HELP WITH DAILY LIQUID MICRO-TAPER, PLEASE! (ATIVAN/VALIUM)

[Guest [Ru...]]

Hi!

 

I am currently on 0.16 mg lorazepam daily, which I dissolve in water. I split this amount in two to dose in the AM and the PM, using a syringe. I've worked my way down from about 1 mg daily, tapering down 5% from each dose every 1-3 weeks (depending on symptoms). It has been rocky going, with very high anxiety, inter-dose withdrawal in the late afternoon, ongoing agoraphobia, varied sleep patterns (manageable)...and some short windows.

 

I've since read that a daily symptoms-based liquid micro-taper could help to ease the way down. I would like to do this all the way down to 0 mg (holding for 3-5 days whenever I need to; no jump). I'm very brain fogged (and terrible at math  ) and would greatly appreciate any input. My questions:

 

1. Is it worth switching over to liquid Valium at this point (and are there risks to this?), or can I do a daily micro-taper using liquid Ativan?

2. How do I calculate dosage solution the lower I go? And do I continue using a syringe to do the tiny daily cuts?

3. Can anyone help with a sample taper plan for dummies? 

 

Apologies if these questions have been covered elsewhere. I’m still desperately trying to navigate my way around…

 

With sincerest thanks,

Ruby

 

[[bu...]]

Lorazepam (and Valium) are NOT water soluble, which is probably why you are having difficulties.

 

But it can be dissolved in a tiny amount of vodka or propylene glycol, then diluted with water.  This will allow you to do a symptom-based daily microtaper.  If you did this, there really wouldn't be any need to do a crossover to Valium.

[Guest [Ru...]]

Hi Builder,

 

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm using an Ativan generic (I'm in South Africa) that dissolves in water the same way an aspirin does (cloudy solution). My husband shakes the solution to get an even suspension of the tiny particles when he draws it up & dispenses it from the syringe. Would it be better to use vodka?

 

What type of syringe would I use to do the tiny cuts necessary in a micro-taper? We're currently using a 1 ml insulin syringe, but I'm not sure whether that would be accurate enough. I could buy a half-mil syringe...

 

Could you refer me to a post that explains exactly how to do a daily tapering plan similar to the one I envisage? I'd appreciate it greatly.

 

Thanks again!

[[bu...]]

Hi Builder,

 

Thanks so much for your reply. I'm using an Ativan generic (I'm in South Africa) that dissolves in water the same way an aspirin does (cloudy solution). My husband shakes the solution to get an even suspension of the tiny particles when he draws it up & dispenses it from the syringe. Would it be better to use vodka?

 

What type of syringe would I use to do the tiny cuts necessary in a micro-taper? We're currently using a 1 ml insulin syringe, but I'm not sure whether that would be accurate enough. I could buy a half-mil syringe...

 

Could you refer me to a post that explains exactly how to do a daily tapering plan similar to the one I envisage? I'd appreciate it greatly.

 

Thanks again!

 

The tablet will disintegrate/deconstruct, but the active ingredient, lorazepam will NOT form a solution in water.  Some the inactive excipient ingredients may dissolve.  The lorazepam will be suspended in the water, but it will NOT be uniformly distributed.

 

Your basic oral syringe is completely adequate.  Accuracy is not really important, as long as you follow a consistent procedure.

 

If you click on username and go to my page, you wiull find many posts that detail daily liquid taper procedure, or I will try to answer any questions you have.

[Guest [Ru...]]

Builder, you're a lifesaver, really! THANK YOU! That might well explain why I'm struggling so terribly. I'm switching to vodka right away.

 

Will study your page etc. thoroughly over the next day or two and get back to you with any questions.

 

THANKS AGAIN! 

 

Ruby