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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mayonina82 | @mayonina82 | Apr 22, 2023

Successfully tapered off Lorezepam years ago, with the help of a group all doing the same. But the group is no longer active. Much harder to taper off zolpidem. Back on lorezepam, but Just cut downfrom 1 mg to 2.5 mg and feel smarter and saner.

wordsnbooks | @wordsnbooks | Apr 23, 2023

In reply to @wordsnbooks "Searched "l-thanine/taper" with no results on Benzo Coalition. Could you send a link to that specifically?..." + (show)

Update after failed first attempt. Made a weaning schedule based on a 20 year dependence, as my daughter said "you don't train for a marathon in a week". SO, started with 3/4 of the .05 that had been my base dosage up and down since beginning. Did that for 60 days, went to 1/2 where I am for another 2 weeks to complete another 60 days. Then to 1/4 for 60 days, then 1/4 every other day for the last 60 days. Likely tapering more the last month. This schedule seems forgiving to me and avoids the awful irritability and panic experienced with my first effort. The transition from 3/4 to 1/2 was 4 days of awful insomnia but I made it through. Knowing me, LOL, not sure if the insomnia was because of the lower dose or because I knew it was a lower dose. LOL again. So wish me luck with the next transition. If this is of help to anyone, I'm glad. Be gentle with yourselves. This dependence may not be what you expected but I think weaning can be done without self loathing or any other BS. Good luck to all.

sears | @sears | Apr 24, 2023

In reply to @wordsnbooks "Update after failed first attempt. Made a weaning schedule based on a 20 year dependence, as..." + (show)

Sounds like you’re doing great and thanks for letting us know. We do appreciate it. Keep us posted!

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Apr 24, 2023

In reply to @sears "Ltheanine has no interaction with Benzos or antidepressants. If in doubt consult your pharmacist." + (show)

It increases gaba as do Benzos. We don’t need more gaba that’s what Benzos do. We need the gaba a receptors to re-emerge as we taper. So it seems counter productive and concerning.

sears | @sears | Apr 24, 2023

In reply to @kathy5645 "It increases gaba as do Benzos. We don’t need more gaba that’s what Benzos do. We..." + (show)

I’ll get back with my physchiatrist and pharmacist. They both thought Ltheanine might be helpful.

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Apr 24, 2023

In reply to @sears "I’ll get back with my physchiatrist and pharmacist. They both thought Ltheanine might be helpful." + (show)

Thanks. I’ll appreciate their input. My experience is that pharmacist and psychiatrist are often uninformed. The Benzo coalition and Dr Kristi Huff are working with the FDA and doctors to inform them of current research.

lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Apr 25, 2023

In reply to @kathy5645 "Thanks. I’ll appreciate their input. My experience is that pharmacist and psychiatrist are often uninformed. The..." + (show)

What is the benzo coalition? I respect how informed you are about benzo addiction. The more I read and explored on my own, the easier it was for me to kick benzos. It has been 2 months for me, and I feel great. I have energy I haven't had in years. I lost 24 pounds as I was overweight from a sedentary lifestyle. However, I do not trust FDA or anything to do with the government. I was taught to blindly trust and I lost years of my life that I can never get back. I can now trust myself and use my own intelligence to guide me.

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Apr 25, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "What is the benzo coalition? I respect how informed you are about benzo addiction. The more..." + (show)

Congratulations I’m so happy for you. Am still on my journey with all the difficulties of a taper.
You can google the Benzo coalition. It has very good source of information.
I too have been on Benzo for years and Valium has compromised years of my life. At times I’m hopeful and other times very discouraged. I also have chronic pain which makes my very slow taper feel insurmountable at times. You have given me hope.

lindasmith1222 | @lindasmith1222 | Apr 25, 2023

In reply to @kathy5645 "Congratulations I’m so happy for you. Am still on my journey with all the difficulties of..." + (show)

Hang in there . . . it is definitely worth the journey . . . I am free today. Not that there haven't been times my the stress level was so high I wished I had pills to alleviate my stress . . . but I am learning and will continue to learn new ways to deal with my stress. The pills were a quick fix and the methods to alleviate stress are slow. I must have patience with myself as I was addicted for decades. I also am in constant pain and tapering caused my muscles to tighten and the pain got worse, but being informed that it is part of the process and when my body adjusted with each taper, the pain subsided. Accepting that I will always be in pain is difficult but necessary. Keep me posted how you are doing!

kathy5645 | @kathy5645 | Apr 25, 2023

In reply to @lindasmith1222 "Hang in there . . . it is definitely worth the journey . . . I..." + (show)

Thanks so much for your encouragement. I have been on Valium for 18 years. It doesn’t seem possible. I had five good years then things went quickly down hill. I was put on Valium as a muscle relaxer for pelvic platform dysfunction and spasms. So like you my body is rebelling right now. Many days spent in bed. Hoping like you I can say finally I am free.

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