Am I playing with fire?

[[Im...]]

Ashton says 0.5mg-1.0mg every 1-2 weeks reduction of Valium. So would a micro taper with a 0.75mg/week reduction be considered too rapid?

 

I'm chomping at the bits to get off this poison because:

 

1) The cardiologist wanted me off of it over a month ago

2) The psychiatrist is worried about me being anhedonic and if he pulls it out from under me, it will be sudden.

3) I'm already depressed, dp/dr, anhedonic, cranial nerve pains, and POTS from pre-benzos. 

 

So, I figure, it's better for me to be in charge of a moderate pace instead of forced into c/t when I see psych again on the 27th. I started this taper "slow" but I'm getting nervous the longer it goes that I could/should be going faster.

 

I'm not asking for medical advice. Just what this pace would be considered and any feedback. TIA

[[Pa...]]

My first thought was yes, you're playing with fire, what's the hurry, but as I read your reasons, especially the part about the possibility of your Dr ripping you off the drug, I thought, well you have a point. 

 

Only you know what you can take, and if you do this and its too difficult, you'll at least have the ammo to tell your Dr's that it's critical you be allowed to get off at a slower pace.  At least I hope they would listen to you.

[[ma...]]

ImComingUp  I can totally relate to what you are going through. I was told by my doctor no more refills. I’m doing a fast taper with the pills I have left. The first few days I was very scared and sick. I still don’t feel well but I am feeling better. I am determined to get off these pills. The last 2 days I have taken .25 3 X day and I will lower again in probably 5 days. Wishing you the best!! We can do this!!!

[[Im...]]

My first thought was yes, you're playing with fire, what's the hurry, but as I read your reasons, especially the part about the possibility of your Dr ripping you off the drug, I thought, well you have a point. 

 

Only you know what you can take, and if you do this and its too difficult, you'll at least have the ammo to tell your Dr's that it's critical you be allowed to get off at a slower pace.  At least I hope they would listen to you.

 

Yes. He wanted me to cut the 5mg by a 1/4 instantly at last appointment and I was already in bad shape. He even called me the next day to let me know which hospital to go to if I need to. So, he isn't seeing this as withdrawal effects, he is seeing it as my depression getting worse. Im thankful for BB because I have done the work that he doesn't even know needs to be done with the information BB has provided. I dont know how he is going to react to me having not cut instantly. Im down to that dosage now, but since I tapered, I have less pills than I would have if I cut directly. Basically, I took more than prescribed for 2 weeks by tapering. He is probably Dr Ashton's age and doesn't seem like a man you want to suggest a woman's work to.

 

Thanks for the feedback

[[Pa...]]

Great, one of those.    Here is a resource, but if he's this closed minded, I doubt it will do any good to show it to him.  https://benzoreform.org/

[[Im...]]

ImComingUp  I can totally relate to what you are going through. I was told by my doctor no more refills. I’m doing a fast taper with the pills I have left. The first few days I was very scared and sick. I still don’t feel well but I am feeling better. I am determined to get off these pills. The last 2 days I have taken .25 3 X day and I will lower again in probably 5 days. Wishing you the best!! We can do this!!!

 

Thank you. Best wishes to you too. I'll be looking for your progress.

[[Th...]]

Actually I believe Ashton says no more than 10% of your current dose every 1 - 2 weeks and then hold as necessary based on symptoms.  So if you were on 1mg you would cut .10mg or be at .90mg for 1 - 2 weeks and then cut .09mg and be at .81mg for the next 1-2 weeks or however long it takes before you make that cut and continue until you are completely off.

 

I did a cold turkey so I don't have any experience tapering.  But that is what I read after being on the forum going on 4 years.

[[Im...]]

Great, one of those.    Here is a resource, but if he's this closed minded, I doubt it will do any good to show it to him.  https://benzoreform.org/

 

Thank you!

[[Im...]]

Actually I believe Ashton says no more than 10% of your current dose every 1 - 2 weeks and then hold as necessary based on symptoms.  So if you were on 1mg you would cut .10mg or be at .90mg for 1 - 2 weeks and then cut .09mg and be at .81mg for the next 1-2 weeks or however long it takes before you make that cut and continue until you are completely off.

 

I did a cold turkey so I don't have any experience tapering.  But that is what I read after being on the forum going on 4 years.

 

I guess I've read the wrong version.