Just starting

[[Ti...]]

I’ve been on 1mg Lorazepam for nearly three years and keen to get off. Spent two months slowly reducing to 0.75mg daily. Feelings of spacey head and increased low moods. Doctor now switched me to 5mg Diazepam and 0.25mg Lorazepam a week ago. The Diazepam seems to make me feel quite drugged. I take it in the morning and don’t feel like myself until the evening. Any suggestions?

[[pi...]]

Hello Tinkerbelle,

 

Welcome to Benzo Buddies!

 

It is not uncommon to change from a shorter acting benzo, like lorazepam, to one with a longer half life. It can make the reductions easier to handle, I did this myself.

 

Diazepam is very sedating and I experienced the same thing you are feeling. Some people find this intolerable and go back to the original medication and direct taper from there. Since I could not taper from clonazepam, it is very strong, I stayed with diazepam. I found the sedation did ease up as my body adjusted to the medication. It also eased up as I continued my taper. You just changed to diazepam a week ago, it can take a few weeks to adjust to the new medication.

 

I'll give you a link to the Substitution Taper Board where you might find more information about this.

 

Generally, a slow taper can help to minimize withdrawal symptoms. A reduction of no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days is suggested. I'll give you a link to the General Taper Plans for more information.

 

You've done well on your taper so far and are on the way to being benzo free. We understand what you are going through and will support you through the process.

 

Another great resource to read is the Ashton Manual. It gives a lot of good information about the withdrawal process. The manual was written by Dr. Heather Ashton, an expert in the field. I'll provide a link for you.

 

Let us know how we can help.

 

Substitution Taper Plans

 

General Taper Plans   

 

The Ashton Manual

 

pianogirl 

 

[[Ti...]]

Thanks so much for your message and encouragement - really appreciate hearing from you.

 

I wondered about switching the Diazepam to the evening rather than the morning to see if that reduced the sedation - what do you think?

 

Arohanui

Tinkerbelle - from NZ

[[pi...]]

Thanks so much for your message and encouragement - really appreciate hearing from you.

 

I wondered about switching the Diazepam to the evening rather than the morning to see if that reduced the sedation - what do you think?

 

Arohanui

Tinkerbelle - from NZ

 

Hello again,

 

I think the sedation will ease up with time. I dosed 3 times a day once I transitioned to diazepam. I reduced the mid day dose first, followed by the morning and then the evening. The midday dose was the first one I stopped.  Do you just take diazepam once a day?

 

PG 

[[Ti...]]

Hi

Yes - taking 5 mg Diazepam in the morning. I did wonder about splitting it into 2.5mg morning and evening. Am seeing psychiatrist on Thursday so will see what she thinks.

Thanks for the suggestion

Arohanui

T

[[Bl...]]

If you are feeling "drugged and sedated", why not take it a bedtime?  As long as your blood levels remain steady, you can take it at 3am if that works best for you. 

[[Ti...]]

Thanks for that. I have actually started taking it when I rouse up at night - so anytime between 2am and 3am and that’s made a huge difference to how I feel in the morning. Unfortunately the psychiatrist cancelled my appointment as she was ill so I haven’t had a good discussion with her yet. Am thinking i might just as well take it at night rather than relying on waking in the middle of the night to take it.  Appreciate your comments.

Arohanui

T

 

 

[[Ca...]]

Thanks for that. I have actually started taking it when I rouse up at night - so anytime between 2am and 3am and that’s made a huge difference to how I feel in the morning. Unfortunately the psychiatrist cancelled my appointment as she was ill so I haven’t had a good discussion with her yet. Am thinking i might just as well take it at night rather than relying on waking in the middle of the night to take it.  Appreciate your comments.

Arohanui

T

You will be a pro at this in no time..!!

Well done for “working” your meds to suit you..