weaning off Lorazepam

[Denim503]

HI all,
I wrote a few weeks back about weaning off Ativan which I have been on for 15 years. (1mg)
This week has been bad and I have had to take more Ativan a few times.

Is it normal to have ups and downs? Is it part of the withdrawal?

Thanks
Maria

[Denim503]

You are right about the pill being a placebo at this point. I have often thought, why doesn't the doc give me a sugar pill and say it is Lorazepam. Anyway I will continue to try to wean off very gradually as the doc told me. Sometimes they switch you to Diazepam (longer acting) because it is easlier to wean off those because they can be cut smaller.

[AXLE1983]

I am addicted to Alprazalam ...BUT... NOT MENTALLY~ If that makes sence?
I was perscribed  it at 18 ...2 mg. at bed time , or (as needed) throughout the day . WELL~ I HAD NO IDEA I WAS EVEN ADDICTED UNTIL I quite cold turkey...WOWA~ Ended up in the "emergency room" thinking I was dying. HORRIBLE FEELING OF ...AHHHHHHHHHHHHH### CANNOT SEE as my vision starts going... and I than know I need to pop one. Which ... I could probably take 6 mg. at one time and... not even feel diffrent... JUST MAKES LIFE AND VISION MORE CLEAR? It's sad and ... DAMN DOCTOR!

[gnarly_1]

Detoxing from benzos's is no fun the symptoms can last for quite a wile especially since you have been on them for 15yrs ....the key here is not to use any more you only will set back your brains ability to recover as long as you keep hitting those receptors with more atavan  your desire to use more will increase it an all or nothing kinda thing with benzo's ...I have gotten off both xanex and clonipine nether one was ez but the only way your going to get off it is by stoping it completely this should always be done under a doctors care to avoid seizures
you sound like your past that part of it but it kinds like an alcoholic thinking he can have just one drink....it never works out....try to find some natural ways to distress they make calming teas that Are all natural  besides after being on it for 15 yrs it was probably more a placebo effect then actually feeling the medacation...it got that way for me near the end hang in there you can get part this if your all wound up try to find something relaxing to do yoga works for many people but its best to stay off the pills......Gnarly    

[Denim503]

my Doc said to taper down very slowly. I was down to about 1mg but this week  I have had to take 1.5  2 or three times. The problem is with Lorazepam they are very hard to cut, so the tapering is not very even.

But I have been sleeping very badly this week, so have had to increase it a bit. And being tired makes me depressed, although I am not taking anything for depression.

I don't know how anyone can cope if they can't sleep.

Thanks for your reply

Maria

[worried878]

I think so for most.  Is your doctor helping you taper down?  Your dose is not high so perhaps u can do this without too much difficulty...but we r all different.  A positive attitude helps a whole lot

hang tight and keep posting