Want off lorazapam

[zephir]

I am a 62 year old woman with an Anxiety Disorder that can bring on  a Seizure if the anxiety gets out of control.
I was on Keppra but have been taken off because my seizures where like one in ten years and it was causing Gastritis.     I have been on lorzapam for the past three years with different dosages.  I wanted off the Lorazapam but tried recently and the side affects were horrible.  My slavia glands become swollen, I am depressed from the pain in my mouth from the imbalance of salvia and trying to eat.   I probably lowered the dosage too quickly.  I am now on 1-1/2 mg. a day.  1/2 mg.  three times a day.  Please help me know what to do.

[Pepper912]

My sister was on Lorazapam and was not told to gradually go off.  She went off all at once and suffers now from extreme burning in her skin all the time, including some numbness in her extremities and extreme sensitivity to cold when she touches anything cold.  She also has some ringing in her ears and the only relief she has is when she is taking a shower.  Although he skin is burning, it is not hot to the touch.  Is there anyway she can get relief or does anyone know of any way she can improve?  She has been tested for everything and has been to neurologists, internists, psychologists, naturpaths, rheumatologist, you name it.  They all say there is nothing wrong and that she must have anxiety, which she does not have.  She did have a breast lump removed prior to the time she started taking the Lorazapam.  

[juliewave]

Benzodiazipines are not comfortable to come off of but yes it can be done.  Take it very slowly over months. Some pharmacies do compounding which is changing a pill to liquid form.  You can go off a lot slower  and more gradually that way since you can only split a pill so much.  I would allow months and under a doctors supervision.  As long as you continue to take a little less each period your measuring in you will eventually come off. Are you planning to take anything for your anxiety?  (non benzo)  If you are I would transfer over before I began my withdrawal. It also helps to do it when there are no other big stresses in your life.  Talk to a family member or friend and tell them what you plan to do.  If you have a pill anoumous group it would be helpful to join.