Hello...I am so glad I found this website.

[[Ta...]]

I have joined BB because I value the opinions and experiences of others who are or have been in the similar situation in which I find myself.

 

I have been on 1mg of lorazepam (Ativan) for at least 10-15 years. I don't even remember when it was really first prescribed, but my family doc prescribed it for Generalized Anxiety, 1mg up to 3-4 times a day. However, I only used it on an AS NEEDED basis so in the beginning it was few and far between. Over the years I remain on only 1mg per day and have never increased this dose, which I take primarily at bedtime.

 

I have been told that 1mg 1x/day is such a low dose, I wouldn't even be considered tolerant, but I feel I am. I am wanting to go off of it. It's not the low dose that concerns me, but the length of time I have been taking it. Is this a legitimate concern for me? I worry a great deal about the frightening w/d symptoms, like seizures, etc.

 

I have read the Ashton report and they don't have a taper/diazepam substitution chart for such a low dose of Ativan. 1mg=10mg, if I remember correctly. Is this even possible for me? I went to a detox center recently and they basically told me I didn't qualify because of my low dosage. Is substituting diazapam even worth the switch?

 

I am glad in all these years I've never increased beyond the 1mg, but I am afraid of further long term use that I have found is not recommended. Others have told me just keep it low and don't worry about it. I feel like I have breakthrough anxiety between doses, since it is only once a day. Forgive me, but I don't know what to do. Trying to find local help on the internet has been non-existent.

 

I've been researching everything I can get my hands on for several years now. I have wanted to be off Ativan for quite some time. This is not a sudden whim. But if I could just find some help or guidance, I would gladly begin the process. I've been ready for a long time.

 

Thanks for listening.

[[me...]]

Hello Taylor9015.  Welcome to the forum, we're glad you found us!  Even though you are on a fairly low dose of lorazepam, tapering off slowly is still a good idea.  We generally recommend a taper rate of about 5-10% every 10-14 days, but individual rates vary.  You may be able to taper faster than that. We have many members who have used benzos for 10 years or more.  I took high doses of Xanax for 13 years, have been off it for almost 3 years, and my life is much better for it.  Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper).

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

 

 

[[Ta...]]

Thank you, I did what you suggested and created the signature with my current info. I have never been part of an online community/forum. This is ALL new to me. I will have to learn to navigate my way around. Thanks again!

[[De...]]

Hello Taylor9015,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too 

 

As Megan said there are many members here who have successfully tapered off their benzos after long term use, I am one of them, I had been taking my benzo for 30 years before I began my taper and I've been benzo free for 19 months now. As long as you take it nice and slowly, within the guidelines that Megan has given you, you should fare well and if you do have some withdrawal effects they will be kept to a minimum. Seizures are mainly a risk for members who cold turkey off high doses unless of course you have a seizure history.

 

Many members here successfully taper directly from the Ativan, if interdose withdrawal symptoms are a problem you could try splitting the daily dosage, some members dose up to 4 times a day. Should you decide you would prefer to crossover to Diazepam for tapering purposes, the diazepam approximate equivalent of 1 mg of Ativan is 10 mgs and a graduul crossover is advised to allow time for the diazepam to buuild up in the bloodstream before the Ativan is completely withdrawn otherwise withdrawal effects from the Ativan could be experienced.

 

I'm glad you found us and I wish you success with the taper.

 

Debbie

[[Ne...]]

Welcome. Your questions are the ones I wish I had asked before stopping cold turkey 9-10-14 from 1-2 mg/night lorazepam for 2 years.  Many nights I only took a .5 for sleep. I became an involuntary drug addict during breast cancer treatment. I stopped because I was tolerant and didn't know it. I just thought I was dying. My lungs ached and I felt like I had the flu all the time. Anyway don't let anyone tell you that there is no withdrawal from low dosages. The long term effect of lorazepam is linked to dementia, Alzheimer's and pneumonia. The doctor world just doesn't bother to educate themselves. I have spent all my time since then doing research on Ativan. The info of the harm is out there but so are the success stories that keep me going. At 14 weeks cold turkey I am doing much better in most respects. The mental stuff is up and down but overall up. You can do this. Just do it safely.

[[Ta...]]

Hi, and thanks for your two responses. I can only check back on this forum in the evenings as I work during the day, but seeing your responses to my concerns gave me such motivation to continue my search. I DO wish to taper under the guidance of a doctor, preferably one with knowledge of benzos and withdrawal. That is NOT my general practitioner though. However I did see a therapist today who has given me 2 referrals for psychiatric doctors who may know more. And on the way to the appointment there was a church on the corner with a sign for anxiety/depression support groups! Finding help locally has been a challenge to say the least. For people who are really searching for help, it's not necessarily that easy.

 

I found this website because someone mentioned it in an amazon.com book review. Otherwise I would never have found it!

 

I will seek out advice from a doctor if I can get it, otherwise, all I need is a tapering schedule. I don't have one yet for 1mg ativan once a day. Again, it's a low dose, but I've been on it 10-15 years, maybe even longer. It's been so long I don't even know when I started. How bad is THAT?

 

If anyone has experience with a taper of this type, please let me know!

 

I thank every one again, so much!

 

Oh, and also, as I wish to adhere to the posting guidelines, is there another board here that would be better for me to post under? I think I'm still under Introductions??

[[Ne...]]

Here is a link to the Ashton Manual: http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha01.htm which has lots of useful information. The website is good too.

 

Also here is a link to a Harvard article.  Here is info about the cumulative effects of lorazepam. It is not safe at any dose long term. http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/benzodiazepine-use-may-raise-risk-alzheimers-disease-201409107397

 

This article says it stores in the fat. Also, as we age the brain processes the drug more slowly. I am 66 now.

 

England has a good benzo site too.  Welcome to healing!

 

This is a link to a booklet with good info.  http://www.criugm.qc.ca/images/stories/les_chercheurs/risk_ct.pdf

[[Ta...]]

Thanks Neshamah, and wow what a journey YOU have been on. I don't know what to say...so many brave people here going through some really tough times. I hope I will be in a position to help someone else someday, with my story. I've done tons of research. Am hoping to start my taper soon after I see a doctor about it. It's frightening just to think about DOING it. I pray for the courage and the strength to implement it. Every single person here must be awesome