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Rebound Insomnia after titrating off of Ativan/Lorezepan
I have been taking Lorazepam for about the last five years nightly for sleep issues. I am on lowest dose 0.5 mg per day and sometimes during the day for dental/medical appt. A couple of months ago my husband helped me titrate off the drug which on a jewelry scale a pill weighs 60 milligrams. Each day he cut a tiny piece off (1 mg) and after almost two months I was done. I felt fine for a couple of weeks after that and then I developed the most horrible insomnia of my life. Literally no sleep at night. I was desperate and took a pill again and sleep great that night. My husband feels that CBT-I would be beneficial to me and maybe I should temporarily go back on the nightly pills so I can get some sleep and we could work thru a CBT-I workbook together. My husband is very kind and understanding and wants to help me get thru this. I only slept for two hours last night and I can't continue like this. I tried sleepy time tea last night but it didn't help. Please if anyone has any advice concerning this rebound nightmare I would be so appreciative. I am 75 years old and in fairly good health.
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It sounds like you’re experiencing rebound or maybe “protracted withdrawal”. That happens when you taper to fast. Benzodiazepines are very challenging to taper from. I am tapering from a sleep benzodiazepines myself. I am 72. There is an excellent tapering medical group called “Taperclinic”, that can help you get off the drug safely, but it will take several months or more. They are very good but cost. You should also hook up with “Benzo Buddies” on the Internet. They have good resources for tapering safely and slowly. Just remember, tapering off of Benzos takes time and a lot of patience, to do it safely.