Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

@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

@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.

I have successfully withdrawn several times.

@beracha Thank you. It sounds like it was a slow but manageable taper with minimal distress. I hope so. I’ve had no appetite, digestive problems, nausea, depression and heart palpitations and hard time leaving home. My nervous system is so sensitive. Did you have a hard time at the end of your taper? Thank you so much.

@rosebookay Hi what were you taking that you got off of. Looking for success and hope stories I’m tapering off of Valium. Down to 9.5 mg and very slow taper but still have symptoms of anxiety, heart palpitations, digestive upset. Thank you for any hope and information.

@beracha Thank you. It sounds like it was a slow but manageable taper with minimal distress. I hope so. I’ve had no appetite, digestive problems, nausea, depression and heart palpitations and hard time leaving home. My nervous system is so sensitive. Did you have a hard time at the end of your taper? Thank you so much.

@katnewton I did a taper for just under a year (klonopin). It was very hard for me emotionally and I had to work to get my anxiety under control Lots of exercise, yoga, acupuncture, meditation. That being said, now two years Benzo free, I see how much better I am than the decade of daily benzo. It is worth whatever you have to go through to get to your goal. Hang in there!

@con123 Kate what are water tapers. At 74 I don’t want to go through hell for two years. Vomiting, nausea, heart palpitations sounds horrific.
My PCP asks me why at my age with no health issues I want to stop. Reading about your responses makes me think she is right.
I applaud all your efforts but what if you get off Klonopin and then die from something else?

@daveshaw It makes me wonder, too, if it’s worth the effort to taper off something when we might need the extra mental help. It might die if something else. Saw a DO today, very holistic, who said my low dose of Lorazepam is okay - helps my anxiety & sleeping.

@katnewton Klonopin and Valium. I do water tapers. Painless