Too much of a cut after horrid detox experience??

[[he...]]

Hello again to those who read my previous story of this detox center that did nothing but lie to me and put me into a delayed cold turkey status when I arrived home. My story of that is titled: "Detox lied to me" on the most recent forums.

 

Been on Klonopin 1mg three times a day for 11 years, Detox center cut me to nothing using Valium in 5 days last dose there was 5mg before going to airport on July 27th. Severe withdrawal started on 29th. My doctor put me back on Valium 10mg 3xs a day. According to the Ashton Manual that is a 50 percent cut in 14 days after being on Klonopin 1mg 3xs a day for 11 years. I am still having horrible withdrawal with flu like symptoms. Been in bed all day long. Have an appointment with my P-doctor tomorrow, Wednesday, 3rd.

 

Although I dont want to be put back on Klonopin, such a horrid drug, I dont want to suffer either like I have been. When I got the RX of Valium on Friday, the 29th I was told to try and take less if I could. But not more. But Ive been sick from this rapid reduction and have taken 2 tablets off and on to alleviate the withdrawal.

 

I guess what I am just wanting feedback on is: if I continue with my current RX of Valium 10mg three times a day which is equivalent to Clonazepam 0.5mg thats a 50 percent cut in what I have been taking for 11 years and I am miserable. I know my body would have to adjust sometime on this dose but I dont know when and this is hard to tolerate.

[[Da...]]

heather50, I only had the detox in rehab I never took any more after that. When I went to see my doctor, the one who prescribed me Xanax for 15 years and upped the dosage twice during that time, knew I had been to rehab because he is in the same hospital system as the rehab. He saw on the computer I had been and the first thing he told me was he cannot prescribe anything to me. That included my AD I had been on for 15 years and also no more blood pressure medicine either. I was really shocked when he told me that. I was in acute at that time and it was really hard to even go and see him, when that happened I was really shocked.

 

So I did find another doctor who prescribed my AD and my blood pressure medicine to me. While I was very sick during that whole time period I decided not to go back on long enough taper, If I had I would be probably have still needed it now 8 months later. I know that most people don't want to do what I did because it is so difficult. At that time I was still uneducated as to benzo withdrawal and I was not sure what was even wrong with me. I thought there was something physical wrong.

 

I'm not suggesting anyone do what I did. It is still extremely difficult now. You should follow the Ashton plan for tapering if possible.

[[he...]]

Thanks for your input, Davis1. What does AD stand for? I think you mean your Xanax, just guessing?? I dont know how you did it and are still doing it. Xanax is the worst. I think Klonopin follows it next as being the worst also.  My doctor and social worker at the VA was not at the same place and all they knew is what that detox center told me. Be admitted for 7 to 10 days then return home with a 3 week continuing taper of Valium. Which is not what happened. I think if they knew they were going to do this radical taper in 5 days to nothing at all, they (my DR and social worker) would have not advised this as the VA does not do such drastic and radical tapers.

 

According to the Ashton plan, Im taking half the strength now that I was taking for 11 years and having these horrid withdrawal symptoms. Woke up today so weak and sick, I stayed in bed all day. I can tolerate mild withdrawal but the past days have been miserably intolerable.

[[Da...]]

AD=antidepressant (I take Elavil). I have taken it for years. I hope they get you on the right dose. I don't recommend what I did it is way too hard, I don't even know how I made it this far but I still have a lot of nasty symptoms. It may take me longer because of the way I stopped it. My rehab acted like that is the way it is done and I did not ask enough questions.  They told me I just needed 2-3 weeks. Here I'm eight months later.

[[fe...]]

I would just explain to your dr how u are feeling, and what u know about the Ashton method. Hopefully he will raise your Valium so u can do a slower taper. If he doesn't increase your v, hopefully u will level off in a few days. I know what u are going thru, and your symptoms, and it's worse than a terrible flu.

[[be...]]

Taking "less" might not do it. Typically when you reinstate you do so at the same dose or equivalent, and since you switched to Valium it might take a bit to build up. It has a very long half life. The best way to minimize symptoms is to do a slow gradual taper. The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks. Right now your symptoms are classic of someone who is trying to reduce to quickly.