I'm New and I need help getting off PRN lorazepam

[[bo...]]

Hi,

 

I'm a newbie to the boards.  I have been taking PRN lorazepam 0.5mg for around 3 months.  On average, recently, I had been taking 2mg/week.  I began experiencing severe withdrawal symptoms between doses and now I want to stop taking the lorazepam all together.  I've been about a day and a half without any lorazepam.  I'm experiencing severe heart palpitations, scary chest pain, fatigue, insomnia, and tinnitus ( on occasion ).

 

I've read through the forums and the Ashton Manual, but couldn't find much advice as to how I should stop taking PRN lorazepam.  Should I just "cold-turkey" it and wait out the symptoms??  Any advice?

 

 

Thank you,

E+B

[[pi...]]

Hello E & B,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies, we are glad you found us.

 

Lorazepam is a short acting benzo so it is understandble that you have had interdose withdrawals, sorry to say.  We will be happy to help you in any way that we can.  There are so many kind and caring people here who understand this process.

 

Have you been taking the lorazepam daily?  If so you might want to try a slow taper to make it easier on your system. Others will be by to offer their support and encouragement.

 

pianogirl

[[Be...]]

Hi, and welcome to BenzoBuddies, bolsillo.

 

I don't remember seeing any specific recommendations for coming off intermittent use of Ativan.  You are on a very low dose when you do take it and most doctors would say just stop taking it.  That might be the best way to go but I'm not surprised that you have some w/d symptoms.  You really have a choice of sticking it out or reducing your dose slowly.  I'm not sure the best way to do that, though.  I had terrible interdose withdrawal from ativan and was taking it 5x/day at one point.  I can't imagine taking it even every other day. 

[[On...]]

bolsillo,

 

There is a taper schedule on the Ashton Site here http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm, it's the third spreadsheet down on this page. It looks like you were at the equivalency does of 5 mg. of Valium with having been using 0.5 mg. of Lorazepam. Since 6mg. of Lorazepam is equal to 60mg. of Valium. I don't think your at any risk for seizure, but as you stated already you will go through some bad withdrawals for a while. The choice of whether to continue with the cold turkey or going back on with a taper schedule is really yours and depends on your ability to handle the symptoms and your present responsibilities, like work, etc.

 

Good luck and best wishes!

 

OTM

[[ch...]]

You need to figure out with the PRN how much your actually taking a day total PRN can be 1,2,3 upto 6.    But speciffically prn lorazepam is every 6hrs