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I have been on Klonopin (2 mgs per day usually) for about 7 years. I have started to discuss tapering down with my psychiatrist ( I have generalized anxiety for what seems like forever). I wish I knew how bad extended use was before I let doctors keep me on this stuff.

 

What struck me from my research is that long term use, even if you keep increasing the dose, is that it makes anxiety worse, which is true for me (in addition to feeling stupid and poor memory). Im not sure how Im going to be able to taper down and still be able to do my job when im already struggling (especially with the chest and neck tightness/ my heart feels like a heavy rock).

 

Not sure if there are any medications/ supplements that might ease this process. I have been on SSRI's, Buspar, anti-psychotics, nothing has helped my anxiety but benzos  It doesnt sound like a detox center would be that helpful considering how long this process is. I need to know that if I m going to go through a year + of hell that I can return to normal.

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Hello Oliveritas :hug: Welcome to Benzobuddies!

 

We are glad you found us, you are making a great decision for your future.  The nature of benzodiazepines is that they need a slow taper, detox establishments tend to take people off far too quick.  We can help you with support, encouragement and taper/withdrawal information.  Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

In general it’s advised to cut your daily dose by somewhere between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days.  You can go slower than this, whatever feels comfortable,  the aim is to try to keep symptoms manageable.

 

I suggest that you check out the Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

 

Many of our members deal with GAD and anxiety and have found that benzos used long term actually create more anxiety. We have a dedicated board dealing with anxiety issues, I'll give you a link to it so you can connect with others who can offer some ideas and help.

 

Anxiety     

 

If you would like to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

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Hello Oliveritas :hug: Welcome to Benzobuddies!

 

We are glad you found us, you are making a great decision for your future.  The nature of benzodiazepines is that they need a slow taper, detox establishments tend to take people off far too quick.  We can help you with support, encouragement and taper/withdrawal information.  Please feel free to browse the boards and post questions to any of the dedicated threads.

 

In general it’s advised to cut your daily dose by somewhere between 5% and 10% every 10 - 14 days.  You can go slower than this, whatever feels comfortable,  the aim is to try to keep symptoms manageable.

 

I suggest that you check out the Ashton Manual, It is a great resource for understanding the effect benzo’s have on our body.  It provides tapering and withdrawal information and includes a list of common symptoms 

 

 

I'll leave you a few links:

 

The Ashton Manual

Withdrawal Support

General Taper Plans

 

Many of our members deal with GAD and anxiety and have found that benzos used long term actually create more anxiety. We have a dedicated board dealing with anxiety issues, I'll give you a link to it so you can connect with others who can offer some ideas and help.

 

Anxiety     

 

If you would like to add a signature (history of meds/doses etc) it will help members give you relevant advice.  Go to the top of the page and select PROFILE then choose forum profile then insert drug history into the text box and remember to click change profile

 

Welcome aboard

Magrita

 

Yes, and I would add, do not try to taper at the speed the Ashton Manual recommends as for many of us it has proven to be too fast and has brought serious trouble. Tapering slowly, usually ends up in a successful taper.

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Yes, and I would add, do not try to taper at the speed the Ashton Manual recommends as for many of us it has proven to be too fast and has brought serious trouble. Tapering slowly, usually ends up in a successful taper.

 

Ah, really, don't you think that advice is just a bit premature? You know nothing about this new member. You don't even know if s/he is familiar with the Ashton Manual. And by the way, the taper speed recommended in that manual may be just right for this member, even if it has proven too fast "for many of us". Don't be so fast to jump on new members, please. Let the mods handle that.

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Yes, and I would add, do not try to taper at the speed the Ashton Manual recommends as for many of us it has proven to be too fast and has brought serious trouble. Tapering slowly, usually ends up in a successful taper.

 

Ah, really, don't you think that advice is just a bit premature? You know nothing about this new member. You don't even know if s/he is familiar with the Ashton Manual. And by the way, the taper speed recommended in that manual may be just right for this member, even if it has proven too fast "for many of us". Don't be so fast to jump on new members, please. Let the mods handle that.

 

yeah, some people can go as fast as Ashton but some  can't...it talkes time to figure out where in the huge spectrum ya fall. it took me a lot of fits and starts with my first taper to figure out where my sweet spot was, and that wasn't a benzo but an antipsychotic, but i'm doing the switchover to liquid benzo/clonazepam now in prep for the actual taper. i wonder how my speed/rate of taper will look for that, but there's no way of knowing so best to not jump the gun.

 

for me, i learnt (that's a word) lol, that starting slow is better,  cause i'm in the hyper sensitive camp and polydrugged camp. maybe i'll be able to speed up later, or maybe not. i'm not in a rush anymore, learnt (that word again) my lesson on that. i go about 2.5% per 4-6 weeks on my antipsychotic, but gonna start my benzo taper somewhere around only 2% or less. listen to my sxs and then go from there. i gave up after filling up and ruining 4 different daily planners to just keep daily notes but not fill out the calendar as far as reductions/scheduling past about 2 weeks or so....wish i'd listened in the beginning and  not been in such a damned hurry. such is life. i learn the hard way most the time.

 

on not jumping on the newbies too fast with too much info, i agree, with exception if they're in emergency like CT or acute or rapid taper with no knowledge what to do today. but for the rest, i like letting the Admins and Mods give them the intro post with links to the best how to start or appropriate threads/boards for their situation. after they get a chance to familiarize themselves with those toopics, then is a better time to offer help.

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