Ativan Withdrawal?

[Bandit2013]

I've been taking .5 mg of Lorazepam for at least six months now, maybe longer, every other day. It's the only thing that helped my sleep and I thought by taking it every other day I wouldn't get physically addicted. I decided to stop taking it, probably 4 nights ago. My sleep has been horrible! Waking in panic first night,slept three hours the second night, up since 2 am last night.

I'm starting to suspect it's withdrawal. My question is, should I continue cold turkey at this point? (It's been 72 hours)

Thanks.

[meegWpaw]

hi Bandit, you're not supposed to ct off benzos, which Ativan is ... but as SJS said, it wasn't a very high dosage and you're 3 days in.  i don't want to give you advice that you should ask a doctor though.  i would consult your physician.  yes, you will definitely have rebound insomnia.  usually with benzos (I've taken practically all of them) the anxiety and insomnia come back twice as bad, or significantly worse, than the original issues ... but it's a great decision to come off of them and you will feel better eventually!  have patience, and be safe.

Meegan

[SJS49]

I have experience with Ativan...I was taking 1 mg three times a day for 3 to 4 months at a time, then I would quit taking them. If you are 72 hours in already, I would say just to keep going, I would get a little bit of withdrawal effect when stopping the Ativan, but it didn't last long due to being on it such short periods of time (which is what is ultimately meant for), but they were nothing too bad, mostly just anxiety and having a hard time with sleep due to anxiety. You weren't taking a very high dose, and not very often, but every drug effects every person differently. I am 38 and have been on and off Ativan since I was 15 for panic disorder.

[loriannnani]

i have been on 0.5 mg of lorazepam 3x a day for the past month and on and off about a month before that. i stopped cold turkey going on my 5th day today. the insomnia is kicking in and the shaky hands and dizzyness that comes and goes. should i continue or go back on them to taper off to help with withdrawl

[atthebeach]

loriannnani it would be safer to taper.