In September my psych nurse is taking me off lorazapam. We are doing a taper. But if you look online, it looks like it takes yrs for ppl to recover. I don't want to come off them, I don't abuse them whatsoever. She just doesn't like benzos.

Have any of you successfully come off them?

I take 2 mgs a night for sleep. But I'm going through a lot right now with my son and Im worried insomnia will return as well as anxiety. I don't think telling her no, I don't want to come off of them will do any good.

[yellow_fleurs]

I don't have experience, so not helpful in that department, but was wondering if there could be a compromise where you have them PRN for really bad days? Have you been able to deal with the insomnia with anything else in the past? Hope you find something that works well for you.

Can you search for another pdoc or psych nurse? Many people benefit from benzos and need them on a daily basis, whether it be for sleep, anxiety, etc.. If your nurse and you can't reach an agreement, then I think you need to find a new dr/nurse if you can. Taking you off a benzo while you're going through a lot isn't a good idea. It can destabilize anybody who's going through that. If anyone is ever going to go off a benzo, they should do it when stable and when there is minimal stress.

Originally Posted by yellow_fleurs

I don't have experience, so not helpful in that department, but was wondering if there could be a compromise where you have them PRN for really bad days? Have you been able to deal with the insomnia with anything else in the past? Hope you find something that works well for you.

Thanks for your response. I'm on other meds ad well for insomnia. The lorazapam was supposed to be take in the day for anxiety. But, I find it helpful more at night. She's fine with that, she just doesn't like benzos. I don't think she'll give me any prn.

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

Can you search for another pdoc or psych nurse? Many people benefit from benzos and need them on a daily basis, whether it be for sleep, anxiety, etc.. If your nurse and you can't reach an agreement, then I think you need to find a new dr/nurse if you can. Taking you off a benzo while you're going through a lot isn't a good idea. It can destabilize anybody who's going through that. If anyone is ever going to go off a benzo, they should do it when stable and when there is minimal stress.

I agree, I just don't want my other meds messed with. I only qualify for another psych nurse where she's at. I think she will just tell them and they may want to do the same. She's really good in other ways. I'll think about that....

[Wild Coyote]

I am sorry you are going through this. I agree that many people truly need benzodiazepines. The trend is to decrease/discontinue them.

I hope this somehow works in your favor.

Love to you and your son.


WC

Originally Posted by Wild Coyote

I am sorry you are going through this. I agree that many people truly need benzodiazepines. The trend is to decrease/discontinue them.

I hope this somehow works in your favor.

Love to you and your son.


WC

Thank you so much wc. I hope you're feeling better too. Big hugs!

I've been on a small dose of Klonopin daily for over 8 years (mostly just 0.5 mg, which is small). For most of that time I also took Ativan prn "as needed", though I had a period when I overused it (see my note far below). In the last 2.5 or 3 years I've mostly taken between 1-2 mg (mostly 1 mg) every day for akathisia. As of about a year ago, I was off the medication that caused the akathisia. My psychiatrist then lowered my Ativan to 0.5 mg. I've been on that dose since. I'm sure I could have been off a while ago, but between having episodes and either me or my psychiatrist being on vacation, it just hasn't yet happened. I don't recall any withdrawals. I would like to have it reduced to 0.25 mg as soon as I accumulate some solid stable time.

Note: During the period I overused Ativan (maybe 7 years ago) I had been having extreme anxiety. My "as needed" prescription has always said "up to 3 mg per day" (meant to be 1 mg, 3x/day, but at my peak I was taking 2 mg, 3x/day and still not getting anxiety relief. I soon after confessed my overuse to my psychiatrist who told me to quit abusing it. I did. I reduced my daily intake pretty quickly. I was at 0 mg in less than two months, however, I had only been taking the large doses for a fairly short time (maybe a few weeks). I'm sure if I had been taking those doses longer, I would have experienced some major issues.

There was an odd thing that happened during the reduction after my overuse period. I found that smaller doses of prn Ativan started to work better than they seemed to previously. It was almost as if the more Ativan I took, the worse my anxiety got and then the more I took. Curious.

Please do follow your prescriber's advice. Make sure they know how long you've taken how much. If their reductions bring on withdrawals, let them know. Reductions can always be slowed down.

Though I haven't had major issues with any Ativan withdrawals, I did have a heck of a time getting off Geodon, though I know Geodon is not a benzo. I think reactions can vary by person. It's best to be safe.

I've wanted to get off Klonopin for a long time, but my psychiatrist refuses to take me off. A neurologist confirmed his concerns. Klonopin never seemed to do me any good, but Ativan has been helpful most of the time.

[Charixma]

Originally Posted by rose1985

Thank you so much wc. I hope you're feeling better too. Big hugs!

I was very scared coming off of the Benzos and even had a full blown panic attack when I was told that was what we were doing. However, I found that life actually became better after getting off of them because your memory and experiences become more "clear" so to speak.

I was tapered off of them and we found gabapentin to be a great replacement if not better. It's easy for benzos or certain medications to become kind of a crutch but we have to remember there are alternatives that could work even better than the benzos.

The only reason I'm back on them is because of my psychosis tendencies so it keeps me calm and helps avoid any episodes.

[SparkySmart]

Rose, as Wild Coyote says, the trend is to decrease/discontinue them. Honestly, docs can be very suspicious of patients who ask for them. I think you'll be happier without them, to be honest...I know I'm happier. I think you can trust your nurse to taper you safely.

I always jump on the bandwagon when people talk about benzos because my experience with them (in the 1980s) was so awful, but I really should zip it up. Benzos have their place when used properly. I stopped taking Xanax in 1987, going through IP drug rehab. I didn't touch one for all these many years...until last month, when I had to undergo a biopsy and was freaking out. I asked my PCP for 10 Valium only, which he called in pronto (he knows I've been through treatment, and I was prepared for him to decline). They worked, and I got through the biopsy. No more Valium. Oh...one of the reasons I was so freaked out about the biopsy was because I watched YouTube videos of the procedure about 200 times. Try to stop Googling benzo withdrawal because it just doesn't reflect the common experience. For me, Xanax was a love affair from the very first pill; I was obsessed with getting more at any cost (repeat: ANY cost). You're obviously not doing that.

Yellow fleurs wondered above if a compromise might be possible -- like taking it PRN. I think that's a very reasonable approach, and maybe your nurse would consider this.

BirdDancer: I had the same experience with Geodon.

Originally Posted by Charixma

I was very scared coming off of the Benzos and even had a full blown panic attack when I was told that was what we were doing. However, I found that life actually became better after getting off of them because your memory and experiences become more "clear" so to speak.

I was tapered off of them and we found gabapentin to be a great replacement if not better. It's easy for benzos or certain medications to become kind of a crutch but we have to remember there are alternatives that could work even better than the benzos.

The only reason I'm back on them is because of my psychosis tendencies so it keeps me calm and helps avoid any episodes.

Thanks for the response. I too have been through psychosis. I'm bp1 with pretty severe ptsd. I hope it works easily. I'm amazed there aren't many success stories of ppl coming off them. Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Originally Posted by SparkySmart

Rose, as Wild Coyote says, the trend is to decrease/discontinue them. Honestly, docs can be very suspicious of patients who ask for them. I think you'll be happier without them, to be honest...I know I'm happier. I think you can trust your nurse to taper you safely.

I always jump on the bandwagon when people talk about benzos because my experience with them (in the 1980s) was so awful, but I really should zip it up. Benzos have their place when used properly. I stopped taking Xanax in 1987, going through IP drug rehab. I didn't touch one for all these many years...until last month, when I had to undergo a biopsy and was freaking out. I asked my PCP for 10 Valium only, which he called in pronto (he knows I've been through treatment, and I was prepared for him to decline). They worked, and I got through the biopsy. No more Valium. Oh...one of the reasons I was so freaked out about the biopsy was because I watched YouTube videos of the procedure about 200 times. Try to stop Googling benzo withdrawal because it just doesn't reflect the common experience. For me, Xanax was a love affair from the very first pill; I was obsessed with getting more at any cost (repeat: ANY cost). You're obviously not doing that.

Yellow fleurs wondered above if a compromise might be possible -- like taking it PRN. I think that's a very reasonable approach, and maybe your nurse would consider this.

BirdDancer: I had the same experience with Geodon.

Thanks for the response. yes I think I should quit looking up stuff on it. No I've only taken 2 mgs for sleep for 7 yrs. I've never asked for more. I don't think she will give any prn. I just need them at night for sleep.

I'm glad you made it through your biopsy.

Maybe it won't be as bad as I'm thinking.

[Pookyl]

Originally Posted by rose1985

Thanks for the response. I too have been through psychosis. I'm bp1 with pretty severe ptsd. I hope it works easily. I'm amazed there aren't many success stories of ppl coming off them. Thanks for the encouragement. I really appreciate it.

Something to consider is that ppl with success stories don’t often share their success online

[*Laurie*]

This damned *trend* infuriates me. I think it is horrifyingly cruel, what doctors are doing to benzo patients. I was prescribed Klonopin in 1987 when it was the hottest med going. I was told it would help with anxiety and depression, sleep, and help stabilize moods with absolutely no side effects AND that when I wanted to stop taking it, doing so would be no problem at all.


I've taken the Klonopin exactly as prescribed for all these years, tried twice to come off of it - both disastrous, even though the 2nd try I took a full year to stop the K-pin.

I'll tell you flat out: If I had a pdoc who insisted I come off a benzo not based upon my symptoms, but because she "doesn't like benzos" I'd flip her off as I rapidly left her office and find a different pdoc.
By the way: http://www.benzobuddies.org/ Check it out, you will not be sorry.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Pookyl

Something to consider is that ppl with success stories don’t often share their success online

Actually, they do: http://www.benzobuddies.org/

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

This damned *trend* infuriates me. I think it is horrifyingly cruel, what doctors are doing to benzo patients. I was prescribed Klonopin in 1987 when it was the hottest med going. I was told it would help with anxiety and depression, sleep, and help stabilize moods with absolutely no side effects AND that when I wanted to stop taking it, doing so would be no problem at all.


I've taken the Klonopin exactly as prescribed for all these years, tried twice to come off of it - both disastrous, even though the 2nd try I took a full year to stop the K-pin.

I'll tell you flat out: If I had a pdoc who insisted I come off a benzo not based upon my symptoms, but because she "doesn't like benzos" I'd flip her off as I rapidly left her office and find a different pdoc.
By the way: http://www.benzobuddies.org/ Check it out, you will not be sorry.

I've looked on benzo buddies and ppl don't start feeling better for yrs on there. I don't consider that a success. I don't have yrs to feel full of anxiety.

Her reasons are that benzos cause early dementia and memory issues. Both that I obviously don't have. It's ridiculous. ...

Originally Posted by Pookyl

Something to consider is that ppl with success stories don’t often share their success online

Yeah, that's what my friend said too.

[piano97]

I do not like benzos but honestly I do better when I take a small dose routinely. And have it available PRN, which I don't use often but sometimes is necessary. It depends on what your other meds are, too. And if you have other PRNs available. It is correct that there's some data suggesting they may cause or exacerbate dementia to some degree, even small doses if taken over a long period of time. But the same can be said for benadryl just fyi.

Also, everyone responds differently to each benzo. I was on Klonopin for awhile, and it did cause significant memory problems and blankness. Valium, which I've been on several months now, has not had that affect at all, and I think since adding it I've been doing better in quite a few areas.

If you've been on it a long time, a slow taper is ideal. Each time you step down, it's ok to step back up, briefly, if it's causing problems with sleep and/or agitation. Then continue on. IMO the fewer meds the better, but that's just because I don't like the idea of permanently being on meds for the rest of our lives. The flip side is that that mindset isn't feasible in a lot of people's illness management.

Do consider trying to identify things that cause anxiety and seeing if can mitigate them in some other form of treatment, whatever that might mean for you. Exercise, meditation, prayer, breathing work, etc. Once you do that some, apply that when needed, while still having the benzo as a backup.

Yes, there are some providers that now say "they don't like benzos' but honestly they are a well-known and researched part of a mainstay treatment regimen as far as meds go for bipolar management. If not routine, then at least PRN. If someone is acutely manic or near, a benzo is absolutely necessary short-term.

Hope that helps some. Again, if you do not have another type of PRN, an AP for example, the provider needs to write for something else, if they insist on DC'ing the benzo. JMHO.

[BipolaRNurse]

I tapered myself off Klonopin about a year and a half ago. I did it over the course of a few weeks...I was on a small dose to begin with, so that could be why it wasn't too difficult. I'd been on Ativan for about 10 years prior to Klonopin, but I never had any problem coming off that because I had the K-pin. Anyway, I still have it as a PRN but I use it only once in a great while, like when I can't sleep at all or when I fly. My pdoc doesn't refill it either unless I ask him for it. I still have about 10 pills left over from the last time I got some, which was like 8 months ago or so.

[Charixma]

Originally Posted by rose1985

Yeah, that's what my friend said too.

I didn't realize how much it affected my memory until I was off of them and then realized "holy sh**, how did I get by like this all these years?" You don't realize when you're on them how it affects your memory but then when you are finally off of them, the comparison is sobering for sure. Your memory actually improves because you don't have the benzo working on the section of your brain that is also critical in creating and retaining memory.

This is also what alcohol does- it affects the same part of the brain that benzos do and although we may not notice it as we're drinking, our memory retaining abilities become very affected when we're drunk.

[Charixma]

Originally Posted by *Laurie*

This damned *trend* infuriates me. I think it is horrifyingly cruel, what doctors are doing to benzo patients. I was prescribed Klonopin in 1987 when it was the hottest med going. I was told it would help with anxiety and depression, sleep, and help stabilize moods with absolutely no side effects AND that when I wanted to stop taking it, doing so would be no problem at all.


I've taken the Klonopin exactly as prescribed for all these years, tried twice to come off of it - both disastrous, even though the 2nd try I took a full year to stop the K-pin.

I'll tell you flat out: If I had a pdoc who insisted I come off a benzo not based upon my symptoms, but because she "doesn't like benzos" I'd flip her off as I rapidly left her office and find a different pdoc.
By the way: http://www.benzobuddies.org/ Check it out, you will not be sorry.

This is also something that has made me angry. I know for a fact that I would not have suffered as badly as I did during one hospitalization because I had the misfortune of having a doctor that thought along these lines. I was treated for alcohol withdrawals with large doses of Ativan.

When my cutie pie came to visit me in the hospital, he warned me that I was going to have to go through withdrawals for not only alcohol and antidepressants but the Benzo's too. I didn't think they would possibly do this- why make me suffer in such a way?

But he was right. The doctor cut me off of them quickly and I went through some horrific mental and physical pain that I know for a fact if I hadn't been in a hospital I would have tried to kill myself. It was unbearable. I even SH'ed.

How is that helping anyone? I also saw people that were going on 5 days of no sleep because this particular doctor was so against Benzo's. She was putting people in cold-turkey situations that were very dangerous.

Thank GOD I got a different doctor after my THIRD hospitalization at the same facility (hm, wonder why?). This doctor was older, wiser and didn't pull crap like that.

I'm supportive of getting off of Benzo's but not to the point that you're putting people in unbearable pain.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by rose1985

I've looked on benzo buddies and ppl don't start feeling better for yrs on there. I don't consider that a success. I don't have yrs to feel full of anxiety.

Her reasons are that benzos cause early dementia and memory issues. Both that I obviously don't have. It's ridiculous. ...

Well, that's probably honest, though. Typical of benzo withdrawal. You might not have years to feel anxious, but that's usually the result of withdrawal from long-term benzo dependence, like it or not. I guess the "success" is in being able to finally not be dependent on the benzo anymore.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by Charixma

.....
I'm supportive of getting off of Benzo's but not to the point that you're putting people in unbearable pain.

I agree. When a doctor's ideology surpasses the patient's well-being, something is very wrong.

[neverending]

I have slow tapered off of Xanax with no problems. About 8 years ago my memory problems were very bad but I wasn't on any benzos. I now take 2 my of lorazepam plus 2 other meds to help me sleep. I no longer have any memory problems. The benzo wasn't what stopped the memory problems by the way. My proc said benzos MAY cause dementia and or memory problems. It's not a given result. I m 66 yo n don't show signs of either now. I m stable now n have asked my proc to get me off the benzos but he doesn't feel it's a good idea so I m fine with that. I treasure my stability for as long as it will last.

[neverending]

Sorry pdoc not proc. My typing program changed the spelling automatically. Also mg not my.