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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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The problem is not just the doctors who prescribe these medications knowing that they are highly addictive, I also hold the government responsible for the problems we’re dealing with. If the government knows that these drugs are addictive, it really doesn’t matter to them, they will only get involved if the problem gets too big and then they will step in but with no regard for the patients. I believe that they created the problem and it is the same for the opioid crisis, these people were given a drug that is also highly addictive but they were told it was safe and not addictive, the doctors were also told to give them out because they’re safe. We know now that it was a lie but the only ones being punished are the patients, the same is happening with benzodiazepines and again they are punishing the patients, the doctors are also being pushed to stop the medication and now they’ve created a crisis. It’s common knowledge that desperate people do desperate things and buying illegal drugs is what is happening but the drugs they are buying are badly made with no regulations so sadly these poor souls are overdosing. Why should we trust in a government that causes these problems and yet they allow alcohol and tobacco sales to go on because of the huge profits made from the sales. It’s truly sad to be victimized and finding the help you need, our world is motivated by the almighty dollar and the biggest challenge we face is to avoid becoming another victim, it requires a strong mental and physical strength to do so.
Thank you.
Before I even found this place, I had started trying to get off of Ativan, and I had been on it since like 2000.
I keep feeling like I can't concentrate or focus on anything. I can't rest well at night, I am constantly rethinking every decision I've ever made in my life. I'm so figity.
It's really freaking me out.
I have a new PCP, but the first new patient appointment that I could get is for the 11th, and I'm not sure I can make it till the 11th as far as not having a nervous breakdown or something!
Can anyone help me in anyway?
I had been on 1mg, 3 X's a day for all these years, and now I'm trying to take one right before bed. But not sure if that's right or not.
I'm so sorry to hear about what your going through. I think you are saying in your post that you are currently only taking 1 dose of your Ativan at night, correct? But you use to take 3 doses throughout the day, correct? If you have tapered down yourself then I would up your dosage so you don't feel like you're going to have a nervous breakdown. If it is because you don't have enough of the Ativan because of not having a MD to prescribe another month's prescription then this is what I would do. I am not a doctor or nurse just to make that clear. Find a neurologist that will see you ASAP. They know more about the brain and how your brain gets hooked on these types of medications. My story is a long one but in short,I tried for 6months to get off of klonopin after 30yrs and it was a nightmare. My regular Md moved and the other Dr's at the practice did not want to right a script for that drug. So I tried by myself to taper off very slowly. I wasn't sleeping and I had all kinds of withdrawal symptoms. I found a neurologist and he let it be my choice if I wanted to stay on my old dose or try something else first. So I tried something else and it did not work so I went back on the klonopin. I feel normal now. I know it's addictive but I don't think my brain can go without it after 30yrs. I will be praying you get to see a Dr somewhere soon. Take care.
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2 ReactionsYou are correct, went from 3 times a day to one. Can't find a neurologist, none around here take my insurance.
So I'm going to be calling my new PCP doctor's office all week.
I'm seriously wondering if I will be able to get off of Ativan.
There are some natural things that could help a little, as long as you're not allergic. Valarian root(natural version of Valium, passion flower, chamomile. Also believe it or not benadryl. I used that a few times and it helped.
@halloweengirl78
I feel exactly like you. I don’t know how I make it through each day. After 5 days I had to stop the Effexor as it was causing me to constantly ruminate about things that happened more than 25 years ago. I have headaches every day and I am very shaky on my feet. I have a hard time eating. I stupidly weaned off Effexor after 25 years but have not been able to restart due to terrible side effects. There are no decent hospitals to get help here in Arizona. They only have lock down facilities.
Hope you get an appointment soon.
Claudia