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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!
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I have the same question. I have been taking .5 for a month (upped from .25 because of GERD pain at night). My PCP says to taper down to .25 for several weeks; the "sleep doctor" says to just stop.
Hi, I've been having issue from 1 mg of xanax that i've taken for years. Chest pain and shortness of breath. I went to the urgent care trying to get a solution versus waiting for my doctors appointment. I was given Hydroxyzine pamoate. This is an antihistamine yet works for anxiety, this should help me get off my 1 mg of xanax. Was told to only take .5 mg of my xanax once a day instead of twice, and this 25 mg 4 times a day. This was ordered by a physicians assistant. Crossing my fingers!
I’ll pray for your husband. BTW how much sleep does he get without taking anything?
Stopping Ativan completely was really difficult for me. I was on 2 mg for sleep, for about ten years. Weaning down very slowly wasn't difficult at first. 1.75 mg for a couple of weeks, and so on. It went smoothly until I tried to stop the last .5 mg. For some reason it was extremely difficult to stop that last .5.
It took months. Cutting pills into halves and quarters. Relentless anxiety returned, as did sleep problems.
Back on it after three years off. I know there is a trade off and there are risks, but for the time being it's something I need to have. My doctor concurs.
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4 ReactionsIt took me a full year to get off Ativan completely.
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1 ReactionThat’s wonderful! Congratulations!!!
Need schedule to taper 8 mg Ativan
I take 2 mg Ativan 4x a day. Been taking this for about 13 years. Do I taper one dose at a time until I'm finished then go on to next dose? Thank you kindly for any help
Welcome @marydoe and @pamee, I've moved your messages to this existing discussion about tapering safely off lorazepam (Ativan) to this existing discussion:
- Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan/
I did this so you can review the previous posts and connect with helpful members like @jbrathbun @sears @marjou @healthlady22 @ainsleigh @benzossuck @aarniek @brandman48 and more.
You may also find useful tips in these related discussions:
- Weaning Off of Ativan For Sleep https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/weening-off-of-ativan-for-sleep/
- How did you successfully taper off of 0.5 lorazepam (Ativan)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lorazepam-0-5-taper/
Are you working with your doctor to get guidance for the taper?
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2 ReactionsThe first thing you need to do is google the Ashton Manual. It’s the best tapering method out there at this time. This method will want you to switch over to Valium. Please read through the Manual and get back to us. You’re doctor will most likely want you to taper much much too quickly.
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3 ReactionsHi 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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