Helping my mom

[[Bu...]]

Hi. I'm here because my mom wants me to help get info for her to help with her taper. She is in Ativan (2 mg total daily) and Halcion (unsure of dose). She's been taking them for a very long time.

[[ba...]]

Welcome to Benzo Buddies. We are a support and information group for those wanting to get off of benzodiazepines.

 

This link explains the mechanism of benzo's, and is a great place to start self educating.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=66397.0

 

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. Your mom is  free to print out anything, and share it with your doctor. From there, they or she can formulate a plan, and, she is 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 her.

 

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

 

As to her other medication, we don't have a protocol for it, but many members are on more than one medication. It's called polydrugged. There are boards in here for various other medications. A rule of thumb is to taper one medication at a time, but that is something she can evaluate with her doctor. Most of us choose to get off of the benzodiazepine first. Some of us alternating cutting down on one drug, stabilizing, then cutting the other.

 

Above all, she needs to pay attention to her body, and go slow. Her body and her doctor are her guides to listen to in determining how to proceed.

 

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 her history so they will be better able to support her. 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