Looking for help to taper off Ativan (lorazepam)

Posted by pamee @pamee, Jan 8, 2023

Hi my name is pamee. I need help as I have a rare disorder from Ativan. It's horrific excruciating pain 24/7 with minimal sleep so I'm also sleep deprived. The pain is killing me at times I want to die. I take 2 mg 4x a day fir 13-14 yrs and recently been having blackouts. I'm scared. Can anyone please give me suggestions whether I taper one dose at a time or should I taper all 4 doses in a day at about 1/4 of the pill. Thank you for any help you can give. Kind regards, pamee

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con123 | @con123 | Oct 30, 2023

In reply to @sears "You may be in trouble when your stash runs out. Be careful here." + (show)

Doubtful, since I only take .125mg once or twice a week and can hardly detect an effect. I believe the primary effect at this point is psychological. My body has gone through most of the withdrawal except insomnia.

lizziel1 | @lizziel1 | Oct 30, 2023

In reply to @grumpypants "Hello everyone. Long story short I've been on Ativan for 1 year, with 0.5 morning and..." + (show)

When I turned 65, my P-Doc told me I could no longer be on Ativan, which I’ve been taking .5 mg for 15+ years.
He had me take half the dose for a month and then cut me off! Ridiculous! I think a much slower taper should have been done along with some counseling to help cope…as I have PTSD.
I was using a high quality CBD to help with anxiety, but I’m on opiates for chronic pain and when the pain clinic tested my urine it came back showing a trace of THC. So… I can’t take that now unless I get a medical marijuana license. Again, ridiculous!
Maybe I’ll just start drinking again! 🤪

benzossuck | @benzossuck | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @ljob "Thanks for the positive encouragement. Can you please re-share that taper schedule here, and given that..." + (show)

Ativan is made in a liquid suspension. With a prescription you can get it at CVS. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to help you adjust the dosage as you taper. This is the only way to do a taper as the small 0.5 cannot be cut properly. I am in my 9 month of my taper with 5 months to go. You must go slow to avoid horrible withdrawal effects. I taper 5 percent every 2 weeks. Best of luck to you.

benzossuck | @benzossuck | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @rickame "Can you or someone share experience or suggest tapering from .5m Ativan. A family member has..." + (show)

Staggering does is not a good way to go although a lot of doctors tell you to do that. Your taper needs to be consistent and never more than 10 percent per month. It takes a while but believe me it is the safe way to go. My doctor gives me a script for Ativan liquid and I taper 5 percent every two weeks. I have tapered for 9 months with 5 more months to go. At this rate my body is not really too bothered with the decrease. Good luck.

rickame | @rickame | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @benzossuck "Staggering does is not a good way to go although a lot of doctors tell you..." + (show)

So you can get a liquid? And if only tapering from .5mg and been on for a year, seems 10% per month may be ok. Some have suggested up to 25%. Thoughts?

benzossuck | @benzossuck | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @rickame "So you can get a liquid? And if only tapering from .5mg and been on for..." + (show)

I am not a medical doctor but have done two Ativan tapers. I never thought I would let myself get back on this awful drug. This time when I decided to go off i went cold turkey even though I knew better. I lived through hell for 3 weeks until I reinstated and started a slow taper. Yes it is called Ativan suspension. Not t sure why doctors do not prescribe this for tapers. Some insurance companies won’t pay for it. It is about $60 but lasts a long time. Maybe u r seeing a doctor that is not experienced with tapers? My fist taper I saw a Naturalpatic (sp?) doctor that prescribed the liquid. This time around I am seeing a psychiatrist that specializes in all kinds of drug withdrawals. They are few and far between. I have to either do a zoom visit or drive two hours to see her. I googled “ drs that specialize in withdrawal. I think it was the Benzo Coalition. She uses the Ashton method which never recommends more than 10 percent reduction per month. It is a long process but it worth it if you can avoid going through nightmarish withdrawal symptoms.

rickame | @rickame | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @benzossuck "I am not a medical doctor but have done two Ativan tapers. I never thought I..." + (show)

Might be challenging to taper off a liquid that is 2mg in only 1ml. if one wants to go down to .1m or so before stopping. Wonder if you can dilute the liquid where there is like .5 rather than 2mg per ml. Thoughts?

benzossuck | @benzossuck | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @rickame "Might be challenging to taper off a liquid that is 2mg in only 1ml. if one..." + (show)

Oh yes you can dilute with distilled water. My husband is a whiz at math so he is able to dilute and figure out my dose. I would think if your doctor can’t help, your pharmacist could help. We have a smaller bottle and an eye dropper that we use to dilute.

rickame | @rickame | Oct 31, 2023

In reply to @grumpypants "Hello everyone. Long story short I've been on Ativan for 1 year, with 0.5 morning and..." + (show)

Thanks..hoping the doctor will work with her...not meeting until Dec.

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Nov 6, 2023

In reply to @rickame "Can you or someone share experience or suggest tapering from .5m Ativan. A family member has..." + (show)

The Benzo coalition
They have the latest and best info including supplements you shouldn’t take and taper schedules. No more than 10% a month taper. Board members include a cardiologist who was damaged by Benzos. Very reliable info.