Nice to know I'm not alone

[[me...]]

I have been tapering from 80mg Valium for 15 months now. I am at 4mg now. They switched me from 8mg Ativan.  It has  not been fun. I have been trying to figure out how to post a new thread and for the life of me can;t figure it out. I need some advise on finishing off these last 4. I had was doing ok up until I hit about 22 withdrawals are very apparent. I was at 4 once before but had to dose up. I didn't have much problem going to 4.5. I do not understand why 4 is so difficult.

[[ma...]]

Hi mewilson66 Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

Well done on your taper so far, you have done such a good job,  it does get harder at the low doses.  Are you familiar with the  Ashton Manual , it is an excellent resource for information about these medications and gives a lot of information about withdrawal/tapering. Here is a link to the manual: Ashton Manual

 

We have a great community here of knowledgeable and friendly people who understand this process.  They will be willing to share their experience with you.  Feel free to ask questions so that members can respond

 

Here are some helpful links:

 

Withdrawal Support

 

General Taper Plans

 

VALIUM/DIAZEPAM SUPPORT GROUP

 

If you would be so kind as to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice this link will show you how to”Create a signature”

 

Welcome aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[De...]]

Hello mewilson66,

 

Welcome to the forum from me too 

 

Congratulations on your taper so far, you've done very well and should feel proud of yourself!

 

As Magrita said the lower doses can be more challenging for many members, I know they were for me and many of us need to slow down our taper rates at this stage to ensure that we keep our withdrawal effects minimised. Are you still cutting the diazepam (valium) pills to reduce? titration might be an option for you where you crush the pill and mix with fluid, usually milk, to make a suspension, this way very small, very accurate cuts to the daily dosage can be made. I used this method and found it to be very successful. Diazepam is available in liquid form also, this might be another option for you, for ease of very small cuts.

 

You should be able to post to all the boards now that you've been accepted as a member but please feel free to ask for assistance if you have any problems.

 

I'm glad you found us and I wish you success with the taper.

 

Debbie

[[me...]]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the replies. I had major setback and had to go back up to 12mg. I tried to quit smoking and went into a tail spin. Panic attacks would not stop. I was at 3.5 mg. I have tapered back down to 10mg. The original tapering I was doing about 10mg every week until about 25. Then started doing 1/2mg tapering. The same as I'm doing now. My withdrawal symptoms include.  Brain Fog, gastro issues (Gastritus Diagnosed by Endoscopy which I had never before Benzos), to much stimuli though eyes I have noticed causes withdrawal symptoms to be worse, muscle tension, some sleep issues but Melatonin seems to help. This setback taper has an added one. Even though I am sleeping as much as since the beginning I will now get tired and feel like I want to fall asleep and then will come out of it if I get active. I exercise everyday. I take multivitamins.  Any suggestions on tapering schedule from here on out and help to reduce withdrawal symptoms especially the Benzo Belly stuff?

[[me...]]

I also forgot to mention my tinnitus. Which started while still on Ativan before the crossover they did 18 months ago. Drives me nuts sometimes in my left ear. It goes back and forth. I am wondering if it is a sign of tolerance. Maybe Im not tapering fast enough? I went back down from the 12 to 10 at 1/2mg  week. One month since the setback. Really disappointment as I was down to 3.5 mg and have to go through this even longer now. 

[[be...]]

I have been tapering from 80mg Valium for 15 months now. I am at 4mg now. They switched me from 8mg Ativan.  It has  not been fun. I have been trying to figure out how to post a new thread and for the life of me can;t figure it out. I need some advise on finishing off these last 4. I had was doing ok up until I hit about 22 withdrawals are very apparent. I was at 4 once before but had to dose up. I didn't have much problem going to 4.5. I do not understand why 4 is so difficult.

 

Welcome  Congrats on your taper so far. You have done an amazing job over the last 15 months. I, too, was on 8 mg of Ativan, but I got off of it the wrong way. My doctor thought it would be ok to cold turkey. Ouch. Although I never tapered I have read from many that the last part of the taper is the hardest. You have made it 95 percent so far. You are almost there. I think that you just have to come off of the remaining 5 percent really slow. Again, welcome. I am so glad you joined!

[[ma...]]

Hi,

 

Thanks for the replies. I had major setback and had to go back up to 12mg. I tried to quit smoking and went into a tail spin. Panic attacks would not stop. I was at 3.5 mg. I have tapered back down to 10mg. The original tapering I was doing about 10mg every week until about 25. Then started doing 1/2mg tapering. The same as I'm doing now. My withdrawal symptoms include.  Brain Fog, gastro issues (Gastritus Diagnosed by Endoscopy which I had never before Benzos), to much stimuli though eyes I have noticed causes withdrawal symptoms to be worse, muscle tension, some sleep issues but Melatonin seems to help. This setback taper has an added one. Even though I am sleeping as much as since the beginning I will now get tired and feel like I want to fall asleep and then will come out of it if I get active. I exercise everyday. I take multivitamins.  Any suggestions on tapering schedule from here on out and help to reduce withdrawal symptoms especially the Benzo Belly stuff?

 

Hi

 

I am sorry you had to go backwards that's such a shame, you were doing so well. The tinnitus, and the other symptoms you mention are common in benzo withdrawal.  The general rule of thumb is to reduce between 5/10% every 10/14 days. You can adjust it if need be for your own comfort

 

Keep moving forward, it will get better, you can do this.

 

Magrita