Trying to taper off of clonazepam while on progesterone for HRT

[Guest [Ty...]]

First of all, I really appreciate that this forum exists.  It's one of the few places where I've found any info about benzo and hormone cross tolerance. 

My ovaries were removed many years ago and I've been on estrogen replacement ever since.  Within 2 years of the surgery, I developed anxiety and panic that led to me being put on benzos and SSRIs.  The most recent benzo was clonazepam.  1mg/day was the highest dose I would take---I've never liked how I felt on psych drugs, so took the lowest doses possible.  I've had a lot of memory problems and paradoxical anxiety over the last year, so began to taper the drug myself---currently down to 0.25mg at bedtime.  My doctor is aware of the taper.  Without realizing that there was cross tolerance, I recently went on progesterone HRT, which was probably what I should have been on in the first place, but that's all history...  I'm now very confused about whether the benzo taper will be complicated by HRT/progesterone.  I've had a difficult menopause since losing my own hormones, so can't just quit it all. 

I'm hoping to find someone on the site who's been where I am, but was successful in getting off of the benzo. 

It's bizarre for me to realize that I've become "addicted" to a drug.     

[[be...]]

 

Hi Tybee Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am so happy you found us. Congratulations on your taper so far! The introduction board is meant as a starting point to members to start out at. Many members do not read this section...so you will want to post your questions on the appropriate board. You can find all our boards on the home page. This is a great place for support. The collective wisdom, of our members is enormous.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it 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.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

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.

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

 

[Guest [Mi...]]

Hi, Tybee. Welcome from me, too. 

 

There's several threads going on about HRT. I just located one of them for you:

 

Menopause / Hormonal Support. You may wish to post your questions there for some feedback.

 

Good luck. I know you're going to do great. 

[Guest [Ty...]]

Thank you both so much for the welcome and for the links.  Benzos-R-cruel--I've looked at the Ashton Manual and emailed my doc about switching from clonazepam to valium for the remainder of the taper, but no reply yet.  The main thing that I need to figure out is how progesterone will complicate completion of the taper.  I.e., if I'm still on it, can my brain eventually settle down, or will I remain in a perpetual state of withdrawal?  Until two days ago, I had no idea that the two substances shared some similar effects on the brain.  This is from a Wikipedia article: "Neuroactive steroids, e.g., progesterone and its active metabolite allopregnanolone, are positive modulators of the GABA receptor and are cross tolerant with benzodiazepines. The active metabolite of progesterone has been found to enhance the binding of benzodiazepines to the benzodiazepine binding sites on the GABA receptor."  There's much more, but that's the bottom line.

Sooooo---off I go to explore the posts that MindSeeker suggested.  Thank you again.  And again...