Valium Taper Info

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I found your site surfing and looking for information on home tapers for Valium and Norco.

 

I have had spinal surgeries and suffer from severe pain and muscle spasms, likely due to residual myelopathy from spinal cord compression before my first surgery (I've had two spinal surgeries). I also have have had PLMD/RLS (periodic limb movement disorder/restless leg syndrome) diagnosed 25+ years ago.

 

I've been on ALL treatments available for PLMD/RLS (Parkinson's meds and Klonopin (20 years ago). I discontinued Requip about five years ago (due to vomiting and rebound symptoms) and decided to just live with the sleep disorder. A recent auto injury has exacerbated everything.

 

I had a sleep study done and it was suggested that I take Klonopin again but I refused. Instead, I started taking 1/2 of a 10mg diazepam at bedtime for PLMD and severe muscle spasms. I have been in physical therapy for pain which has not helped - in fact, according to MRI's, the disk herniations have gotten worse.

 

Seven weeks ago, I broke down and went to pain management at the suggestion of my spinal surgeon's ARNP. I am highly concerned about addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal. I was prescribed Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 5/325 once a day and three weeks later it was increased to two a day.

 

Some days I take two Norco, most days I take one, and some days I only take 2 Extra Strength Tylenol. I am trying to get another surgery scheduled, but due to insurance issues and required clearance for other health problems, that is not happening quickly.

 

Since I have been on the Norco for almost two months and Valium for 5 months, I want to taper off the Norco first and then the benzos, if possible. I took one 5mg Norco yesterday and 1/2 of that today. Hopefully, the pain med will not be a difficult or long withdrawal.

 

I am concerned about the benzo withdrawal since i have been on it longer and anticipate it being harder to do. I interested in any advice and/or experience on tapering and withdrawing from the 5mg of diazepam after that.

 

And, should I wait until after surgery to try and do the valium withdrawal?

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.  You've gone through quite a lot, and my heart goes out to you.  Pain medications are generally easier to get off than benzos, most drugs are, so if I were in this situation I'd taper off the valium last.  And if I was having surgery, I'd wait until after that to start.  You have to make your own decisions about all this, of course.

 

You'll find plenty of information and support here.  Our members have gone through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to see  people who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.  For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that. One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a month or so after discontinuing the medication.  The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but these are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

Withdrawal Support Board

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms in Chapter III, and there is also a section with withdrawal/taper schedules.

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!