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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SUBOXIN, TALK TO YOUR DOC! 5years on bezos, Xanax and clonazapsm and opites. All doc certified prescriptions. Never abused any. I just said these bandage meds suck and don't help. Maybe never heal now. Who knows what these meds may have done to your body. For now I'm fine, but don't do this alone. Go talk to pain specialist and a therapist. They will help. Don't be ashamed,it happens to the best of us. You would be surprised. Nurses doctors lawyers and who knows take these meds regularly. Tske care . Don't worry. You'll be fine. God bless!

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@420july

SUBOXIN, TALK TO YOUR DOC! 5years on bezos, Xanax and clonazapsm and opites. All doc certified prescriptions. Never abused any. I just said these bandage meds suck and don't help. Maybe never heal now. Who knows what these meds may have done to your body. For now I'm fine, but don't do this alone. Go talk to pain specialist and a therapist. They will help. Don't be ashamed,it happens to the best of us. You would be surprised. Nurses doctors lawyers and who knows take these meds regularly. Tske care . Don't worry. You'll be fine. God bless!

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Suboxone, as a treatment for benzo dependence? Please tell us more!

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@georgette12

My goodness, please be positive on the tapering of benzos . I recently got off ambien for sleep, tapered off an anti anxiety med and have previously gotten off klonopin from a rather high dose. I'm 75 and have taken these meds for 45 years. And gotten off successfully. Even had ECT and no side effects. Sure, everyone is different, but I've been around long enough to see some amazing things people can do. Sometimes it's a trial and error thing, but life itself is trial and error, don't you think?

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Did you taper?

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@laurine7

We are in a catch 22! Once you start a taper and then stop, going back to try again is NOT RECOMMENDED AT ALL. I have read many articles that if you are not having any side effects and have been on it for a long period of time, just stay on it. However, the longer we are on them the more difficult it is to get off, whether you taper or not. We never know what effects might pop up!

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Would like feedback not just a reply, it's important.

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@cmd

Did you taper?

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Thanks for your feed back its important. I was prescribed Lorazepam, a short term drug for 17 years. Of course I tapered, obviously this is the only comment you have read. You need to find everything I have written on Benzodiazepines. I am sorry if it was upsetting, believe me that was not my intent. My comments are only to let everyone know what I went through, much have been through worse. Also, to give areas of research to try and avoid many HORROR stories.

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@cim37343

I think psychologists or therapists could help you much more than a psychiatrist. Have you ever tried cognitive therapy?

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I am a psychologist. I understand cognitive therapy. I will say - after learning cognitive therapy - and attempting to use it with my clients - that it is extremely difficult for most folks to use to help themselves.

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Well, they help, I think. As to "getting off them", it is very hard. Try little, tiny reductions a week at a time. GABA - which you get with benzos - is a good thing if you have pain. Try using Ashwagandha - a herb which calms you down.

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I have a question similar, but different. I've been on 1mg Ativan 4x/day for 13 yrs. I question its effectiveness at this point bc I've been on it so long.
I recently came off Zyprexa bc I gained 100lbs and was becoming diabetic. Bc Zyprexa is so calming, I'm more anxious now that I'm off it.
Idk if my Dr on Monday says I want u to go back on it....this is about my future health. I've lost 30lbs in 2mos so far off of it. Amazing things are happening to my body without all that weight. I plan to keep losing.
Anyways, my point is bc the Ativan is not doing its job, I have to take more than prescribed to cut the terrible anxiety.
This concerns me. It's all that's carrying me through. I'm in an extremely stressful time right now...abusive marriage that I've filed divorce finally after 4 yrs of taking it....she activated dormant crohns disease that they found 5yrs ago,but I never had symptoms. I'm sick with stomach pains all the time...have to take meds to stop spasms...and to quiet crohns.
I'm not an addict looking for a benzo buzz....im trying to get through the stress without ending up in the hospital...bc sometimes it's so intense..I feel like I'm near my end....and have had bad thoughts.
Should I ask my Dr on Monday to switch me to a different benzo?..bc his office is cutting pts off them bc of pressure from ??? Idk. My PA..who I've seen for 7yrs now, says I'm an exception bc they believe I'm one pt who truly can't function without them.
I'm scared of him. I only see " the big guy" every year...he is intimidating. I'm afraid if I ask him for a stronger benzo he will cut me off and shove me on an antipsychotic.
What do I do???.... im eating about 6 Ativan a day....and unless I take 2 at a time, they don't work.
Please understand this and why.
Thank you much.....Audrey

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Quite a dilemma, especially if you’re “scared” of your doctor. You’ve hit tolerance, you can’t just keep taking more and more. I doubt your doctor will prescribe the larger amounts you’re now requiring. You should probably start trying to find another doctor.

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