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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Chocoholic on November 8, 2001, at 19:04:09
I have been on some type of benzodiazapine (or Ambien) for well over 10 years. I would really like to find a way to wean myself off Restoril and simplify my drug "cocktail".The only time I have "successfully" been off benzos was when I was on gabapentin, but I can only take it for a few days at a time without cognitive impairment and gross motor impairment. I am really scared because my first major depression was precipitated my withdrawing from Ativan.Any ideas on how to sanely and safely withdraw from this class of drugs? I'm still having sleep disturbances so I doubt that it's doing much. I also wonder whether Restoril acts as a mood stabilizer like Klonopin does and stopping it would destabilize me.
Chocoholic
Posted by gilbert on November 9, 2001, at 12:24:33
In reply to Withdrawing from Benzos; Benzos as Mood Stabilizer, posted by Chocoholic on November 8, 2001, at 19:04:09
Chocoholic,
There is a post up above on swithcing to valium from xanax that describes proper techniques for withdrawl. I would switch to klonopin than reduce the dose of klonopin very, very slowly per week. For example if you were on 4 mg of klonopin only go down .5 mg per week....hence taking two months to come off the benzos. To get benzo equivalents go to the tips section and look them up.....ativan is alot like xanax with a shorter half life and more withdrawal although I have come off xanax without switching to longer acting benzos I don't recommend it to others. Don't reduce your dosage any more than 1/6 per week and the longer the better I.E. 1/8 or 1/10
Good Luck
Gil
Posted by judy1 on November 12, 2001, at 18:18:25
In reply to Withdrawing from Benzos; Benzos as Mood Stabilizer, posted by Chocoholic on November 8, 2001, at 19:04:09
I think klonopin has the only distinction of any of the benzos as working as a mood stabilizer- if that is a consideration maybe you should find a substitute m.s. during your taper- judy
This is the end of the thread.
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