Wondering If There Is A Natural Replacement For Ativan

[Hope_N_Highwater]

My spouse has been on Ativan (Lorazepam) for over 3 years for anxiety. It's becoming less effective without increasing the dosage, which is obviously scary due to it's addictive nature. The rebound effect is also a bear. Has anyone successfully found some natural or herbal replacements to Ativan?

 

[chant2012]

I have found things that help with anxiety. I'll message you with some information.

 

[EveHarrington]

There are tonnes of natural herbs and supplements that can help with anxiety.

Having said that, none work in the same way that Ativan does IME.

He'll likely have to start working his way through the various herbals in order to find what works for him.

 

[Hope_N_Highwater]

I have found things that help with anxiety. I'll message you with some information.

Thank you Chant

 

[Hope_N_Highwater]

There are tonnes of natural herbs and supplements that can help with anxiety.

Having said that,...

Thank you Eve. We are just starting the research process... I'm finding lots of options and opinions. And you are right, so far nothing I finds seems to be comparable in effectiveness. Unfortunately trial and error can be very expensive also, so I am hoping to narrow the field of options by learning what I can from others. We think it's starting to affect his memory and focus so we are at the point of having to find an alternative.

 

[chant2012]

You're welcome

 

[EveHarrington]

I understand, it is expensive!

Maybe start with basic vitamins & minerals that the body requires. Magnesium, zinc, certain amino acids, etc. A deficiency could be adding to his anxiety issues. If his body is indeed deficient, a balanced diet won't necessarily get him back on track and supplementation may be necessary. (This is what I've found to be true for myself.)

From there I'd branch out into herbals that aren't required by the body, such as valerian. I've also found homeopathic pills that help. Some of them are bachs rescue remedy, hylands products, etc.

 

[Glo809]

Greetings

I am med free, having said that I do take a homeopathic nerve tonic to combat my anxiety.

It is Hylands.com and type in nerve tonic, they have piles of products and have been around for quite a while.

Don't know if this will help.....
G

 

[Silver.]

^^
I second the Nerve Tonic, it does work well
Also, I use a few tinctures put out by Herb Pharm. (you can get them on Amazon)
Anxiety Soother and then Lemon Balm.
The lemon balm was much more effective for me. (and now I make the tincture myself)

I self weaned off a different benzo earlier this year, it was one of the worst experiences I had to go through, but I am so glad that I did.
Adding more meditation to my routine has helped immensely too.

While I still am symptomatic, symptoms have drastically reduced in intensity and frequency, it has just taken a bit of time with my body still adjusting.
It is good that you are helping him in this process, having good support through the weaning process will be key for him.

 

[Powder]

I went off Clonidine myself and then Xanax 1 gram/daily. I was on these for two years of Clonidine, 1 year of Xanax and was on Lorazapam prior to Xanax.

Yes, the rebound with Lorazapam is worse than the PTSD itself, and I had it daily. I wouldn't recommend Ativan/Lorazapam to anyone with PTSD for this reason.

I went to my Dr. to have her help me get off the Xanax. She prescribed smaller and smaller doses for me, and checked my BP to see if it went up, which it did. I had to have normal BP and no headaches or dizziness before she'd go to the next lower dose. It took 6 months.

It is not good to go off by yourself or too quickly because of complications and the fact that a slow, medically supervised tapering statistically results in a more lasting abilty to tolerate being off. Those who taper too fast will be right back on Xanax and a higher dose within a year.

Another thing that worked for me was keeping Melatonin/B6 extended release natural tablets to help me sleep for those nights when I felt PTSD was bad.

The main support I used was fresh, 100% pure Grapefruit juice daily. Once I did that, I had no withdrawal symptoms! I believe that it does something to aid the detoxing of the body or balancing of BP and other things so that the body will not go into shock and will accept the lack of meds.

I am still taking that Grapefruit juice daily. If I don't, everyone will tell me to, because it's that noticeable! I kid you not.