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LEXAPRAM WEANING and WITHDRAWALS

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 2/6/2014 8:28 PM (GMT 0)
It is so refreshing to have found this site. I am currently beginning a wean off of Lorazepam. I've been dealing with depression and anxiety most of my life, but the anxiety has been at an all time high since my divorce 7 years ago. Even though I write the amount of years, I can't believe it has been that long. I"ve been remarried for 3 years and am a strong Christian...I know that this anxiety should not define me. I am praying, in therapy, have weaned off of Cymbalta and am in the throes of weaning off of Lorazepam. There is a huge frustration that accompanies this, due to the fact that I told the doctor when he first prescribed this medicine that I did not want to be on anything that was addictive. I'm frustrated at myself for not doing more research on this drug. It has, in fact, been doing the exact opposite...it has been giving me more anxiety and from my now current research this will happen as your body get used to it. I have been on this medicine for 2 years. I wanted to know if any of you are familiar with the Ashton Method in weaning off of this? Thank you and bless you for any info...I"m also going to read through the rest of these forums for natural ways in which to deal with this. Thank you all and God bless.
Posted 2/6/2014 8:45 PM (GMT 0)
ITV, my wife has taken Ativan for over 20 years with no ill effects, has come down to half a pill at bed time for years.

I had much the same experience with Xanax but a little different
over two years ago I started taking Benadryl at bed time and
almost immediately stopped taking the Xanax, neither of us ever
felt any withdrawal, I wish you luck and Peace.

Larry ***
Posted 2/6/2014 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Please tapper off very very slowly.. I took lorazepam for 10 years 3 mil a day. I stepped down 1/4 pill a day for 7 days, then down another 1/4 pill a day for 7days and so on. It took along time. I heard the diazepam method works well just follow it exactly. If you go too fast you will fell 5X worse and as you know you can not just STOP abruptly. I never felt any 'cravings' or withdrawl symptoms with the slow and steady method.. even when you are down to the 1/2 a day stage.. take it and take it on time. I have been off for 2 years now. It is so nice being alert and AWARE for the first time in 10 years. I did not know how much they buffered until I stopped, I get to enjoy little things that I was apparenlty overlooking when on the medication. Best of Luck to you :)
Posted 2/6/2014 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you Grace, I've already tried coming off too fast and felt I was going completely out of my mind. I went back to doctor and that is where the slow method was suggested. It feels good right now to hear that you have been off for 2 years and feel alert and aware. I am looking so forward to that. and Larry, I am thankful for you and your wife, having no withdrawal symptoms. I've been reading that so we are all so different with weaning. I'm HAPPY that there are some people that have no ill effects. Thank you both.
Posted 2/7/2014 9:46 PM (GMT 0)
Hi and welcome!

Best wishes on your wean. Done slowly, and with your doctor's supervision and advice, I am sure you will do very well.;)

Here is a website that may provide additional ideas and help for this process.



http://theroadback.org/

Keep us posted as to your progress, and we will be here to support you.

Scaredy Cat

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