Long term prescribed Lorazepam use

[[Ke...]]

Hi, I have been taking Lorazepam for panic attacks and anxiety for over 10 years, .5 mg the first 6 years and 1 mg 2-3 times a day for the last 4 years. I have been in CDL school and have pre hires when I graduate next month however I cannot pass the DOT drug tests and cannot drive a commercial motor vehicle on this drug and need to get off of it as quickly as possible so I can go to work, help!

[[fi...]]

Are you working with a doctor?

 

fg

[[Bi...]]

Keepontruckin,

 

Welcoming you to Benzo Buddies.

 

You will find plenty of support and help here.

There are others that are tapering off Lorazepam.

 

If you have any questions, let us know.

 

Billy.

[[...]]

I am glad that you made the decision to join BB, Keepontruckin.

 

Once you find your way around here, (reading the posts contained within all the categories), you will get much help, support, information, and encouragement from other members.

 

I encourage you to start by becoming familiar with each category, (reading some posts), and then to start writing your questions in a category that you think most appropriate for your question.

 

If you need help with feeling your way around, learning how to start a new thread/new topic, please feel free to send me a Personal Message (PM).  Just below my icon (or others' icons), you will see some symbols. Hover over them.  You will be told which one is for sending a PM.  Just click on the symbol.  A new page opens with a composition box.  Start writing.  When done, click on "Send" or "Post", (I don't remember the exact word; but, you will figure it out).

 

You can send PMs to nearly every or any member.  If you find an interesting or helpful writing and want to ask a member a question about what they wrote, etc., send them a PM.

 

If you have questions and want them answered by more than one member, well, start a new topic in the appropriate category.  A good starting category might be that of going here:  http://www.benzobuddies.org/benzodiazepine-withdrawal-methods  Just click on the link.

 

To find posts that you make, including this introduction post, find the word PROFILE at the top of any page.  Click on it.  It will take you to your PROFILE.  There is a section that you can look at to find all of your posts.  (If you need some clarification, just let me know).

 

Once again, welcome.  I hope that you keep coming back.

 

Sincerely,

 

Yowl

[[Ke...]]

Are you working with a doctor?

 

fg

 

I am working with my personal physician, but he is not really up on dot regs, he wants me to go on Lexapro for 2 weeks then start tapering off Lorazepam, I don't think I can take that and drive a CMV either, help!

[[mi...]]

I too am trying to wean off but I do know you have to do it very slowly  I have decided to switch to Valium as it has a longer shelf life and is suppose to be an easer road to do the weaning off of the drug.  It might be cause I have low blood sugar and maybe you will have alot easier time.  Do take good supplement and plentty of antioxidants and COQ!) AND OMEGA #>  YOu can go to the Road back website and they have special supplements to take to help ease the withdrawal symptoms.  Wishing you the best of luck

[[Be...]]

Hi, Keepontruckin.

 

I tapered off 3mg lorazepam over a period of 6 months.  You could safely (ie, without a seizure) taper off 1mg in a month or two but it could be pretty uncomfortable and could result in a longer healing period after you are off.  It's up to you how fast you want to go, of course.  I don't know about the advisability of adding the Lexapro.  I know it is an anti-depressant but over the years there have been members who've had a problem with it.  You might want to start a thread about Lexapro on the Other Prescribed Medications Board and ask for others' experiences with it.

 

I would be careful about adding supplements as well.  And The Road Back program in particular has been reported to be quite expensive for supplements you can buy more cheaply locally and of minimal value.  There is an Alternative Therapies and Supplements board where you can probably find more about that kind of thing if you are interested.

[[Ke...]]

Thanks, down from three 1mg tabs per day to 2 with no problems at all. Went to 2 1/2 for 7 days and now taking 2 a day and into my 3rd day without issue. Hope I'm not doing something crazy but I just don't have time to take it slow!

[[co...]]

Hi, Keepontruckin.

 

I tapered off 3mg lorazepam over a period of 6 months.  You could safely (ie, without a seizure) taper off 1mg in a month or two but it could be pretty uncomfortable and could result in a longer healing period after you are off.  It's up to you how fast you want to go, of course.  I don't know about the advisability of adding the Lexapro.  I know it is an anti-depressant but over the years there have been members who've had a problem with it.  You might want to start a thread about Lexapro on the Other Prescribed Medications Board and ask for others' experiences with it.

 

I would be careful about adding supplements as well.  And The Road Back program in particular has been reported to be quite expensive for supplements you can buy more cheaply locally and of minimal value.  There is an Alternative Therapies and Supplements board where you can probably find more about that kind of thing if you are interested.

 

Hi Beeper,

 

Did you read a lot of books and/or make a lot of lifestlye changes to assist with the tapering? - your story is of inspiration to me, I know I can get off these drugs!

 

 

[[am...]]

Hi,

I've been withdrawing from Ativan for several months. At first, I withdrew too fast and I was in really bad shape - couldn't function. I had to reinstate and begin a slow taper. I almost down to .25 from a high dose of 3 mg - but that's equal to 30 mg of Valium - no small thing.  You said something that peaked my interest - lexapro. I was given this when I was in interdose withdrawal and didn't know it. The docs couldn't find a reason for the difficult symptoms I was having and I hadn't a clue back then what was causing it, so they put me on Lexapro. This is just me, but it just added more symptoms to my already difficult ones - then when I stopped taking it, I had to go through a withdrawal process. It wasn't as bad as Ativan has been, and probably the two together made it worse. So just a word of caution unless you really feel you need it.  Good luck.

amb

[Guest [de...]]

You won't be able to drive a truck if you c/t. I am surprised that your state DOT would deny you a multi axle license if you are using a medication as perscribed. I think you should double check that. And I can guarantee that they are nor screening for ssri's. That said, i would wait until you decide what your benzo plans are before going on lexapro. I have been on lexapro in the past and found it to be very mood improving and anxiety reducing (and weight gaining), but you should not initiate a benzo taper until about 6 weeks after starting an ssri. Ssri's are anxiogenic for the first few weeks and initiating an ssri during benzo tapering may greatly exacerbate w/d symptoms.

[Guest [de...]]

One other thing. you are tapering too fast and you will learn what people on this board mean when they use the word SLAMMED, if you don't slow down your taper.

[[Bi...]]

Just a reminder, if you'd like to add a signature: Signature

 

This way members can keep up with your history. 

 

Thanks, Billy.

[[Ke...]]

Yes, I got the Lexapro filled but not using it. Successfully tapered from three 1 mg/day to two in just two weeks, no problems yet, and hope I don't get any when I go to one and a half a day next week.