Help advice Needed Clomazapam taper

[[Ki...]]

Hello.

 

I've just found this site, I wish Dr's  Psychiatrists would have let me know I couldn't just stop clomazapam. (useless)

 

I've been taking benzos for roughly 10 years first 6 it was only when needed and could stop for weeks no problems since an life event the last 4 years it's been roughly 2-3mg a day.  Some times less sometimes more.

 

I stopped cold turkey not knowing what I know now lasted a week quickly realised I couldn't just stop.

 

Started them again taking 0.5, 3 times a day felt better.  I can't remember exact times of dropping dose I think  after 2 weeks started 0.25 half 3 times a day then 0.25 twice a day for roughly 2-3 weeks.  Then 12.5 quarter twice a day that's where I'm at now.

 

It's all been rough and ongoing I'm all over the place nightmare. 

 

I'm breaking them in dose so doses aren't exact everytime.

 

Now that I've got more information I'm not sure what to do I want off these things and to know where my head is really at before antidepressants or anything. 

 

What I like to  know is do you keep taking a dose until you start having normal as can be days sleeping etc before dropping dose again or do withdrawal symptoms go on until months after last dose if that's the case do I keep dropping dose as I going to feel this way either way?

 

And from here what's best slowly swapping to short life form Valium etc and keep lowering on them.  As I'm not sure I can get exact doses of lowered amount of clomazapam made up for me here in NZ.  Or do I try get some scales and crush and do myself.

 

Any advice experience would be appreciated as Dr's have no clue!!.

 

I hope this made sense I apologise if not my heads not working very well.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest [ba...]]

Welcome to the group!

 

Yes, you should probably find a dose that gives you enough relief to that you can function.  Keep it as low as you can, but not so low that your withdrawal symptoms are strong.  Probably want to stay on that dose for a week or two to make sure that you're doing OK.

 

While you're becoming stable, you should get familiar with the various tapering approaches.  Some people do 'traditional' cut and holds where they'll reduce their dose by 5-10% then hold at that dose for a couple of weeks.  Then another cut, then another hold, and so on...  There are also people who do daily micro tapers.  They reduce by a very small amount on a daily basis.  Micro tapers can be done using solid or liquid approaches.  Finally, there is no need to crossover to a longer-acting benzo.  Klonopin has a fairly long half-life.  It's not as long as valium, but it's long enough to work pretty well.  Crossing over will take a couple of extra months and there's a chance that the valium won't agree with you as well as the klonopin has.

 

Anyway, lots of stuff to learn about while you're gearing up to do your taper.

[[Be...]]

I am new to this site as well and am just starting my taper process too...so far though I have found that yes definetely get a microgram scale .001....that way your cuts will be exact...it helps...a lot!!!....also I have found that liquid super b complex has been helping a little with the emotional side...not a lot but enough to be noticeable.  i was put on cymbalta 30mg and gabapentin 100mg to help with the withdrawals..although those are not really doing much at this point but im still working out the kinks of this endeavor....good luck to us both!!!  and no ...I have yet to find a doc that really knows much....but this site has helped a great deal with everything so far:)

[[Ki...]]

Hey thanks for the help advice.

 

It's a battle alright.  So do most people find if they taper slowly enough they avoid the worst of the withdrawal symptoms?.

 

As I mentioned I'm at 012.5? a quarter of 0.5 pill morning and evening.  And suffering but from what I read, I shouldn't increase it to feel semi normal now I've got down to that dose. 

I'm unsure what to do if I stay at this dose will I eventually feel semi normal at it?. Then drop dose somehow again.

 

Or do I stay at it for a period of time no matter how I feel and drop it anyway?.

 

And to drop it do I swap to a benzodiazepines with a shorter half life etc?.

 

So lost, 

 

 

[[tj...]]

@kiwi-. Stay where you are at if your symptoms are mostly tolerable. I tried a microgram scale and didn't like it.  I really like liquid titration.  It's much easier I think.  I am tapering from 2 mg in 100 ml of alcohol and water.  I simply take out .5 ml every week or so.  I started at 100 ml in May and am down to 76 ml today.  I am almost ready to cut again but I do it less than .2 ml or so and see how I feel.  Good luck!!

[[Ki...]]

Hi Thanks

 

Do the withdrawal symptoms eventually go after staying on a dose?

 

And should I wait until then to cut again?

 

I'm a little unsure of this dissolving method would I dissolve 0.25mg and take that then start taking small amounts out every week or two. 

 

What alcohol do you use and what else is needed?

 

Sorry for all the questions

[[tj...]]

Hi Thanks

 

Do the withdrawal symptoms eventually go after staying on a dose?

 

And should I wait until then to cut again?

 

I'm a little unsure of this dissolving method would I dissolve 0.25mg and take that then start taking small amounts out every week or two. 

 

What alcohol do you use and what else is needed?

 

Sorry for all the questions

Most symptoms will fade.  I base mine on if I sleep ok and/or if I get anxiety.  Otherwise I battle fatigue daily.  I would take half solid and half liquid. You can taper off the first half of liquid and the 2nd half make liquid when you are done with first taper.  Any 80 proof Alcohol works.  Put 5 ml of vodka in small glass jar. Let it sit for an hour then fill with 45 ml of water to have 50 ml total.  There are different ways of doing this so others will hopefully  home in.  Take out 1ml or less daily to see how you feel.  I would start at less for sure just to see how you feel.  You are at a low dose already. You really have to listen to your body mostly.  I will chime in more later.  Off to work!!!