Weaning off Lorazepam.

[Lily921]

I was prescribed ativan almost 15 years ago at the dosage of .5mg. 3 x daily. Over the years I have been able to wean down as low as .5 mg daily but not for very long. I have asked for instruction from two different physicians for help to get off this drug successfully. They have suggested reducing 1/4 mg. less each day for six to eight weeks, then to reduce another 1/4 mg for the next six to eight weeks and to follow this until I am off the drug completely.

Since I suspect that the side effects and the addiction to this drug are harmful for me, and that I want to live drug free, can you advise me with an alternative solution - one that might actually work for me?

Is it OK for me to use the herb Passionflower to help relieve the discomfort as I lower the ativan dose? Thanks, Lily

[SophieShine]

Hey Lily!
Keep us posted about what the dr said!
Hang in there girl, you're gonna do this.
xoxoxo, sophie.

[Lily921]

Thanks so much for the suggestion and the links! I see my Doctor soon and will ask about switching. It's wonderful to have found such a nice support network with you and the others who responded. And congratulations for having 140 of total freedom! What an inspiration! Best of Luck, Lily921

[SophieShine]

Your dr is making a bridge, you'll be able to quit the ativan faster and taper your long acting benzo from there. since they stay for much longer in your blood, it should be easier for the WD's. You'll have some but for a short while.
Take your time to taper from the long acting one, it's the secret.
Sending you strength. xoxoxo. sophie

[TechAngela]

I guess I'm confused about taking the short life ativan at the exact same time the dr wants me to take the longer acting one. Isn't that just doubling it in my system? It's crazy, but even though he tried to switch me to valium a long time ago, I was in in such bad w/d from ativan in 24 hours I ended up in the ER where there gave me ativan. My new job starts next week and I refuse to let this demon mess this up. Thx for the taper suggestions & I will read the sites u gave me. I have no desire to be on these pills, it's just that my brain and my body does bad things if I don't take it. I can go a day & 4get, but then start not being able to think clearly and be forced to take it. I'm still a slave...but you guys have given me renewed hope.

[cornyguy]

You could taper Xanax by reducing it by 1/2 of a 0.25 mg tablet every week till the end.This was suggested to me by my Pdoc.

[SophieShine]

Hi and welcome to the forum! I've been tapering off short acting benzos for 14 months after abusing them for 9 years. I'm free of them for about 140 days now.
You took lorazepam for a long time and it's gonna take time to your brain and body to adjust.
Most addiction dr's would switch you to a long acting benzo like valium or tranxene and taper you off from there. We are no doctors here, we can only suggest...
This site has been a life savior to me: http://www.benzo.org.uk/
and here's an example of tapering plan :
http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm#s8
Best of luck to you!
sophie

[Holliee]

here is what I did for I use to take 1mg xanax nightly and thats all never more. Here is how I tapered off them and it took me awhile but it worked been clean off them almost yr now and so thankful.
I took my 1mg for week then took
1/2 1mg and 1/2 of peach fpr week then took
1/2 1mg and nibble of peach week then took
'1/2 1mg for week then took
peach one .5 mg for week then took
1/2 .5mg and nibble week then took
1/2 .5mg week then took
whole white one which is 0.25 for week then took
1/2 of 0.25 and nibble for week then took
1/2 0.25 week then took
nibbles for week of 0.25 by that time your body as gotten so low on xannax or your that will work you may feel bad 3 - 4 days but thats all
If you have any more questions feel free ask me or message  me in pm.
Best of luck and take care
Holliee

[cornyguy]

It depends how much you are taking now.You got right advice from the doctors regarding tapering as all these meds need to be tapered very slowly and if you follow their advice you will be safe.I myself am tapering off Xanax by tapering it under guidance of my doctor.