wanted me off benzodiazepines a long time ago and I don’t remember any withdrawal symptoms. But I was put on SSRI’s and I guess that helped. I am on seroquel for sleep 150 mg at bedtime. It works good.
But I’ve been put on 1 mg of klonopin at 4:00 pm.

150 mg of Wellbutrin in the morning with a 0.5 tab of klonopin. I’m feeling ok but I fall asleep during the day but I’m seeing my psychiatrist next week and I plan on asking him for advice.
I completed a GeneSight Genetic Analysis and it will be at my psychiatrist before I get there so we’ll see what happens.

con123 | @con123 | Aug 18, 2023

In reply to @pkraft12 "I thought the question was anout lorazapam taper?" + (show)

I think that discussions about any benzodiazepine taper are helpful as they are similar drugs. I hope so anyway.

kylastar | @kylastar | Oct 9, 2023

In reply to @pamee "Hi my name is pamee. I need help as I have a rare disorder from Ativan...." + (show)

Has anyone weaned off lorazepam and if so how did you do it?

cactuswilli | @cactuswilli | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @kylastar "Has anyone weaned off lorazepam and if so how did you do it?" + (show)

I’m currently trying to wean off of lorazepam 1.0 mg, last night was my first attempt at halving one tab and tonight I’ll take the full dose and so on. I might add it was a difficult night of sleep for me so good luck!

kylastar | @kylastar | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @cactuswilli "I’m currently trying to wean off of lorazepam 1.0 mg, last night was my first attempt..." + (show)

I have read we need to wean off slowly.
I will post after I learn more, seeing a physicians assistant next week.
I was all over the map taking this med, trying to wean too quickly then needing to go back.
Like a seesaw, not sleeping much. The last straw was the other night, no sleep at all. I knew I had to seek professional help. It’s not all I deal with. I have a lot of health issues, almost died a couple years ago, in icu 16 days. That’s what messed my sleep, repeated awakenings in icu for all kinds of tests, blood work, etc, awakened all through the night each night. Day was fine but awakened while trying to sleep was what got me where I am now.

cactuswilli | @cactuswilli | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @kylastar "I have read we need to wean off slowly. I will post after I learn more,..." + (show)

Real sorry to hear of those health issues and it's good to hear you're working with PA. I'm challenged with MDD that's really messed up my sleep and since I've last posted I'm going to change my strategy for weaning to .75 mg for a week then most likely go to .50 and see where I'm at.

kylastar | @kylastar | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @cactuswilli "Real sorry to hear of those health issues and it's good to hear you're working with..." + (show)

I think you’re making a good choice trying .75 first before lowering to .5
I have a good feeling about you doing this.
I will post again after my appointment next week.

Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor | @cehunt57 | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @kylastar "Has anyone weaned off lorazepam and if so how did you do it?" + (show)

I am not one of those people that is against all meds. Sometimes meds are necessary. Sometimes it can take quite a bit of fine tuning to find the correct med and then the appropriate dosage. @kylastar & @cactuswilli have you asked the prescriber / provider for recommendations on how to wean off the med?

cactuswilli | @cactuswilli | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @cehunt57 "I am not one of those people that is against all meds. Sometimes meds are necessary...." + (show)

Yes, I conferred with my prescriber and she advised to do so slowly with caution. She's aware that I would like to be med-free and supportive; by the same token I'd love to have my old sleep patterns but I'm also aware the older I get that sleep patterns do change.

kylastar | @kylastar | Oct 10, 2023

In reply to @cehunt57 "I am not one of those people that is against all meds. Sometimes meds are necessary...." + (show)

I have an appointment next week with my doctors assistant who is knowledgeable about weaning off my med.
I mentioned this previously in my comments and also that I will post again after my appointment when I find out more of my situation.
And I agree with you in not being against all meds.
I only take if needed.
I have been on doxepin for 17 years and the only negative I have encountered is a lot of weight gain. It has helped me much more than had a negative effect.
I do research meds before I take them to make sure they don’t counter react with others I take. I’m not on that many but it’s enough for my age and health problems. They all do have side effects.