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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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Hello, I am not sure if I will be of much help, but I hope all goes well! I feel that the tapering/quitting of most any medications is somewhat difficult, especially if a person is alone, lonely, depressed and/or stressed out, so having a small stash of marijuana available as well as friends or family you can depend on and I mean depend on!!! With the marijuana you need to experiment a little until you have found one that has the percentage of THC that works well for you! btsum68@ outlook.com
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1 ReactionHello @moomoomama and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I wanted to bring you into a discussion on tapering off of lorazepam, so you will notice that I have moved your post here:
- Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/tapering-off-of-lorazepam-ativan/
I did this to connect you with members such as @2cents @frouke @btsum68 and @cmz1970 who have all recently shared their experiences.
Were you able to get a referral from your retired Mayo doctor to another practicing Mayo doctor that would allow you more continuity in your plan to taper?
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1 ReactionThere was an article that said mushrooms were being used to help people get off of addictive drugs. I know you’re age and other health concerns might not allow this but it’s supposed too work.
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2 ReactionsThank you for adding me to the discussion. The problem I see me having with Mayo Connect, is that they don't take my insurance nor is Mayo in their network! I have been trying for years to find a doctor and/or clinic that can/will help with all the issues I am concerned about and I seem to develop a new symptom monthly! So I am sorry that I probably (don't know for sure) won't be able join! I would sure like to stay in touch and receive help, as well as give!
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1 Reaction@healthlady22 Was on lorazepam for years and tapering off was just as long, very slowly. Tried CBD gummies but sensitive to THC and had to find one that had near to nothing of THC. I worked closely with my psychologist on the tapering off. I saw what this medication did to my mother who is addicted and tried desperately to not repeat. Good luck to you.
Amanda, my friend's addiction doctor told him Ativan was like powdered alcohol. Drinking while on it was like having 4-5 alcohol drinks when you just had 1. That would make it easy to have a dual addiction. This was 25 years ago, but he was put in a hospital to go through detox because medical monitoring was necessary. He said somebody in the hospital had seizures with a cold-turkey withdrawal, low dose withdrawal. They may know much more now about withdrawing. That was years ago. I think there were some doctors prescribing Ativan to patients when it wasn't a wise choice for anxiety, and depression. Find a Specialist, is my recommendation. You can do this.
I’m thankful for all of y’all’s input, as I have recently been given Lorazepam for my overbearing anxiety attacks and musculoskeletal with autoimmune disease just tears my body up, and at .5 mg I get a huge amount of relief. I only need to take it every two or 3 days, starting with half of a .5mg. Is there something other that mimics the Lorazepam that is better for long term usage?
I have not heard that, but I will sign up to be tester, lol @btsum68
I stopped taking it slowly. It was not difficult for me. Im not sure this will help. I just stopped taking it.
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1 ReactionHow much were you taking and how did you cut back? Were you taking it very long? I have been taking about 1.5 mgs avg. per day for just about a year. Would love to get off it but I just am afraid of the rebound effect.....