Connect
Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?
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!
.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.
Connect
I am 81 years old. Have been taking Ativan for 5 years for PTSD after open heart surgery. Started off with 1mg a day and have reduced it to .5 mg per day for about 4 years now.
I am now feeling anxious, jittery and dealing with insomnia. Do not want to increase dosage. I want off Ativan My
PCP prescribed Lexapro (small dosage) to take along with Ativan to start withdrawal. That was the worse 2weeks of my life. Insomnia, climbing the wall. Quit the lexapro. Still on .5 mg of Ativan.
Feel terrible. Any help would be appreciated.
@gmamrj , hi how are you, I just read your comment and I truly appreciate where you are coming from…being dependent on meds is not always easy to live with, I’ve been talking Ativan for over twenty years and I use 1 mg per day, .5 in the morning and.5 at bedtime…I did get off them twice but somehow with the help of my doctor, I ended up back on them again. I think the worst part was that later when I got cancer it made things worse, my anxiety was off the charts and that’s when my started putting all this pressure on me to stop them, he would even reduce my dose without talking to me about it. I did try many antidepressants but I too got sick from them, between the cancer and the doctor I started to have a meltdown. I truly believe you will do just fine, you’re on a very low dose and you said it has been five years that you have taken them. I did get off Ativan with Paxil and it worked out for me but I had not been on Ativan very long. With help from your doctor you can perhaps find another antidepressant to help you do so and then eventually cut your dosage in half, a 1 mg Ativan can easily be divided into four pieces. I wish you good luck with your journey, you must be doing something right to be 81 years young, good for you 👍😊
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsThank you for your positive response
You’re very welcome anytime
Eileen, are you still active on this forum? I'd love to connect with you, you seem to really know your stuff. The DAO, low glutamate, low histamine diets, all make total sense.
So your Ativan has stopped working? You’ve hit tolerance?
That is what I thought. Don’t want to put my dosage. Just want to quit taking it !
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsI took 1 mg of Ativan every day for 15 years. I never had a problem stopping. If anything, sleep was not as good. I quit multiple times over those years, cold turkey, with no issues. Quit now again for 6 months and no issues. I guess for some people it’s hard. It can be done, just stick with your plan. I think switching to a similar medicine could help, my Doctor said this, but no need for me.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsCan’t describe this feeling. I have seen ‘brain zings ‘ mentioned.
Hi. I’m on 1mg of lorazepam but want to titrate slowly. My Dr said to cut the pills but they are next to impossible to cut in an 1/8 or 1/4 as you they are small and long. He also said it’s the hardest one to come off of.