Looking for help to taper off Ativan (lorazepam)

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

Dear Human Family,

I carefully detail my successful tapering off of 1.0 mg of Lorazepam after being on it for much of two decades in my recently published book, "Tools of Transformation".

Loving regards,
Joe Lerner

My doctor put me on an anti-depressent/anxiety medicine to replace it.

What new med did you try? Did you take both at the same time or completely come off one before starting new med?

I'm on a cousin of Lexapro, Fluvoxamine. I can stay on the Ativan for a short time and take both. Ativan works so well for me and has for 7 years that I am not hopeful this med will help me sleep. But my old primary doc retired and these new kids that are running the show are scared to prescribe anything.