Lorezopam Dosage Cuts and Withdrawal

[[Ha...]]

 

Hey guys,

 

I'm 26 and have experienced panic disorder for about 4 years, although it's been on and off. In fact at times I feel like I don't even have it. When I initially had my panic disorder I was placed on 0.5 mg of lorezopam I stayed on for about a month and the went to weekly sessions of CBT. Within a month or two I was my old self again and Iwas on zero medication. Then about a year and a half ago I relapsed into panic and anxiety. My psychiatrist had me placed on Citilopram but we switched to Lexapro, currently I'm taking 20mg. I was put on 0.5 mg lorezopam as well, morning and night. Things got better and after a year and some months I decided to cut lorezopam from my daily routine. I cut by .25mg every week but the withdrawals really messed with me and it started a downward cycle. I eventually started taking lorezopam 2mg a day split between a 8AM dose of 0.5mg, 2PM dose 0.5mg and a bedtime dose of 1mg. It's been 2-3 months since I began this. I visited my psychiatrist and he said cut by .25mg every 2 weeks. I don't want to go through the hell that I went through the first time and his instructions still seem fast paced to me. On my own initiative I began to cut my nightly dose by .875 or 1/8 of the total 1mg of my bedtime dose. Is this reasonable? At this stage I'm very nervous and scared, it's been only one day and I feel really depersonalized and on edge. I would appreciate any help. Thank you.

 

 

[[Tr...]]

Personally, What works best for me is when I cut maximum 10%, with a minimum of 2 weeks between cuts. That being said, I don't always follow that rule and end up paying the price.

 

You should check out the Ashton Manual: http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/