Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

Posted by sears @sears, Nov 9, 2019

Would love to hear some positive stories from people whom have tapered off benzos. Positive only please. Give me some hope. No horror stories! I need some encouragement!

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I am happy to read you are doing so well.

In my case I was doing well before and now; after the meds.

They treated something that didn’t exist.

No benefit; just life destroying side effects.

I’m happy for both of us and anyone that can find even a little peace.

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Profile picture for Jake @jakedduck1

@yvonne55
Hi,
i’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but I just now noticed your message. I was on 18 mg of Klonopin a day. I have epilepsy and took it for seizures. It didn't help so I stopped it.
The maximum dose is normally not over 20 mg.
Jake

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What were your withdrawals like? Congratulations

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Profile picture for Ellen @helenfrances

What recourse do we have? We are victims.
Thank God for my gastroenterologist who told me that I would have cramping when decreasing use of Clonazapam..... NOT due to GI issues.
Perhaps there is an attorney who was prescribed a drug that affected memory and mood: a group lawsuit? That might get prescribers attention.

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I believe that. And I had awful gastro issues.
But then I ended up in the emergency room. I've never been to the emergency room! I had a pancreatic attack. I was/am quite sick with chronic pancreatitis. So, word to the wise... you could have pancreas issues and it is best to not assume that it's just benzo issues like I did.

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Profile picture for con123 @con123

The good news is that there are many of us who have successfully put benzos behind us. It is not comfortable and needs to be done very slowly. I did a 9 month taper starting at 1mg per day. I only wish my psychiatrist had taken my withdrawal symptoms more seriously and provided some support for the insomnia and anxiety. He only offered an antihistamine and Remeron. Neither helped. I had to get in to a different doctor (sleep specialist neurologist) who validated my need for sleep and calm. She actually offered to write a script for Klonopin but I refused. I had been benzo free for 9 months by then and I never want to go through withdrawal again. The upside is I no longer have balance issues and stupid falls and I’m mentally sharper. I now take Lunesta for sleep and as my nervous system repairs itself, anxiety is not really an issue. That is also because the insomnia caused anxiety which made insomnia worse.

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Wow. After doing research, I note that there is a high risk of dependence on Lunesta. Otherwise, I'd take it.

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I have successfully withdrawn several times.

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Dis anyone have any truly positive and successful experiences with tapering off of Valium? I’m tapering now and my doctor hasn’t told me much about what to expect. I’ve had withdrawal symptoms but I’m still going. Looking for hope. Just hope that I won’t suffer through the whole process. Thank you.

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Profile picture for katnewton @katnewton

Dis anyone have any truly positive and successful experiences with tapering off of Valium? I’m tapering now and my doctor hasn’t told me much about what to expect. I’ve had withdrawal symptoms but I’m still going. Looking for hope. Just hope that I won’t suffer through the whole process. Thank you.

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@katnewton, Valium is probably a little easier to taper off because it stays in your system longer, the main thing is that you go very slow so that you don’t have to suffer from unpleasant side effects. I hope that your doctor has put you on a schedule to help guide you through this process, there’s also lots of information online about what to expect, if you’re taking an antidepressant it can also help with any symptoms you might have, try taking a positive attitude and get some exercise to relieve stress and you’ll be good as new.

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Profile picture for frouke @frouke

@katnewton, Valium is probably a little easier to taper off because it stays in your system longer, the main thing is that you go very slow so that you don’t have to suffer from unpleasant side effects. I hope that your doctor has put you on a schedule to help guide you through this process, there’s also lots of information online about what to expect, if you’re taking an antidepressant it can also help with any symptoms you might have, try taking a positive attitude and get some exercise to relieve stress and you’ll be good as new.

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@frouke thank you for your support and reply. My doctor doesn’t tell me what to expect. I read a lot of negative things online that scare me. I am hoping to find that I can taper without too many side effects. He had me tapering 2 mgs a month and I can’t take it. I feel terrible most days.

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Profile picture for katnewton @katnewton

@frouke thank you for your support and reply. My doctor doesn’t tell me what to expect. I read a lot of negative things online that scare me. I am hoping to find that I can taper without too many side effects. He had me tapering 2 mgs a month and I can’t take it. I feel terrible most days.

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@katnewton, how long have you been taking Valium and what is your dosage? I feel that many doctors are not very experienced with tapering off these drugs and in many cases they tend to go too fast, I wonder if you’re familiar with a book called the Ashton Manual, it’s available online for free and the tapering schedule is clearly outlined for you to follow, the success rate is very high if you follow it closely, also you have a good start because if you’re taking another benzodiazepine that doesn’t stay in your system for long you would have to switch to Valium to start with, this I another advantage for you.

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Profile picture for katnewton @katnewton

Dis anyone have any truly positive and successful experiences with tapering off of Valium? I’m tapering now and my doctor hasn’t told me much about what to expect. I’ve had withdrawal symptoms but I’m still going. Looking for hope. Just hope that I won’t suffer through the whole process. Thank you.

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@katnewton I just tapered for 2 yrs to get off klonopin. Withdrawal was mental and physical withdrawal. I got support from addiction medicine at my university hospital. Gabapentin helped. Support is key. Therapy or support group. Good luck. I am better off medicine despite how hard it was . You too can do it

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