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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 36. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joe f on March 29, 2014, at 16:18:35
has anyone ever tapered klonopin,ativan, zanax with no problem...all you hear are horror stories on this blog.
Posted by phidippus on March 29, 2014, at 16:49:32
In reply to benzos-/with no problem, posted by joe f on March 29, 2014, at 16:18:35
I always stop my benzos cold turkey without repurcussion.
Eric
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2014, at 17:50:01
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » joe f, posted by phidippus on March 29, 2014, at 16:49:32
Gadchik is doing a taper from Klonopin via valium at the moment and doing well. Almost completely off the benzos last time Posted. Phillipa
Posted by joe f on March 29, 2014, at 17:50:46
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » joe f, posted by phidippus on March 29, 2014, at 16:49:32
so its not all gloom and doom
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2014, at 20:19:01
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by joe f on March 29, 2014, at 17:50:46
I hope not. How come you would also like to stop them? Phillipa
Posted by Beckett on March 30, 2014, at 1:15:53
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by joe f on March 29, 2014, at 17:50:46
> so its not all doom and gloom
I don't think so. Everyone is different. That said, I had one of the horror story experiences a few years ago, and I tried many times without success to d/c.
Early this year I tapered off using phenobarbital and found this pretty painless.
Posted by gadchik on March 30, 2014, at 6:44:58
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2014, at 17:50:01
P, I wish I was almost off benzos. I am completely off klonopin. But remember, I just c/o to equivalent valium dose per dr peart schedule. Now, I am stabilizing on 10mg valium for 30 days,then I begin the taper of that one. But I will say the c/o relatively easy.But I really don't know 100% that valium taper will go so easily. Everyone says it's easier to taper. I will find out. I could not taper from klonopin tho, I tried many times.
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2014, at 20:18:40
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by gadchik on March 30, 2014, at 6:44:58
G maybe you will find you can not. But is a simple benzo that bad? And such a low dose. P
Posted by joe f on March 30, 2014, at 21:28:56
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2014, at 20:18:40
take 2m of klonopin a day ...and am so paranoid about it ....some of the posts on this site have me so scared about it
Posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2014, at 22:02:27
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by joe f on March 30, 2014, at 21:28:56
I just purchased name brand valium. After three days I do think so far it is superior to generics based on the beginnings of feeling less stressed. Phillipa
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on March 31, 2014, at 0:07:32
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » joe f, posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2014, at 22:02:27
Joe, google up "The Ashton Protocol", its a means of painlessly discontinuing benzos developed by Professor heather Ashton, a British psychiatrist.
The short version is
- Convert the dose of current benzo into diazepam equivelents
- Get script fuilled with 2mg diazepam tabs
- reduce dose by 1/2 a pill (1mg) per week - you will eventualy withdraw totaly with no withdrawl effects at all
Posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 5:52:01
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 30, 2014, at 20:18:40
P, I will get as low as I can on the valium. Im going to reduce by 1/2mg, not 1mg as ashton suggests. I will also wait 2-3weeks b4 cutting again, not 1. If I do well, I may try a 1mg cut the 2nd cut. My goal would be to use a benzo as needed and say, Zoloft daily, if I must have a daily med. I also have Remeron to help me sleep. I know once I get to 2mg valium, it could get really difficult.I sincerely do not want to take a daily med, so I will try to do everything possible to get this done!
Posted by Beckett on March 31, 2014, at 12:02:53
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 5:52:01
I don't anticipate difficulty for you. Have you been experiencing any? Some people do discontinue w/o much s/e.
Posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 12:09:24
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by Beckett on March 31, 2014, at 12:02:53
Beckett, Ive had mild off balance, floaty, tired feeling switching over from .5mgklonpin to 10mgvalium, which I did in a stepwise fashion over a 2 week period. Ive been on all valium for 4 weeks this Thurs., doing well. But, I will have to then taper from valium. I tried to dry cut taper off of klonopin many times, and found it unbearable. So, I don't know that I'll have an easy go of it with the valium, but at least Im dealing with 2mg pills!
Posted by Guy on March 31, 2014, at 14:27:58
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » Beckett, posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 12:09:24
Gadchik, you mentioned in previous posts that Remeron works well for you. I have been wondering why you don't stay on the that med until you have dumped the benzos. You could then wean off the Remeron or stay on it indefinitely if it helps you with your sleep issues. Perhaps you have already tried this. I also want to get off all meds but because my problems have been ongoing for so long I doubt that will ever happen. The trimipramine I'm on now seems to be helping somewhat...at least it is not causing severe tinnitus like the SSRI's. If I continue to see improvement I think I will stay on it rather than risk another descent into hell. Sometime these meds don't work as well the second time round.
Posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 15:07:20
In reply to To gadchik, posted by Guy on March 31, 2014, at 14:27:58
Guy, I do have rx for 15mg Remeron to use for sleep should I need it as I taper down or for anxiety. Im stabilizing on 10 valium right now, so have been zonked at bedtime, and don't need remeron yet. I have zero anxiety right now too. So, its there should I need to start it, and it works quickly. The only issue I have with Remeron is weight gain and the accompanying high cholesterol. I took 7.5mg when I had those probs.But I was also taking 25mg Zoloft and .5mg klonopin at the same time. Maybe I will end up on 3.75mg(why cant they make lower doses of it) of remeron and wont have those issues. My anxiety just comes and goes, was never constant unless some major event happens in my life that I feel I have no control over. Then I go straight to crazytown.
Posted by Beckett on March 31, 2014, at 18:29:09
In reply to To gadchik, posted by Guy on March 31, 2014, at 14:27:58
Guy, I am trying CBD in a few days. I deal with chronic insomnia. I used surmontil for some time and it worked well.
Posted by Phillipa on March 31, 2014, at 20:29:51
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » Beckett, posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 12:09:24
That happened to me years ago when cold turkeyed valium total 15mg a day. Felt like on a rocking ship. I ended up going back on 5mg of valium after two weeks. I was mild & mellow then. I recently switched to name brand valium same dose total 7.5mg daily and am finding it works so much better than any of the generics I've been on. I got a pleasant surprise from medicaire as they said they would pay for the first 31 days of the namebrand & if the doc feels like I need name brand start the appeals process now. So I guess I have another month free since paid for this one RX $90. Not that expensive. I will always take this over a antidepressant as they caused my problems did fine for many years on benzo only. P
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on March 31, 2014, at 22:51:48
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 31, 2014, at 20:29:51
$90, hell!
50x5mg brand name Valium are about $6 in Australia
> That happened to me years ago when cold turkeyed valium total 15mg a day. Felt like on a rocking ship. I ended up going back on 5mg of valium after two weeks. I was mild & mellow then. I recently switched to name brand valium same dose total 7.5mg daily and am finding it works so much better than any of the generics I've been on. I got a pleasant surprise from medicaire as they said they would pay for the first 31 days of the namebrand & if the doc feels like I need name brand start the appeals process now. So I guess I have another month free since paid for this one RX $90. Not that expensive. I will always take this over a antidepressant as they caused my problems did fine for many years on benzo only. P
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 1, 2014, at 16:01:21
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 31, 2014, at 5:52:01
> P, I will get as low as I can on the valium. Im going to reduce by 1/2mg, not 1mg as ashton suggests.
Hi Gad,
I think you'll be able to painlessly reduce in steps of more than 0.5mg initially. The size of the steps normally get smaller as your dose gets closer to zero. For example, it's quite likely that you could reduce from 10mg to 8mg in one step without symptoms, then reduce in 1mg steps for a few months, then 0.5mg steps.
Posted by gadchik on April 1, 2014, at 17:22:52
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 1, 2014, at 16:01:21
Ed, I'd love to do that if ur sure? My only concern is that Im going to Bermuda on 4/26, and I don't want to be feeling sick from tapering too fast. What do u think? The pharmacist also told me same as what u just suggested but I didn't tell her of my impending vacation because she was so busy and it was crowded.
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 20:21:49
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem, posted by jono_in_adelaide on March 31, 2014, at 22:51:48
Jono found out today that this $90 was after medicaire paid a large portion. They will pay one time only for brand. Real cost $400 a month. No lie. So now what? How do they get away with this in USA? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on April 2, 2014, at 5:58:20
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » jono_in_adelaide, posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 20:21:49
P, when I checked for myself brand valium was $434 a month cash price. Its crazy. Have you tried Actavis? This is a good brand. I am using it. Works very well.
Posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2014, at 9:41:54
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on April 2, 2014, at 5:58:20
That is worse than crazy. And what I'm finding with brand is I think I feel worse? As waking feeling strange. Numbness in left arm no sleeping on it and cramp in right calf. I know they aren't related but strange they occurred at the same time. I think mylan is what have been using. Haven't heard of active? P
Posted by gadchik on April 2, 2014, at 9:59:17
In reply to Re: benzos-/with no problem » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on April 2, 2014, at 9:41:54
Now this is just from my internet searching, but Ive heard Mylan is the worst. Actavis or Teva, I would trust.
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