@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 👍😊

You’re very welcome anytime

So your Ativan has stopped working? You’ve hit tolerance?

Can’t describe this feeling. I have seen ‘brain zings ‘ mentioned.

I have been taking .5mg of Ativan every night for over 5 years. I am wanting to get off of this drug. My doctor has prescribed a tapering schedule which should wean me off of the drug in about 8 weeks.
My question is what will the withdrawal symptoms be?
Anyone had this experience?
Have you used a supplement to ease symptoms??
Thank you

My pcp provided the following withdrawal plan
I have been on .5 mg for 5 years
Now start withdrawal
.25 mg for 2weeks
.125 mg for 2 weeks
.125 mg every other night for 2weeks
Then stop. !!
Here is hoping this works.
I really want off this drug.

I love this drug. I works, no side effects (that I know of) and have been taking it for years......I take .50 mg to sleep at night and for the last year have reduced to .25 mg some nights. My doctor actually upped it for pain. In later life we just want to be comfortable.

Not sure why you feel the intense need to get off Ativan 0.5mg if it is working and allows you a good sound restorative sleep. Lack of sleep could probably do you more harm from a health standpoint than the minuscule amount of Ativan that you are currently on. If you're having difficulty with the current dose then I understand but if not......

It is not working at that dose. Need more!

I am a 81 year old man who has been on Lorazepam (1mg x 3times daily as needed) for 40 years. This has been prescribed by the same Primary Care Doctor during this time. It has helped me greatly with anxiety, essential tremors, neuropathy, hiatal hernia, insomnia, and still does to this day. In June, I requested a prescription refill & when picked, The label read 1 tab daily @ bedtime. That is my notice of Lorazepam reduction from 3mgs to 1 daily. Having a pre-op exam for cataract surgery in a few days , I confronted him then. His explanation was the associates were required to ween anyone over 65 off benzos. His plan for me was "Breaking them (1mg) in half & taking half a milligram 3 or 4 times a day would be a decent decrease. We will also start you on Lexapro. My goal is to get you off Lorazepam before I retire in 6 months". He also told me that the new doctor would not prescribe 3 mgs/daily
I was in shock & told him that I would not do any tapering off until my cataract surgeries were over in mid August. I have never abused Lorazepam but am dependent. I live alone & this thought of no more Lorazepam is consuming me. I have scheduled an appointment with him in mid August to give me time to find options
I have never written to a forum or ask for advice, but I need it now.
Thank you