In a very rough spot, need advice, support

[[Ho...]]

I am here for support that cannot be found elsewhere- in person or otherwise.

 

I am currently on 2.5 mg Clonazepam for sleep and my tolerance has built very fast, was on Ativan and Xanax for same purpose and reached torerance that greatly reduced effectiveness, was barely sleeping.

 

Was on these for many years and for a long time the same dose did "work" until some life crises pushed up my stress level, as well as chronic pain, and up went my use of those 2 short acting benzos, thus they stopped working for sleep more than a few hours. 

 

Went to sleep MD who Rx'd Klon in Feb, transfered my usage over which at that time was 1.5 clon, now I am up to 2.5. My RX is for 2 mg, so the extra is obtained thought other methods.

 

I also take about .5 -.75 Ativan during the day to steady me from Clon rebound as well as anxiety,

 

I am afraid to taper or do a Diazepam titrate because even the slightest difference in dose has caused a large loss of sleep. I am used to the shorter acting benzos and have tapered off of those before in less stressful, less painful times in my life. I desperately need to get off this stuff, or at least to a lower dose so I am not so hungover and drugged out, so that I can focus on survival- getting  more work and spending less money managing my chronic pain through massage which is all out of pocket.

 

There has to be a way to taper while still sleeping, some how some way ?!?!

 

I cannot afford the only Treatment Center I know of that can handle Benzos and chronic pain and it costs $50K ! - not covered by Insurance. So if I have to titrate or taper with a different Benzo, I will have to obtain it illegaly....

 

[[ma...]]

Hello Hope4Peace Welcome to Benzobuddies!

 

We are glad you joined our community, I am sorry for your predicament, this is tough enough without having to worry about obtaining a prescription.  Is there no other way “without doing this illegally”!.  Benzodiazepines need to be tapered slowly.  Reducing your daily dose by somewhere between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days is the rule of thumb, you can go slower, whatever feels comfortable. The aim is to keep symptoms manageable.

 

I would suggest you read The Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides Tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

You will find some very valuable support and information on the forum.  Our members are happy to share their personal experiences with you and support you.. Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

I'll leave you with a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

 

Withdrawal Support

 

General Taper Plans

 

Titration Taper Plans

 

Check out the insomnia board see how other members are coping.

 

Insomnia 

 

When you can, please add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  ”Create a signature”

 

Welcome aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[Ho...]]

Thank you for welcoming me Magrita,

 

I appreciate the info too, I know and have read quite a bit about the ashton method and benzo.org as I have done a Valium titration off Ativan about 15 years ago and have been on the rollercoaster ever since, with various coping strategies that involved benzos again and again, but now much older and juggling much more to survive on many fronts.

 

I've read 4 books on insomnia and and also have delayed sleep phase disorder, working on that one. Still I seek knowledge and support, though I know about equivalencies, there is no MD anywhere around here in the US that is going to understand titration and help with it, other than the TC that I cannot afford. So looks like my best bet is your suggestion to stick with Clon and taper very slowly per your advice, and follow up on learning what I don't know and connecting with others here, reading posts, learning how others have succeeded.

 

Hoping for recovery and a life,

H4P

[[ma...]]

Thank you for welcoming me Magrita,

 

I appreciate the info too, I know and have read quite a bit about the ashton method and benzo.org as I have done a Valium titration off Ativan about 15 years ago and have been on the rollercoaster ever since, with various coping strategies that involved benzos again and again, but now much older and juggling much more to survive on many fronts.

 

I've read 4 books on insomnia and and also have delayed sleep phase disorder, working on that one. Still I seek knowledge and support, though I know about equivalencies, there is no MD anywhere around here in the US that is going to understand titration and help with it, other than the TC that I cannot afford. So looks like my best bet is your suggestion to stick with Clon and taper very slowly per your advice, and follow up on learning what I don't know and connecting with others here, reading posts, learning how others have succeeded.

 

Hoping for recovery and a life,

H4P

 

Hello Hope

 

You can do this, take it slowly, being with people who can completely understand and empathise will help you through this process. Withdrawal is tough, but I promise its worth it,  Stay positive, check out the insomnia board, you never know, you just might find something that will help!

 

You will recover eventually, you will get back your life.

 

Magrita