New to the site and happy to found it.

[[ki...]]

Hello, I am new to this site and so glad to have found it.  I am currently in my 3rd month of benzo withdrawal and I am really struggling. I am looking for support and friends who have gone through what I'm going through. I was on 3 mg of clonazapam and tapered down to 1 mg using the water titration method, I was also on lorazepam up to 3 mg as needed per day and I pretty much did a cold turkey on that after getting down to 1 a day.  As far as the 1 mg of clonazpam I weened down over a month.  I was on both meds for over 10 years. 

[[pi...]]

Hello kikivan,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies! You've reduced or stopped quite a large amount of benzos so it's not surprising that you are struggling a bit.  Stopping cold turkey is not the recommended method for coming off benzos and your dose was fairly significant. How long ago did you stop the lorazepam? You might still be feeling withdrawal effects from that.  Additionally, your taper from 3mg to 1mg of clonazepam was fast, all done within a month.

 

If you slow your taper down I think it will help a lot.  Your body needs a chance to adjust to the lower dose of clonazepam and cold turkey of lorazepam.

 

Generally, a reduction of no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days is suggested. I'll give you a link to the General Taper Plans for additional information. I'll also give you a link to the Titration Plans Board since you have been using that method.

 

A very good resource about these types of drugs and how to withdraw is the Ashton Manual. It was written by Dr. Heather Ashton and provides good information about these drugs and the withdrawal process. I'll provide a link for you.

 

As I said, I think you'll feel better if you slow down.  Benzo withdrawal is not a race, slow and steady is the way to go.  I'm glad you've joined because we understand what you are going through and will support you while on your journey to be benzo free. Please do ask questions, we're here to help.

 

General Taper Plans   

 

Titration Taper Plans

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

[[ki...]]

Hello Pianogirl,

 

I realize I missed some info in my post, I have been off the lorazepam for about 4 months I would say.  What I meant to say about the clonazepam is I went from 3 mg to 2 mg and then titrated down to 1 mg over a year.  Then I went from 1 mg to 0 in a month.  I don't want to reinstate at this point because I  have heard once you go back on and then ween off again the withdrawal is worse. So completely free of all benzos for 3 months today.  Thoughts?

 

kikivan

[[pi...]]

Hello Pianogirl,

 

I realize I missed some info in my post, I have been off the lorazepam for about 4 months I would say.  What I meant to say about the clonazepam is I went from 3 mg to 2 mg and then titrated down to 1 mg over a year.  Then I went from 1 mg to 0 in a month.  I don't want to reinstate at this point because I  have heard once you go back on and then ween off again the withdrawal is worse. So completely free of all benzos for 3 months today.  Thoughts?

 

kikivan

 

Hello kikivan,

 

Thanks for clarifying your information. 

 

You stopped taking lorazepam suddenly, cold turkey, 4 months ago.  I know that seems like a long time to be off the drug but in terms of benzo withdrawal it is still pretty early out.  These drugs make some significant changes to the central nervous system by downregulating the GABA receptors.  The recovery from this can take a while as the nervous system tries to return to balance.

 

Your taper was from clonazepam was slow, that's good.  However, you jumped off at 1 mg. Clonazepam is a very strong benzo.  If you compare equivalencies, clonazepam at 1mg is equal to 20mg valium. So you took a huge step off and that can contribute to how you feel.

 

That being said, you are now off benzos and the healing can begin.  I agree with you, I would not also take a step backwards and reinstate. With time, what you feel will ease up. I will tell you that at 3 months off I was very symptomatic.  Give it time and you'll see improvements.  In my opinion, it's well worth the wait.

 

pianogirl 

[[ki...]]

Thanks for that info.  I think I am going to try to stick it out and not reinstate.  It hasn't been easy but I really feel like it will get better. 

[[Rx...]]

If you need moral support, I'm online here quite a bit these days.  I have some nice buddies for moral support on my Benzobuddies blog too if you want to join us.  My blog link is below. 

[[wy...]]

Hi Kiki,

I don't think it's ever easy, except for that strange group of people who seem to be genetically different, but they aren't here, are they!

Based on the progress you have already made, I'm sure you'll get where you want to be.  Be stubborn, be bitchy, be strong, be blessed! And good luck!

Wynne