Lorazepam for 8 Weeks — Do I Need to Taper?

[Stu1983]

I have been taking Lorazapam 2 mg three times a week for 6 weeks - spaced out Friday, Saturday, Tuesday.

And then after those 6 weeks I have taken the same dose four times a week - spaced out Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday for 2 weeks.

This means I have taken Lorazepam for a period of 8 weeks.

Do I need to taper here?

Please advise as I don't know what to do as my doctor and pharmacist say it should be ok not to taper.

Thanks in advance.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

I would (to be safe). 2mg is a high dose. Maybe take 1mg for 3 times a week or so and then 1/2 of 1mg and so.

Did Lorazepam help?

Once

 

[Ken219]

2mg at one shot? As OnceUponaTime said, taper.

 

[Stu1983]

Thanks @Ken219 and @OnceUponaTime for the advice.

 

[Stu1983]

@OnceUponaTime,

the Lorazepam helped me sleep while I was taking it 3 times a week.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

the Lorazepam helped me sleep while I was taking it 3 times a week.

I used lorazepam but at a much more lower dose. I took 1/4 of 1mg every other day for about a month or so and it helped me to sleep and calm down.

Hope tapering down goes well for you.

Once

 

[linearb]

I wouldn't be too worried, but it's better to cut your dose in half a couple times over a couple weeks, to try to minimize rebound anxiety. I'm back on benzos the past 8 weeks, too, but i think I'm on forever

 

[Ken219]

@linearb , My philosophy is go with what works. 30 years and at times it is hell. I use the them, it changes the pitch.

 

[Stu1983]

@linearb Thanks bro for the info. I appreciate it!

 

[Stu1983]

Hi @linearb

I hope you're well. Can you please be more specific when you say "cut your dose in half for a couple of weeks."

1.5 mg for a week, 1 mg for a week, .5 mg for a week?

 

[linearb]

Hi @linearb

I hope you're well. Can you please be more specific when you say "cut your dose in half for a couple of weeks."

1.5 mg for a week, 1 mg for a week, .5 mg for a week?

sounds reasonable to me. I'm not a doctor, but you haven't been taking these very long. coming off them might not be comfortable but it shouldn't be dangerous

 

[Stu1983]

Sounds reasonable to me. I'm not a doctor, but you haven't been taking these very long. Coming off them might not be comfortable but it shouldn't be dangerous.

@linearb thanks for the advice. It wouldn't impact my tinnitus would it?

 

[Stu1983]

@linearb,

I forgot to mention I'm dealing with serious insomnia prior to my tinnitus issues that isn't being helped by anything but Benzos, tried antidepressants, CBT, strict sleep hygiene etc.

My doctor wants to put me on Klonopin for 2 weeks to get my system back to sleeping again, then Ativan 1 per night, Zopiclone 1 per night.

Does this make sense? And is it safe to switch to Klonopin now? Then back to Ativan?

Sorry bro I don't know who else to go to and you're pretty knowledgeable on this stuff
thanks for your advice.

 

[linearb]

I'm not a doctor and I think having a good relationship with one is important.

if it were me I'd just directly taper off the Klonopin (or stay on it), not a fan of the short acting benzos or z drugs

 

[Carlos1]

I wouldn't be too worried, but it's better to cut your dose in half a couple times over a couple weeks, to try to minimize rebound anxiety. I'm back on benzos the past 8 weeks, too, but i think I'm on forever

@linearb Hey Linearb you mind me asking what your daily dose of kpin is?
And do you plan on stay on same dose ?
Thanks

 

[wonderingwoman]

Benzos are so dangerous. Please do NOT ever take more than what you are taking now. Most doctors do not know and do not admit how hard and deadly tapering from a benzo drug is. Whatever you are taking, you need to find someone who is really good and smart to help you taper. I had been given klonopin by a fabulous psychiatrist years ago--long story--it almost killed me to taper and it took over a year.

Whatever you are taking, it will take a very slow slow slow taper. Any benzo can have a benefit for a short time---or just a few times over a long period of time---any constant use is going to put you in danger. I am not a doctor but it almost killed me and even the best doctors kept telling me it was impossible that I could feel that way. There is a website that is sort of over the top which is benzobuddies.org and you have to take it with a huge grain of salt--but you will see the suffering there from people on benzos for any number of reasons.

And the sad thing is that tinnitus is a HUGE side effect of taking a benzo too long and then of tapering and stopping. I was lucky I didn't have much tinnitus when I had stopped. But the vertigo almost killed me. Benzos have a big purpose like before surgery or in an emergency. For any longer than a few days or a few times over a long period--they are so deadly. You can say I am overreacting. But I have been there.

Please be careful.

And I just realized you were telling people here you trust them and they know what they are talking about. I agree when you hear how people have suffered from meds, you can believe it. But please do not believe anyone who tells you something is not dangerous.

Klonopin has a really long half life and is one of the most dangerous benzos and the one what is most likely to make you wish you were dead when you try to stop it. You do not have to trust me. I would never say that. But please believe me when I tell you how much my life was almost destroyed by taking benzos then trying to stop and then by all the doctors who told me it isn't possible to suffer like that. I could show you my calendar and notes---just saying.

 

[Stu1983]

I'm not a doctor and I think having a good relationship with one is important.

if it were me I'd just directly taper off the Klonopin (or stay on it), not a fan of the short acting benzos or z drugs

@linearb Thanks for your advice again. It is appreciated.

 

[linearb]

@linearb Hey Linearb you mind me asking what your daily dose of kpin is?
And do you plan on stay on same dose ?
Thanks

2mg, it's what I took in the past for years straight.

I won't go higher than that, for sure. Getting off will be time consuming and hellish if and when the time comes.

 

[Stu1983]

@wonderingwoman

Thank you for the advice and sorry for the late reply.

 

[OnceUponaTime]

@Stu1983 How are you doing??

My doctor wants to put me on Klonopin for 2 weeks to get my system back to sleeping again, then Ativan 1 per night, Zopiclone 1 per night.

I think this a little bit too much. MHO

Klonopin and Ativan are both for anxiety and are like cousins....
I would not take them together.
Zolplicone is to help you sleep.

Did you started tapering off from Ativan?
I hope you are sleeping better these days.

Once

 

[David077]

lorazepam and any benzos kills pp.