[Jitterbug09]

Hi - I had been taking 4mg of Lorazepam for about 6 weeks when I realized that I needed to stop. I decided to wean myself off of it quickly (less than 2 weeks), but I think it was too quick because I am really messed up now. I am having full blown withdrawal from Lorazepam. I have an appointment with my primary doctor tomorrow to discuss the issue.

My question to you all is this: just how long does it take to feel "normal" again after only taking the dug for 45 days or so? I have successfully come off of Norcos twice now and it only took about 5-6 days to be myself again - Lorazepam seems to be much harder to come off of...Please help ease my mind if anyone can. Thank you!

[Robert_325]

Benzos take a longer slower taper than with RX opiates. Everyone is a little different but you obviously went too fast.

You should stabilize again with the smallest amount possible and start a taper over again. I can help you if you like.

I don't know what dose you were at when you stopped but 4mg is a pretty strong dose for someone who has not had an ongoing tolerance to ativan. Did you begin on 4mg per day? Why were you taking that much after only six weeks? God bless.

[Jitterbug09]

I was taking more than I was prescribed (better known as abusing), that's why I knew it was time to stop. The prescription was for 1/2mg to 1mg twice daily and that's where I started, but I obviously took the strength of the drug for granted and within a couple of weeks was up to 4mg once per day. I went from 4mg once per day, to 1mg twice per day, to 1/2mg twice per day, to 1/2mg once per day, and I took my last 1/2 pill on Tuesday - total time from 4mg to zero was less than 2 weeks. Should the taper period be longer than the time I actually was taking the Lorazepam? (sounds counter productive).

What should I ask my doctor for tomorrow? More Lorazepam or Valium as I've read about? I want to take as little as possible of what ever it is to safely get off of the Lorazepam. Can I do this without going back "on" a Benzo? Thanks again for your quick responses!

[Robert_325]

You shouldn't have to go with valium following such short-term use. That's more for a slow taper over an extended period of time. You probably went a little fast, benzo w/d suck as you can see.

If you will be honest with your dr but explain we're working on this taper he will likely go along. What do you think, you know your dr. If you think not keep quiet, get enough ativan for the month and I will help you finish this off.

I detoxed off TONS of benzos twice after using them for over 25 years. It just takes a little time, a month would suffice. God bless.

[Jitterbug09]

Thanks for the excellent support. I just returned from my doctor and we agreed to properly taper off the Lorazepam, starting with 1mg twice daily for 12 days, then 1.5mg per day for 12 days, then 1mg per day for 12 days, then 1/2mg per day, etc...Our plan is to be completely off of the Lorazepam about 5-6 weeks from now.

I also need to clarify about the 4mg per day - I was mistaken, I was only taking 3mg per day when I started to taper...Still too much too quickly. At least we now have a plan!

[Robert_325]

That sounds like a good plan to me. Going back to 2mg after your rapid taper is a good idea and so is .5mg reduction every two weeks. I think you'll do fine with that.

Your dr went along with you and gave you a good plan. That's what happens a lot when we shoot straight with them. Especially when we really haven't done anything all that bad. Let us know how you do. God bless.

[Jitterbug09]

I am so relieved that a plan is in place...I took one late this afternoon and actually fell asleep on the couch - have not been able to do that lately

[Jitterbug09]

double reply

[sillygeel]

Originally Posted by Jitterbug09

Thanks for the excellent support. I just returned from my doctor and we agreed to properly taper off the Lorazepam, starting with 1mg twice daily for 12 days, then 1.5mg per day for 12 days, then 1mg per day for 12 days, then 1/2mg per day, etc...Our plan is to be completely off of the Lorazepam about 5-6 weeks from now.

I also need to clarify about the 4mg per day - I was mistaken, I was only taking 3mg per day when I started to taper...Still too much too quickly. At least we now have a plan!

I am on 3 mg (For 18 months)seems the two just dont do the trick anymore so I have bumped up to 3 mg 2 months ago. With your new plan are you suffering? Let me know please. Lisa-Marie

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by sillygeel

I am on 3 mg (For 18 months)seems the two just dont do the trick anymore so I have bumped up to 3 mg 2 months ago. With your new plan are you suffering? Let me know please. Lisa-Marie

Lisa-Marie ..... having used ativan for 1 1/2 years your w/d symptoms will OBVIOUSLY be noticeably more than are jitterbug's after using for only six weeks. Taking 3mg is too high a dose unless you've got some serious issues working.

I can help you with the benzos when we finish up with your other taper. Do one thing at a time, but this definitely needs to be dealt with. Trust me, I abused benzos for over 25 years solid. I did them daily and the dosage became insane by the time I was finally successful getting clean.

You can see how the ativan dose has to keep getting higher and higher. When I finally stopped after 25 years I was up to almost 20mg of xanax daily along with 6-8mg of klonopin. Of course that doesn't count the thirty 30mg roxies, 30plus lorcets and 20-25 soma daily. Pretty dumb huh??? My point is the benzo ride needs to stop asap.

You absolutely want to do something about the ativan problem. If you don't mind me asking why are you taking such a high dose? You don't want to be on ativan the rest of your life, that's for sure. God bless.

[seppie]

I would also say lowering the doses and quit slowing, that is a very high dose you are taking and should not go so high, read up on lorazepam, wikipedia has some good information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorazepam

[blueberries]

Originally Posted by Robert_325

Lisa-Marie ..... having used ativan for 1 1/2 years your w/d symptoms will OBVIOUSLY be noticeably more than are jitterbug's after using for only six weeks. Taking 3mg is too high a dose unless you've got some serious issues working.

I can help you with the benzos when we finish up with your other taper. Do one thing at a time, but this definitely needs to be dealt with. Trust me, I abused benzos for over 25 years solid. I did them daily and the dosage became insane by the time I was finally successful getting clean.

You can see how the ativan dose has to keep getting higher and higher. When I finally stopped after 25 years I was up to almost 20mg of xanax daily along with 6-8mg of klonopin. Of course that doesn't count the thirty 30mg roxies, 30plus lorcets and 20-25 soma daily. Pretty dumb huh??? My point is the benzo ride needs to stop asap.

You absolutely want to do something about the ativan problem. If you don't mind me asking why are you taking such a high dose? You don't want to be on ativan the rest of your life, that's for sure. God bless.

====================================
Robert, there is no doubt you have had it really rough...and beat it. Bless you... for helping others who may be experiencing the horrors of addiction.

[kassiegal]

I have been on prozac now for 8 weeks...
and I also have ativan..
I have been taking ativan now for 8 weeks also..for anxiety..until the prozac kicks in
I take 0.5mg in the morning...and the 1mg around 5...then I sleep great..as I tend to clench....at night..
I want to taper off the ativan...and wondering how to do so...on such a low dose...but worries about the duration...I never took that much every day...only as needed really...
thank you

[bev49]

Robert, I have a question for you. Are benzo's truly addictive in six weeks? Wow. That seems to be what you're saying but that was a real shocker to me. I've been on Klonopin for several years for panic attacks but I weaned down to .5 and have managed to stay at that for at least the last 2 years. Am I an exception to a rule? I'm not looking to stop just yet. Those panic attacks were too scary. I'm just curious. When you answered the person who was on ativan for 6 weeks I thought you had read wrong but I'm obviously wrong. What an insidious drug if it takes that short a time to get hooked.

[2bpainfree]

Hi. I'm a newbie here!

I just read up on Ativan and realized I should not have been taking it for these past several years. Now I'm weaning off from it. I only take it at night for insomnia. I tried everything else and this is all that worked but I worked up from 1mg at bed time as needed to 3 mg every night.

I also suspect some of my ongoing symptoms could possiby be related to long term use of this drug.

I'm at 2.5 mg now (I'm not sleeping well at all!) and hope to get to 2 mg in the next week or 2.

I have fibromyalgia which can cause sleep problems among other things. It just seems like a snowball effect. No sleep causes more pain which causes less sleep........ ad infinitum.....

Good luck to us both!

- 2B

[Robert_325]

All too often the very medications we take for a legitimate problem end up making matters worse, and it happens through no fault of our own. Suck it up and get back on track.

Take if from someone who abused benzo drugs for over 25 years. It's a short term fix that more often than not causes a long term problem. The sooner you can seperate yourself from the Ativan the better off you'll be.

I'm not saying ativan has no medicinal value. I'm just suggesting that you be VERY careful in the future. Benzos are more addictive than lots of the street drugs out there today. You're in my prayers. God bless.

[dotfran-col]

Hi there!
I have been on fluoxetine for 4 years. I have had to increase my dosage over the years (because one builds up an immunity to it). I recently was unable to get my prescription this last month.
I did alot of research before I decided to just quit taking it, but it was a good choice.
I was up to .5 mg 4x daily. The only real side effect from withdrawal that wasn't good was rebound insomnia. I actually could not get sleepy! I am still on Trazadone for sleep, but it was not even working. I went for most of a week like this. Yuck!!
Anyway, to encourage you, I have now slept a few nights in a row with just an OTC sleep aid (mild). The best thing is the benefits from getting off the stuff.
My mental sharpness came back in 2-3 days! I feel like myself again!!
After researching, I found out that this drug is only meant for temporary use.
Jitter, I hope you will hang in there! Every body is different, so will react differently during withdrawal. I'm proud of you for taking charge of your health!!! Not always easy, but well worth it.
There are many ways to help your anxiety. Just Google "Lorazepam withdrawal" and you will come up with some good ideas.
My best to you, jitter!!
dotfran-coldfwillia@juno.com

[jellyhed]

Hello. I'm a newbie here as well. Got here looking for info on ativan withdrawal. I've been taking .5 once or twice a day about two months for anxiety related to depression. Taking 90 mg Cymbalta for the depression. I stopped the ativan cold yesterday. I found that I needed to take the .5 twice daily to feel OK so I decided it was time to stop. Had a bad night and a fair amount of anxiety today. Any idea how long this will last? Should I be doing something different? Is there a way to taper from such a relatively small dose? Thanks for any advice you could give.

[doc.rose]

From what I have learned about benzo's, you are not supposed to stop them suddenly. Just be careful and hopefully someone will chime in and have advice for a taper. Good luck!