Updosing Support Group

[[Cr...]]

Hi USG members,

I just thought I would chime in here.

 

If you feel like absolute poop, then I don't see why you can't do ONE updose or rescue dose. I wouldn't make a habit of it, otherwise your body will become dependent on the updosed amount.

 

I updosed to 7.5mg Valium when symptoms became too much during my taper, and I've only done it twice. I haven't done it since, because I haven't needed to (healing?). I'm back to tapering from 5mg. It hasn't been easy at all. This was when I was trying to cook dinner and almost passed out, so I took a rescue dose and felt better from it.

 

Dave.

[[va...]]

Dear NJ strength, I'm having breakfast and yours is the first post I'm reading this morning. Tears are coming to my eyes as I read your post. Thank you for reassuring me like this. I need this reassurance so badly. My mother knows my meds and has a list with her. My daughter knows the drawer where I keep a little purse with a box of each, and she knows in case of hospitalization if my mother isn't around that should be brought to me. My psychiatrist is around 54 so still young, and he's totally into symptom based tapers. He could drop me like doctors do sometimes, but I think I'd find another prescriber with not much difficulty. I think here it's my childhood trauma playing, because I've always obsessed with worst case scenario and now after my experience last summer I obsess about this, with good reasons because the suffering was indescribable, it's what I thought could be acute wd, but I only went down to 1 MG, so if I were cut off I just know I wouldn't make it. I'm too kindled.

 

You are a very strong, intelligent woman and you have a very good heart. You deserve so much for life to give you a break and your dear son to get better. I hope that will happen and that you're able to taper calmly and slowly like you deserve. Every time I start obsessing about being cut off I will think of what you said. That's going to have me thinking of you all day I'm afraid 😂

 

I hope you're right and that I finally stabilize and am able to slowly taper again. My psychiatrist said yesterday that if I were 78 he'd tell me just stay on it, but as I'm 51 he said we gotta try to come off, but no rush.

 

He's not very concerned about me as he was coming yesterday from the ER where they had a woman who took four boxes daily of ambien 😮. And they cut her off or so I understood. Why he thinks cutting her off is OK and not me I don't know and I didn't ask, but I digress.

 

I hope we both stabilize a lot in time, your son heals completely, I find a nice boyfriend to support me through this, and we're both able to resume our tapers and hopefully reach the end. Yours would be one hell of a success story. Meanwhile you're helping so many people, you have so much compassion for the ones suffering the most in spite of how busy you are, I have NEVER seen you write anything that wasn't kind and your success story would deserve to be published for many reasons. Thank you, VNM.

[[va...]]

In my opinion that is fine. My ex went through a taper a year before we met, and during our relationship took Xanax a few times and was totally fine. I think it is up to the individual. The fb groups are very weird about updosing, rescue doses, and long holds.

 

Olive kitty you are so right. A Facebook group and their "pushing through every two weeks to avoid tolerance" crappy advice is what got me in this mess in the first place.

[[va...]]

Hi Dave.

 

I'm not sure about this rescue dose business. I'm all into updosing if I've gone too fast for my brain's ability to heal. However, I took five rescue doses when I crashed, they didn't help, and later I learnt they were making me worse. They brain wants stability in order to heal, so any change you introduce, and a rescue dose is just that, will make it more difficult to stabilize. In my opinion based only on my experience and my psychiatrist : dose correction yes, rescue dose no. I'm very open to other opinions on this.

 

 

[[NJ...]]

Dear NJ strength, I'm having breakfast and yours is the first post I'm reading this morning. Tears are coming to my eyes as I read your post. Thank you for reassuring me like this. I need this reassurance so badly. My mother knows my meds and has a list with her. My daughter knows the drawer where I keep a little purse with a box of each, and she knows in case of hospitalization if my mother isn't around that should be brought to me. My psychiatrist is around 54 so still young, and he's totally into symptom based tapers. He could drop me like doctors do sometimes, but I think I'd find another prescriber with not much difficulty. I think here it's my childhood trauma playing, because I've always obsessed with worst case scenario and now after my experience last summer I obsess about this, with good reasons because the suffering was indescribable, it's what I thought could be acute wd, but I only went down to 1 MG, so if I were cut off I just know I wouldn't make it. I'm too kindled.

 

You are a very strong, intelligent woman and you have a very good heart. You deserve so much for life to give you a break and your dear son to get better. I hope that will happen and that you're able to taper calmly and slowly like you deserve. Every time I start obsessing about being cut off I will think of what you said. That's going to have me thinking of you all day I'm afraid 😂

 

I hope you're right and that I finally stabilize and am able to slowly taper again. My psychiatrist said yesterday that if I were 78 he'd tell me just stay on it, but as I'm 51 he said we gotta try to come off, but no rush.

 

He's not very concerned about me as he was coming yesterday from the ER where they had a woman who took four boxes daily of ambien 😮. And they cut her off or so I understood. Why he thinks cutting her off is OK and not me I don't know and I didn't ask, but I digress.

 

I hope we both stabilize a lot in time, your son heals completely, I find a nice boyfriend to support me through this, and we're both able to resume our tapers and hopefully reach the end. Yours would be one hell of a success story. Meanwhile you're helping so many people, you have so much compassion for the ones suffering the most in spite of how busy you are, I have NEVER seen you write anything that wasn't kind and your success story would deserve to be published for many reasons. Thank you, VNM.

 

VNM--thanks for your kind words. I do hope you can find some peace and not worry about being cut off.

[[Ch...]]

Since I started my taper I've taken 2 rescue doses of Xanax.  I'm tapering klonopin.  I really don't like xanax except that it will totally calm me and it works fast it makes me very tired and I just fall asleep for hours.  If I really need to I'll only use the Xanax as a rescue and not the klonopin.  I have to leave that fb group they are too strict it totally stresses me out to even read comments.

[[Ma...]]

I believe a rescue dose can be something you keep in your ways of handling your taper  Not often, but there when needed.  I have read many posts where people have used one for different reasons.  Trishy used one to fly so she wouldn't miss a big vacation planned with family.  Another, someone in a lot of pain had to drive 4 hours to specialist and knew they would never make it without it.  So basically, it's just another tool to use rarely to help us get through this horrible taper.  As with anything benzo, it may not work for everyone.  Mary 💜💜

[[Ol...]]

Yup I have use rescue doses for sure. When I had horrible agoraphobia, my therapist actually encouraged me to use a rescue dose to get me out the door to something social, just so I didn't waste away in my house. I did it a few times and it was fine. I have also taken them when I was having a panic attack. I never talk about it because people are so weird about it but I am not worried at all about it. To each their own.

[[va...]]

Olive kitty, if I'm on Valium 2,5 and as you know I'm not stable, and something happens that throws me into a panic attack, what would you consider would be an adequate rescue dose? I ask you because our tapers are quite similar 😊

[[Ol...]]

Olive kitty, if I'm on Valium 2,5 and as you know I'm not stable, and something happens that throws me into a panic attack, what would you consider would be an adequate rescue dose? I ask you because our tapers are quite similar 😊

 

For me, I have used 2-6mg as a rescue dose.

[[va...]]

Olive kitty, if I'm on Valium 2,5 and as you know I'm not stable, and something happens that throws me into a panic attack, what would you consider would be an adequate rescue dose? I ask you because our tapers are quite similar 😊

 

For me, I have used 2-6mg as a rescue dose.

 

[[Ma...]]

Olive kitty, if I'm on Valium 2,5 and as you know I'm not stable, and something happens that throws me into a panic attack, what would you consider would be an adequate rescue dose? I ask you because our tapers are quite similar 😊

 

For me, I have used 2-6mg as a rescue dose.

 

I only tried once and didn't use near enough.  Next time I will know better

[[Ba...]]

i will reply more later.  i just want stable i dont care if i get off.

a dr phoned me, i finally got to that throat person.  i have staph infection and rare pseudomonas  and also citrobacter braaki.  i told her no fluorquiinoles (should i have... whihc they usually use).

She is trying to find me tobramycin and some delivery system to throat.

 

Throat feels better tho on its own.  Any thoughts?  Now am really worried.

 

NJ, if i up the valium feel worse so don't think that will work. 

 

Oh and last night ate an old (frozen) bran muffin and gi probs...  complete with blood.  But thiink things settling down.  I tell you i am weakened a lot-- have also this seborrhea stuff around ears and bit under boob and i can't really shake it.  Use a bit of lotrimin  or nystatin and dandruff shampoo with zinc. 

[[Ba...]]

What wworries me most is i have no backup at all.

No family.  I have a huge stash of meds... but if i were i hospital nobody to bring em.  Do they not let youin with meds?  I don't have lists, I dont have other than a handwritten will made, and it is old and i don't want it as it is...  I don't know how to get stuff done when sick like this.

 

have name of a dr. who supposed to be good, at $400/visit...  I don't know.  but they can't change your life.  You can hire someone tho i don't want intrustion of helper like that it is stressful for me. but they can't make good decisions for you and stuff.  i feel so screwed.

 

i phoned 'best' friend other day asked could she help take me to dr--  no.

 

i have good friend but she in Australia!  ack.

She'd help if she could.

Have cousin in SF  who knows osmething of situation but how could i move even if that were possible?

 

Finally, the really large fb group is very bad imo.  they throw people out for no reason then gloat.  the also gie out bad advice to impressionable people.

 

If anyone has take on the other groups let me know, maybe...  thx

[[Cr...]]

Hi Dave.

 

I'm not sure about this rescue dose business. I'm all into updosing if I've gone too fast for my brain's ability to heal. However, I took five rescue doses when I crashed, they didn't help, and later I learnt they were making me worse. They brain wants stability in order to heal, so any change you introduce, and a rescue dose is just that, will make it more difficult to stabilize. In my opinion based only on my experience and my psychiatrist : dose correction yes, rescue dose no. I'm very open to other opinions on this.

 

Hi Valium,

That's what I meant. I think from what you've written, there is a clear difference between rescue doses and dose correction. I only once took a rescue dose from a bad rushed taper. I struggle to get off 5mg these days.

Dave.

[[Ol...]]

I have taken rescue doses, I think it is ok as long as it is not too often.

[[NJ...]]

What wworries me most is i have no backup at all.

No family.  I have a huge stash of meds... but if i were i hospital nobody to bring em.  Do they not let youin with meds?  I don't have lists, I dont have other than a handwritten will made, and it is old and i don't want it as it is...  I don't know how to get stuff done when sick like this.

 

have name of a dr. who supposed to be good, at $400/visit...  I don't know.  but they can't change your life.  You can hire someone tho i don't want intrustion of helper like that it is stressful for me. but they can't make good decisions for you and stuff.  i feel so screwed.

 

i phoned 'best' friend other day asked could she help take me to dr--  no.

 

i have good friend but she in Australia!  ack.

She'd help if she could.

Have cousin in SF  who knows osmething of situation but how could i move even if that were possible?

 

Finally, the really large fb group is very bad imo.  they throw people out for no reason then gloat.  the also gie out bad advice to impressionable people.

 

If anyone has take on the other groups let me know, maybe...  thx

 

Barb, in the hospital they don't let you bring meds but will keep you on what you are on as long as you can speak for yourself. If not, then it likely doesn't matter what you are/aren't on. I would keep a medication list in your wallet with you so that people are aware.

 

I am not sure what to say about lack of social connections. I don't have many friends but have a few and am married. If you could get out to a senior center that might help.

 

I am not sure I understand what is going on with your throat ... yes, avoid antibiotics if you can in that one class .. they are bad news, I had a horrible reaction to levaquin.

 

Hope you are able to feel a bit better soon.

[[Ol...]]

Hi JayTay,

I will copy what I wrote in the LHSG:

 

Hi JayTay,

Yes, I think if you are really suffering, an updose and hold is a good idea. It will be up to you to what level you updose, for me it was a level where I last felt ok (not well, but at least ok) Your doctor will have to be on board with this, because he/she will need to keep prescribing.

I was in your place and was searching detox facilities with my bf because he just could not handle me anymore. After doing lots of research on here, I found that most people that went to detox centers came out worse than when they went in, and ended up reinstating anyway and doing a slow taper.

Much love to you, we will be here to support you.

[[va...]]

I agree with olive kitty. I updosed, have held for six months, and I'll keep holding until I feel well enough to taper again. Detox facilities are a bad idea.

[[NJ...]]

I also agree no detox, just updose and hold. I would say to updose enough to get the relief you need. Good luck!

[[Ba...]]

I assume if you updose you quickly see if you can stick with it or not...  like if you feel better?  I mean if you felt like crap you would not stick with it, likely....

NJ, someone mentioned some sort of carbohydrate diet for Chrone's.  Do you know about it?  Was thinking of your son.....    How is he doing?

[[va...]]

I updosed and only started feeling better after two months. Much better at six months. An updose can take time to work. Of course there's no guarantee.

[[Ba...]]

Really?  So you upped and held hoping it would help and if not, more to get off of?

 

At least it did not make you feel worse, because, well, then you would not have held, I gather...

 

 

[[va...]]

Really?  So you upped and held hoping it would help and if not, more to get off of?

 

At least it did not make you feel worse, because, well, then you would not have held, I gather...

 

I'm slowly getting better after the updose and hold. Realize I crashed, and updosed one month and a half later. Maybe as I didn't wait too long, that's why it helped. Who knows.

[[NJ...]]

I assume if you updose you quickly see if you can stick with it or not...  like if you feel better?  I mean if you felt like crap you would not stick with it, likely....

NJ, someone mentioned some sort of carbohydrate diet for Chrone's.  Do you know about it?  Was thinking of your son.....    How is he doing?

 

Barbara, yes we know about the diet--Specific Carbohydrate Diet. It would not work for my son given his weight issues (very low weight), food issues (he has avoidant restrictive food intake disorder so his diet is limited) and I would likely need to quit my job to cook everything from scratch. We have had a very up and down few weeks. He is still trying to taper the prednisone. His last three taper attempts failed. We saw a specialist on Thursday who recommended a much slower taper and a cross to a different steroid at lower doses. It feels a lot like benzo tapering. It's horrible to watch this.

 

How are you doing? I just started yesterday of moving my dose of K from .25 generic/.5 brand to .5 generic/.25 brand. Slept great last night although I was so tired due to bad sleep all week.

 

Hope things are better.