Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

Thanks for telling me about the Ashton Method of tapering. I haven't looked it up yet, as I just read your blog. I am almost thinking about cancelling my appointment with the NP Psychiatry. I haven't even seen her yet. No one asked me how long I have been on Clonazepam. My Internist doesn't understand either and is going along with the NP Psychiatrist (since she has to bridge my medications until May). Actually, the NP Psychiatrist was supposed to call me back 2 days ago and she never did. I feel that I must really need this medication, due to my psychological/physical problems. I am also on disability due to my problems. I think my body is used to it but also must need it. I don't think to myself, "I can't wait to take it". I do not like this new Benzo rule from the FDA. Physicians seem scared about this and are now telling patients to get off their Benzo medication. They are afraid you are going to sell it on the streets. One time, I had to do a urine test to make sure I was taking my Adderall and not selling it. I asked a Pharmacist what I can take to help me get off Clonazepam. He told me to take a super B complex. He was perplexed though, because I have ADHD and anxiety. People ask me how I can take Adderall and Clonazepam together; they think each drug will cancel the other out. It is something my Psychiatrist did about 10 years ago. There must have been a reason for doing this. I am wondering (or I know) if some Physicians & Psychiatrists need more information on tapering or take a class about tapering. I am losing trust in Physicians. They cannot treat every patient the same with tapering. I think I know my body better and I can tell exactly what this is doing to me. It is actually a cruel thing to do to a patient. They don't seem to care, call you to see how you are doing, or have you come in for regular appointments. It is nice that your doctor says he'll work with you as long as it takes. I wish I could find someone like that. I am sorry, but I cannot say anything positive about tapering Benzos. I also think that if you do not obey the Physician's way of tapering, they will get mad at you or dump you.

I have been on 3 mg a day of clonazepam for about 8+ years. I had to find a new Psychiatrist. It took so long to find one. I can get into a NP Psychiatry in May 2020. When I called her office, she told the receptionist that she wouldn't see me until I got off clonazepam. She gave me a tapering dose for 3 weeks. I feel that this tapering is for everyone. I tried the tapering and kept getting worse. I got so bad that my heart was going fast. I was unable to do anything. I could only go to bed. I feel like a Zombie. This is happening right now, so last night I started up clonazepam again (taking 1.5 mg daily) to get through the holidays. I believe that my tapering was incorrect. I have not met or talked to the NP Psychiatric. I am not sure that she knows how many years I have been on clonazepam. I get anxiety attacks, have anxiety, have PTSD, depression, and ADHD. I believe I should call her back, but because she said she can't see me in May until I am off clonazepam, I am afraid she will not give me a proper tapering schedule and not see me. I only have so many pills left, so I have to be careful. My primary care physician just gave me a prescription of clonazepam of 50, 1 mg pills. At this time, I am unable to function. I feel I am living a nightmare. I feel extremely irritated. I feel bad for my husband. I am trying to fake my way through these feelings. I read that clonazepam is worse to taper off than opioids. I believe that a pharmacist would know more about tapering. I really do not know what to do. I am worried that the NP Psychiatry will not understand me (which she should). I don't know if I should contact her office or my Internist first. The reason I am saying this is because I have never met or spoke with the NP. I cannot believe that some medical practitioners cannot properly taper clonazepam. I have been studying this on the internet and I believe it should take more than 3 weeks for me to discontinue. I have been wondering if practitioners have been fully trained in tapering clonazepam differently for each individual. There is no way I can do this in 3 weeks. I have never felt so awful. I wish they could experience this feeling for just a minute. I am having company for Thanksgiving and then a birthday party. I started out preparing; now I cannot do anything. I am very scared that this will not work out. I am actually very lost. I am also afraid of what my Internist and NP Psychiatry will tell me. I was thinking of asking a Pharmacist first to get an idea. Does anyone have suggestions? Thank you.

I hope the NP is able to help you. Let us know.

It sounds like the tapering has been rough thus far, @grandmaj5.

Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Pharmacists would be a good resource related to tapering questions.

Another discussion you might be interested in on Connect is this one on Klonopin (Clonazepam) tapering https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/klonopin-taper/.

I would try to visit with your primary care physician to discuss your plan to taper off medication. If I’m not mistaken Benzodiazepines, like alcohol, can be very dangerous to taper off of. Just maybe something to consider.

Thank you Lisa for your input. Many times I believe the Pharmacists are smarter than doctors concerning what medication to give a patient. I heard (no sure if true) that doctors only take 1 semester of pharmacology. I had a doctor that had to look up a drug in a pharmacy book while I was in the exam room.

I have been tapering off diazepam for months now. This is not my first time trying, but this time I've learned from previous shortcomings. My plan was to try and trick my body to not notice the change. This means slow and steady. So for example, if I was a custom to taking 20mg a day. Week 1 I would go down to 19mg(this can be challenging depending on how easy it is to divide the pills). Every week I removed another mg from my daily regime. It took 5 months! But by reducing the amounts so slowly I think it helped my body and mind adapt without having to deal with withdrawal symptoms. It's really important that you do not cheat and tell yourself that you deserve a bit more because you've had a rough day. Stay strong, focused and proud of yourself for doing the right thing for your health and family. For extra support, I did start incorporating CBD oil and I believe it did help me and I still take it daily.

That is so very true about Pharmacists! Learned that 60 years ago from an old anut! Then again when I was in retail and the Pharmacy was one of my departments!
Doctors are idiots concerning medication! It depends upon which Pharmacutical rep came in last or what golf tournament they played in sponsored by a drug company!
Sundance(RB)