Anonymous
11/01/2025 10:38
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Hi there - weighing back in after a few weeks. Can you get the liquid? That way, you can go down by .1 or 0.05 at a time. I went down .1 every two weeks, and that worked for me. The liquid is totally a thing. Perhaps your PCP could order it if your psychiatrist can't be bothered to figure it out. You've got this!!
Anonymous
10/25/2025 12:29
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
OP here. Last 2 nights were bad. I woke up around 2 to urinate (not unusual) but then was awake 2 or 3 hours thinking obsessively about "dangers" like did I do a bank transfer right, is the transferred money in the right account, etc. This despite having dine it carefully and printed records that day. Last night I was even down logging in to check.
I do have trouble sleeping but wonder if it's tapering related too. Ordinarily I would sometimes take an extra lorazepam hahah.
I do have trouble sleeping but wonder if it's tapering related too. Ordinarily I would sometimes take an extra lorazepam hahah.
Anonymous
10/24/2025 12:47
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
That last bit can be the hardest. I ended up going on a small dose of Lexapro to help ease the misery of withdrawals and because I think I need to be on something anyway. I remain on the Lexapro but am benzo-free.
Please update as you progress!
Please update as you progress!
Anonymous
10/23/2025 13:36
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
OP again. Going well. I am used to my current amount and thinking about the next reduction. I think I will try dwindling the evening dose first. Form 0.5 to smaller shards to nothing. Seems scary sleep wise but it's how I did it in 2017 and better than that being the last dose.
I am getting angrier at my shrink. How could he have let this go on so complacently and dismissively when I asked about tapering? When I am done with lorazepam I don't need him for meds if I can get my PCP to do the Rozerem. I can get a therapist.
I had a phone appointment with shrink next week. Called and cancelled and asked to move it to early December. Said that as he knows I am tapering and wanted to be farther along next time we talked. (Hopefully I will be off and can see what that's like.)
Haven't gotten a callback yet.
I am getting angrier at my shrink. How could he have let this go on so complacently and dismissively when I asked about tapering? When I am done with lorazepam I don't need him for meds if I can get my PCP to do the Rozerem. I can get a therapist.
I had a phone appointment with shrink next week. Called and cancelled and asked to move it to early December. Said that as he knows I am tapering and wanted to be farther along next time we talked. (Hopefully I will be off and can see what that's like.)
Haven't gotten a callback yet.
Anonymous
10/20/2025 21:31
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
That is huge progress. And an unexpected benefit.
Great job OP, keep it up!
Great job OP, keep it up!
Anonymous
10/20/2025 21:21
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
OP here. Sleep is better now.
One thing I am noticing--I think--is a reduction in problematic urinary symptoms. I have had PFT and do home exercises but not faithfully. Nevertheless it seems I am drinking the same amount of water daily but needing to go to the bathroom less frequently. My bladder or urethra seems stronger or something. I don't have difficulty urinating or emptying my bladder.
Does lorazepam make you weaker wrt urinary continence?
I am on 1/3 of the original dose.
One thing I am noticing--I think--is a reduction in problematic urinary symptoms. I have had PFT and do home exercises but not faithfully. Nevertheless it seems I am drinking the same amount of water daily but needing to go to the bathroom less frequently. My bladder or urethra seems stronger or something. I don't have difficulty urinating or emptying my bladder.
Does lorazepam make you weaker wrt urinary continence?
I am on 1/3 of the original dose.
Anonymous
10/15/2025 18:07
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Ugh—I’m the same about sleep. If it were me, I’d try cutting the am dose. Hopefully someone with more experience doing this will post.
When I tapered off alprazolam, it was onto Buspar, a non-benzo for anxiety. (It’s not as effective, but helps some and I’m so happy to be off the benzo)
When I tapered off alprazolam, it was onto Buspar, a non-benzo for anxiety. (It’s not as effective, but helps some and I’m so happy to be off the benzo)
Anonymous
10/15/2025 10:16
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
OP here. I had a bad night last night. Couldn't get to sleep. Finally moved to couch and eventually slept.
It was 4th night of the new lower dose so maybe it was the adjustment hitting in full?
I have anxiety about sleep in general, so next reduction I have a choice. If I am at 0.5, 0.5 now, in a couple of weeks I do I cut the morning or dinnertime dose? I could do 0 or 1/4 (pill cutting is an inexact science but often there are shards that are less than half) but cut am or pm?
Tradeoff seems to be more trouble sleeping now If I cut the pm dose, but easier in the end going to zero, zero if the last dose is am?
It was 4th night of the new lower dose so maybe it was the adjustment hitting in full?
I have anxiety about sleep in general, so next reduction I have a choice. If I am at 0.5, 0.5 now, in a couple of weeks I do I cut the morning or dinnertime dose? I could do 0 or 1/4 (pill cutting is an inexact science but often there are shards that are less than half) but cut am or pm?
Tradeoff seems to be more trouble sleeping now If I cut the pm dose, but easier in the end going to zero, zero if the last dose is am?
Anonymous
10/13/2025 18:10
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
I’m recovering from more than one addiction and in my opinion (and others I know in recovery) benzos are one of the harder addictions to quit. (everyone says nicotine is hardest). It does take time.
Anonymous
10/13/2025 14:57
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
you can buy a pill cutter at cvs that will help cut them in half
GL
GL
Anonymous
10/13/2025 14:54
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
As a younger female MD, your impression of your doctor is correct. It's old thinking that benzos are a safe long-term drug. Back in the day they were essentially used to placate female patients. The prescribing habit relationship of male MD/female patient dominates the historical data. The fact that you are thinking down the road as to what the plan is when he can no longer prescribe indicates good judgement and insight on your part. The number of older female patients who see me for benzo refills in the office (first time visits!) is sad. I do not refill these meds, but we discuss alternatives (ie B-blockers as a poster upthread suggested, detox, or a safe tapering schedule).
Benzos are the alcohol of the pill world. Keep going, you got this, and don't look back! Also if your current psychiatrist is a cash-only guy, dump him.
Wow. Many thanks. Yes he IS cash only.
Anonymous
10/13/2025 14:53
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Thanks all. I really appreciate you!
Have to wonder how many elderly psychiatrists there are doing this.
Will talk to PCP about plan for future. I might try an actual therapist.
Have to wonder how many elderly psychiatrists there are doing this.
Will talk to PCP about plan for future. I might try an actual therapist.
Anonymous
10/13/2025 14:52
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Anonymous wrote: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.
As a younger female MD, your impression of your doctor is correct. It's old thinking that benzos are a safe long-term drug. Back in the day they were essentially used to placate female patients. The prescribing habit relationship of male MD/female patient dominates the historical data. The fact that you are thinking down the road as to what the plan is when he can no longer prescribe indicates good judgement and insight on your part. The number of older female patients who see me for benzo refills in the office (first time visits!) is sad. I do not refill these meds, but we discuss alternatives (ie B-blockers as a poster upthread suggested, detox, or a safe tapering schedule).
Benzos are the alcohol of the pill world. Keep going, you got this, and don't look back! Also if your current psychiatrist is a cash-only guy, dump him.
Anonymous
10/13/2025 13:37
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
I also had an elderly psychiatrist end up getting me dependent on lorazepam. I devoted several months early in 2024 to getting off of it, and I did. Hardest thing I ever did in my life.
You got this.
You got this.
Anonymous
10/13/2025 07:07
Subject: I am tapering my lorazepam posting for accountability
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
Find a new doctor now, not when you have to do so unexpectedly. It can be challenging.
You have made several comments that are concerning about your doctor. You need to make finding a new one a priority!