Looking for help to taper off Ativan (lorazepam)

I find all your posts interesting.
I am 74 and very active for my age. Unlike all of you my PCP has no problem keeping my dosage of Clonazepam/ Klonopin where it has been for over 30 years. It works well with my antidepressants and as my first psychiatrist said “ If it isn’t broke don’t fix it”
Over the years I have tried other antidepressants trying to avoid sexual side effects. I always came back to Zoloft and have even reduced my dosage from 100 mg to 50 mg.
It would be nice to stop taking Clonazepam/ Klonopin not because of any adverse side effects but rather because unlike my other medications I can only get a 30 day supply because it is characterized as a controlled substance.
I hear horror stories from people on this post regarding withdrawal symptoms. My PCP questioned why I wanted to put myself through that if it was not causing me any problems.
I look forward to hearing from others regarding this subject.

I wish I had a doctor like yours, mine was doing just fine for a long time, then for some strange reason she decided I have to be off of ativan that I have taken for many years. I would find a different doctor, but how does one go about finding out if he/she has a problem prescribing benzos?
Thank you for writing, I am happy to find out that there are still doctors who don't have a problem with prescribing one of those drugs.

👍

I’m in the same situation, my doctor for 25 years gave me Ativan and I never stopped using them, the doctor started giving me problems a few years ago and made numerous attempts to cut them off, he commented that they are bad to use for so long. I have never had problems with them and stayed on the same dosage always, they helped me when other meds failed and they kept me anchored during cancer, my doctor is retiring this year so I too hope that the next doctor will help me out. I have read some heartbreaking stories here about how the doctors took their medication away from them, some people were in their upper 70’s and 80’s and they took them for over 40 years only to be dismissed, I am praying that it will all work out for the best amen.

Been prescribed ativan since end of October so almost 11 months. Was prescribed .5 mg and typically would use it around 2 weeks out of a month sometimes more. Sometimes i wouldnt take it for a week and then others i would rely on it for a week straight. This has been one of those weeks. A couple times a year i get what i call “intense daily panic attacks” — not typical anxiety but the kind of attacks that feel debilitating. Ive taken it for 9 days straight. Today i was committed to not taking it and attempting to stop it entirely but the panic came on so strong and i became immensely depressed and on edge and couldnt sit still but also couldnt lay down. I couldnt be a parent to my children! So i caved and took one. I just find it weird because previously i could go a week without or 3-4 days without.. im talking just last month and would have no issues or symptoms of withdrawal. So what gives? Did i magically become chemically rich or physically dependent in the past week due to 8 days of use in a row? If so.. what suggestions do you have to taper off and be done. I assume it wouldnt be a long taper given the fact its a low dose for 10 months and not an everyday thing. Dont want to have to rely on this med for another moment so any suggestions or experience is appreciated !

First off, are you okay? second off, if you have taken a med for a week and typically don't take it for 3-4 days, then it makes sense that you are relying on it so much

I am okay (i think 😭) thank you for asking! Probably wont know the extent of the 9 days damage until tomorrow when i attempt to stop again. Just want to be off of it entirely

It's going to be okay, i promise

It’s a very insidious drug and doesn’t always like to cooperate with our plan to stop. I remember when I first started taking this drug, I could take it on and off without any problems and I even stopped taking them for a while but before I knew it I started feeling physically ill and I wasn’t even sure what was causing it until one day I took an Ativan and everything went away, I should have stayed off them but I just couldn’t cope anymore…that was over twenty years ago. My advice to you is start now with your withdrawal, you’re in a good place to begin a slow taper, you mentioned that your dose is 0.5 mg. so I would recommend cutting it down to 0.25 mg and adjust to this for perhaps 4 weeks or more depending on how you feel, the main thing is to go very slow to avoid relapse. There’s also lots of good info online that can be very useful. I think that you have a good chance to get off them and perhaps if needed ask your doctor to give you something else that’s not addictive to help you cope if needed, best wishes for your recovery.

@jebz88 First, I'd like to welcome you to Mayo Clinic Connect. I see you have already received support that you've found helpful. I understand the struggle with anxiety and trying to figure out what works best.

While I mostly understand how benzodiazepine medication such as Ativan works I can only comment on my own experience. As @frouke commented, this class of medications is insidious. You are very wise to be concerned with tapering off and how to do that. For now, and from what you've written the anxiety and panic attacks you experience ramp up at times. I went through that same scenario when I first experienced panic attacks. This was over 30 years ago and I worked with a psychiatrist who helped me find an antidepressant (desipramine but there are better antidepressant medications with fewer side effects now available) medication that worked to bring down the anxiety and the depression I was feeling so I could better cope. Since I took the antidepressant daily I didn't have to "react" and worry about panic attacks. I learned coping skills for when I did feel anxious.

Are you already taking antidepressant medication that works for depression and panic attacks? There are many medications that your doctor can try with you to see what works best. It takes patience on your part to go this route as it takes time to get to the dosage level that works best for you and for your body to adjust.

Here is information from Mayo Clinic:

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI):

--https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/snris/art-20044970

Selective Serotonin Reuptake inhibitors:

-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/ssris/art-20044825

There are other medications too that are not in the above classes that work for anxiety and depression.

Are you seeing a mental health therapist who can help you develop coping skills and help you with the stress you are experiencing?