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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by turalizz on April 7, 2006, at 14:23:17
Hi to all,
I've been taking benzodiazepines (mostly bromazepam and clonazepam) for the last two years with ever escalating doses for the last 6 months. When it came to a point past 3mgs of clonazepam daily; I decided it was time I quit! After a few trials to tapper off slowly all of which had failled due to rebound anxiety, muscle spasms (I have a history of fibromyalgia that was subsided during the two years I have been taking benzodiazepines) and insomnia even with the smallest dose reduction; I'd done some research and decided to quit cold turkey with the aid of baclofen and gabapentin. (Lioresal and Neurontin)
I am clonazepam-free for the last 7 days, and withdrawal symptoms have been very mild yet.I'd be very grateful if you'd like to share your experiences; those of you who had withdrawn from high dose benzodiazepines after long-term use. What method/meds did you use? How long has it been since you took your last pill? How long did the withdrawal symptoms last? Do you feel 'normal' now? ...and do the benzodiazepines still work for you in small doses?
Lastly, I have come across some studies regarding the usefulness of flumazenil for benzodiazepine withdrawal. Anyone tried that path?Many thanks, and best regards;
gem
Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2006, at 14:23:18
In reply to Benzodiazepine withdrawal experiences please..., posted by turalizz on April 6, 2006, at 20:30:02
I have no intention of quitting my benzos as my old pdoc said if it an'int broken don't fix it . Love Phillipa ps some of us always need them
Posted by RobertDavid on April 7, 2006, at 14:23:18
In reply to Re: Benzodiazepine withdrawal experiences please... » turalizz, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2006, at 21:20:09
I've been on klonopin for 12 years for GAD and SAD. I had it in my head a while back to get off of it, that perhaps I didn't need it anymore. I did a slow taper, .25 drop every 2 weeks. I did notice the change and went through the same withdrawls on every drop, I learned what to expect each time.
It wasn't fun, but wasn'n unbearable. First day or two felt actually okay, then didn't sleep as well day 3,4,5. Then increase in anxiety finally leveling out day 8,9,10. Then drop .25 again over and over till I was off.
Finally I was off, but all my original social anxiety in particular returned. I forgot what it felt like to once be house bound from fear. I wondered why the hell I did what I did. So I slowly went back up and am back at 2mgs a day. I just know that for me, so far, benzo's/klonopin have been the only med that has really worked.
Until something comes along that can replace it or work with it, I'm never going to get off it. My doctor told me to think of it as a vitamin pill, that "it's good for you" and when you think about it, it's much better than stress and anxiety.
Anyway, just my take. If you want off, you can do it, but it will take a little effort and I recomend a slow taper. The more sensitive you are to the withdrawls, the slower your taper should be. I'd advise taking your time. Good luck. Rob
Posted by Declan on April 9, 2006, at 20:52:42
In reply to Benzodiazepine withdrawal experiences please..., posted by turalizz on April 6, 2006, at 20:30:02
I'm astonished you've done so well. I'm not clued up on clonazepam, but after 2 years of benzo use at quite reasonable doseages to have only mild withdrawal signs is a real acclomplishment.
I think the withdrawal signs would last for ages, but would eventually merge into the kinds of symptoms that led you to benzo use in the first place. But perhaps the experience of drug dependance has made those problems easier to bear.
Declan
Posted by ed_uk on April 14, 2006, at 21:37:36
In reply to Benzodiazepine withdrawal experiences please..., posted by turalizz on April 6, 2006, at 20:30:02
Hi
I'd like to ask a question about bromazepam. I hope you don't mind.
How do you find that bromazepam differs from the other benzodiazepines? eg. speed of onset after a dose, duration of actions, efficacy, side effects etc.
Thanks
Ed
Posted by bassman on April 19, 2006, at 12:42:46
In reply to Benzodiazepine withdrawal experiences please..., posted by turalizz on April 6, 2006, at 20:30:02
I withdraw by cutting a half of a 0.5 mg tablet down by about a third for three days and then another third for three days, etc. and have decreased 0.25 mg in 9 days. No withdrawal effect at all. I can do the same with Ativan, and no withdrawal at all, either. Xanax is a different story. :>} We all like to decrease our meds, even when they are working for us, don't we?
This is the end of the thread.
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