Anyone have any odd experiences affter discontinuing Lorazepam?

[CanuckAmok]

Like vivid dreaming, heightened night-vision, or overly-sensitive peripheral vision?

I've been slowly wiened off the junk by my doctor after a two-year use of 1mg per night. I'm really happy to be off it, but the side-effects are weird.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

1. All of the -pam drugs

have creepy weaning effects.

Just try to dig the vivid dreams (assuming they're pleasant) and stay tuned in to how you perceive the daytime world.

You'll be OK.

Edit: screwed up the emoticon It's late

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. What steps did you take?

Like from X mg. for how long to < X mg. for how long, etc.? And why were you taking it? Sleep disorder?

[CanuckAmok]

3. 2mg per day for about 6 mo

then 1mg for 8 mo.

then .5mg for 2 weeks.

then .25mg for a week.

then .12mg for a week.

none for two weeks now.

[Oeditpus Rex]

4. That seems pretty quick

I would've given each step down at least two weeks. But maybe that's just me. Everybody's different, and you gotta do what works for you.

[CanuckAmok]

6. wasn't me...

it was the MD who suggested that withdrawal dosage.

[Oeditpus Rex]

8. I figured

Too many doctors go by the book without considering that people are different. :eyes:

[Tallison]

9. Whew. Relieved to hear you tapered. n/t

[Tallison]

5. Yes, you can have seizures

just like withdrawing from alcohol. Be careful. It'd be a smart idea to taper.

[purr]

7. If I have my terminology right that is ativan?

That stuff is good shit. Before I got Xanax I was taking my moms ativan and boy does that knock me on my ass.

As far as withdrawl, last year when I found out I was pregnant I went off of Xanax cold turkey - was only on it for a couple months. I had these sharp electrical pains going through my head and that was about it. Lasted a good month or two.

If things get worse make sure you call your doc. It doesnt sound like your having out of the ordinary effects but if they persist I'd call your doc just to make sure.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

10. I take it periodically

for sleeping and also sometimes a problem getting a deep breath, which I am told is anxiety. Every couple of weeks I wean off it, otherwise my need for it goes up.

The vivid dreams are called REM rebound. It is because you REM cycle is subdued when you are on it and you make up for it. I have found the dreams are usually very entertaining, but I don't much like waking up in the middle of the night and not being able to go back to sleep, which sometimes happens.

I wean at .25 mg every three or four days. Another odd side effect is sudden jumping before I fall asleep, almost an electrical shock.