New Member-stuck on Lorazepam Taper

[[Cs...]]

Hi, I'm new to the board and desperately trying to get off of 1.5 mg of lorazepam. It was prescribed at 1mg 2x/day. I usually took 1mg at night and 5. to 1mg more during day for anxiety over eye surgeries and eventual lost of sight in right eye. After a couple weeks of research I came up with a plan to taper .125mg every 10 days. I'm was just past the 2nd week of taper-at 1.25 per day but having a very hard time. I had a set back at beginning of week trying to taper to 1mg-I ended up in the ER yesterday-sweats, numbness, bp 175/110 and now terrible tinnitus. Cutting the pills into 1/8ths is way to hard so I'm sticking at 1.25 till I can get some advice-but I'm struggling at this dose. I found a practice in Beverly Hills that uses the Ashton Taper method...(my shrink and Primary care dr are useless). Should I try the milk titration method on my own or go for the Ashton Method. I have an appointment with the taper Dr on Tues March 13. And supposed to see the shrink on Thursday. Any advice very appreciated. Thanks. Csodas

[[sh...]]

Hi Csodas,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I'm so sorry you're stuck dealing with withdrawal; it can be a very hard process to go through.

 

If you think the practice you've found is dependable and right for your needs, then maybe setting something up with them could further help your taper. You could post in our Titration Taper Plans board, to setup something that might be a bit easier on you than dry cutting and hand it into the people you'll speaking be with at the appointment. I've left you a link to that at the bottom.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=62.0

 

 

Ativan, like Xanax, has a short half life so, that might be why you're feeling such intense effects. I hope they let up.

 

Glad you found us 

[[Be...]]

Hi, Csodas.

 

I tapered off 3mg lorazepam by cutting up my pills but have become a fan of the titration method for a number of reasons.  If your lifestyle/work requirements allow you to use the titration method, I really hope you'll consider it.  The Ashton method does work well for many people but I would estimate at least 1/3 of those here who have tried it run into trouble for one reason or another.  And, the crossover period adds several weeks to your tapering time.  Just something to think about.

[[Be...]]

Hello Csodas,

 

I did a cross over from Clobazam 30mg to Valium 15mg  using the Ashton method.  I have no experience of the titration method.  For me I was in acute withdrawal before  I crossed over so anything was an improvement on how I had been.. It did take quite some time for things to settle down for me.  I think my largest problem being on Valium has been very deep and constant depression..Apparently Valium is know for this. It is easing a bit recently, but I am now at 4.5mg.  It certainly is a relatively straight forward way to withdraw... Usually you cut somewhere between 5% and 10% every 12/14 days depending on how you are feeling.. Symptoms usually crank up a bit more around day 3 for a few days and then again about days 7/8/9. No withdrawal is easy and as you will know  everyone will have a somewhat different experience.  Having benzo wise docs on board can only be a help and it's a nice feeling to be supported by someone you can trust medically.

 

I wish you much luck making your choice and please ask if you need more info.

 

Have a good morning.

 

Betsy xxxx