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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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What were the instructions?
Depending on the drug and your dosage and your particulars, it will be determined by your doctor what your taper schedule would be. Some people have to have their taper schedule adjusted some even have to have it adjusted multiple times. Have you talked to your doctor about tapering from a medication?
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1 ReactionI too am dependent on Ativan. I’ve gone up and down on the doses over the last 30 years and have even been off it a few times. I always seem to go back on as I have major anxiety and problems with dizziness that it seems to help. You probably don’t want to hear this, but I really think you should be admitted into a hospital that specializes in detoxification. I know that you have been prescribed this medication and are taking it as it is prescribed but that doesn’t mean you aren’t seriously addicted. These types of units usually include lots of people getting off street drugs but they also include people like us who are taking too much prescribed medication. Just think about it. You don’t have to decide anything this minute. Talk to your doctor about it. Know that I am thinking of you and sending healing vibes your way!
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2 ReactionsI came off it very slowly. I was on 2 mg/day. At your high dosage, I suggest having a psychiatrist help you taper off. Maybe he/she could prescribe something to aid the withdrawal symptoms you will experience. Also, pray for help and wisdom from Jesus Christ; this really helps me.
I tapered from 1.5 mg lorazepam to .75 mg and had a lot of insomnia. I have now been staying with what the psychologist recommended .25 in the morning and slow tapering from .5 mg down to .475 in the afternoon reducing 5 % on the afternoon dose every 2 or 3 weeks. I will then try to taper the morning dose once they are both .25 mg. It requires a lot of patience. I weigh 10 pills with a miiligram scale divide by 10 and then file off 5% then in 3 weeks I will file down 10%. I learned the technique from benzobuddies.com. Slower is better. When the pyschiatrist dropped me 25% the insomnia was terrible.
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1 ReactionPlease do understand that it does not work well for certain people and is very addictive and very difficult to come off of
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1 ReactionYou should see if your doc will prescribe liquid lorazepam. It comes in a bottle with a dropper. You can pull up tiny amounts. It’s inexpensive and can be gotten at any pharmacy. Much easier and more accurate than shaving pills.
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3 ReactionsYes; everyone is different in their tolerance & should
always be guided by a physician & a good pharmacist,
AND read ALL the directions on any meds. K
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3 ReactionsWhen you start to taper off the medication. Insomnia is a common side effect
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1 ReactionI've had problems sleeping since turned 60 but
can't understand why. Did not need meds until then,
but anything that helps is welcome.
Did not know that insomnia is a side effect of
tapering off some meds.