Those Who Crossed to Valium from Klonopin

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QUESTIONS - For those who crossed over from Klonopin to Valium...

 

1. Did you feel a difference between the two drugs?

 

2. Have you hit rough patches during your V taper?

 

3. Did you feel better the longer off K?

 

4. Did you feel better the lower you got on V?

 

5. Did your interest in things come back?

 

6 months Klonopin free today after 24 years!!  I’ve had a very symptomatic wd process and crossover was rough.  Tapering Valium was fairly ok until I got below 14mg and have had to do a lot of holding on DMT Method.  Feeling discouraged and very curious to know others’ experiences and thoughts about the above questions.  I feel like the two are so different.  I was able to go at double the taper rate on K but it was problematic in its unique way.  Now I’m feeling stuck, even going had the rate I was and currently holding. 

 

Thank You!!  Much Love to ALL ❤️

 

Uni

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1. Did you feel a difference between the two drugs?

 

Yes...Klonopin felt more "powerful" to me than Valium...similar to how Xanax felt more powerful than Klonopin.

 

2. Have you hit rough patches during your V taper?

 

Absolutely.

 

3. Did you feel better the longer off K?

 

I can't say that I specifically felt better or worse :/ I've been off Klonopin since October of 2016 (though I'm still taking Valium). I still have many benzo related issues though.

 

4. Did you feel better the lower you got on V?

 

Yes and no. The tapering process always hits me pretty hard. I have probably had less trouble with insomnia and felt slightly "sharper" mentally once I've stabilized though.

 

5. Did your interest in things come back?

 

This is a difficult question for me, as I am currently going through a very difficult taper. But up until now, I would say yes. Not 100%, and not permanently, but enough to feel more "alive." which is good enough for me, even if begrudgingly so. I've gotten to the point where I am thankful for any improvement, any relief, any sense of feeling like a real person again. My interest in things and ability to process my emotions in a healthy way has been one of my biggest issues after being on benzos for 10 years. Those things come and go depending on my level of stress. My life is pretty high stress on a semi-regular basis. I also have PTSD, GAD, & clinical depression. So I think it's a combination of benzos and my mental health diagnoses that have taken away my feelings of interest or ability to process my emotions. It's complicated. I hope it is easier for you.

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Thanks for sharing your experience, Wassernixe.

 

You’re down to 1mg V, congratulations on making it this far.  Please know this is a huge accomplishment, even if you are still struggling.  Healing is happening.  I’m so sorry your life is significantly stressful, on top of the stress of wd itself.  I know this makes for a more challenging time while healing.  Perhaps, like for many, this experience and the healing from it will also heal things that previously were an issue.  I’ve heard from so many that this is the case for them.  That gives me such hope.  May it be true for you, too.

 

 

I guess I should answer these questions I asked, too...  in case anyone is interested.

 

 

1.  Did you feel a difference in the two drugs?

 

Yes!!!  Valium is less potent and anxiolytic for me, has caused me to be very depressed, more phobic and has deadened my spirit significantly.  I feel less interest in things overall, making distractions more difficult.  I noticed this depression and dulling of spirit during crossover.  I had more spirit than this even in CT from K.  So definitely the Valium.  It did not and does not completely cover the K wds.

 

2.  Have you hit rough patches during your V taper?

 

Yes.  And I’m not certain it is in fact from the actual taper of V, as I still feel my Valium doses.  It’s more likely that the rough patches are from Klonopin wd and healing from that specific drug.  The further down in Valium dose, the less covering for K wd and damage from long term use (as prescribed  ).  I do not believe “a benzo is a benzo”. 

 

3.  Did you feel better the longer off K?

 

This is still up in the air for me...  Just past 6 months off I stopped losing weight and have recently gained some back, so this I take as a good sign.  The acute, sharp nerve pain in my upper left neck/spin/shoulder/arm and lower right spine/hip/leg has improved within the last month and I’ve gained some range of motion and more physical ability to walk, stand and move.  Physical strength seems to be returning and I hope this continues, or at least remains as is.  Some hair has grown back in, recently.  So, some physical improvements.  Mental and psychological symptoms are still the worst for me.

 

4.  Did you feel better the lower you got on V?

 

So far, I feel way less chemically “depressed” than I did at higher dose of Valium.  Have had some times of feeling sharper and am having a lot of intrusive memories flooding.  The memories, albeit painful, I see as a good sign - one of healing taking place.  Same with the dreams and nightmares.  Sleep is starting to get better, recently.  Don’t know why this is but I’ll take it.  Oddly, I feel less motivation at this point.  You would think that if you’re feeling less chemically depressed that you’d feel more motivation.  We shall see if that changes as the dose lowers.  Toxic naps are WORSE so I avoid them, mostly.  Can barely handle the intensity of the terror state upon waking.  I feel more aware of my life and circumstances, which is causing me emotional distress and situational depression now.  Life review is hitting hard, at times.  I’m able to interact a bit more with others in the community and be more active on the forum.  For a long time I was unable to do so, while on higher dose Valium.

 

5.  Did your interests come back?

 

Nope.  Not yet.  This has been a big issue.  Hoping the lower I get, the more my interests will surface.

 

 

Hope others can share their experiences, too.  Wishing everyone wellness.  More healing every day.

 

Love,

 

Uni ❤️