Take a break and hold for 3 months is it a bad idea?

[Guest [su...]]

I wonder if anyone can tell me if it is OK to hold for 2,5 -3,5

months without start problems? Will I get "normal" during a hold or is it like between cuts, in my case some minor sx.

I need a break. Or do I put my body in tolerance w/d, inter dose w/d or something? I have cut 6,25 mg Valium in 2,5 months and now I need some holiday from cuts. 

 

[[ly...]]

 

 

I've taken vacations from my taper with no ill effects.  The first year (actually the first 3 months!) I dropped from 8mg xanax to 1mg.  I decided that I had made enough progress for one year and also needed time to recover.  This year I went far too fast in January and February and took 4 months off.  I felt better, much better, after 2 months but decided to just relax and enjoy my summer.   I figured that after 25yrs on benzos I could take my sweet time getting off.  I refuse to cut when I am not feeling well.  I really don't care how long it takes me.

[Guest [su...]]

 

 

I've taken vacations from my taper with no ill effects.  The first year (actually the first 3 months!) I dropped from 8mg xanax to 1mg.  I decided that I had made enough progress for one year and also needed time to recover.  This year I went far too fast in January and February and took 4 months off.  I felt better, much better, after 2 months but decided to just relax and enjoy my summer.   I figured that after 25yrs on benzos I could take my sweet time getting off.  I refuse to cut when I am not feeling well.  I really don't care how long it takes me.

Thank you for your answer. I really need a break from focus on taper and cuts and just take some time off. I have come more than half my start dose. It was 20 mg in April. And I am going to India in march. Well feel as normal as I can. I will do one more cut so I have 8 mg instead of 8,75 mg. Then hold feb-april 

[[be...]]

Hi, I am a person that holds and I have no problems getting back to the taper, I have been doing this for a long time and I am not pushing to get off, of course each of us must do what is best for us. Is it really so important to reach 8mg, and it seems like it is a big cut and may cause you some more problems, that is just my thinking you know what is best, sometimes pushing forward does not always work, like we think. But best wishes for your vacation and recovery.

[Guest [su...]]

Hi, I am a person that holds and I have no problems getting back to the taper, I have been doing this for a long time and I am not pushing to get off, of course each of us must do what is best for us. Is it really so important to reach 8mg, and it seems like it is a big cut and may cause you some more problems, that is just my thinking you know what is best, sometimes pushing forward does not always work, like we think. But best wishes for your vacation and recovery.

 

It is a cut of .75 mg Valium. From my 8,75 mg I take today. Or maybe I just take the break now...I was thinking I would not have these tiny cuts made from pills just whole pills....Thank you so very much 😊. I hope Goa will be amazing.

And my brain need a vacation from cutting. Last year I did crazy cuts from may-aug and I took a relapse in September. I was on 20 mg in may 2016 and now 8,75 mg. I have cut 11,25 mg in 7 months so I guess I deserve some time off.

🌴🌴🌴

[[be...]]

Sometimes it is best to stop, and let things be. . Anyway I have had no problems, and I will be doing this for many moons to come.

[Guest [su...]]

Sometimes it is best to stop, and let things be. . Anyway I have had no problems, and I will be doing this for many moons to come.

You do liquid. Is it good?.Do you get sxs from it? How do your titration plan look like? I agree! I said to my husband no more cuts now. My brain went on holiday.

Does your sleep improve during hold?

Some times off will give me energy and even forget about w/d and cuts for a while soooo nice

[Guest [su...]]

 

 

I've taken vacations from my taper with no ill effects.  The first year (actually the first 3 months!) I dropped from 8mg xanax to 1mg.  I decided that I had made enough progress for one year and also needed time to recover.  This year I went far too fast in January and February and took 4 months off.  I felt better, much better, after 2 months but decided to just relax and enjoy my summer.   I figured that after 25yrs on benzos I could take my sweet time getting off.  I refuse to cut when I am not feeling well.  I really don't care how long it takes me.

Are you using liquid taper? I don't care about time no more. Afraid my doc will have some issues with time off

[[bu...]]

A hold during a taper is just a period of time that allows your body to continue adjusting to the current (lower) dose of med.  The is no harm or risk with a hold, and it should result in some recovery.

 

When I just gave up after repeated failures with C&H, I "held" for 3 years.  I had no sxs during that time, and when I re-started my taper (daily liquid microtaper) I had  NO problems resuming a taper.

[[ly...]]

 

I am still dry cutting.  Now cutting .03mg at a time.  It's not been too bad.  I think the holds have made a difference in this because I have allowed my brain to adjust and have breaks from the stress of the taper.  I'm not a scientist - but things are working well.

[[be...]]

Yes I do lig and it is amazing for me, builder can help you with a plan. It is not hard, and for me it is a Godsend, I have the cheapest Valium ever and I could dry cut, until it was not working for me anymore, but many do dry cuts and it is doable for them, like I said my V is pitiful, but so be it, I found what works for me. A wise man said , not to tell your Doctor too much, unless you are sure he is on your side. Horde some of your pills if you can. I agree totally that while I have held for long periods my brain has caught up with the cuts and I feel almost normal at times.

 

Here is a link to a great help for you. http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=135284.7540

[Guest [su...]]

A hold during a taper is just a period of time that allows your body to continue adjusting to the current (lower) dose of med.  The is no harm or risk with a hold, and it should result in some recovery.

 

When I just gave up after repeated failures with C&H, I "held" for 3 years.  I had no sxs during that time, and when I re-started my taper (daily liquid microtaper) I had problems resuming a taper.

Thank you for your answer. I have had a failure from may-aug 2016 and I had a relapse. I am so tired of cut and hold and counting % and so on. Did your sleep improved quick when you was holding? I don't need to rush, I feel my brain need a break to catch up and heal.

 

I will try the liquid after my holiday.

What was the problem after your holding?

 

The liquid you got from a pharmacy in the U.S is it 5 mg/5ml? And then you add the water by yourself? And use a syringe to pull up the amount you drink?

 

I will give micro taper a chance . I will do a liquid with a 5 mg Valium with 5 ml vodka to put a bottle with water. I have a spreedsheet and will follow it from 4/11. No more cuts until then.

[Guest [su...]]

 

I am still dry cutting.  Now cutting .03mg at a time.  It's not been too bad.  I think the holds have made a difference in this because I have allowed my brain to adjust and have breaks from the stress of the taper.  I'm not a scientist - but things are working well.

 

I need to hear stories like this. It make me feel strong  and a end to a story that I thought was going to kill me. I am very positive person and I have accept this. There is no quick fix but slow is the thing. And knowing I can take a break is so nice to hear! Love it!! I hope my doc feel the same...She is with me to cut only .5 mg/month so I hope a break wont be a problem with meds

[[bu...]]

A hold during a taper is just a period of time that allows your body to continue adjusting to the current (lower) dose of med.  The is no harm or risk with a hold, and it should result in some recovery.

 

When I just gave up after repeated failures with C&H, I "held" for 3 years.  I had no sxs during that time, and when I re-started my taper (daily liquid microtaper) I had problems resuming a taper.

Thank you for your answer. I have had a failure from may-aug 2016 and I had a relapse. I am so tired of cut and hold and counting % and so on. Did your sleep improved quick when you was holding? I don't need to rush, I feel my brain need a break to catch up and heal.

 

I will try the liquid after my holiday.

What was the problem after your holding?

See my revised post above...should have read "...NO problems resuming taper" (some times my brain goes faster then my fingers) 

 

The liquid you got from a pharmacy in the U.S is it 5 mg/5ml?

 

Yes, which of course is 1mg=1ml

 

And then you add the water by yourself?  Yes

 

And use a syringe to pull up the amount you drink?

 

Yes

 

I will give micro taper a chance . I will do a liquid with a 5 mg Valium with 5 ml vodka to put a bottle with water. I have a spreedsheet and will follow it from 4/11. No more cuts until then.

 

:thumbsup:

[[Be...]]

I've been holding since late August at 3mg, and I have been 100% symptom free.

I wasn't experiencing any ill effects like tolerance withdrawal before I started tapering tho. I think that's why I'm ok.

What I mean is, I didn't try to get off the V for any reason more than not wanting to be taking pills unnecessarily.

I felt unbelievably ill through all of my far too fast taper, and didn't dream I would be able to stabilise so completely. But it was like turning a tap off after 3 weeks at 3mg.

[Guest [su...]]

I've been holding since late August at 3mg, and I have been 100% symptom free.

I wasn't experiencing any ill effects like tolerance withdrawal before I started tapering tho. I think that's why I'm ok.

What I mean is, I didn't try to get off the V for any reason more than not wanting to be taking pills unnecessarily.

I felt unbelievably ill through all of my far too fast taper, and didn't dream I would be able to stabilise so completely. But it was like turning a tap off after 3 weeks at 3mg.

I was reading your "history" Nice to hear you feel good. Do you tend to hold any longer? I had pushed myself too much. And done crazy cuts and relapse and taper off 3,75 mg in 5 weeks before the holidays. It was to much for me and I got w/d sxs today again after holding 29 days after my last cut and I was symptom free for 10 days before. I don't know if it just was a wave because the sx is almost gone and I feel OK. I need a break. Really bad! I hope it will be like a rehab for my brain to hold a while. Did your sleep improved quick? Now I have insomnia (severe) only sleep 1-2 hours last night.

[[Be...]]

My sleep is erratic but TBH that's probably down to the other drugs I was put on by idiot doctors who didn't recognise WD.

 

I can't see myself voluntarily going back into WD for the foreseeable future, if that's a luxury I have. I am trying to rebuild my life from the rubble WD left. My new and very benzo wise specialist supports me in that, and thinks I have a good chance of just maintaining myself at this dose until such time as I can face the rest of the taper.

[[ly...]]

 

 

Belfast,

 

I, too, am so very glad that you have recovered from that horrid taper and are well.  I cringed last summer when I read of your taper plan.  Your doctor sure made a mess of things.  I truly believe that you will have your life back, and sooner rather than later.

[[Be...]]

Thanks

[[ge...]]

Sorry to hijack but i have a question for Belfast - by 100% symptom free does that include the anxiety and agoraphobia?

[[be...]]

Sorry hijack with Geemo. Agoraphobia, anxiety and skin disorder still? B

[[Be...]]

Yes, all completely gone.

 

I'm on loads of different pills, including blood pressure stuff and statins, and that's what has dried my skin out. Not specifically a benzo thing.

 

I must edit that sig.

[[be...]]

Thrilled for you Belfast. Absolutely thrilled. B

[[ly...]]

 

 

As I said before, I don't see anything wrong with taking a break from tapering and getting yourself on solid footing.  I don't see harm in having a period where you can forget about the taper and enjoy life.  Many disagree with this but I've seen little/nothing that convinces me of a medical/scientific reason behind these objections.  Perhaps it's the thought that someone is abandoning their taper and won't get off.  If this happens, how is it anyone's business except the individual involved?  I was subjected to some pressure here when I decided to hold last winter/spring.  My motivation or desire to get off was questioned in a PM from a longtime member.  I wanted to enjoy my summer and thought that my brain needed a period of unstressed time to fully recover.  It was a good decision for me.  Everyone needs to make their own decision about how to go about their taper.  I can only relate my experience.  I felt so good that I might have even stayed at that level had I not been loathe to be forced to take a pill simply to avoid wd.  I wasn't going to live like that.  But if I need another long break I'll take it.

[[li...]]

I've also done longer holds and have slowed my taper. I always feel better when I hold. If I stay at a dose for two weeks I almost feel normal again. I figure it doesn't really matter how long this takes. My body is healing and I'm not in any major hurry. I'd love to be off this stuff, but I really don't want issues after I jump.