*Newbie, has anyone ever been changed from clonazpam to lorazepam

[[Th...]]

Hello everyone, I'm new here. I got to talk to my Dr. today about how to start getting off of clonazapam. Am currently thanking 1mg of clonaz 3 time per day( for the last 17 years as prescribed by neurologists)

Wants me to change to lorazepam to begin tapering off clonazapam. I've been reading up and from past experience of 3 failed clonazapam tapers whith three different doctors. I crashed pretty hard each time.

It is late at night and I am having a bad day focusing. Wow I realized just now it doesn't Effect only my speech but even long texting. Lol

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum!  We're glad to have you as a new member.

 

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!

 

 

 

[[Th...]]

Thank You, I'm a little overwhelmed. As I have not found a doctor or psychiatrist that tapers over a long period of time. I'm haveing a hard time starting.

[[no...]]

That's the wrong way to go. You want a long lasting benzo like clonazepam, or Valium, to keep blood concentrations more steady, and dose only once, maybe twice a day. Lorazepam is short acting, and is probably harder to come off of. It's a very potent benzo.

 

Taper using the clonazepam or get switched to valium

[[cs...]]

I agree.    Do not let your doctor switch you to lorazepam.  It's extremely potent.  I could never have tapered directly from it, after hitting tolerance withdrawal.  I was switched to Librium, which has a half life similar to Valium.  Both allow for a slow taper via cutting, and the long half life provides  a very gradual reduction in serum levels as you cut.    Please refer to the Ashton manual above if you are going to crossover.    Please don't go in the wrong direction (lorazepam).  It's one of the hardest of the benzos to taper from.  Wishing you the best

[[Th...]]

Thank you very much. I am seeing my psyc tomorrow. I am going to ask him to help me with the Ashton method. If he isn't familiar or unwilling, I am going to ask him to refer me to someone who does or will. I've done this three other times unsuccessfully, I know what doesn't work.

I am nervous and scared to push this for some reason. But I can't afford to lose anymore to this crap.

[[ha...]]

good luck for your appointment. I know you will be able to get off of that. You just need to find a doctor who listens to you and give you best advice. as Everyone said, you need to crossover to longer acting benzo(diazepam) and go very slow. It might take you months to get off of that since you have been on that for long but its not impossible. you need to have patience and follow the plan and be strong throughout the process.