Looking to get off the benzo train

[[wo...]]

Hi,

 

I'm a 30 year old female with OCD, depression and severe anxiety. I've been on benzos for three years now. I was on Clonazepam until March 2016 (0.5 mg, up to three times daily) and since then I've been on Oxazepam (10 mg, up to three times daily). My medication is prescribed on an "as needed" basis - that is, with no specific scheduled times during the day at which to take my pills. In other words, I'm prescribed to take a pill when i get anxiety, but no more than three pills a day. Some days I only need to take one; other days it's two or three.

 

I'm looking to start my taper in a couple of days.

 

I haven't felt any need to increase my dosage during these three years, but a few days ago i happened to take less of the medication than i normally do. As a result, I got muscle twitches, nightmares, extremely vivid intrusive thoughts as I was falling asleep, and an extreme irritability the likes of which I've never experienced before. It also felt like my cognitive functions were trapped in a bank of dense fog.

 

That, paired with the fact that being on benzos has effectively prevented me from finding or developing any helpful, healthy or constructive way to deal with anxiety, has made me decide it's time to quit this medication.

[Guest [ba...]]

Hello Woodlandsprite!

 

Welcome to the forum.  I'm glad that you found us.  The symptoms that you describe (twitches, vivid dreams, intrusive thoughts, irritability) are very typical for benzo withdrawal.  It's best to do a slow taper in order to try to minimize those withdrawal symptoms.  We usually suggest a reduction rate of no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days.

 

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.

 

You mentioned anxiety as a possible issue, so here is a direct link to the Anxiety section of the forum:  Anxiety

 

And here's a link to the Withdrawal Support section:  Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you.

Go to the top of the page and select Profile, then choose Forum Profile, insert drug history/timelines into the text box and click Change Profile.

 

Again, welcome!