Starting benzo withdrawal

[[je...]]

Hi I was started on Valium 2mgs while starting sertraline 4 months ago. Took 2 mgs at night as was unable to sleep without going into a panic. Started to reduce to 1mg about 1 month ago but only sleeping 2-4 hours and waking in a panic. Now reducing sertraline down from 50mgs to 25mgs as it was making things worse. Doctoer prescribed 0.25 mgs clonezepam 5 days ago to take 1 1/2 hours before bed. Sleepinh 5-6 hours a night - so drugged up all day. Stopped Valium 5 days ago when I started the clonezepam. Feel I need to start reducing & get off these drugs & would like advise

Thanks

[[Ju...]]

Hello jentim12,

 

Welcome to BenzoBuddies.

 

We're glad you joined us for support related to your taper.  If I were in your shoes, I would wait a while longer prior to beginning tapering Klonopin, since you crossed over about 5 days ago from Valium.  Below is a link for our General Taper Plans board.  This would be a good place to ask questions about your taper.  You can do this jentim12!  Good luck.

 

Here are some helpful links:

       

You can post a topic about tapering on our General Taper Plans Board.  The second pink-highlighted post explains the three accepted taper methods.  Also:

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Members discuss their symptoms on Withdrawal Support (during your taper).

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Welcome to the board!

[[je...]]

Thanks - how long do you think I need to stay on this dose before tapering - I feel so drugged up & foggy all day & it is frightening - worried about seizures, and do you think it was safe to just stop the valium

Thank

[[Ju...]]

Thanks - how long do you think I need to stay on this dose before tapering - I feel so drugged up & foggy all day & it is frightening - worried about seizures, and do you think it was safe to just stop the valium

Thank

 

Unless I had a seizure disorder I would not worry about seizures IF I tapered sensibly. 

 

Why did you switch from Valium to Klonopin?  When you switched benzos, in equivalency terms, you did a large updose. 

 

.25mg of Klonopin is equivalent to 5mgs of Valium, (according to Ashton).  Usually if a substitution is done, the person starts taking an equivalent dose of the benzo they replaced.

 

In your case, this would be more like .0625 or .125mgs of Klonopin, rather than .25mgs.

 

Please post your questions on:  Substitution Taper Plans

 

Not all of our members read this section of the board.  Good luck. 

 

 

[[je...]]

Thanks have put on other section. Dr prescribed the clonezepam in hope I would get more sleep - now haven't a clue what to do