How to manage side effects from 30 years use of Lorazepam

Posted by cwrobbins @cwrobbins, Jun 4, 2025

I have been given this drug for over 30 years. My dr does nothing to help me get off of it so after I did my own research I thought I could tapper myself off. I’m 5 months in and side effects have only gotten worse. I’m hoping someone on here has had these same issues but found a way through. I need guidance. I don’t trust anyone who hasn’t dealt with this personally. Each day I suffer from panic attacks and depression. Taking anti depressants gives me horrific night terrors which only fuels my anxiety. Recently I wake up to panic attacks in the middle of the night. My depression grows every day which is affecting my work and personal life.

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daveshaw | @daveshaw | May 7 10:09am

I have been taking Clonazepam for over 30 years along with Zoloft Buspar and Wellbutrin. Ironically I have cut my Zoloft dosage in half and stayed with my same dosage of Wellbutrin and Buspar.
Clonazepam was prescribed to work with my antidepressants and it did a very good job. I have stayed on the same dosage of 1mg in the morning and 1mg before I go to bed. I tried weaning off to 5mg twice a day and realized how addictive it truly was. My PCP has told me repeatedly to stay on it because I don’t drink and exercise vigorously 6 out of 7 days a week. At 75 she doesn’t think I should put myself through a very excruciating withdrawal since my depression and anxiety has been under control for so long.
That being said if there is anyone out there with any secret to successfully getting of Clonazepam without going through a year and half or two of hell I would love to hear from you.
Good luck to everyone. Depression and anxiety is inherited and my mother suffered severe depression and anxiety. She self medicated with alcohol which made growing up in my family very difficult.
Both my children suffer with depression and anxiety but because I was so open about my struggles they both got help and are happily married and very successful and I have been blessed with three granddaughters and two grandsons.
There is hope out there but just like any disease you have to treat it because it never just goes away. If someone tells you it does they never really suffered from it.

joetex | @joetex | May 7 11:59am

I started taking lorazepam 36 years ago at 0.5mg once per day to balance my Prozac for depression. I’m 84 now and have increased to 0.5mg two times per day over the years. It has been a great help with anxiety and no side effects. I’ve had to ignore the danger messages since I had no reason to stop. My doctor mentioned possible balance problems but I’m on a rollator due to bad knees so that’s a nonissue. I’ve never felt dizzy with it before either.