Connect
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!
.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.
Connect
I’ve been on lorazepam for 20 years I was on 128 pills a month now on 60 it’s taken years to do this I was trying 3 pills a month but my blood pressure started bouncing to high. And am currently stabilizing to 1 mg daily and tapper 1 pill a month for me this is only way to tapper since I’ve been on it so long I’m under doctors care it’s not a one size fits all drug it’s how your own body responds to tapper it has to be slow my son stopped suddenly off benzodiazepines and had seizures so I’m trying slow and steady I’m proud of how far I come but still need to be vigilant about getting off I hope this helps.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactionsis this for sleep or anxiety?
what were the 3 meds you ate on? I would love to get 8 hrs sleep. presently on ambien snd it only gives me 4-6 hrs sleep when it works.
This was for anxiety I have ptsd
I have. I did it by cutting down really slowly until I was taking 1/2mg every third day. I did not feel any withdrawal symptoms but still have to struggle sometimes with not taking it. I win the victory by remembering when I took it I kept having to increase the dose for it to work and also my family doctor said it effects memory.
Stay Strong.