Newbie help needed, please answer.

[[wa...]]

What is the substitution method VS the Titration method? I would assume substitution is the Ashton Method?

Also, is there a benefit to one or the other, in your opinion?

Lastly, the Ashton Method--I assumed it was liquid. Is it liquid or pills? And I have read about using a compounding pharmacy and some members using compounded pills?? How does that work? If I am crossing from Klonopin to Valium, what exactly does a compounding pharmacy do?? I'm confused.

And I've asked more than one question. I apologize. I'm overwhelmed and trying to get ready to do this.

[[Ju...]]

Substitution means switching to a longer acting benzo, which is essentially the Ashton method.

If you have never tried doing a reasonable taper (5-10% reduction every week or two) from you original benzo then it is probably best to try that first before crossing to valium (keep that as a backup plan). People try lots of different methods to make those 5-10% reductions. One is titrating, which involves liquefying a small portion of your dose to make small decreases (and you take the rest of your dose in pill form). I prefer liquids that are prescription or from a compounding pharmacy, but people have been successful with homemade solutions as well. Another approach is to use a scale to decrease the size of the pill fragments gradually.

JKS

[[wa...]]

  JustKeepSwimming-Thank you for answering.

I have a wonderful compounding pharmacy that I use for my hormones.

So, if I get my Dr's approval for the Ashton Method, do I just give that method/dosage schedule  (in my case Klonopin 1.5 to Valium) printed out to my dr, who gives it to the pharmacy? Is this done monthly? If I need to stay at a certain dose for a while, do I then call the Dr who notifies the pharmacy that I might need to stay at a certain dose for a while? Sorry for all of the questions. I DO appreciate the help.

[[bu...]]

  JustKeepSwimming-Thank you for answering.

I have a wonderful compounding pharmacy that I use for my hormones.

So, if I get my Dr's approval for the Ashton Method, do I just give that method/dosage schedule  (in my case Klonopin 1.5 to Valium) printed out to my dr, who gives it to the pharmacy? Is this done monthly? If I need to stay at a certain dose for a while, do I then call the Dr who notifies the pharmacy that I might need to stay at a certain dose for a while? Sorry for all of the questions. I DO appreciate the help.

 

Diazepam (Valium) is available in an Rx liquid.  Probably a better alternative than a  locally compounded mixture.

 

Just ask your doc for a scrip for Roxane Diazepam Oral Solution, 5mg=5ml.

[[wa...]]

Thanks, but how do you (from your signature line) get to .8mg, etc. How do you measure that? I want nothing to do with a scale, etc. I want someone to do the measuring for me, as surviving this will be all I want to concentrate on. Not to mention my DR is a GP and trusts me, but has no knowledge of this whole tapering thing.

-J

[[bu...]]

Thanks, but how do you (from your signature line) get to .8mg, etc. How do you measure that? I want nothing to do with a scale, etc. I want someone to do the measuring for me, as surviving this will be all I want to concentrate on. Not to mention my DR is a GP and trusts me, but has no knowledge of this whole tapering thing.

-J

 

That's the big advantage of using liquid...you can easily measure out tiny doses.  You just use an oral syringe.  Even using it "full strength", you can measure out .01mg. 

[[wa...]]

Thank you. I'll just have to stock up on syringes.

Really appreciate the help.

[[NJ...]]

I would also first see how you do with the compounded liquid from the pharmacy if you get liquid compounded klonopin. Take the liquid K for a week or more to see if your body is okay with it. I tried to use this in a prior taper attempt and my body really did not like the liquid K. I don't know why--it felt like I was taking no medicine. Some others have had similar results using a compounding pharmacy with liquid klonopin.

 

I do cut with a scale and it is not hard to do.

[[wa...]]

Never thought of that! Thank you for the tip.

-J