I have been tapering off Lorazepam since June 2021 with Clonazepam and have a feeling the taper is so slow that I am getting use to the dose and need to taper up instead of down. Started at .50 and going in to my 9th month and am at .25.
I have been tapering off Lorazepam since June 2021 with Clonazepam and have a feeling the taper is so slow that I am getting use to the dose and need to taper up instead of down. Started at .50 and going in to my 9th month and am at .25.
I also,k have been on Xanax for a few years for my panic attacks. I don't want to be on any meds unless they are absolutely necessary!!!! I have tried to taper off myself, and it seems the panic gets worse......or is it just in my mind?
I also,k have been on Xanax for a few years for my panic attacks. I don't want to be on any meds unless they are absolutely necessary!!!! I have tried to taper off myself, and it seems the panic gets worse......or is it just in my mind?
@janish2022
I agree a 5-10% cut would significantly lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Cut the dose by the percentage you choose every 2-6 weeks. when I tapered off Klonopin I chose to cut every 4 weeks. It was a long taper but it was withdrawal free. Your best option is using a compounding pharmacy. Some insurance covers the cost others don't.
Good luck,
Jake
@janish2022
I agree a 5-10% cut would significantly lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Cut the dose by the percentage you choose every 2-6 weeks. when I tapered off Klonopin I chose to cut every 4 weeks. It was a long taper but it was withdrawal free. Your best option is using a compounding pharmacy. Some insurance covers the cost others don't.
Good luck,
Jake
Hey Jake -I haven’t started my official gradual taper - learning after terrible “expert” advice from psych nurse put me on a 3 week taper from .5mg prescription Xanax - I failed week 2 - had to reinstate and am still waiting on my central nervous system to recover -
I’m encouraged you took your time and didn’t have to go thru the inhumane trauma I experienced -
How much did you start with ?
How long were you taking ?
How long did it take you to taper off?
So sad more providers aren’t aware of the dangers of long term use
Be well
@janish2022
I agree a 5-10% cut would significantly lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Cut the dose by the percentage you choose every 2-6 weeks. when I tapered off Klonopin I chose to cut every 4 weeks. It was a long taper but it was withdrawal free. Your best option is using a compounding pharmacy. Some insurance covers the cost others don't.
Good luck,
Jake
@Jannish, Did you have your original Doctor who was prescribing you Klonopin prescribe the lower doses of Klonopin every 4 weeks to a compounding pharmacy or did you have to get a new Doctor? My Psychiatrist will most likely not do this for me because he is way too busy and has forgotten that I've been on Klonopin for 16 years now. I have weaned myself from 2mg to 1mg. I just dropped one night a few months ago. I don't think it's working anymore.
@archermac15 @janish2022
For some unknown reason I didn't use a compounding pharmacy, I cut my pills myself although I don't recommend that method unless the doctor refuses to a compounding pharmacy or is ordering cuts the user isn't comfortable with.
I started on 1 or 2 mg a day and increased by 2 mg probably every several weeks.
When we decided to stop it I was taking 18 mg a day, a huge amount. The maximum dose is 20 mg a day. I was talking it for seizures but it was of little or no use. If memory serves, which I wouldn’t count on I believe it took me two or more years. While taking it I thought it was affecting my memory & balance but I didn't notice any significant improvement after quitting.
Evie,
you mentioned you dropped from 2 mg to one milligram. If you cut your dose by 50 percent at once that may explain why “it's working anymore.” I wouldn't cut a medication by that much like many doctors recommend.
Good luck,
Jake
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Google Ashton Manual. Great tapering method.
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3 ReactionsI have been tapering off Lorazepam since June 2021 with Clonazepam and have a feeling the taper is so slow that I am getting use to the dose and need to taper up instead of down. Started at .50 and going in to my 9th month and am at .25.
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2 ReactionsGood morning. Can you explain the “taper up” ?
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1 ReactionI also,k have been on Xanax for a few years for my panic attacks. I don't want to be on any meds unless they are absolutely necessary!!!! I have tried to taper off myself, and it seems the panic gets worse......or is it just in my mind?
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3 ReactionsTaking a higher dose.
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3 ReactionsGradual
5-10% per month
Ashton Manual
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3 Reactions@janish2022
I agree a 5-10% cut would significantly lower the risk of withdrawal symptoms.
Cut the dose by the percentage you choose every 2-6 weeks. when I tapered off Klonopin I chose to cut every 4 weeks. It was a long taper but it was withdrawal free. Your best option is using a compounding pharmacy. Some insurance covers the cost others don't.
Good luck,
Jake
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsHey Jake -I haven’t started my official gradual taper - learning after terrible “expert” advice from psych nurse put me on a 3 week taper from .5mg prescription Xanax - I failed week 2 - had to reinstate and am still waiting on my central nervous system to recover -
I’m encouraged you took your time and didn’t have to go thru the inhumane trauma I experienced -
How much did you start with ?
How long were you taking ?
How long did it take you to taper off?
So sad more providers aren’t aware of the dangers of long term use
Be well
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
6 Reactions@Jannish, Did you have your original Doctor who was prescribing you Klonopin prescribe the lower doses of Klonopin every 4 weeks to a compounding pharmacy or did you have to get a new Doctor? My Psychiatrist will most likely not do this for me because he is way too busy and has forgotten that I've been on Klonopin for 16 years now. I have weaned myself from 2mg to 1mg. I just dropped one night a few months ago. I don't think it's working anymore.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@archermac15
@janish2022
For some unknown reason I didn't use a compounding pharmacy, I cut my pills myself although I don't recommend that method unless the doctor refuses to a compounding pharmacy or is ordering cuts the user isn't comfortable with.
I started on 1 or 2 mg a day and increased by 2 mg probably every several weeks.
When we decided to stop it I was taking 18 mg a day, a huge amount. The maximum dose is 20 mg a day. I was talking it for seizures but it was of little or no use. If memory serves, which I wouldn’t count on I believe it took me two or more years. While taking it I thought it was affecting my memory & balance but I didn't notice any significant improvement after quitting.
Evie,
you mentioned you dropped from 2 mg to one milligram. If you cut your dose by 50 percent at once that may explain why “it's working anymore.” I wouldn't cut a medication by that much like many doctors recommend.
Good luck,
Jake
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions