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Any experts out there for Diazepam tapering


[Da...]

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Hi all

Having to try and taper alone. GP not interested, NHS trust not interested, so on my own.

Having managed to get down from 35mg Diazepam a day, down to 25mg a day, I've now had to go back up to 30mg a day.

Mainly due to really stressful circumstances. Mums in a care home with Dementia and has just returned there following a fall and breaking her hip and some ribs. (We were very close)

I'm divorced and broke, so am living with my 86 yr old father. That's tough in itself, as I'm having to endure his suffering as well. Also, the lights out curfew at 8.30 (When he goes to bed is also tough ... it's torchlight and creeping around till morning. I'm living totally in one room and am crammed in there, with what furniture I have left and have to have music/ tv on so low, so as not to disturb him. How the hell am I supposed to taper bearing all that on top of anxiety, panic attacks and depression. Any ideas ... I'm lost with it.

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Hi, Davey. Did you use the Ashton manual as a guide for your cuts? It's pretty good until the end (in my opinion), when it gets too fast. Many advise no more than a 5-10% cut of the previous dose per 1- 2 weeks. Some go a month with that.

 

Sorry about your situation. It does sound stressful. A lot of us have stresses and it doesn't make tapering easier, for sure.

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I have found that when on a high dose for a long period of time it is best to wait about 10-14 days per 1mg otherwise I go into severe withdrawal and can't work.

 

I just had this issue this last week dropping from 21 to 20 in 7 days. It was too fast for me.

 

I can also see from Benzo3's signature that he has had the same issue.

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I have found that when on a high dose for a long period of time it is best to wait about 10-14 days per 1mg otherwise I go into severe withdrawal and can't work.

 

I just had this issue this last week dropping from 21 to 20 in 7 days. It was too fast for me.

 

I can also see from Benzo3's signature that he has had the same issue.

 

Best advice I have or suggestion a better word, go with the speed your body can handle and still leave your symptoms tolerable.  I will send you great explanation, someone else's quote.

 

"A very good post for us all

 

 

Your CNS is the main controller of your brain and your body.

 

The gaba/glutamate balance is delicate so when you unbalance it by taking these benzos, it will strive for stability by not receiving your own gaba anymore and the receptors will sink into the brain tissue.

 

To withdraw must take time to bring up those receptors to restore the balance, and best to do that slowly to not allow too much glutamate to leak because glutamate is a damaging neurotransmitter.

 

If done too fast, the damage of the glutamate is like what a flood causes, and extra care and time will be needed to repair the damage. We can expect to feel the glutamate to some degree by the withdrawl sx we feel, but we must minimize the glutamate as much as we can. ".  Intend

 

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I have found that when on a high dose for a long period of time it is best to wait about 10-14 days per 1mg otherwise I go into severe withdrawal and can't work.

 

I just had this issue this last week dropping from 21 to 20 in 7 days. It was too fast for me.

 

I can also see from Benzo3's signature that he has had the same issue.

 

The 1 week tapers were forced on me and, yes, they caught up with me.

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Thanks to you all for your suggestions.

 

Sadly, I can only buy online 10mg pills. They are quite small and even with a decent pill splitter they are hard enough to cut in half, yet alone into quarters. Can't try the tiltration thing as I only have 1 shelf in a fridge I have to share with my 86 year old father.

 

I've always, from when I started the damn things 10 years ago, taken them around stressful times, although I see the Ashton Manual splits into 3 times a day. Is that when you get up, obviously lunch time and then go to bed ??

 

Have never taken them when I go to bed as, although my sleeps a bit  haphazard,  it seems waste.

 

 

 

 

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I have found that when on a high dose for a long period of time it is best to wait about 10-14 days per 1mg otherwise I go into severe withdrawal and can't work.

 

I just had this issue this last week dropping from 21 to 20 in 7 days. It was too fast for me.

 

I can also see from Benzo3's signature that he has had the same issue.

 

You need to understand that its the cut that causes the sxs and discomfort.  The hold is just the time you allocate to recover from the cut.  But whether you hold for 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, etc, the discomfort cause by the cut is the same.

 

That's why smaller cuts, more often, is always a more gentle way to taper.

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Can't try the tiltration thing as I only have 1 shelf in a fridge

 

Davey, the tapering mixture doesn't have to be refrigerated. I used vodka to dissolve my valium, then added water (I made a week's supply), and the mixture sat on a shelf in my bathroom for a week. Many people use PG. Nothing will "spoil" in either mixture. So you don't need to worry about your mixture taking up space in the shared fridge.

 

Just thought I'd point that out.

 

Katz

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I have found that when on a high dose for a long period of time it is best to wait about 10-14 days per 1mg otherwise I go into severe withdrawal and can't work.

 

I just had this issue this last week dropping from 21 to 20 in 7 days. It was too fast for me.

 

I can also see from Benzo3's signature that he has had the same issue.

 

You need to understand that its the cut that causes the sxs and discomfort.  The hold is just the time you allocate to recover from the cut.  But whether you hold for 1 week, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, etc, the discomfort cause by the cut is the same.

 

That's why smaller cuts, more often, is always a more gentle way to taper.

 

That is why I cut down to the next mg over a 3-day span.

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Thanks again everyone.

 

But you're missing the point a bit, it's coping with the pills and a stressful life that's the problem.

 

Having no support or anyone to talk to is tough.

 

I'm my own worst enemy at times, but am thankfully quite tough. I've now just done the total opposite of all advice and cut from 30mg to 20mg in one go. Have managed two days so far and by shutting myself down a bit am actually managing. Beyond caring now.

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If you're able to cut like that then power to you.

 

We are all different in how much this affects us and what our tolerance for symptoms are.

 

 

Regarding your current situation... You haven't given up and want a better life for yourself! The withdrawal, housing, divorce and financial is a fucking nightmare. I ain't gonna sugar coat it. That seems like the worst possible place in life to deal with benzo WD.

 

The good news is that you're here and asking for help. You haven't thrown in the towel even know it feels like it every day.

 

There are no promises here, there is no magic pill and often times kind words and advice feel like just that... words. They don't take away the pain. The only thing that they can do if you look at the facts on multiple accounts, is that this thing we are doing works. We do heal and our lives change. I come here for a constant reminder that things will get better if I keep at it and use my experience to try and help others.

 

I need a daily, sometimes hourly reminder to gain a new perspective. Nothing will on this earth has been able to turn my thoughts against me faster than this shit. So I come here and I talk to whoever will listen.

 

My unsolicited advice about the homefront is that maybe change your schedule if possible to align with your fathers. Try your best to get out of the house and walk. If you have the opportunity to meet new people then take it no matter how weird you feel. If possible find a part-time morning gig to put a little cash in your pocket. Even if it's washing the dishes. I have found that when I am working ( the last thing I want to do ) It really helps take my mind off of the symptoms. It also wears me out so I can sleep.

 

Keep posting here and keep us updated. If you find someone else that is just getting started here lend your experience. It helps to reinforce what we learn and builds trust in what we are doing.

 

Please feel free to contact me.

 

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Just noticed this added to all of our posts.

Suggestions, opinions and/or advice provided by the author of this post should not be regarded as medical advice; nor should it substitute for professional medical care. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication. Please read our Community Policy Documents board for further information.

 

All very well .... but have tried all the NHS plus 2 GP's. In the real world they dont want to know..

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