On 4 low doses diazepam (6mg total) which do I reduce first?

[[Fr...]]

I've been on 6mg of Diaz since swapping overnight at detox facility last August from clonazepam 3/4 of .5 mg. (Klop) .

I'm planning to taper off this dose slowly using compounded Diaz of .1 and .2 mg capsules. I hope to drop .1 mg every three weeks but I am not sure how to plan my taper  as I take four doses a day. 1 mg at 9 am. 1 mg at 1pm. 1 mg at 5pm and 3 mg at night about 10 pm. I really want to avoid massive withdrawals as had them last year cutting under .25 of clonazapam and also the dose of Diaz I left the detox unit on was too low and I couldn't breathe every time I tried to fall asleep. All of which has been very scary. Many proffessionals have reassured me I should be ok on this small dose of 6mg for ever but I have had anxiety. Low mood. Fatigue . Yawning . Nervous tension. Tears for last two months so think staying on them not great option. I have supportive new doctor ie not the one who prescribed in first place!. ' any ecperience/ advice welcome

[[bu...]]

I've been on 6mg of Diaz since swapping overnight at detox facility last August from clonazepam 3/4 of .5 mg. (Klop) .

I'm planning to taper off this dose slowly using compounded Diaz of .1 and .2 mg capsules. I hope to drop .1 mg every three weeks but I am not sure how to plan my taper  as I take four doses a day. 1 mg at 9 am. 1 mg at 1pm. 1 mg at 5pm and 3 mg at night about 10 pm. I really want to avoid massive withdrawals as had them last year cutting under .25 of clonazapam and also the dose of Diaz I left the detox unit on was too low and I couldn't breathe every time I tried to fall asleep. All of which has been very scary. Many proffessionals have reassured me I should be ok on this small dose of 6mg for ever but I have had anxiety. Low mood. Fatigue . Yawning . Nervous tension. Tears for last two months so think staying on them not great option. I have supportive new doctor ie not the one who prescribed in first place!. ' any ecperience/ advice welcome

 

Yes, I think you should get off of it.

 

And it really won't matter what dose you cut.  Most folks do fine a 2 doses per day, many only 1 dose per day.

 

FWIW, I always took my biggest dose before bed.

[[je...]]

I concur that you could combine into two doses per day easily (3mg dose twice per day).  Val has a long half life so you'd most likely be OK twice per day.  I'd suggests starting with 3mg twice a day for two weeks.  Then try cutting from there, starting with a cut in the morning.  Be advised that when many folks (me included!!) get down to 2mg Valium doses, there could be some unpleasant, but not unbearable, withdrawal symptoms.

 

Listen to your body and taper how you feel comfortable.  Just remember that withdrawal is a process to work through (and not around).  99.9% of us do go through symptoms.  Hang in there and good luck!

[[Fr...]]

Thanks I notice in your taper you kept up two doses a day and tapered these out evenly. Did this work ok for you? Rather than cut out completely the morning dose and then work on tapering  evening dose? What do most people do you think? I am nervous about moving to 3 mg in the morning just because it is a change but I have no idea how reducing the 1 pm dose would go. I would move the 5 pm dose more to 3pm as I reduce the 1 pm dose.. As you can read I am going to reduce by .1 mg.  I know it sounds so small but I have had a lot of brain crashes with psychiatric drugs so going softly softly in this one😀

[[je...]]

If you are too skeptical, then try cutting doses how YOU feel comfortable.  I see your point about consolidating from 4x to 2x but you have to be the judge of what you can handle.

 

My taper, I feel, was the best for me but may not be for you.  The one thing I can't reiterate enough is that when getting down to the 2mg Valium, I experienced blurry vision, digestive issues, insomnia, sweating, losing weight (only 10 pounds but they are back now), etc.  If you anticipate this may happen, you should be able to prevent the "doom" thinking that you are dying of some incurable disease.  Not making fun but just sharing my experience.

 

You can do it!  Listen to your body and go the road best for you.  Good luck!

[[Fr...]]

Thanks for you and builders advice and time 😊