Confused and worried

[[Sa...]]

Hi there,

 

I am 38 and was prescribed Lorazepam (0.5) and Xanax (0.5) a year and half ago each night to help with sleep and anxiety.

I usually only took half the prescribed amount but also took half an over counter sleeping pill to help get to sleep.

Its only now that I have upped it to the prescribed dose a few months ago but I have since been getting bad anxiety.

I often feel very irrational, moody, sad, anxious, out of it, loss of memory, can't think straight.

So I am hoping to come off these pills completely.

 

I have a doctor appointment tomorrow but hoped to get some advice before it as this doctor isn't the best.

 

I see that perhaps a low dose of Diazapam might be a good way to come off this sort of dose of Benzos.

 

Any advice would be so appreciated

[[ba...]]

Welcome to Benzo Buddies. We are a support and information group for those wanting to get off of benzodiazepines. We understand your fear, and are here to help.

 

Tapering is the safest, and most tolerable method for getting off of benzo's.

 

The max recommended cut is 5-10% every 2 weeks. Many of us have to go slower, depending on our medication and what we can handle. Here are the boards on tapering. Feel free to print out anything you wish, and share it with your doctor. From there, you can formulate a plan, and, you are always free to change it up if it's not working. It can take some trial and error. What works best for me may not be what works best for you.

 

http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual 

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=56.0

 

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=145.0

 

This is a list of withdraw symptoms:

https://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzcha03.htm#4

 

In the forums pertinent to your circumstances, you will find other buddies going through their own tapers. This is a good place to ask questions, and receive guidance.

 

Again, welcome to Benzo Buddies, you have come to a safe, confidential informative support group, and we are happy to have you as a member. You can do this, with knowledge and finding coping skills.

 

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.

 

We look forward to reading more from you over the forthcoming days and weeks.

 

Take care,

BB Team

[[Ca...]]

Hi welcome...

 

With your Dr, Perhaps try to avoid getting tied to any time frames... ie. a patient guided taper, as per tolerable symptoms (sx)...  Sometimes it can take longer than we expect to get off safely and without exessive sx during or after the taper... A plan for the worst, hope for the best, type thing...

 

Ashton type speeds seem to be a good place to start...

 

Im all for tapering the original med, but a C/O has merits in some cases, ie short half lives...

But I would not suggest adding another benzo to the mix to aid tapering.. Or anything else for that matter.. -Unless there was a clear need... Not everyone reports doing well on valium...

 

Hope this helps a bit..

 

Good luck..

 

[[ba...]]

Cantfly makes some good points.

 

Most of us manage our own tapers with our doctors support. Do the best you can with your doc to communicate your needs and desired outcomes, and hopefully, leave the door for flexibility open.

 

As I said earlier, print out anything you feel will help in working with your doctor from our information links.

 

I, too, could not tolerate valium.

 

That doesn't mean you can't, it may be good for your taper.

 

Point is, we are all different, and at the start of a taper some time is spent figuring out what method and timetable works for us.

 

Regardless, we are here to support you.

[[La...]]

Welcome to the Group! Congratulations on deciding to get off these awful drugs! From what you described it sounds like you are in Tolerance Withdrawal so there's no time like the presence.  Stay Strong- it does get better!