Starting a new cut tomorrow. Nervous.

[[ru...]]

I'm going to be making a .25 cut tomorrow.  Right now I'm stabilized at 1mg a day.  I was abusing my medicine for about two weeks (up to 2 mg a day) and it took me about 11 days to feel normal.

 

My doctor wants me to start my taper after the holidays, but I just want to start getting this over with. I had a mild withdrawal from the medication abuse. It was manageable,  but nonetheless,  sucked.

 

I've been working full time at my job in a high volume restaurant.  I wanna know if you think .25 is too much at one time. I feel that tapering at 10% is very slow and torturous.  I'd very much love to be off this garbage by February.

 

I'm planning on taking .25mg 3 times a day - every four hours. Is this smart? Has anyone here been through a similar taper?

 

I'm one to think that knowledge is power and would love any advice.  I'm also really on tune with my body chemistry due to alcohol abuse years ago.  However, I do not want to do this by the Ashton Manual - nor do I want to C/T - Just want to get the consensus if this is smart.

 

Thanks!

[[Di...]]

IMO .25 mg is too large of a cut.  .25 of 1 mg is a 25% cut.

 

I know I could never have done that large of a cut, without feeling reallllly bad.

 

We're all different though, so maybe you could handle that large of a cut.  I'm only saying that I couldn't.

 

If you are going to do this, I'd space out the .25 mg X 3, to every eight hours, rather then every 4 hours.

 

All the best to you. 

[[ru...]]

I understand withdrawal really well.  I also believe that I can convince myself to move forward.  We all know what happens when we cut. I just wanna see if the .25 3 a day will keep me even.

[[Cl...]]

I Did a rapid taper at the begining, I regret that, i thought I was one of the lucky ones since the very big problems started after nearly a month of starting my taper. Thus, i would never recommend to anyone go quickly. It is a good idea to start now that you are going to be in holidays. I take my full dose at night as I have always done it. I would be scared of driving and working if taking a morning dose as I become lowsy after taking Rivotril.  But if you have no insomnia, to split your dose may be a good idea. Good luck and please keep up posted. 

[[ru...]]

I forgot to add that I take Tylenol PM at night (5 pills). I have been tapering off Tylenol PM as well.  I don't have a problem with sleep. I also want to discontinue my use of the sleeping aids.

[[Be...]]

Weighing in here....Taper is not steps, per say, but gradually decreasing. So taper, my friend. The amount of .25 mg is a step with withdrawal symptoms you may be able to handle, or not. The point is to allow your brain to adjust and heal. What's the rush? Why not .125 mg? Physiology wins over our desires. Old saying: You can't push the river.

 

Best to you,

Bennie 

 

[[Cl...]]

Hi again Runnermc! I hope an expert respond to you soon as I do not have experience with other medications, apart from Trileptal and now taking 2 tablets of Valerian-passion flower herbal tablets for sleeping. Great to hear you do not have sleeping problem, so I think It is going to be Ok for you to split your dose. For BBs to help you better, it is a good idea to add into your signature the 5 tylenol pills you take and your sleeping aids. I am suprised that Tylenol is not causing you much anxiety if your sleep is good. Great that you are plannig on tapering  those pills as well. A moderador will advise you much better.

[[Cl...]]

Bennie, I like your phrase "physiology wins over our desire"...

[[ru...]]

@clona21 So does Tylenol PM cause anxiety?!

[[Cl...]]

@clona21 So does Tylenol PM cause anxiety?!

Years ago, before tapering, I took Tylenol as needed, no more than one pill every 2 weeks, those days I was very anxious, I changed to Aspirin and the same thing happened.

[[ru...]]

@[cl...]

 

[[Cl...]]

Yes! We need to keep in touch! 

[[ru...]]

I decided not to cut today. I made a horrible decision yesterday and drank a case of beer. I woke up this morning in sheer terror - I was ridden with anxiety.  I know I shouldn't have drank, but I did. :/ I feel the alcohol withdrawl today and feel really scared about my life. I've been having these mini relapses since August after being sober for a year and a half. It's really weird. I used to not have a desire to drink - that's how the klonopin has helped me, but it acts like alcohol.  I just pray that I have the strength to not to return to drinking after I am off of the medication.  It's a frightening thought.

[[Mo...]]

Runner, I hope you are feeling a bit better today. Even though it was a setback, don't beat yourself up about the drinking. But remember how it made you feel, and I can almost guarantee you won't want to drink anytime soon. Make the next cut when you're ready. I'm setting my next cut for Thursday. Again, hope you're well.

[[Ba...]]

I think it is too rapid. I know it takes an annoying amount of patience to taper slowly, but the whole point of it is to reduce the risk of PAWS. The slower you go through the taper, the quicker you heal afterwards. Stick to 10% max and hold for 10 days min.

 

If I could get off and just feel like hell for 3 weeks I would, but the thought that by being impatient now might mean I suffer YEARS afterwards just isn't worth the risk.

 

I see that Klonipin seems to be one of the harsher benzo's to withdraw from also, just from what I read about others experiences with it.

 

Good idea not to cut today, it might be worth holding out until after Christmas. Especially if you plan on celebrating with a few drinks. It would be best to stop or limit your alcohol consumption during the taper and whilst experiencing WD symptoms, they act on the same part of the brain and will make tapering and WD a lot harder.

 

 

[[ru...]]

Yea, I still feel really anxious when I wake up for about an hour, but it fades during the day. Had intense night sweats last night as well. It's crazy to think that the alcohol has got me this messed up 3 days after.  I'm not planning on drinking for a long time.  It's not worth it. I guess I'll just stable out again then start the taper.  Lesson learned.

[[Cl...]]

Hi Runnermc!

I hope you feel much better, is great also that you have decided not to drink for long time. Your taper is going to be more easy. Wish you the best!