1. < Addiction & Recovery

Benzo withdrawal

Posted by joeakel @joeakel, Oct 27, 2022

Hello i've been using clonazepam for 4 months 0.75mg , 0.25mg morning and 0.5mg at night for anxiety, im so afraid of withdrawal and tapering symptoms. Any positive vibes please?

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rayetta | @rayetta | Feb 4, 2023

I’ve taken Ativan occasionally for at least 10 years. Also, took 50 mg of Zoloft for 15 years. I weaned off it a couple years ago because it was ruining my digestive system.
I am wired for anxiety and have been so since I can remember. Even as a child. , I have felt settled for a couple years at a time and then it comes back. It’s miserable. The .5 ativan once a day helps my nausea and and anxiety. I’ve done this for 3 months now. I’ve tried almost every antidepressant on the market and they all give me horrible nausea and stomach pain. I have a sensitive digestive system to begin with. My gastroenerogist suggested possibly buspar after I have an upper endoscopy for gerd. He says some people have more trouble with brain-gut sensitivity and he’s seen good results with patients taking buspar. Is there a medical professional from the Mayo that would know about this?

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1 reply
cmd | @cmd | Feb 4, 2023
In reply to @sears "You need to do some research on Benzo tolerance. I didn’t know about it either until..." + (show)
@sears

You need to do some research on Benzo tolerance. I didn’t know about it either until I wound up in the hospital. No doctor ever warned me this could happen until it did. It’s been over three years and I still haven’t recovered. Agoraphobia was my first symptom followed by major weight loss. The insomnia is what drove me to admit myself to the hospital. It’s really a very long story. I’ve been a member of this forum for several years and am a regular contributor.

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So sorry. Do you still have insomnia?

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cgs | @cgs | Feb 5, 2023

Please give a reliable sourse to research

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oracledad | @oracledad | Feb 6, 2023

I’m a survivor of29years of benzo’s. You can do it. If I can, you CAN. There is nothing to be afraid of. I promise.

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1 reply
mikaylar | @mikaylar | Feb 6, 2023
In reply to @rayetta "I’ve taken Ativan occasionally for at least 10 years. Also, took 50 mg of Zoloft for..." + (show)
@rayetta

I’ve taken Ativan occasionally for at least 10 years. Also, took 50 mg of Zoloft for 15 years. I weaned off it a couple years ago because it was ruining my digestive system.
I am wired for anxiety and have been so since I can remember. Even as a child. , I have felt settled for a couple years at a time and then it comes back. It’s miserable. The .5 ativan once a day helps my nausea and and anxiety. I’ve done this for 3 months now. I’ve tried almost every antidepressant on the market and they all give me horrible nausea and stomach pain. I have a sensitive digestive system to begin with. My gastroenerogist suggested possibly buspar after I have an upper endoscopy for gerd. He says some people have more trouble with brain-gut sensitivity and he’s seen good results with patients taking buspar. Is there a medical professional from the Mayo that would know about this?

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I have been taking Ativan for many years to sleep. .50 mg. I love it; no side effects and I wake up refreshed. I tried to stop it but then I don't sleep.

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1 reply
ecline84 | @ecline84 | May 3, 2023

Been taking xanax recreationally for like a year. Up to like 8 mg/day. Withdrawals are horrible. Worst decision I ever made. I would do opiates to stop for a few weeks at a time but I can't go back and forth forever. Tapering is probably essential. Otherwise expect months of anxiety. Find a doctor that can taper you

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tia50 | @tia50 | Feb 23 2:22pm

It is tough. But it can be done. Go slow. Eat only whole foods. No chemicals. No alcohol. Read the Ashton Manual. Use Darth Vader breathing. Epsom salts baths. Time is your friend. The only way out is through. You are a warrior now. You can do this.

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tia50 | @tia50 | Feb 23 2:24pm
In reply to @oracledad "I’m a survivor of29years of benzo’s. You can do it. If I can, you CAN. There..." + (show)
@oracledad

I’m a survivor of29years of benzo’s. You can do it. If I can, you CAN. There is nothing to be afraid of. I promise.

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Good for you. Congrats! Unbelievable what withdrawal is like isn't it. Wow.

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tia50 | @tia50 | Feb 23 2:25pm
In reply to @mariajean03 "You have to taper off. You are going thru withdraw. Do you have a psychiatrist to..." + (show)
@mariajean03

You have to taper off. You are going thru withdraw. Do you have a psychiatrist to help?

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Yes. Just a few days can cause MAJOR withdrawal and without a timeline! Good luck. Look for support from as many sources as you can. The Ashton Manual.

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babs10 | @babs10 | Feb 24 11:22am
In reply to @mikaylar "I have been taking Ativan for many years to sleep. .50 mg. I love it; no..." + (show)
@mikaylar

I have been taking Ativan for many years to sleep. .50 mg. I love it; no side effects and I wake up refreshed. I tried to stop it but then I don't sleep.

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I 100% understand what you are saying. I was over prescribed klonopin for YEARS. In 2018, I read an article that prompted me to find an MD to help me get off of it. I'd have stayed on it forever b/c it was so calming and, like you, I slept like a baby. I'm not here to burst your bubble and I do encourage you to read up on the long term impact. Best wishes.

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