1. < Addiction & Recovery

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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sears | @sears | May 26 11:33am
In reply to @jcase "Clonazepam is just the generic form of Klonopin. I don't understand why the Dr would've switched..." + (show)
@jcase

Clonazepam is just the generic form of Klonopin. I don't understand why the Dr would've switched you to the same thing. I've been taking Xanax unprescribed for about 10 years and I only take about 3 mgs at a time and still have withdrawal when I try to taper myself off. These Drs are over prescribing benzos. But I can't get a Rx for my anxiety and panic attacks because I had an addiction to pain meds over 20 years ago. Very sad for people that need benzos and can't get them

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Stay safe.🙏🏼

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sears | @sears | May 27 3:31pm
In reply to @jcase "Clonazepam is just the generic form of Klonopin. I don't understand why the Dr would've switched..." + (show)
@jcase

Clonazepam is just the generic form of Klonopin. I don't understand why the Dr would've switched you to the same thing. I've been taking Xanax unprescribed for about 10 years and I only take about 3 mgs at a time and still have withdrawal when I try to taper myself off. These Drs are over prescribing benzos. But I can't get a Rx for my anxiety and panic attacks because I had an addiction to pain meds over 20 years ago. Very sad for people that need benzos and can't get them

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3 mgs. Xanax would be considered a very high dose.

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jrciers2 | @jrciers2 | Jul 24 6:59pm
In reply to @helenfrances "Thank you so much for writing! You inspire me and give me hope. I visited the..." + (show)
@helenfrances

Thank you so much for writing! You inspire me and give me hope.
I visited the doctor who prescribed Clonazapam. I too am your age and I took this DRUG for decades. I am dependent (rather than addicted) to it. Is there a difference?!!
(I now have mild cognitive impairment.) He is referring me to a psychiatrist who will manage the the ongoing decrease in taking this drug… a neurologist has already prescribed a med that lessens the loss of memory..Escitalopram.

I considered what the consequences should be for a well meaning doctor who prescribed a medication that affects memory and mood!!
I also asked myself! .. why did I not read the pharmaceutical info!!

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Is there anything that is Newer /July 2023

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nonnied | @nonnied | Jul 29 8:40am

I’ve been able to taper off RX Benzos 3 times. I take it slower than my Dr even recommended because I am highly sensitive to all meds. I kept reducing the dosage every 2 weeks until there was just a tiny amount to wean off of. And for me it works. Best of luck to you!

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1 reply
nanagizer | @nanagizer | Jul 30 12:03pm
In reply to @nonnied "I’ve been able to taper off RX Benzos 3 times. I take it slower than my..." + (show)
@nonnied

I’ve been able to taper off RX Benzos 3 times. I take it slower than my Dr even recommended because I am highly sensitive to all meds. I kept reducing the dosage every 2 weeks until there was just a tiny amount to wean off of. And for me it works. Best of luck to you!

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How long were you on them and how much per day?

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1 reply
nonnied | @nonnied | Jul 30 12:20pm
In reply to @nanagizer "How long were you on them and how much per day?" + (show)
@nanagizer

How long were you on them and how much per day?

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I took Xanax for 18 months as rescue and for high anxiety. .5 mg 1- 3 times daily. I was also on 1.0 Klonopin 18 months at the same time for sleep.
I tapered off the Xanax first. Stayed with the Klonopin for 6 months then tapered off it the same way I did with Xanax.
I do take an antidepressant daily, as well as a non narcotic sleep aid . I’ve suffered from high anxiety my entire life. I’m doing well!

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2 replies
yvonne55 | @yvonne55 | Jul 30 12:42pm
In reply to @nonnied "I took Xanax for 18 months as rescue and for high anxiety. .5 mg 1- 3..." + (show)
@nonnied

I took Xanax for 18 months as rescue and for high anxiety. .5 mg 1- 3 times daily. I was also on 1.0 Klonopin 18 months at the same time for sleep.
I tapered off the Xanax first. Stayed with the Klonopin for 6 months then tapered off it the same way I did with Xanax.
I do take an antidepressant daily, as well as a non narcotic sleep aid . I’ve suffered from high anxiety my entire life. I’m doing well!

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How did you do your taper off the xanax?

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nanagizer | @nanagizer | Jul 30 12:43pm
In reply to @nonnied "I took Xanax for 18 months as rescue and for high anxiety. .5 mg 1- 3..." + (show)
@nonnied

I took Xanax for 18 months as rescue and for high anxiety. .5 mg 1- 3 times daily. I was also on 1.0 Klonopin 18 months at the same time for sleep.
I tapered off the Xanax first. Stayed with the Klonopin for 6 months then tapered off it the same way I did with Xanax.
I do take an antidepressant daily, as well as a non narcotic sleep aid . I’ve suffered from high anxiety my entire life. I’m doing well!

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Thanks for the reply. I am on Ativan taking .5 mg 1-2 times per day about 18 months now as well. How did you do that taper? I would love to get this out of my life but I am also high anxiety and have been for years and years…..

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1 reply
nonnied | @nonnied | Jul 30 1:29pm
In reply to @nanagizer "Thanks for the reply. I am on Ativan taking .5 mg 1-2 times per day about..." + (show)
@nanagizer

Thanks for the reply. I am on Ativan taking .5 mg 1-2 times per day about 18 months now as well. How did you do that taper? I would love to get this out of my life but I am also high anxiety and have been for years and years…..

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I’m super sensitive to changes in my body.
My Dr (psychiatrist) confirmed I was in a place to taper off the Xanax first.
I got a pill cutter and reduced the dose in 1/4s. So
3/4 for 2 weeks, 1/2 for 2 weeks, 1/4 for 2 weeks. And at the end of six weeks if I wasn’t having any withdrawal symptoms I was done. Low and slow is what I do. (3 different times in my life) my anti depressant is low dose and with it and lifestyle changes I am able to reduce my anxiety well.
Good luck to you!!

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