Should I taper?

[[Al...]]

Over the last 5 months I've taken benzos on average once or twice a week. I started on Diazepam (taking a total of 60 mg) and then moved to Clonazepam (taking a total of 8 mg so far). I was prescribed them to be taken as needed to treat anxiety and restlessness caused by an adverse reaction to Lexapro. I also take 20 mg Prozac per day. Even though I haven't been taking benzos everyday, I feel like I'm addicted to them because it's very hard for me to go more than 5 days without taking them.  I've also started to develop possible withdrawal symptoms such as difficulty breathing and itching all over my body. My question is: If I want to stop taking benzos, do I need to taper, and if so how should I go about it? For example, would it be advisable to switch back to Diazepam to taper?

[[ly...]]

 

 

If you are having some withdrawal - I would probably taper.  I might try to reduce to .25mgs and see how that goes.  If you don't notice anything or it's mild I would continue down after a couple of weeks to .125 for a couple weeks and see how that goes.  There really is no set formula (although Ashton is a guide many use).  Much depends on what you experience on the reductions.  If a .25 drop produces alot of wd I would go up to .375.  I'd make adjustments fairly quickly with the goal of keeping wd sxs low and not letting anything get entrenched.

 

Others might have different thoughts and will most likely chime in.  Unfortunately none of us has any absolutes here and it's trial and error.

 

I would not switch benzos at this time.  I think it best to only do that as a last resort.

[[...]]

Yes I agree with lynn33.  Try that and see how it goes, I wouldn't think you have developed too much dependency.  If your experiencing some withdrawals I'd get out before it gets worse.

[[Mi...]]

You are only taking them once or twice a week? You can just stop taking them. How would you even taper? If you start taking them every day to taper all the taper is going to do is get you addicted. You need to just stop taking them, at this point your addiction would be more psychological than physical anyhow.

[[Se...]]

You're taking 8mg of Clonazepam one or two times a week? I would bring it down gradually one or two times a week. Try 7mg, then 6 mg...doing each one or two times per week. If you feel side effects, go smaller...but I definitely would not do more than one or two times a week.

[[Mi...]]

You're taking 8mg of Clonazepam one or two times a week? I would bring it down gradually one or two times a week. Try 7mg, then 6 mg...doing each one or two times per week. If you feel side effects, go smaller...but I definitely would not do more than one or two times a week.

 

They have taken 8mgs TOTAL is what I read.

[[Al...]]

 

 

If you are having some withdrawal - I would probably taper.  I might try to reduce to .25mgs and see how that goes.  If you don't notice anything or it's mild I would continue down after a couple of weeks to .125 for a couple weeks and see how that goes.  There really is no set formula (although Ashton is a guide many use).  Much depends on what you experience on the reductions.  If a .25 drop produces alot of wd I would go up to .375.  I'd make adjustments fairly quickly with the goal of keeping wd sxs low and not letting anything get entrenched.

 

Others might have different thoughts and will most likely chime in.  Unfortunately none of us has any absolutes here and it's trial and error.

 

I would not switch benzos at this time.  I think it best to only do that as a last resort.

 

Thanks lynn33. I dropped down to .25 and then stopped completely. I've been off completely for 10 days now. The problem is that as each day goes by my chest feels tighter and I have trouble breathing. I've been sleeping reasonably okay but during the day I am very tense and can't seem to relax. Do you think this feeling will eventually pass? I can put up with it a bit longer but it is very hard at the moment.

[[ly...]]

 

 

If you are having some withdrawal - I would probably taper.  I might try to reduce to .25mgs and see how that goes.  If you don't notice anything or it's mild I would continue down after a couple of weeks to .125 for a couple weeks and see how that goes.  There really is no set formula (although Ashton is a guide many use).  Much depends on what you experience on the reductions.  If a .25 drop produces alot of wd I would go up to .375.  I'd make adjustments fairly quickly with the goal of keeping wd sxs low and not letting anything get entrenched.

 

Others might have different thoughts and will most likely chime in.  Unfortunately none of us has any absolutes here and it's trial and error.

 

I would not switch benzos at this time.  I think it best to only do that as a last resort.

 

Thanks lynn33. I dropped down to .25 and then stopped completely. I've been off completely for 10 days now. The problem is that as each day goes by my chest feels tighter and I have trouble breathing. I've been sleeping reasonably okay but during the day I am very tense and can't seem to relax. Do you think this feeling will eventually pass? I can put up with it a bit longer but it is very hard at the moment.

 

I would expect those symptoms to start lessening over the next few weeks.  If it were me I would not reinstate.  Benzos are muscle relaxants and this rebound tightness is fairly (very) common.  Try to accept it for what it is and use some relaxation techniques.  Distract yourself as best you can.  I think it's a good sign that this is all you are dealing with.  Stay strong - it will get better as time goes by.

[[Al...]]

 

 

If you are having some withdrawal - I would probably taper.  I might try to reduce to .25mgs and see how that goes.  If you don't notice anything or it's mild I would continue down after a couple of weeks to .125 for a couple weeks and see how that goes.  There really is no set formula (although Ashton is a guide many use).  Much depends on what you experience on the reductions.  If a .25 drop produces alot of wd I would go up to .375.  I'd make adjustments fairly quickly with the goal of keeping wd sxs low and not letting anything get entrenched.

 

Others might have different thoughts and will most likely chime in.  Unfortunately none of us has any absolutes here and it's trial and error.

 

I would not switch benzos at this time.  I think it best to only do that as a last resort.

 

Thanks lynn33. I dropped down to .25 and then stopped completely. I've been off completely for 10 days now. The problem is that as each day goes by my chest feels tighter and I have trouble breathing. I've been sleeping reasonably okay but during the day I am very tense and can't seem to relax. Do you think this feeling will eventually pass? I can put up with it a bit longer but it is very hard at the moment.

 

I would expect those symptoms to start lessening over the next few weeks.  If it were me I would not reinstate.  Benzos are muscle relaxants and this rebound tightness is fairly (very) common.  Try to accept it for what it is and use some relaxation techniques.  Distract yourself as best you can.  I think it's a good sign that this is all you are dealing with.  Stay strong - it will get better as time goes by.

 

Thanks again lynn33. I am still holding out. I went for a walk today and my muscles feel incredibly tired and tight right now. My situation is complicated because I was originally prescribed benzos to treat an adverse reaction caused by switching anti-depressants. I think I'm experiencing some benzo withdrawal but this is being amplified by the symptoms of the adverse reaction coming back.