Posted by fenix on February 24, 2006, at 12:11:44 [reposted on February 25, 2006, at 14:23:00 | original URL]
In reply to What is a typical benzo withdrawal schedule like?, posted by qbsbrown on February 24, 2006, at 1:21:49
In general, it is good practice to taper off slow. Yes, it may be a slower way of doing things but you will also minimize withdrawal and safety is of primary importance. Benzodiazepine taper can be risky business if done too fast or just cold turkey (especially if you have been taking them for months). You seem to be eager to get off of Valium and this leads to impatience because of the tapering schedule, but in my opinion it is better to play it safe and take things slow. Yeah yeah, takes longer and all, but it is a piece of cake this way ;)
So... the slower the better; time will go by and before you know it you are free of it.
Fortunately, diazepam is a longer lasting benzodiazepine relative to some of the others and this helps with taper.
> Is it typically 10 percent of the original dose per week?
>
> I do know of Dr heather ashton, from benzo.org.uk, and her taper is EXTREMELY slow (im too impatient, and think it's a lil conservative).
> I'm on 17.5 mgs of valium currently.
>
> Now i tried cold turkey, and that was about the dumbest thing a man could do. Although i've CTd off of booze, SSRIS, AEDs, and tobacco, this was the worst.
>
> Thoughts, experience, advice?
>
> Much appreciated
>
> Brian
poster:fenix
thread:613191
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20060117/msgs/613192.html