How am I going to manage getting cut off my Valium after years?

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.

Hi Steve,

May I ask what group you work with?

Hi Steve,

May I ask what group you work with?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

historyguy, I had taken Flurazepam for sleep issues 2-3 times a week until it was discontinued in 2022. I was also taking Valium (Diazepam) 5-10mg, approximately 10 times per month. (I was prescribed 15 5mg pills a month). So when they discontinued my sleep med (flurazepam), I was on the hunt for something to replace it. My doctor prescribed me Trazodone, Lunesta, Temazepam, Estazolam, and Ambien. None of them worked for me. We should have probably tried a higher dose of Lunesta....but we didn't. The Ambien would put me to sleep every time, but failed to keep me asleep. So finally my doctor said, "Why don't I prescribe 1 medication for both your issues?" (Sleep and Anxiety) I had continued to use the Valium while trying all those different sleep meds. So my doctor had me quit the Valium and I started taking 1.5mg of Lorazepam at night. (I took 1mg at bedtime and the other .5mg in the middle of the night. It worked! For both my issues! In 2024 I had to add Amitriptyline (30mg) to my daily meds. I was having severe hip/leg pain because of bone on bone osteoarthritis in my left hip. I am an active person and was pretty depressed that I couldn't do the things I love. I'm a daily walker ( 2-3 miles a day) and also love biking and hiking. So the Amitriptyline was prescribed to me for depression but it also helps with sleep and anxiety and pain. That added in with the Lorazepam helped So much! I think you should consider asking your doctor for Lorazepam.... yes, it's a benzo, But, you need sleep! And this, I believe, would really help you! Remember, not getting enough sleep is way worse than taking a sleep medication. Even if it's a benzo. If you are dead set on not taking a benzo, maybe try 3mg Lunesta or Ambien. Over the counter Unisom (Doxylamine ingredient) works okay for a nonprescription sleep aid. I wish you well and hope you consider Lorazepam. Good luck.