Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

Posted by healthlady22 @healthlady22, Feb 5, 2019

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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benzossuck | @benzossuck | Jul 5, 2023

In reply to @kawanhee "You should do whatever works for you! Where did you find a compounding pharmacy?" + (show)

Google it. I live in Myrtle Beach and there are two of them here. Yes I wish I could taper faster but I AM afraid to try it since the anxiety is pretty high. Good luck finding a pharmacy,

ddn | @ddn | Jul 6, 2023

In reply to @dfb "I have been on 3 mg a day for ten years with one forced break. I..." + (show)

I was prescribed 8 milligrams a day of Lorazapam. Then a new doctor told me I was a drug addict. Can you imagine? Anyway, I quit taking it cold turkey but I do not recommend it! I take an antidepressant and Gabapentin now. You can quit it, just wean yourself off slowly. I missed having it for a while, but the feeling fades. Good luck to you on your mental health journey.

dfb | @dfb | Jul 6, 2023

In reply to @ddn "I was prescribed 8 milligrams a day of Lorazapam. Then a new doctor told me I..." + (show)

Thank you! That’s what I’m doing. I have a lot of drugs to get off of, going to be a long road. I’ll get there.

Thanks again.

ddn | @ddn | Jul 6, 2023

In reply to @dfb "Thank you! That’s what I’m doing. I have a lot of drugs to get off of,..." + (show)

You will get there! I wish you every success in all your endeavors!

kyas957 | @kyas957 | Jul 8, 2023

Personally, I tried to wean off of Lorazepam on my own for 3 years. Whenever I went right off of it, my anxiety returned full force. On the advice of a knowledgeable doctor, I detoxed off of the Lorazepam as an inpatient, and followed this with participation in 12 step meetings, non addictive meds only, with an addiction counsellor for several years.

geoffbean24 | @geoffbean24 | Jul 8, 2023

In reply to @ch2232 "Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you." + (show)

I’ve been on lorazepam 0.5 mg for many years. Recently, a bout of diverticulitis prevented me from refilling my prescription (and if I’m being honest, I took 1 mg on some days, which caused my supply to deplete before the next refill). It has been 6 days since I’ve taken the medication. I’m reading that you’re supposed to taper off gradually, and am certain I’ve experienced withdrawal.

I’d like to get off this drug completely. Am I safe? I’m due to refill my prescription today. Should I pick it up, and take a partial pill?

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 8, 2023

In reply to @geoffbean24 "I’ve been on lorazepam 0.5 mg for many years. Recently, a bout of diverticulitis prevented me..." + (show)

Welcome @geoffbean24, I moved your question to this existing discussion:
- How did you successfully taper off of 0.5 lorazepam (Ativan)? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/lorazepam-0-5-taper/

I did this so you can read the previous posts by clicking the link and connect with other members who have successful tapered off 0.5 mg of lorazepam.

Since you are visiting your pharmacist today, I recommend talking to them about the side effects you're experiencing after stopping abruptly 6 days ago and what steps are best to follow for a safe withdrawal.

geoffbean24 | @geoffbean24 | Jul 8, 2023

In reply to @ch2232 "Has anyone tapered from 0.5mg of lorazepam per day? Can you share your experience? Thank you." + (show)

@colleenyoung thank you very much for the warm welcome, and directing me towards this thread. I will certainly take your advice, and speak with my pharmacist. My goal is to eventually get off of Lorazepam all together. I’m concerned about the amount of time I’ve been on it, and worry about my proclivity for addiction.

yvonne55 | @yvonne55 | Jul 9, 2023

In reply to @ddn "I was prescribed 8 milligrams a day of Lorazapam. Then a new doctor told me I..." + (show)

Hi! Did you not get a boatload of withdrawals going cold turkey??
Yvonne

ddn | @ddn | Jul 9, 2023

In reply to @yvonne55 "Hi! Did you not get a boatload of withdrawals going cold turkey?? Yvonne" + (show)

Yes I did. It was awful. I certainly don't recommend it. Taper off slowly. I was so upset the way the doctor spoke to me, I just quit taking it. It really was horrible.