The long road has become shorter...and I am afraid...

[[Sp...]]

Hi BB's...

 

If anyone is interested, I was the one whining about feeling lousy all the time at 6 mg. of Diazepam after a crossover from Clonazepam to Diazepam that occurred rather suddenly in March, 2016.  There was no mix of the two - I just went straight from 1.5 mgs. of Clonazepam to 15 mgs. of Diazepam.  That was difficult, but its all the help I could get.  Well, I just talked to my doctor and he gave me the following schedule for the final stretch (all bedtime doses):

 

Week 1 - 5.0 mg. -    [1] 5mg. tablet for 7 days

Week 2 - 4.5 mg. -    [1/2] 5 mg. tablet plus [1] 2mg. tablets for 7 days

Week 3 - 4.0 mg. -    [2] 2 mg. tablets at bedtime for 7 days

Week 4 - 3.5 mg. -    [1/2] 5 mg. tablet plus [1/2] 2 mg. tablets for 7 days

Week 5 - 3.0 mg. -    [1 and 1/2] tablet 2mg. tablets for 7 days

Week 6 - 2.5 mg. -    [1/2] 5 mg. tablets for 7 days

Week 7 - 2.0 mg. -    [1] 2 mg. tablet for 7 days

Week 8 - 1.0 mg. -    [1/2] 2 mg. tablet for 7 days

Week 9 - STOP

 

I am 2 days into the 5 mg. dosage, so I am going to finish this on November 5 - whether I like it or not AND I DO, but I am afraid of what I don't know (makes a lot of sense, right?).  If I can help anyone in my situation with this schedule drafted by my G.P., it would make me feel a lot better as I head toward the finish line.  Again, I am excited (its been 6 months), but I am also afraid.  How ridiculous is that?

 

Best to All,

 

Sprinkly

[[be...]]

That looks a little fast. The recommended reduction rate is 5 - 10% every two weeks. One milligram is also a fairly large dose to jump from.

[[Sp...]]

I know, but its all I have...this is why I am a little fearful, but I will post when I am finished.

 

Thank you!

[[Ch...]]

Please don't wait to post until you are finished...post every day because it helps validate and process what you are experiencing!  Best wishes...

[[Sp...]]

Ok.  I see what you are saying.  I actually emailed my husband about an hour ago to say that I am 4 days in to .5mgs per day and I am inexplicably feeling great.  I can only hope that my sloppy titration that began in March might just work for others trying to ditch Clonazepam.  I followed an Ashton taper table as closely as my doctors would allow, so I am confident that Professor Ashton is the ultimate authority on benzo tapering.  For whatever reason, my GP wants me to jump from 2 mgs. to 1mgs. in the last two weeks.  I think he has simply concluded that taking 1 mg. is like taking an aspirin (for me) and he wants me to keep pace.  For this, I am grateful.

 

For anyone who is curious, my problems for the last three months have been digestive (IBS - I am all over the place), a few days of depression and many days of feeling all alone and not wanting to socialize beyond work.  I have never experienced Tinnititus which is bizarre as it is such a common complaint.

 

Keep the faith buddies!  I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel here...

 

Sprinkly

[[Di...]]

Yes, keep posting.