Its has been four years since I have been off lorazepam, and still suffer with withdrawals, not as often as they use to be and sometimes last a few days up to a week. My questions is are there any updates or medications that can ease up the horrible withdrawals? Has anyone gone through this and how did they deal with it? My primary care doctor did not know how to detox me and got help from a pharmacist at the time. I tried detox center and wanted me to go back on them and they would detox me there way after being off for six months and I just walked out. Any help would be appreciated.
Help with lorazepam withdrawals after four years?
Question posted by Anonymous on 10 Nov 2021
Last updated on 11 November 2021
Answers
kevinb1953
11 Nov 2021
Hello, this is a relative strong benzodiazepine. That being said, I would want to know did you detox slowly, moderately or quickly. To successfully detox from this and most benzos it must be a very slow detox. I was on Xanax which is about the same strength and tried (on my own after 15 years) to do it three or four times but finally I detoxed successfully by taking 10% less dose for approximately 14 to 21 days before cutting another 10 to 15% for another 14 to 21 days until I felt comfortable to shortening the time to days instead of weeks.
You can also get a prescription for a compounding pharmacy because they will precisely cut it. Compounding pharmacies are in most larger towns and cities.
Get professional advice like a pharmacist, actually a pharmacist is the best person to speak about interactions and actions of all medications that is what they are trained for. Remember, you needed this for some type of reason so you may need a small amount or a different non-benzo med. My doctor told me that at my small daily dose will probably be needed the rest of my life. I'm okay with that dose now for approximately 4-5 years.
Best regards,
Kevinb1953
Inactive
11 Nov 2021
Hi KevinB. Thanks for answering . I did a six month detox tapering and cut dosage every two weeks , with the help of pharmacist . The doctor had me a 1mg every 8 hours and then stopped my script because FDA was coming down on doctors is what he told me . I stopped going to him after detoxing . New primary care doctor put me on hydroxyzine to help with withdrawals and sleep . But what i have been reading these withdrawals can last for several years or more . My doctor put me on 5mg of Escitalopram about 3 weeks ago and this has helped with the anxiety , but in last couple days i have withdrawals like before. Today not so bad . I have been off Lorazepam for 3 1/2 years but still get withdrawals every now and then , sometimes lasting for a week . Thanks for answering , any help is deeply appreciated .
kevinb1953
11 Nov 2021
Sadly a lot of doctors don't follow the FDA guidelines: only take as needed, not intended for long term use. And some don't really know all there is to know about withdrawals like a well-trained pharmacist.
The FDA was partly responsible but it was the refusal of payment by some insurance companies. There was never a "demand" heavy pressure though.
Best regards,
Kevinb1953
Inactive
11 Nov 2021
Thanks kevinb 1953 for your comments . I was never told at anytime by my doctor that lorazepam was addictive and was on it for eight years . All he did was increase it because the dosage was not working anymore . He wanted me to try other benzos but I refused. I never researched anything trusting my doctor , what a mistake on my part . But in the last four years since i have stopped working due to these horrible withdrawals , i try to research any new medications that i am put on. Plus the people on this site are helpful . I still consult my pharmacist on all new meds. What i do not understand is why primary care doctors are aloud to give out physc meds without evaluation or therapy. And finally i wrote FDA and never got a response. Thanks again.
kevinb1953
11 Nov 2021
Tolerance would be a better word than addictive to use. That's what it really is so you keep adding strength, like high octane gasoline in a faster racecar.
In my most humble opinion, some doctors have way too many monthly patience and I often wonder how they can possibly really know everyone.
This is a great website for medicine and medical information.
Thanks for your kind words,
Kevin
Related topics
Further information
- Lorazepam uses and safety info
- Lorazepam prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Lorazepam (detailed)
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