Bromazepam dependent for many years - will tamper to get off

[[ch...]]

 

Hello, I need help and advice concerning tapering down bromazepam: thank you all for advice.

My relation with this drug is long: I started using it as it is meant, some 20 years ago, and until some 5 years ago I kept a “lower” dosage, for short periods of time (rarely more than 2-3 weeks, a dosage of 1,5 mg), and then would be many months, or even years without using it.

Five years ago all changed: sure of the “safety” of the drug, I start taking about 6mg per day, and I have kept that dosage for all these years.

Now that I was planning to go “cold turkey” on it, I realized that that is very dangerous: I am particularly worried about seizures.

I am otherwise healthy, I run for about 15km 2 or 3 times a week, and exercise almost every day.

It the risk of withdrawing was only “feeling bad” I would go that road because I think I can endure that kind of stuff well.

But now that I understand the chemical imbalances that my brain must be in, after 5 years taking 6mg (average) a day, I need to go very carefully on it.

I love my life, and I have a kid that makes every day a joy.

So, I need help. And that is why I am registering this site.

Thank you very much.

My tapering plan is as follows, and I need advice. Honestly, I don’t trust the doctors around me: if they did their job, I would at least know what I now know about how benzos disarrange the brain’s equilibriums. There were plenty opportunities along all these years and so many clinicians…

Tapering Lx

Daily (mg) SOS (2 time per week)

Aug'17 4,5 6

Sep'17 4,5 6

Oct'17 3,75 6

Nov'17 3,75 6

Dec'17 3 5,25

Jan'18 3 5,25

Feb'18 2,25 5,25

Mar'18 2,25 4,5

Apr'18 1,5 4,5

May'18 1,5 4,5

Jun'18 0,75 3,75

Jul'18 0,75 3,75

Aug'18 0 3

Sep'18 0 3

Oct'18 0 2,25

Nov'18 0 2,25

Dec'18 0 1,5 

Afterwards, use 0,75 as SOS (1x or 2x week). I think it is unrealistic to aim at not using it as an SOS. I don’t drink, nor use any other drug, and I think I will need to know “it is there” in case of need, but never again escalating.

I know I can do this. I just want to know if there is something very wrong with my plan.

I am starting right now (a week on the process) by reducing 6 to 4,5 daily, and this my starting point. As I said the only reason I don’t go cold turkey on this is that I now understand the GABA stuff and how dangerous that would be.

 

[[me...]]

Welcome to the forum! We're glad  to have you as a new member.  The best place to post questions about the details of your taper plan is the General Taper Plans Board, link below.

 

You'll find lots of information and support here.  Our members have been through all aspects of withdrawal, and you're likely to find  people who understand what you're going through.

 

For those who are starting a new taper, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days at first, and then adjusting the taper rate to suit your own needs.  One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster.  Having some withdrawal symptoms is normal, especially near the end of a taper and for a few months after discontinuing the medication.  First/only withdrawals after a slow taper tend to be easier than multiple reinstatements/withdrawals over time, which may make symptoms worse and longer lasting. The most common symptoms are anxiety and insomnia, but there are many others. These are temporary and will go away in time.

 

Here are a few links you may find useful:

 

General Taper Plans

 

The Ashton Manual is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field. Section III explains and describes symptoms, and there is also a section with suggested 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!

 

 

[[ch...]]

 

Thank you very much for your help and kind answer.

 

I will post my message in that forum.

 

Best regards,

 

Chandra

[[ch...]]

 

I will leave here some update information, even though the topic seems dead (for reference of anyone that gets here).

 

I began to fail: since I posted this here, I went up the dosage I wanted in my plan.

 

But I am now for 2 weeks surpassing my plan.

 

I stated that I wanted to be at 3 mg in January'18, I am actually at 1.5 mg (1/2 a 3mg pill).

 

I am fighting to keep 1.5 for about 20 more days, and then I will cut to 0.75 (1/4 a 3mg pill). I will stay at 0.75 for at least 40 days (the time it takes to consume 10 pills).

 

And then I will stop taking lexotan (bromazepam) entirely, except as a brief SOS resource (I don't drink, maybe it is unrealistic not to have any substance for those times it is all too much).

 

Anyhow, I find alcohol much much worse than bromazepam.

 

It was a pity that my benzo consumption went out of control because bromazepam has been "a friend" for some 15 years (almost all of them without taking more than some 10-20 1.5 mg pills per year, before it turned into a dependence, with me taking some 6mg daily).

 

I still think my problem with benzos only happened because I used Xanax. You should never, ever, ever take Xanax for long periods of time, or you're "doomed".

 

I first replaced Xanax for my "old friend", and now I hope I can quit the same way I always did, and never escalate again.

 

Thank you very much, and be brave, for this is bad.