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denice · Feb 10, 2008, 09:38 PM

OK jerry has to come off larazepam he was on 1mg x4 a day for 25 years. They have decreased him 1mg a day for three weeks now. So Monday he will not have any more. They said his withdrawl would stop 4 days after that. He wants to know if this is true. He said he had no ideal how hard this is. And neither did I. thank you for any help

newballs · Feb 10, 2008, 10:40 PM

Hi Denice,

First thing I would say is that to prescribe benzodiazapines such as lorazepam for 25 years having known for many years now their addictive effects is irresponsible to say the least.
Having said that, and I know it is of little comfort, Jerry is amongst tens of thousands in that same situation.
The important thing is to reduce gradually, and if I read your post correctly, Jerry has been taking for a day for a week, then 3 a day for a week, and so on until he is now on 1 a day.
This seems to me as an ex taker, a reasonable rate of reduction to allow the body to adjust, but let no-one underestimate how hard it is and how much courage and determination it takes to break a 25 year habit. It must be said that to be at the stage he is at now is an achievement he should be very proud of. The final hurdle is just around the corner until the monkey is off his back and he will have made a momentous change in his life.
I can assure him that the pain does ease with time. It should be remembered that there are 2 aspects to this; the physical dependence and the mental dependence. The first will inevitably lose its grip within a predictable time whereas the latter depends largely on replacing the normality of taking the drug to the normality of not taking it. It might sound like building a castle out of matchsticks but with enough matchsticks it becomes as strong as a fortress.
Speaking as someone who has given up tranquilisers I can tell Jerry that there is a special joy in the senses regaining their long forgotten sharpness and clarity instead of the blurred edges of dependence. To really see the sun on the lake or take in the chatter of the birds in the trees is compensation enough. To have someone close who cares enough to write your post is totally invaluable.
The very best to both of you.

denice · Feb 10, 2008, 10:55 PM

Thanks I did not know if they were telling the truth or not. And I did not want to lie to him. So he said to write here. And it is harder than I thought. He would never take anything. But I hear the same thing out of him as I do drug addicts and yes I will try to help all that I can. Just one more or I will die. He also says he will never ever think bad of anyone again. He never realized. I am glad you made it. I have a daughter who was on crack and a friend on herion if it was not for suboxin. I would have lost both. It is a shame more can not be reached again thank you denice and jerry

Choux · Feb 11, 2008, 11:32 AM

I was addicted to lorazapam for a few years taking from 6-10 mg a day.

It took me about a year to 2 yrs to get off them. Under medical supervision, I decreased the dose and stayed on the lowered dose for a month. Then, decreased again. Sometimes, I was only able to reduce the dose by .25 mg. a month. I would highly recommend this method to reduce the withdrawal symptoms.

TennNurse · Feb 11, 2008, 12:27 PM

Please be careful when withdrawing from benzodiazepines! Seizures can result from immediate withdrawal. And with a history of that magnitude I would NOT stop cold turkey. Good luck! It will be very hard but if you want to quit you can definitely do it. I recommend drinking lots and lots of tea and water (research shows many antioxidants found in tea that were previously not realized) and take warm/hot baths when you feel a rush of anxiety.

denice · Feb 13, 2008, 05:54 AM

Well he was off them for two days and did not make it. They gave them back to him. And said they will try again in three months. But at a much lower dose of withdrawl.

TennNurse · Feb 13, 2008, 08:05 AM

Don't give up hope! Benzodiazepines are rumored to be the most difficult to withdraw from. I have friends, cousins, and patients that either had to have strict medical supervision to stop or they didn't make it either. Good luck in 3 months!

lovelesspa · Feb 14, 2008, 06:45 PM

This is a very powerful and addictive drug, it's a benzodiazephine type tranquilizer and it is very hard to get off. He's doing well right now, but I won't agree that in four days he's going to be clean or off it, Smaller and smaller does, and a gradual weaning, over a longer period, is the only way it's going to work,. with time,. he should do great.