Suddenly Stopping Lorazepam

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Need some advice from those that have been on Lorazepam.

I was on 1mg daily for around 2 months, but recently I just stopped taking them. It's been about 4 days. I didn't feel anything day 1, or day 2. Yesterday was ok. Today is odd. Feels like an empty space in my head. Literally feels like that. Then suddenly I'll get a quick shot of dizziness, a spaced out feeling, then it goes. Sort of feels like a "pop" in my head, except the "pop" isn't prominent.

Is this a withdrawal symptom? I'm not sure if I should have just stopped and whether I should continue back on them and speak to doctor first.

I was doing fine on the Lorazepam. But I skipped a day by mistake and noticed I felt fantastic, like the old me before all the depression, anxiety etc. I had that feeling of happiness, and I felt worthy. The sort of feeling you get when you're walking along a beautiful beach amazed by nature.

But day 4 off them ... this doesn't feel nice at all.

I think you should contact whoever prescribed your Lorazepam as soon as possible It could possibly be withdrawal symptoms.

I can relate to how you feel. I hate drugs myself. You felt like the "old you," and you wanted to remain the "old you."

However, the Lorazepam had stabilized you for a while, and you were able to function. Perhaps you should go back on the Lorazepam?

By the way: any recent music?

Hey Kraftie

The Lorazepam really did help me live a normal life. But one day I ran out and I had to get taxis back and forth to doctors on that day so they could rush through a prescription. In the end the doctors closed and I was left without them. So I stopped from that day and felt ok. I guess not now

I'll have to continue taking them because if these are withdrawal symptoms they're going to get much much worse from what I've read.

The music is going great. I bought some more music gear and a guitar too. I ended up having the Internet cut off I was living my life on it. I then started going out, walking dogs, doing things like a "normal" person would. Well, as normal as can be. And I feel excellent for it. Hence why I've not been around here much recently.

The joys of life eh'.

How are you anyway?

I'm doing all right, thanks.

Nothing new--same old crap.

At least we had a decent summer here in NYC--maybe a little warmer than you folks (but somewhat cooler than normal for here).

We had a pretty crappy summer over here, but around the time I was becoming a recluse and not going out anyway.

Just took a little blue pill. Hopefully all will improve. A little annoyed that it's now going to require some sort of detox regime to come off these tablets.

I was warned though. I should have listened to the people on here before taking them.

Sorry to hear about that. I should mention that I forgot and then just stopped taking both 1mg Lorazepam and 20mg Citalopram and had no withdrawal effects whatsoever. I was pleasantly surprised to say the least.

Lorazepam is not good for long term use. NICE Guidelines say not more than 6-8 weeks I think, except in very exceptional circumstances.

All benzos are terrible for long term use. They actually caused panic attacks when I experienced withdrawal, and I ended up in detox, getting librium for the comedown. It wasn't fun.

I take Clonazepam but only once or, sometimes twice, a week. Benzos are no good daily for so long, they do more harm than good on a daily basis. Dependence and severe withdrawal are main two problems.

Honestly you should never just stop taking antidepressants without discussing it with a doctor and weening yourself off. Your body builds a drug-blood level and if that suddenly stops you will hit withdrawal. Talk to your doctor/the person who prescribed your meds.

I don't know if that's a high enough dose to worry about it, but sudden withdrawl from benzos can sometimes precipitate seizures (in ER's lorazapam is used to terminate seizures). The standard advice is to always taper off. I've only ever taken alprazolam, so I don't know the numbers for lorazapam.

The withdrawal was actually from the 40mg Citalopram. Not exactly withdrawal, but because I stopped completely they caused those nasty head issues.

I went the doctor and explained that I'd ran out of Lorazepam, and that I stopped and started again, and I was facing withdrawal (some symptoms were from the Lorazepam though). This was my first visit to this doctor because I changed surgeries. She said "There is no way in hell I am giving you Lorazepam". I explained that I have been on them for a good while and you can't just stop them. But she did.

I had a frustration outburst in the doctors. She called my Psych, who said she should never have stopped them like that. She read the referral letter wrong. The letter said "Taper" she read it as "Stop immediately".

I then nearly ended up in hospital. The Psych. called the next day and gave me my prescription today.

SO still on them.

You're probably medically dependent on Lorazepam then. I would never take daily benzos for more than two weeks. Tapering is a good idea.

I was told today I am medically dependent on them and that I should never just stop taking them, or the Citalopram. What a mess. I feel good and well though at the moment. I'll probably have to be detoxed of these.

I tried to come off them myself. Then I started taking them because the symptoms were nasty. Then I ran out (I didn't update my post to explain this). I went to the doctor for more and she refused to prescribe them even though my previous doctor and psych. prescribed them. So then I was forcefully withdrawing. But now I have a 14 day prescription until my next psych meeting.

Off topic: How do you feel about psychedelic rock, with people such as Jimi Hendrix?