Any positive stories about Benzo tapering? I need hope

I've been taking Klonopin since 1994 and I've had several doctors tell me not to stop taking it that I can cut back from three a day to two a day which I did actually on my own without even discussing it with them because I kept forgetting to take the middle of the day and when I told my doctor he said that's fine the least you can get by with the better I don't really see any need to go into a crash program maybe there are some people that have to do that if they do I would get advice from several psychiatrists I have a really good one that I've had for 10 years and the one before that I had him for about 10 years and he was very good also the four psychiatrists that I had when I first got sick in 1990 all diagnosed me with depression they gave me Thorazine Haldol all kinds of antidepressants and 10 shock treatments which did absolutely nothing to help my anxiety although I'm sure I did have some depression in 1994 when I was put on ativan a benzo it was like a light switch being being flipped I was able to drive a car again I was able to concentrate and watch TV programs I was able to live again I was able to ride in the car without rocking back and forth I could sit in the chair at home without rocking back and forth I even used to clench my rectum out of anxiety which is something most people don't talk about they probably don't like to I know it was very miserable

If you go to benzo buddy’s that is a withdrawl group, I heard there’s good things and scary things on it. I have not started a taper off Clonazapam I have been on this damn drug for 10 years and to scared to go through the withdrawl. And I am learning that doctors don’t know enough about tapering off benzos , so please go super slow, what I learnt is very concerning. I learnt all this from Medicating Normal it’s on You Tube all the people made a documentary called Medicating Normal and they tell there stories on YouTube I have not watched the movie, because it would scare the hell out of me more like some of the videos to. They all either quit cold turkey with out knowing the consequences of benzos or were tapered way too fast. Some have been harmed by benzos because of this. So please please taper very slowly.

I suggest people stay away from BenzoBuddies. The forum can be extremely triggering. There’s way too much drama and suicide on that particular forum. There’s a ton of good information elsewhere.

When it comes to Benzos, your greatest chance of having a successful taper is going VERY SLOWLY. I tapered off Klonopin with no problems. It took about 2 years but I was on a very large dose.
Jake

Last winter we were really snowed in. I had the "stomach " flu as well for 4 days so I'd run out of my lorazepam with no way to get them.
I cant even describe how weird I felt. Everything turned colors and I had a seizure. Benzodiazepines withdrawal is serious and ABSOLUTELY MUST be done slowly.

Jake do you mind if I ask how large your dose was? I was once on 6 mg a day.

I just returned from my first meeting with my newest psychatrist. She refused to discuss tapering of Benzos for me. She told me that it is not a good medication because it may lead to cognitive decline. When I pointed out that half of the med's prescribed by the VA are as bad or worse for the body, she had no response. I take Depakote for my bipolar mood swings, gabapentin for sleep and helping me stay asleep because I suffered injuries in Vietnam which after fifty years later, I'm often awakened if I roll over onto either of my surgically-repaired shoulders, the pain is strong enough to jump up out of bed, and if that's not enough, the drug makes me loopy. Doctors simply don't want to discuss Benzos and the VA refuses to taper anyone off these medications even though my Parkinson's is likely medically-induced, I'm still getting shot down on exposure to Agent Orange exposure while stationed in Vietnam or from drinking toxic water during my seven month stay at Camp Lejeune. I haven't built up a good enough case because I used the medical care from work or saw physicians while living overseas for the better part of my life after being honorable discharged from the Marines back in 1971. This country is a disgrace to all of us who served in Vietnam. I plan to leave the US for good as soon as I get the compensation I deserve. Dick Cheney and Halliburton, Sikorsky Helicopters, the big banks, and munition contractors made out like bandits while those of us who suffer the crippling effects of an unjust war will wither away and die without receiving what we need to get on with living meaningful, healthy and productive lives. Even Henry Kissinger, a mass-murderer, lives on and on doing photo ops with disgusting politicians who send young kids off to wars in places they can't locate on maps, let alone pronounce the names of the places in which they're sent off to die. One final word: Screw this sick war-mongering empire-building nation. The middle and working-classes in America will soon be doomed to a life of misery. We're living in a house of cards, and the only people who will emerge unscathed will be the top ten percent of the top ten percent, I've been a proud member of the working class since I left home at age fourteen, gotten an excellent education while traveling around the world, and my progressive neurological illness doesn't kill me, then I've lived a wonderful life without regrets, and hope that my dear wife will go on without me. We're each others reason for living, so I'll just do the best I can with a smile on my face and love for all and gratitude in my heart,

For what it is worth, I agree with you. I live in fear now as I see the truth. I didn't want to and denied it for as long as I could, but what you speak of has been going on my entire lifetime. My brother-in-law. God rest his sweet soul, was Army medic-conscientious objector in Vietnam. He did 2 tours. How was this? He VOLUNTEERED in 1966 to 'get it over with.' In 1968, he was sent back because? He volunteered the first time and the second time he was being sent by orders. He became alcoholic and had numerous health issues such as yourself. We watched him suffer for years after he left the Army and his life was shortened by decades due to his injuries and what he saw as a medic in Nam. I have been looking to move to Belize for years. I want to get out of USA as well. I do not want to live under this communist regime, global rules of China and learn to speak Chinese. The 'weather balloon' went directly over my home in Myrtle Beach. I looked up into the sky with all my neighbors who were also on their lawn looking up. I have never felt DOOM before. I saw it and heard it (BOOM) destroyed and my hopes for my country were destroyed with it. Good luck, Sir.

I'd say the US would better be described as a "fascist theocracy." I'm in the process of re-evaluating my life. I do my best each day (or at least try to), and as I chart the days on a spread sheet, I'm noticing a pattern: my best can be all over the board--from low and rather depressed to high--feeling great. I'm not a machine, so I'm considering myself fairly normal with ups and downs just like all of us, I suppose. I also note what it is that I'm grateful for and that's a big life-changer; and I reframe my life, note what skills I'm proud of. By the way, I'm also shopping around for another psychiatrist--one who will be more understanding, not one who thinks she/he is underpaid while making $3-4 hundred thousand/year. Fortunately, I still have my sense of humor, a wife who loves me and a horribly abused cat that we rescued from the pound and is slowly coming out of his shell. That gives me quite a bit to be grateful for. I'm constantly testing reality--asking myself, "How rational are these thoughts?" Some days I just don't want to do a thing, while other days I'm driven to writing letters to the Dept. of Veteran's Affairs--I almost always get a satisfactory response withing a week or so after contacting them; and I also write to my state (CA) representatives which also prompts some action. I'm fortunate to be living in CA because some of the other states I've called home were extremely inadequate. I exercise daily--have a water aerobics group that's free--sponsored by the MS Monterey Multiple Sclerosis / Parkinson's Organization that offers many wonderful speakers and online groups such as Art Therapy and exercise for people like me who can't get out much--I finally had to give up driving because I no longer felt safe behind the wheel--posed a danger to others on the road, which turned out well because my Medicare plan covers transportation door-to-door--free use of Uber or Lyft. Always more to be grateful for. At first, I was quite bummed at not being able to surf, play tennis, or teach martial arts, but I do tai chi regularly and walk for at least a half hour/day with the aid of a walking stick or cane--keeps me from falling which is becoming more frequent over time. I just read an interview with Michael J. Fox who's had Parkinson's for about twenty years and he said that due to all his falls, he's broken nearly every bone in his body, yet he retains a positive attitude. A movie/documentary is going to be released soon about his life as an actor and as a person living with a progressingly untreatable disease. There's always hope for all of us if we choose to live moment-to-moment. Oh, and as a former career International Professional Surf Bum who's never lived more than walking distance to the ocean (Atlantic or Pacific), my wife and I are looking into moving to the east coast, and Myrtle Beach has come up a potential place to relocate, although, since I no longer surf, the Research Triangle in NC is also a possibility for us. I'd like to know what it's like living where you are. Of course, we could always move back to Brazil where I can get excellent health care and inexpensive housing. I haven't been to Myrtle Beach since the latter part of the 60s when I was a young surfer, scratching out a living in a newly forming pro sport, but getting drafted as soon as I went out to the west coast and Hawaii--some more things in my life that I'm proud of. I made a living at it thanks to sponsors, mentors, and taking chances--never even finished 7th grade, but as an avid reader and world-wide traveler, I had an excellent education. I just wish my wife wouldn't be so worried about me--all the time. She was orphaned at 13 and had to care for her two younger sisters and attended school full-time while working full-time and was still able to become an RN and later a clinical social worker. She's one tough woman, but life's taken a toll on her health, especially because here, in the world's richest country, decent healthcare is at a high premium, and so many of us don't get the care we need and deserve. I make it a point to look people in the eye and smile and give a cheery "Hello." It makes me feel better and hopefully does the same for others. I feel as if I'm changing the world one smile at a time. So, "Hello to you," and hope you're doing the best you can, and that you never give up being hopeful.

@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