New to this

[[Je...]]

I joined BenzoBuddies because I have been taking lorazepam for almost 6 weeks for anxiety. I have been averaging about .5 mg a day (some rare days 1.0 mg and some days just 0.25 mg) and want to stop as I think I am the point where its going to become harder and harder to stop. I have also read alot of post and see how hard this can be to stop

[Guest [Mi...]]

Hi, JerseyGuy.

 

Welcome to benzobuddies! 

 

I'm really glad you researched this at only 6 weeks of use. Hopefully, you will not have the problems you've been reading about on this site.

 

A good resource about benzodiazepines is the Ashton Manual. Here is a link to the manual: Professor Ashtons Manual  It’s great for learning about these meds and for taper plans. Ashton recommends reducing between 5 - 10% every 10/14 days.

 

You'll find a great community of people here who will support and encourage you. Feel free to check out the forum and to post to any of the dedicated boards.

 

In addition to the Ashton Manual, here are some other resources:

 

For tapering advice, post here: General Taper Plans

 

For support with any symptoms you may have, post here: Withdrawal Support

 

Please add a signature (history of medication/doses etc). It will help members give you relevant advice. This link will show you how to Create a signature

 

Please let us know if you have any questions.

 

~ Mind

 

[[be...]]

I joined BenzoBuddies because I have been taking lorazepam for almost 6 weeks for anxiety. I have been averaging about .5 mg a day (some rare days 1.0 mg and some days just 0.25 mg) and want to stop as I think I am the point where its going to become harder and harder to stop. I have also read alot of post and see how hard this can be to stop

 

Welcome  Unfortunately it does not take long to develop a dependency to benzodiazepines. Lorazapam is a very potent short acting benzodiazepine. The recommended reduction rate for long term use is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. However, if you went that route your taper would be much longer than the six weeks you were on it. Personally if it was me I would try out a quicker reduction rate and see how I handled that, only then would I consider a long slow taper. Let us know how we can help.

[[Je...]]

I have done a few days recently where I would just take .25 like every 36-48 hours and seemed to be fine. I took my largest doses most frequently during the first two weeks I was on lorazepam due to extreme anxiety but that seems to have subsided for the most part. I took a little bit extra on Thanksgiving (.75mg) due to some added stress but think I could go back to .25 mg every other day for a week or two then stop. Would that be an OK plan of action for someone on short term use? I'd like to stop as soon as possible. Also how long does it typically take withdrawal symptoms to show themselves?

[Guest [Mi...]]

I have done a few days recently where I would just take .25 like every 36-48 hours and seemed to be fine. I took my largest doses most frequently during the first two weeks I was on lorazepam due to extreme anxiety but that seems to have subsided for the most part. I took a little bit extra on Thanksgiving (.75mg) due to some added stress but think I could go back to .25 mg every other day for a week or two then stop. Would that be an OK plan of action for someone on short term use? I'd like to stop as soon as possible. Also how long does it typically take withdrawal symptoms to show themselves?

 

If you're just taking it for anxiety, check out the information available on the Anxiety Forum.

 

If you're able to go for two days without any withdrawal effects, I would just stop it. But that's me. If you're having withdrawal effects (other than the amount of anxiety you had before you started using it), then you may wish to taper. It really depends on your level of comfort and coping skills you pick up to handle the anxiety.

 

I've found benzos to make anxiety much, much worse in the long run. Many members report this. I'm really glad you found this information at 6 weeks.

[[Sh...]]

Hi, Jersey Guy,

 

While I'm not a moderator or an expert, I am one of a small minority on BB who, like you, was initially only on a benzo a short time before seeking a way off it. And I was also advised to just stop rather than taper. But my attempted cold turkey was a failure, with scary side effects, including total insomnia, numbness, waves of shocks from chest to head, etc. Since I couldn't find a sample quick-taper schedule, I've been following the Ashton cut-and-hold method, but moving ahead on the quick side (typically cutting 1 MG of valium around every 7 days or as much and as quickly as my body can handle). So my total taper should come out to be close to 5 mos. -- seems like a long time, but it's actually way shorter than average.

 

You may not be as substance-sensitive as I am, and so may be able to just stop or taper faster. But it's probably best to not tinker around too much. I went through about a week of tinkering before my taper, which was a mistake. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

 

Shirah (from Jersey also...one state totally lacking in "benzo-wise" doctors!)

[[Th...]]

Hi, Jersey Guy,

 

While I'm not a moderator or an expert, I am one of a small minority on BB who, like you, was initially only on a benzo a short time before seeking a way off it. And I was also advised to just stop rather than taper. But my attempted cold turkey was a failure, with scary side effects, including total insomnia, numbness, waves of shocks from chest to head, etc. Since I couldn't find a sample quick-taper schedule, I've been following the Ashton cut-and-hold method, but moving ahead on the quick side (typically cutting 1 MG of valium around every 7 days or as much and as quickly as my body can handle). So my total taper should come out to be close to 5 mos. -- seems like a long time, but it's actually way shorter than average.

 

You may not be as substance-sensitive as I am, and so may be able to just stop or taper faster. But it's probably best to not tinker around too much. I went through about a week of tinkering before my taper, which was a mistake. Good luck with whatever you choose to do!

 

Shirah (from Jersey also...one state totally lacking in "benzo-wise" doctors!)

 

I am in joizy too and that last sentence is completely accurate.

 

Welcome to the forum jersey guy. You should hopefully be able to kick this without much pain as you've only been on it for 6 weeks. Better sooner than later!