I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck!! I was on Xanax for over 10 years and came to a similar realization as you did — most of my side effects were from withdrawal when I would delay a dose. I would be terrified about having a last-minute change of plans unless I had my medication. I only took it at night for sleep, but my (elderly) psychiatrist continued to prescribe me higher and higher doses. I started at .25 and ended up at 2mg. If I delayed my dose by 1-2 hours I would display legit addict behaviors. That, plus the mental fog and dementia risks, scared me. I titrated down over the course of a year and a half.

A word of warning that I wish I had known before hand — even though I did a long taper schedule, when I actually finished my last dose ever, my brain was still seeking the dopamine /gaba, and I began drinking a lot more alcohol. I was never previously a big drinker, and didn’t realize how much my drinking had increased. I also started making unhealthy food choices — could not stop the sugar temptations. I no longer drink but encourage you to be mindful of the possibility. I honestly wish I had don’t some kind of inpatient detox or at least started therapy when I was titrating down.

Also, one thing that was immensely helpful during my titration off the benzos was to take a weed gummy at night. If you’re not comfortable with the weed Gummies, just take CBD and CBG. I have been off all benzos for 21 months, and while I’m still struggling with sleep and brain fog, I have zero regrets!

Best of luck to you! Although I wish I’d never been prescribed benzos, I tell myself I did the best I could with the knowledge I had at the time, and learned to not dwell on what has happened in the past. You’ve got this OP 💕

Cross-addiction is real, and you should do what you can to avoid it. "Weed gummies" are drugs.

https://marijuana-anonymous.org/readings/dangers-of-cross-addiction/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good luck!! I was on Xanax for over 10 years and came to a similar realization as you did — most of my side effects were from withdrawal when I would delay a dose. I would be terrified about having a last-minute change of plans unless I had my medication. I only took it at night for sleep, but my (elderly) psychiatrist continued to prescribe me higher and higher doses. I started at .25 and ended up at 2mg. If I delayed my dose by 1-2 hours I would display legit addict behaviors. That, plus the mental fog and dementia risks, scared me. I titrated down over the course of a year and a half.

A word of warning that I wish I had known before hand — even though I did a long taper schedule, when I actually finished my last dose ever, my brain was still seeking the dopamine /gaba, and I began drinking a lot more alcohol. I was never previously a big drinker, and didn’t realize how much my drinking had increased. I also started making unhealthy food choices — could not stop the sugar temptations. I no longer drink but encourage you to be mindful of the possibility. I honestly wish I had don’t some kind of inpatient detox or at least started therapy when I was titrating down.

Also, one thing that was immensely helpful during my titration off the benzos was to take a weed gummy at night. If you’re not comfortable with the weed Gummies, just take CBD and CBG. I have been off all benzos for 21 months, and while I’m still struggling with sleep and brain fog, I have zero regrets!

Best of luck to you! Although I wish I’d never been prescribed benzos, I tell myself I did the best I could with the knowledge I had at the time, and learned to not dwell on what has happened in the past. You’ve got this OP 💕

Thank you for your experience and encouragement. OP here and I have been noticing sweet cravings at night. Have to watch out!

What is it with those elderly psychiatrists, eh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it's Day 12 on 1,1 and seems ok. Wondering if I should do 3 weeks here (down from 1,2) or step down again in a few days. Well I don't have to decide today.
Appreciate the support here!

Go slowly. It's worthwhile. Lorazepam withdrawal for me was extremely painful. I did it independently, and think I rushed it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So it's Day 12 on 1,1 and seems ok. Wondering if I should do 3 weeks here (down from 1,2) or step down again in a few days. Well I don't have to decide today.
Appreciate the support here!

Go slowly. It's worthwhile. Lorazepam withdrawal for me was extremely painful. I did it independently, and think I rushed it.

When I have weaned myself off such meds I’ve gone 5 times slower than suggested. That’s work for me.

[Anonymous]

So glad you recognized the problem and are taking steps to recover.

You have lived without this before, so we know you can get there!! 👏🏼

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks all.
What should I watch out for as signs I am cutting too fast?

[Anonymous]

Good for you, OP. So happy for you.

Ramp up on Yoga and Breathing Exercises. Especially breathing exercises (Pranayam) because that calms your parasympathetic system. My favorite youtube channel for breathing exercises - school of breath.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vARDjWGfquI

Also - Epsom salt foot soaks before bed (or taking magcalm) will do wonders for your mental and physical health.

You got it. Love yourself, be kind to your body.

[Anonymous]

I found out by wearing a continuous sugar monitor that my 3am nightmares and pounding heart was due to my blood sugar falling. (I am not on insulin). I eat more protein and complex carb for my dinner and less sweets. That's my biohack for nighttime anxiety.

My 2 cents - eat very nutritious food, lots of variety in your veggies, fruits, nuts and seeds foods, eat good quality, organic protein in moderation. Take the best liquid supplements that you can take. Get away from junk and alcohol.

[Anonymous]

OP here.
I do get sweet cravings after dinner each time I cut dose. I use a big spoonful of honey. We don't have a lot of sweets around.
I have had anxiety the last week, but honestly the whole year has been a rollercoaster with 4 stressful sets of retail/government/retirement/insurance/RMD withdrawal transactions that each should have been done right in a few days but were not and each dragged on 2 months not due to us. The latest is ongoing.

Anyhow, I dropped to 1.5 pills a day in 9/21. Half a pill in am, 1 at dinner. I seem to be able to cut half pills. If the other part shatters, I keep the shards for use as 1/4 pill later on.

Thank you for your support and letting me be accountable.

[Anonymous]

I have GAD and panic disorder since birth and never found it difficult to start or stop. I do not want to stop as no other drug works. But I have gone from 2 mg a day to .5 with no side effects. Then skip a day. Then skip 2 days. Then a week. I think side effects are somatization. But what do I know. The whole drug class was vilified because of people who do not have anxiety using it inappropriately. The half life is 12 hours. It is gone out of your body in 3 days.

I would suggest not reading what the possible symptoms are and then you won't think you have them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have GAD and panic disorder since birth and never found it difficult to start or stop. I do not want to stop as no other drug works. But I have gone from 2 mg a day to .5 with no side effects. Then skip a day. Then skip 2 days. Then a week. I think side effects are somatization. But what do I know. The whole drug class was vilified because of people who do not have anxiety using it inappropriately. The half life is 12 hours. It is gone out of your body in 3 days.

I would suggest not reading what the possible symptoms are and then you won't think you have them.

OP here. Interesting. Three or 4 days is about how long the sweets cravings happen.
I want to stop because my doctor is unreliable and I don't want to end up cold turkey if something happens to him. He is about 85 and has "no plan" for a successor or even a doctor to cover temporarily. I asked him last televisit. I have lost trust in him for that, it's so irresponsible.

[Anonymous]

It’s good to hear that you’re managing the tapering well, OP. Keep it up!

[Anonymous]

Hi. OP again.
I did 0.5, 1 for about 3 weeks.
Today I had .5, .5. A bit nervous about sleeping since I have trouble sleeping anyway, but I did this in 2017 and I can do it again.
I want to be free and free of my sadly, no longer sharp, medication manager. He never should have let this go on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. OP again.
I did 0.5, 1 for about 3 weeks.
Today I had .5, .5. A bit nervous about sleeping since I have trouble sleeping anyway, but I did this in 2017 and I can do it again.
I want to be free and free of my sadly, no longer sharp, medication manager. He never should have let this go on.

You've got this! Thanks for the update. Keep going.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi. OP again.
I did 0.5, 1 for about 3 weeks.
Today I had .5, .5. A bit nervous about sleeping since I have trouble sleeping anyway, but I did this in 2017 and I can do it again.
I want to be free and free of my sadly, no longer sharp, medication manager. He never should have let this go on.

You’re doing great! Slowly is the way to do it safely.