switching from klonopin to valium at less than suggested by the Ashton manual...

[[fl...]]

This will be my third swap of klonopin for valium..I was hoping to hear from a few people who made the switch with less than the Ashton manual required.My doc approved 4mgs for .25 of k with a few resue doses..I will not take a rescue dose.She's afraid of overdosing me, she said.I've made it so far...my schedule is every 7 days I swap 2mgs for .125 of klonopin.Today will be the first daytime dose as I started the night dose 2 weeks ago.Sleep is 6 hours usually.at first it was light sleep and nightmares but that eased.

 

This last switch was a little more difficult for 3 or 4 days..crying and mean...

 

This has to be doable.I need off the k so I can taper.If I need to hold longer before tapering then so be it..I may be able to talk her into a little more v after the tapering is done if it's needed..

 

Just looking for peace of mind I guess.Maybe since Ill be on 6mgs of v it will get easier? Ill be replacing .75k with 12mgs of valium..wish me luck and any advice would be great.....Is every 7 days enough time? Flower

[[...]]

Hi Flower, It seems to be working by substituting 4mg V for each .75mg K so that is what is important.  As you know Ashton puts the equivalency at 5mg V per .25mg K, but these are apparently not exact.  I switched from K to V using the Ashton numbers and it went well.  Was it more than needed?  I'll never know.  I have to admit I'm a bit peeved at your doctor for being so skimpy in a situation where it is important to get enough.  Her concern about overdosing you is silly.  As we all know it is important to begin a taper from as good a place as possible, but if 12mg works it works.

[[al...]]

Hi...the above advice sounds good; I'm no expert except in the encouragement dept. If things are working fairly well, I hope that continues for you  . I'm also sorry your doc is limiting your valium i.e. worried about 'overdose.'

 

Ashton's guidelines for the amount of valium is an estimate, and we all have different body chemistry/metabolism; more valium may cause a bit more of a sedative effect...and a bit less may give you more yucky s/x.

 

I guess it's a balance we all have to try to strike: after a taper fail from Ativan (first 3 weeks were good), I'm going to go sloooow next time i.e 2 weeks at each stage??, and perhaps up the Valium a bit.

 

Best of luck with your taper  .

[[fl...]]

I did the switch yesterday morning to .125 of k and 2 mgs of v..I didnt sleep well at all but Ill wait for a couple more days to decide if Ill add 1 mg at nite.I see the Peart schedule says if sleeps an issue to add to the night dose and reduce the other 2 doses.Only makes sense..

 

Allie good luck switching again.Don't give up. I took ativan before..it sure has a short half life and is a pain in the butt to get off of.I was C/T d off the stuff and given Zoloft...I was miserable for a long time..if this transfer is troublesome I will wait 2 weeks to switch again too.Honestly I felt I should have waited this time but oh well...

 

So far this is doable unless the k wd wont let me sleep..

 

Is it necessary to begin the taper from the v in 4 weeks or can I take a break and have the v work for me for a little , onger..I'm very afraid of the snowball effect of klonopin.it waits for 3 weeks to wd, for me anyhow, so I'm expecting it to hit me this time around...this is week 3....flower

[[fl...]]

Last nite Itookan extra 1mg of valium, a total 5mgs before bed...the wd from the k was very intense all day..ill go back to the usual 4mgs tonite...maybe a little extra will help get me through this next week or 2..I think ill take 2 weeks before swapping again.let go of me evil klonopin.....

[[al...]]

Hope you're doing okay...sure not an exact science, bleah! Thanks for the 'c/o encore!' encouragement, by the way; definitely taking another run at it soon.

 

When you mentioned the 'snowball' effect of klonopin w/d i.e. sort of hitting you at 3 weeks, it hit a chord with me. Ativan may not have the same rep. etc., but the 3 week mark of c/o is when I totally hit the wall...wonder if somehow there is a similarity??

 

Whatever the case, sounds like you're making good progress, even if it's bumpy-and confusing!-at times, so good for you  .

[[fl...]]

I have now converted 2 doses of k to v..using 4mgs each instead of the 5 mgs suggested...this last switch is not so bad......yet.Maybe Ill breeze through it .The last dose is the 2pm dose of .25 of k.....then a stabilizing period of around 4 weeksI guess...Ill soon have to make a plan to taper the v..maybe the 2pm dose first since this drug is suppose to be so long acting? Any help would be great......flower

[[...]]

Flower, if you need help with a daily taper let me know.  Also, have you considered a switch from three to two doses?  I'm thinking the V may allow you to do this, but the only way to know for sure is to try it.

[[fl...]]

I would love to do 2 doses but its getti g a little rocky switching right now...I still have the afternoon dose to do...25 of k...ill have to do it in 2 switches.....this dam back pain is killing me...I know its from k wd ..its happened in the past...I hope by next week end I can begin again and get this done...I never thought it would be so hard...but wding from k is not easy even when taking valium

[[fl...]]

Becoming benzo sick crossing to v is not fun...is this usual? Should I up the dose? Am exchanging .125k for 2mgs of v....a lot of gut issues and now not sleeping...no sedation...could k wd be kicking my butt....holding 2 weeks on the last cross...one more dose of .25 of k in the afternoon to cross...did anyone feel bettter for the stabilizing of 4 weeks after all crossed over? Flower

[[fl...]]

Im all crossed over to valium and its been 6 weeks now.I didnt get stable so 3 days ago added.5 of v to the am dose.I hope enough time has gone by that will be enough to adjust this mess...if not onward we go...that klonopin will not leave me go...mornings are not good, as many report....Ive cried alot and had some morning anxiety...seeing herbalist for tincture to lift my spirits...seems to work well but I dont want that everyday either...My family and friends think I am doing better but I don't see it.So many great people here, advice from so many can be confusing....updose, cut back, stay the same get stable...geez what do you do...I updosed enough I won't have to take forever getting off it....now how to plan the reduction       

[[ca...]]

flowergirl. myself like you am doing a switch from Klonopin to valium and my doc has me on way less then what the Ashton manual calls for, so i am wondering also ! PS: I used to be a morning person till this 

[[Mr...]]

Hi guys, does this mean if you did it again you would go with the 10mg - .5mg klonopin? I am planning to cross over in January xxxx

[[ba...]]

I'm supposed to start this as soon as I get the Valium.  My doctor told me to exchange my remaining K for Valium at the pharmacy with this new prescription and then take the Valium like I was the K.  Does this seem right?

 

You guys are talking about taking K with Valium?  I was told there was no need to do that.  I'm not liking the sound of this so far.