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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 09:50 AM
  #1
I've decided to cut down on benzos. I'm not sure that they are helping much any more. I've been taking them every night for 10 plus years. I was taking the equivalent of 3 x 10mg temazepam/(Restoril?) at night.

For the pasts 2 weeks I have only taken one temazepam (or 5mg diazepam) at night, most nights. Some nights I have taken two. I am not feeling any ill effects from this.

The GP surgery had told me a while back they wished to stop my benzos. I was not happy with this as they offered no alternative (I'm allergic to seroquel). I have not been back. I am trying to do this without their input (which from past experience would be minimal)

Someone else in this forum had mentioned (I think) how it can be scary when doctors try to stop meds we need (such as benzos or pain meds) I agree. But now I think I want to reduce the benzos, for me. I have found I have quite severe rebound anxiety and depression from them during the day. This now seems to be less. I wonder if this is because of the reduced dosage (?)

Sorry about the long post. I noticed a post in the check in thread in this forum re cutting down on benzos, and as I am already trying to cut down, I thought I would post this.

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 11:01 AM
  #2
I hope your benzo reductions go well, Fuzzy. If you start to feel very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, you can always add just a little more for a while and then reduce a bit again. That's how it worked for me when I was slowly weaned off of Ativan. You can do it, though! It sometimes just takes patience.
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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 12:17 PM
  #3
I want to wish you well with this. I know benzo use is a difficult choice due to the difficulty of stopping. No words of advice other than to take it slow and trust your body. Much love to you Fuzzy!
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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 02:19 PM
  #4
Thanks for the support Soupe du jour and fern. I appreciate it!

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 02:59 PM
  #5
Maybe it would have been better if I'd put benzo tapering in the title.

I seem to be cutting down quicker than is generally recommended. I guess I'll find out if I'm tapering too quickly.

My dose is 30mg temazepam or 15mg diazepam a day.

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 03:05 PM
  #6
I hope it goes well, Fuzzy
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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 03:08 PM
  #7
Thanks Sapien!

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 06:24 PM
  #8
Grrrrrrrrrr I wasn't tired so came onto the computer. Not a good idea. Two things have made me feel like SHYT... One diazepam tonight..

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Heart Oct 07, 2020 at 07:39 PM
  #9
Good luck with your tapering, Fuzzybear! Hugs & love to you!!
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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 08:26 PM
  #10
Thank you, Fuzzy, for starting this thread. I am grateful to you for providing a place for information and support.

So, my clonazepam (Klonopin) story.

I was initially prescribed Klonopin in 1990 for anxiety. At that time, I was told that the medication was an entirely safe anxiolytic, an "upgraded valium". The belief was that any time a patient wanted to stop taking it, no problem. Just stop.

I was on Klonopin for about a year and it was really helpful with lowering anxiety. I stopped taking it because SSRI's were becoming popular as both anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. I started taking an SSRI.

Then some years later (I was around 37) someone prescribed Klonopin for me and I was fine with that. It was helpful for 2 or 3 years, but I had to increase the dose for the med to remain effective.

Around that time mental health providers came down hard on benzos because of the potential for dependence and/or abuse. It was a huge change, and definitely not what I had been told by my first prescriber.

Twice I tried to stop taking Klonopin. The first time I tried to stop it over a 1 month period. I was so ill that I couldn't walk from my bedroom to my car in the driveway; my legs were so shaky and I felt so sick. I gave up and went back on the Klonopin.

The second time I tried to stop over a period of a year. I shaved tiny bits off each tablet. So bit by tiny bit I managed to get down to 1mg, then to 1.5 mgs. At that point I started having severe anxiety. I don't know if the anxiety was from titrating the K-pin down, but I decided it wasn't the best time to continue with my withdrawal.

Yesterday I spoke with my pdoc and told her that I would like to come off Klonopin. I know that my body is dependent upon it, but that it isn't doing anything beneficial for my mental health anymore, and hasn't for many years.

I am so lucky because my pdoc is supportive and has come up with a plan for me. What I'll be doing is choosing 1 day of the week and, on that day, I will take my usual 1mg. A.M. dose, but will take only 3/4 of my (usual) 1mg. bedtime dose.

I'll see how I feel during that week. For the first month I'll reduce the amount by only 1/4 per week. And so on from there.

It will be slow, but it's a start. I have hope that - even if it takes 5 years - I will eventually be able to stop taking a benzo.

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 09:12 PM
  #11
I read somewhere that some people's bodies do not become as physically dependent on benzos as others (as in its easier for some to taper right down and even stop the meds). I don't know if that is true. I hope so, I'm not having any bad effects yet (after 2 weeks of a reduced dose). I had a terrible time withdrawing from Paxil. I tried to stop it several times. Eventually I had put on so much weight I just tapered off and put up with the severe anxiety .... (much worse than the anxiety I had had before I started taking it) I was taking the benzos still... they were prescribed together with the Paxil.

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Default Oct 07, 2020 at 11:20 PM
  #12
I hope you have as easy a taper as possible, Fuzzy.


Withdrawing from SSRI's was always a nightmare for me. But, eventually it happened.

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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 04:02 AM
  #13
When I came off lorazepam I was switched to diazepam. Then I went off that 2 mgs once a month. It took about 9 months. But now I have 3-6 hour long panic attacks. Just a warning. I was on 2mgs a night of lorazepam for 7 yrs....
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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 07:59 AM
  #14
Hugs, Fuzzy!!

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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 10:59 AM
  #15
I took one diazepam again last night/this morning. All is well.....

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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 11:07 AM
  #16
So glad to hear it.

This video came out today. I thought it might have something useful for anxiety should you have any rebound anxiety.

Quick Coping Skill for Anxiety: Locus of Control Find a Way #WithMe - YouTube
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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 11:12 AM
  #17
Quote:
Originally Posted by BethRags View Post
I hope you have as easy a taper as possible, Fuzzy.


Withdrawing from SSRI's was always a nightmare for me. But, eventually it happened.
Thanks Beth. Withdrawing from the Paxil was definitely a nightmare. I was reading some reviews and information on that med last night (very mixed reviews, as with other meds probably) There was a site online some years ago which was exclusively for withdrawing from Paxil. I did not join but read there occasionally. There was a lot of information there (and support... etc...) Some people posted there for 10 plus years if I recall correctly (but I could be wrong)

I did not withdraw from it with liquid titrations as was recommended on that site. I doubt if that option would have been available in this country (and if it was........

(edited)

I think the official line is still that Paxil is ''not addictive'' and that withdrawals last >>?? I do not know. It's a while since I read any official info re this. I am hoping the benzo withdrawal will not be as rough... or maybe it will be ''worse''...

I'm going to dance a bit to try to get some of this.... stuff... out of my head.

Love to all


ETA Papa bear has been at home all day. We had a ''visitor'' today.... (mending our loo).

He does not want me to talk (this will probably be so for the rest of this day)

I had asked him if he would read this post to check for typos .. etc.

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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 11:22 AM
  #18
Quote:
Originally Posted by Coolbreeze74 View Post
When I came off lorazepam I was switched to diazepam. Then I went off that 2 mgs once a month. It took about 9 months. But now I have 3-6 hour long panic attacks. Just a warning. I was on 2mgs a night of lorazepam for 7 yrs....
I'm sorry. That sounds very rough...


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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by bpcyclist View Post
Hugs, Fuzzy!!
Thanks bpcyclist. Hugs to you!

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Default Oct 08, 2020 at 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by fern46 View Post
So glad to hear it.

This video came out today. I thought it might have something useful for anxiety should you have any rebound anxiety.

Quick Coping Skill for Anxiety: Locus of Control Find a Way #WithMe - YouTube
Thanks for this fern

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