Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

What are the 2 meds that help your anxiety?

Seroquel.

I would be careful with SSRI and SNRI meds. Prozac caused a gigantic surge in cholesterol for me, which is apparently a pretty common side effect for SSRI meds. SNRI meds almost killed me.

Ativan helps me a great deal. I've only had it when admitted to the hospital, and every time it has worked to calm my anxiety AND my pain. I have multiple cancers and Anxiety that is worse than the pain, because it is making it impossible to function. Mindfulness isn't helping. Yoga, nothing. I can sometimes "keep busy" and ward off the surge of terror caused by anxiety, but only for so long. And sometimes, I can't do a thing because it feels like I am having a heart attack.

I guess I'm just not brave enough to face having multiple cancers. I applaud those that are that brave, and I wish I could find my courage somewhere, but right now, it has deserted me, and I need medication or my life will end sooner.

There is supposed to be help in the form of Palliative Care in California, where I live. That would include medicine for both pain AND anxiety. But actually GETTING that care? Good luck with that. All I have gotten is the death stare and/or the "opioids are bad" shuffle. Seriously, when a patient has multiple cancers, two of which are incurable and only "manageable" if I have a good doctor (I don't) and a whole bunch of luck (VERY unlucky year for me), at what point will the Medical Mafia acknowledge that sick people like us still have stuff to do, like get our affairs in order, and we CAN'T DO THAT WHEN WE ARE SCREAMING IN PAIN AND SORROW.

Sorry for the rant. I'm literally sick to death of being sick, and can't get past the horror of having to have my genitals removed to try and slow down cancer "down there." I just can't get there. I'm also poor, and am finding out - the hard way - that poor patients are just plain screwed. I guess our lives really do NOT matter.

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.

Hi guys. I ve been taking Lorazepam for 5 years 1 mg before bed. I want to taper off. Do you think going to 0.5 mg is good?
thanks

After 5 years, I'd drop down to 0.75mg for a while, not down to 0.5mg. I've not been on lorazepam steadily for more than a year at a time, but it's such a powerful Rx that I'd be very leery of dropping by 50%, esp. after 5 years.

What does your doctor recommend? ****It's really important to have their input when tapering off a controlled substance.****

Also, what are your dr.'s thoughts on OTC helpers such as Calms Forte or ashwagandha? (I'm not urging you to try either of those -- just noting that both have been helpful for me on the nights that I don't take lorazepam. You and I might take lorz. for different reasons; I take it bc I have difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.)

Wishing you well with this -- and pls do talk to your dr.

I must disagree a bit....5 mg Atavan or Lorazepam can be quite problematic if you've taken it once every day for years like I have. I got on it after heart problems put me in the hospital and I've been taking it for 15 years. So it's a matter of time, dosage, and frequency. Taking .5 every day for sleep has become a habit that I can't kick easily. It's part psychological and part physiological. What seems like a small dose to some is a bigger problem for others. I appreciate any advice I can get on this blog. Thanks.

I agree with you, some people don’t have a very addictive nature and they are often able to use things that others can’t do. I’ve known people who can smoke randomly and inhale as well but they just stop when they want…I think it’s like we all vary from one another and this is just another example of this. I also take Ativan daily for over 20 years and I struggle to reduce my dose which is 0.5 twice daily, a low dosage but a long time. I know someone who has been on Ativan over 40 years and I don’t think he will ever stop but he doesn’t worry about it…I told him that it’s a controlled substance and I also mentioned what is happening in the US where its stricter and it’s just a matter of time we will get the same thing…

It’s best to consult with your doctor before trying to taper off by yourself

Totally disagree. Everyone handles these benzos differently. I was on .5 mg and I had to do a very low taper to get off it. It stopped working for sleep and I was feeling horrible. I was able to cut in halves and quarters with a pill cutter and after 6 months, I was off it. Have been free of it since June.