just a ghost in the room

[[gh...]]

Just watched the CNN Special.  Been on sleep aids for 22 years now. Been lowering dose for last two years.

 

Was for 20 years + for sleep on:

 

Clonazepam 0.5mg

Zopiclone 7.5mg

Nitrazepam 10mg (Mogadon)

 

Now at:

 

1/2 Zopiclone 7.5mg

1/2 Nitrazepam 10mg (Mogadon)

 

Having problems with problem solving, concentration and making bad choices.

 

Hoping to make it off these.

 

[Guest [ba...]]

Hi Ghostrider!

 

I missed the special, but it's certainly brought a lot of people to us this evening.  Welcome!

 

Congratulations for weaning yourself down as far as you have.  I also used benzos (klonopin then ativan) for chronic insomnia, and remember how difficult it was to get off those stupid pills.  The symptoms you describe (concentration, poor choices) are very common during withdrawal.  So is insomnia, and I'm guessing you're confronting some sleep issues also??

 

A slow taper will help to minimize the withdrawal symptoms you've been experiencing.  We generally recommend a tapering rate of no greater than 5-10% of your dose every 10-14 days.  Many people taper much slower than that.  I think it's important to adjust your tapering speed to help keep any withdrawal symptoms more or less in check.  Large, sudden reductions can exacerbate those symptoms.

 

If you haven’t already done so, please take a thorough look at the Ashton Manual.  It is an authoritative guide to benzodiazepine tapering and includes sections on what to expect during withdrawal and recommended tapering rates.  The manual can be found at this link:  http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual

 

Here's a link to the insomnia section of the forum.  Perhaps you'll find some strategies to help.  fwiw - I did a lot of 3 am web work during my withdrawal.  If I wasn't going to sleep, I figured I might as well do something productive.  And it helped distract me so I wouldn't get mad at being awake at 3 am.  Anyway, here's the link:  Insomnia 

 

Please take some time to Create a Signature. This will help other members understand your history so they will be better able to support you.

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.

 

Again, welcome!

[[ga...]]

Welcome, ghostrider. I'm glad you found us. I recently finished my taper. I could not have done it without the information and validation I received on this forum. Spend some time exploring the site and you will find many resources to help you taper off successfully. You will make it and it will be worth it!

 

Gardie