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Tortuous weaning off valium

Posted by historyguy @historyguy, Apr 11 10:56am

Is there anyone out there who have had years long struggle getting off benzos? I’m a 77-year-old retired teacher who began taking benzos of various kinds for 24 years. I’ve only taken them due to severe insomnia. After seeing numerous doc, therapists (including my wife) I began seeing an addiction doc. Began a year ago and have dropped from 20 mg. Valium to 5. It has been hellish and at times I’ve fudged a bit and temporarily raised my dosage. The point is my sleep is terrible, at no matter what dosage. I average 3-4 hours a night. Need sleep badly.

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sharbern | @sharbern | Apr 23 9:29am

Hi. I knew another Teacher that had the same issue. I can only suggest perhaps taking a walk before going to bed, prayer before sleep, also there are vitamins, which I trust you take, also herbs, early in sobriety I took VALERIAN, an herbal, not every night, just maybe once a year. B-Complex is also suppose to be good for the nervous system. You can do some research. I sure do wish you the very Best.

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historyguy | @historyguy | Apr 23 11:39am

Thank you. Appreciate your comments and suggestions.

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con123 | @con123 | Apr 24 5:33am

I would suggest going to a sleep specialist neurologist. They can evaluate the best option for your insomnia. Don't suffer.

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historyguy | @historyguy | Apr 24 10:54am

Thank you. Did that. No avail. Also suggested the Ashton method which I’ve been doing. On top of that he wanted to introduce complementary medication which only exacerbates the process. I’ve done my homework. Suffering truly is the best option in my book. It really does boil down to that. There is no shortcut. Appreciate your input though.

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gigi2225 | @gigi2225 | Aug 3 11:11am
In reply to @stevej940 "My name is Steve and I am 72. I was on Clonozapam for 4 years. I..." + (show)
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My name is Steve and I am 72. I was on Clonozapam for 4 years. I finally got with a group that does micro-tapers. That worked for a while but then had to switch to Valium to continue my micro-taper. I became too tolerant of the Clonozapam. Yes, chronic insomnia is the worst. I in a weeks time I can have descent sleep or bad sleep. And it builds until your body crashes and you get that one good night of sleep. Then it starts over again. I work with a group that seem to know a lot about getting off benzos but they aren’t cheap. However they offer 24/7 communication through it all. It’s all done online.

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Hi Steve,

May I ask what group you work with?

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stevej940 | @stevej940 | Aug 3 12:22pm
In reply to @gigi2225 "Hi Steve, May I ask what group you work with?" + (show)
Profile picture for gigi2225 @gigi2225

Hi Steve,

May I ask what group you work with?

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TaperClinic. You can find them online. They are a professional staff, very knowledgeable and empathetic.

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historyguy | @historyguy | Aug 3 7:01pm
In reply to @gigi2225 "Hi Steve, May I ask what group you work with?" + (show)
Profile picture for gigi2225 @gigi2225

Hi Steve,

May I ask what group you work with?

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Well, currently seeing an addiction doctor which I’ve been going to for about 14 months. Additionally there is a counselor there who does group. However, all the patients there are either alcoholics, on meth or heroin or cocaine. Nothing they talk about is applicable, sadly. However, I’m still fighting trying to use the term radical acceptance to my situation.

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stevej940 | @stevej940 | Aug 3 9:57pm
In reply to @historyguy "Well, currently seeing an addiction doctor which I’ve been going to for about 14 months. Additionally..." + (show)
Profile picture for historyguy @historyguy

Well, currently seeing an addiction doctor which I’ve been going to for about 14 months. Additionally there is a counselor there who does group. However, all the patients there are either alcoholics, on meth or heroin or cocaine. Nothing they talk about is applicable, sadly. However, I’m still fighting trying to use the term radical acceptance to my situation.

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The group I am involved with doesn’t do addiction treatment. They work with people who have become dependent on drugs such as Benzos, SSRIs, etc., and want to get off of them safely.

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historyguy | @historyguy | Aug 4 1:53pm
In reply to @stevej940 "The group I am involved with doesn’t do addiction treatment. They work with people who have..." + (show)
Profile picture for stevej940 @stevej940

The group I am involved with doesn’t do addiction treatment. They work with people who have become dependent on drugs such as Benzos, SSRIs, etc., and want to get off of them safely.

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Do you know what they normally charge?

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con123 | @con123 | Aug 5 5:52am

I think it’s a big problem when we are asked or decide to taper off benzos, yet not given something else to help with sleep. I had so much bad advice when tapering off Klonopin. The psychiatrist said “your body knows how to sleep” and my acupuncturist said something similar. Until I finally got to a sleep specialist, I had horrible insomnia, which made my anxiety worse and it was a viscous cycle. I’m now benzo free for a year and a half and use Lunesta successfully to sleep. My sleep doctor said it is worse on our bodies and brains to not sleep than to take something to help.

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