Has anybody successfully tapered off of lorazepam (Ativan)?

I'm 73 and have been taking as much as 2 mg / clonazepam for about 40 years. I did stop taking any at all when I lost my job and insurance for over a year 30 or so yrs ago and felt somewhat "withdrawn," taking on a high profile job with a mid-size company. I only took the job because my wife was in grad school and needed the insurance for her. I would have had the VA to fall back on, working or not, but never really used them except for treatment relating to injuries sustained in Vietnam. Just before quitting the job, went back on Benzos--1-2 mg/day of clonazepam again, but the doctor added Ambien as well because I'd developed insomnia during the course of the four years of working for the high tech company as an upper level manager. I felt so relaxed and at ease in what had become extremely pressure-packed situations that I was more than Okay with taking all of that crap. I continued taking all of this medication and even was prescribed higher dosages when we moved abroad--never expecting to return to the U.S. In 2018 I was diagnosed with Parkinson's and we returned to the states only to find out that it was non-idiopathic nerve problems and the VA denied me Parkinson's Disease disability due to traumatic brain injury and the long-erm effects of "medication." I did however lose most of my Social Security upon return to the U.S. because I hadn't been paying into Medicare Part B--useless outside the U.S. We were running out of money while looking for work and a place to live when my wife got a job that gave me regular health insurance. Sure enough, the psychiatrist I was seeing for my Bipolar mood disorder prescribed me Benzos once again; this time 2 mg of Xanax which had me buzzing with relaxing high. It even relaxed me to the point where, even though I was experience moderate tremors, I was able to continue surfing, playing tennis, and even teaching martial arts, at least for the next couple of years when my nervous system condition worsened and began losing balance, falling down, had severe insomnia, rigid muscles and joints, and several other symptoms of what many Parkinson's Disease and Parkinsonism sufferers experience; but the VA shut the door on my claim for Parkinsonism--finally approved conditions for disability for the toxic drinking water at Camp Lejeune, as well as for Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. I'm currently unable to work--severe tremors, speech problems, and some cognitive decline. The VA acknowledged all this, but continued to reject my claim for compensation, so I found a doctor who prescribed 1 mg of alprazolam/day (the VA will not prescribe Benzos, linking them to the opioid epidemic, so I took the "medication" once again because it lessened the effects of whatever nervous system disorder I was suffering from. Looking back, I wish I'd never taken any of this stuff in the first place, but at my age, I figured I may as well use them, but only as needed--which is most days now allowing me to live a more "normal" life. My psychotherapist told me that since I was only taking 0.5 mg alprazolam, she said that at my age and with my condition, she sees taking the Benzos as beneficial for me. Most doctors these days do not share her opinion and refuse to prescribe Benzos; probably a good idea for people who would be coming on board for the first time, but for long-term users such as myself (and Benzos should never have been prescribed long term--I firmly believe that, now). I'm stuck running around looking for a doctor who will prescribe 0.25-0.5 mg or alprazolam (we recently relocated) and it appears I'm going to have to stop taking them anymore. Now, except for how much suffering I would cause my wife, I feel as if I have only a worsening condition to look forward to, so I pretend to be content with what I (we) have (are), and often wish I could simply end it all. After all my years of big-wave surfing, which included an early near-death experience when I was still a teenager just before getting drafted, I have absolutely no fear at all of death, if in fact that state does exist. I don't believe in religion, so if we return to universal dust or get reincarnated or go to hell or whatever; I'm simply not concerned. But what's the harm in taking the tiny dosage of Benzos at this point in my life if it at least will allow me to be a loving partner for my wife; at least until my brain turns into oatmeal, at which point my wife and I have agreed to doctor-assisted suicide should either one of us reach that state. The U.S. government knew that many of the troops in Vietnam were using opium/heroin but let it slide. Now, it's holding a hard line on Benzos. I'm actually looking forward to leaving this loony bin of a planet. Some states, however, are experimenting with giving patients such as myself hallucinogens tor treatment. At least some people are attempting to make some much-needed improvements.

Thank you for reaching out. I feel betrayed. This is my doctor of 40 years & a man that I greatly respect. I am terrified at the age of 81 to start this withdrawal seemingly without guidance. I retired in 2019 @ 76 hoping to enjoy my final years. The pain of Neuropathy is limiting my movements & I fear that no relief is coming during withdrawal The many side effects of withdrawal are disturbing to me living alone in the country. I don't have enough lifetime left to regain the health that I will lose during this withdrawal period. I was happy with my life going into the doctors meeting, now I'm desperate. There must be a way not to be forced into this withdrawal
Thank you for listening

@jfrog43 I can understand why you are reluctant to reduce and ultimately discontinue the Lorazepam you've been prescribed for 40 years. While it is a controlled substance and there is research literature showing that benzodiazepine medication is addicting - just as you noted - it seems to me that the doctor you've been recently working with who will retire in 6 months isn't much interested in having a conversation with you about this. I wonder if your current doctor who is retiring soon would have a suggestion of another doctor who would continue to prescribe for you and work with you on your medication. This is what psychiatrists do best. I know it's hard to get an appointment with a psychiatrist these days. But I suggest that you try psychiatry because the anxiety you describe and the many years you've been prescribed Lorazepam would seem to require an expert in these medications.

By the way, I had cataract surgery four years ago and was very anxious pre-op so I totally understand your concern. The thought of managing the anxiety as you come up on the date for cataract surgery would be consuming. I get it. If you were my brother (I'm 72 so I'm suggesting you as a brother instead of my father) I'd advocate that you continue with your present medication until you get into an appointment with a psychiatrist who specializes in geriatrics.

What do you think you might do next?

So your current doctor of 40 years is now letting his "associates" manage your health care. Who are these associates and are they licensed practitioners. If they were , it would seem that they would see how ludicrous their request is, especially if they have not examined, interviewed and reviewed your records. I find this scenario outlandish and certainly not in the best interest of the patient ---- you!

I am in the process of withdrawing from Ativan. My PCP provided me a slow tapering schedule that I have been following following now for 11 days
Previously I was taking .5mg once a day.
Tapering off by reducing by .25 every 2weeks.
My main withdrawal symptom is not sleeping. I tried melatonin which was a BIG mistake. Horrible. ..couldn’t sleep period.
Now curious if a small glass of wine before bed would help. I need my sleep.
Any other suggestions?

To be honest and also a fellow victim of Ativan, I would strongly say that it’s a tempting idea but not in your best interest, alcohol is our enemy until perhaps you get off them completely, all the best wishes for your successful withdrawal.

Had appointment Primary Care associate on Monday afternoon, Turned into visit from "unavailable" Doctor. Conclusion is they will NOT continue my 3mg Lorazapm Rx based upon practice policy & FDA guidelines. They have no references as to who might continue the prescription & told me finding a Geriatric Physiatrist. would be fruitless because long time scheduling. They wanted to adhere to a tapering schedule of 1mg a week until none. I told them that I would not do that because it was way too aggressive & would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. They then countered with .5 mg a week. I said that it was still too quick & demanded that it was my life & countered with .25mg a week. We settled on.25mg.
With these people, I thought that it was the best that I could do @ this time I will continue to look for any Doctor who might be able to help me continue plus any Geriatric Physiatrist
Until then, I will try to maintain my withdrawal schedule & slow down if I need to
Thank you for your excellent advice. I haven't given upon it. This just seems to be the best solution for this predicament.

What were your withdrawal symptoms.

@frog43, my dear man, I am shaking so bad after reading the tragedy you are going through, I don’t even know what to say yet I find myself reaching out to you. I must admit that I was having a very bad day filled with anxiety and racking my brain for ways to stop the madness that has become my life, I do believe that God works in strange ways at times, you most definitely need help with what has happened to you, the inhuman treatment you’re going through is absolutely wrong. I truly hope that someone hear will read this and help you with your problems or finding a course of action to get you through this. I live north of the border where things are not as bad as in the US but it’s definitely started making a presence, I also am a victim of benzodiazepines and a family doctor for 24 years who treated me callously taking little to no responsibility for giving them to me. There’s a lot of conversations going on here with people like us who share their lives and thoughts with each other and it’s giving me some well needed information and a whole bunch of comfort in numbers. I’m wishing I could do more for you in your time of need but I feel confident that it’s going to come your way, you are 81 years young and know a lot about life and people, being your age is a great achievement and I hope you will have many more good years ahead, stay strong and make some noise so no one gets to overlook your needs,

@jfrog43 Wow, way to go!! You asserted yourself in primary care for a significantly lower dose tapering and reminded the provider that it is your life. You didn’t give up and kept up the negotiations. Finally, as you wrote you figured it was the « best you could at this time ».

Your provider really should help you find a geriatric psychiatrist (not physiatrist as your indicated - a physiatrist is a physical rehabilitation doctor). Is that accurate that you want to find a psychiatrist who treats patients for mental health and prescribes mental health medications? But then since you’ve also indicated that you have little confidence in the new primary care provider maybe you can do a search online or ask other providers you see for suggestions.

Here is a good place to start an online search.

Psychology Today: Find a Psychiatrist

— https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/psychiatrists

You have cataract surgery coming up in a few weeks. Is that right?