Doing Research on my prescription for Lorazapem and increasing anxiety

[[wa...]]

Hi, I found this group with a google search on "managing anxiety with lorazapem".  I have been taking lorazapem for 7-8 years. My prescription is 1-3 daily (1mg) so I get 90 a month, I rarely fill them monthly and have my extras in my car, pocket books and homes. I have quit them for months at a time. I get a little cranky but nothing really bad. At one point back 7 years ago I was also on Paxil.  I felt that the Paxil was very bad for me, I made poor decisions and it was extremely hard to stop taking it. The lorazapem helped the withdrawals from Paxil.  For the past few years I have only taken lorazapem as needed. The past few months have been incredibly hard for me, anxiety is awful, I sweat so much my hair is soaked in just minutes.  My job is to be in front of alot of people and it is a little stressful but I truly love it, when I get feeling this way I take a pill. I am not wondering if I should just take a pill before work each day to avoid this happening. I sweat, I get red faced, I feel so nervous.

[[me...]]

Hello, and welcome to the forum! Benzos were really meant to be taken for short periods only.  But going on and off multiple times can sensitize one's system, and make successive withdrawals more and more difficult.  This is called "kindling," and it has happened to many here, myself included. It sounds like you may have become tolerant to your medication, which means your regular dose no longer works as before.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

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 in Chapter III, 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!

 

 

[[sh...]]

Hi waiting for information.  I think you already know the answe to your question since you have researched lorazepam.  It is a problematic drug.  If I were you I would get off before it gets worse.  The whole time I took klonopin and ambien I did not sweat. As soon as I stopped taking the klonopin because I did not need it, the sweating started and it was a lot.  So you may be experiencing interdose withdrawals already.  Only you can judge that for certain.  If you think this is so, I would take my prescribed lorazepam every day at the lowest dose where you did not get symptoms.  After about a week or two I would try and reduce by a small amount.  You can get help with this part in the tapering boards and reading the Ashton manual.  I did a quick Ashton taper and I think I went too fast especially the second half.  You may be able to get off this way with little or no symptoms.  Don't read this forum and get scared.  Some folks do get off these drugs somewhat easily.  I found this forum a great help.  Since by reading it I realized I did not have some horrible disease going on it was withdrawal.  For me this was comforting.  Take it from one who learned the hard way, benzos are very strong and insidious medications.  Don't let him ruin your career that you love and your life.  The thing that I also found hard to accept but after reading here about what happens to folks, once you are withdrawn, you cannot take ther drugs again or you risk much greater problems.  Read Ashton she explains kindling.  Good luck.  Be careful.  Wishing you a safe and easy journey.