Hi

[[...]]

Hi,

I have insomnia. I have tried, and failed many times trying to get off of the benzo I've been on for years for sleep. I take 3/4 of a .50 mg Klonopin, 50 mg of Trazodone at night and some Benedryl. I have a very sensitive system and can only take a small dose. I've been having systems akin to withdrawals every day, having memory problems, feel tired and like I'm dragging all day. I'm really feeling like I need to drop the dose and start working on a long term taper plan.

 

Anyway, I literally just cut about 1/8 of a tablet, a sliver off, and for the past two weeks I keep having diarrhea. I am sleeping a little less, which is fine, but I'm having to take Pepto Bismol every day. The last 5 times I tried to taper I lost so much weight from the diarrhea, I end up going back on it. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm getting older and concerned about the memory loss I've been having. I've spent so much money over the past five years dealing with this, saw a naturopath who put me on Gaba and all kinds of supplements, and they also gave me diarrhea. Can't take magnesium. Saw a psychiatrist who tried so many sleeping pills, turned me into a zombie.  I'm okay with taking the Trazodone, would love to be able to take Valerian Root again and get off the Klonopin. Any advice on how to manage the diarrhea while I plan a very, very slow taper would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

[[Gr...]]

Hello, KR19 - Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

Congratulations on your decision to become benzo-free!  I totally understand how hard it is and why you ended up just going back on it.  I agree with your decision to do a very slow taper.  I think that is a very good idea.  You might also want to check out micro tapering.  There's threads on this forum about each of these subjects and lots of people with experience who you can discuss this with.

 

I'm so glad you decided to join the forum - you'll find plenty of information and support here. Our members have gone through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal, so you'll be able to connect with others who understand what you're going through and can tell you what has worked for them.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the specialized boards, which can all be accessed from the BenzoBuddies Community Forum homepage. Based on the information provided in your introduction, the following links may be a good starting place for you:

 

 

General Taper Plans

 

 

Withdrawal Support During Your Taper

 

 

When you have a chance, I highly recommend that you take a look at The Ashton Manual, which is an authoritative source on what to expect during withdrawal and recovery, authored by Dr. C. Heather Ashton, who is an expert in the field. It provides a great deal of information that can be very reassuring during any stage of this process, including a list of common symptoms with helpful explanations on the reasons for their existence.

 

For those who are currently tapering, we suggest reducing no faster than 5-10% every 10-14 days, and some taper even slower than that. One exception: very short-term users of a few weeks or less may be able to taper faster than that. 

 

Please take the time to Create a Signature. This will allow members to see where you are in the process, so that they can better support you.

 

Again, welcome!

Greencup 

[[La...]]

Hi & Welcome to the Group! It sounds like your describing typical withdrawal symptoms, also regarding the Trazodone, Antidepressants can have the same side effects as Benzos, especially Withdrawal Symptoms & there is no proof that they help with long-term use- in fact, they can cause pardoxyl symptoms. Check out Surviving Antidepressants.org, they have a ton of info just like here but of course for Antidepressants-  Good Luck!

 

[[An...]]

Welcome to BB. This will help with any diarrhea you are having. I only take 3 pills per day. It will take about 4 or 5 days to start working really good.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013OW2KS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

[[Fo...]]

Unless you are taking celexa for a good reason, most of us try to get off AD first BY TAPERING.

Then you can look at the Trazadone which is an odd AD, some can just stop it but the ten percent taper is safest

Your Klon is equivalent to 5 mg Valium and I would not rush to get off it til you feel stable.

I can’t advise legally for obvious reasons but those are things to consider.

A good diet and exercise better than supplements unless medically proven.

Dick