how to taper off ativan (lorazapam)????

dizzy2 · Post by **dizzy2** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 12:27 pm

Has anyone out there been able to go off ativan without major withdraw. I would like to stop taking it but when i try to taper off i get severe anxiety. I have been taking this drug for 5 years but i would really like to stop.Thanks

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:10 pm

Originally posted by dizzy2:
[qb]Has anyone out there been able to go off ativan without major withdraw. I would like to stop taking it but when i try to taper off i get severe anxiety. I have been taking this drug for 5 years but i would really like to stop.Thanks[/qb]

did not know you could have with drawl from this med i take it too

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Aug 04, 2005 4:11 pm

Originally posted by COPPERTEN:
[qb]
Originally posted by dizzy2:
[qb]Has anyone out there been able to go off ativan without major withdraw. I would like to stop taking it but when i try to taper off i get severe anxiety. I have been taking this drug for 5 years but i would really like to stop.Thanks[/qb]
did not know you could have with drawl from this med i take it too[/qb]

what are the withdrawl like i wounder if you know could you please tell me

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 12:41 am

Hi to answer all your questions. I am going through this right now. I must add a caveat that I have only been taking Ativan for about 3 months. I started with 1mg 2xs a day and slowly reduced to .25mg 2xs per day. At that point I had to cut out one of the doses and then it became very difficult. My first few days on 1x per day was very hard and I couldn't sleep. I then got Lucinda's CDs and played the relaxation tape. It worked so well I decided a week later to drop the other dose. That was Tuesday and here it is Thursday nite/Friday morning at 1:30 and I am shaking and scared. I know this passes in a few days.

So, my advice is to work with your doctor very carefully. Trust them to help you do this. It is hard but can be done. Also consider where you are in the program and how you feel. Don't worry you can do it when your ready!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 7:58 am

I am going through that right now,I have been on Ativan 1\2 mg for four months now and I have been now put on Klonopin o.25 two times a day if needed for extreme anxiety. I haven't taken the Klonopin yet,I am wary. I have been having trouble sleeping,shaking,muscle tremors,having more panic. I would like to get off all the benzo's and stick with a anitdepressants. Some of these medications you can't take with an antidepressent,yet the dr's prescribe it that way.
I pray that we all can get through this troubling time.
Jille

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 11:51 am

JillE, your not alone. I am going through all those symptoms as well after stopping only 1/2 an ativan a day. We will get through it! I called StressCenter Support line and those folks have been through it. She told me it was normal.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 7:30 pm

Hello all,

My son was taking Ativan fo several months straight at 1-2 Mg. per day and just all of a sudden quit needing it. No withdrawls or nothing. He occasionally now might need one but lately it is far and few inbetween.

cjobasan · Post by **cjobasan** » Thu Sep 11, 2008 3:15 pm

hello all i have been on ativan for 2 years . i started out on the highest dosage and then my doctor tapered me down , now im taken a half of 0.5mg daily. i really do want to get off this drug please help.