Answer please on my small dose question?

[[al...]]

I have written here a couple of times. I am on day 25 of being on Valium (plus the 5-6 random doses(5mg to 2.5mg) I took before, and the 5-6 random doses of Temazepam and Zopiclone to sleep, over a period of about 4 months). I have been tapering from 5mg for 18 days and am now on 2mg and have held that for 6. I'm going through a very bumpy time, and don't mind holding the 2 for another few days. However, the last advice I got here was to cut 5% to 10% every 10 days. Now on 2mg that leaves me with over 20 weeks of further use and withdrawal, when my total use to date would be 5 weeks max, and all 5mg and below apart from 2 crazy days (before the taper) that I took 12.5mg and 7.5mg. 20 weeks!? I think I'll go mad if I have to have these pills in my life for that much longer. Can someone tell me that I should slow down, but a more bearable taper than looking down the barrel at 20 more weeks. Please help as I'm really confused.

[[or...]]

alixer, about this:

 

I'm going through a very bumpy time, and don't mind holding the 2 for another few days

 

If it were me, I would hold in here until your "bumpy time" smooths out. Then resume tapering. I had to do that a few times during my taper -- probably most of us did. Yes, a 5 to 10% reduction every 10 days is usually what's advised.

 

You've done very well with your reduction from 5 mgs to 2 mgs. Congratulations. But no need to rush ahead. Just cool it here for a bit. At least that's what I would do. I get it that you don't want to be on this drug a minute more than you have to, but sometimes sloooower will get you there faster than faster, if you get what I mean.  You don't have far to go.

 

Maybe try to focus not on how much time lies ahead of you, but on finding a reduction rate where you have as few s/x as possible. That's what I did -- I went as slowly as I had to in order to still be able to work and live my life.  Lol when I first started my journey down from 15 mgs, I calculated I'd be done in 6 months. Uh huh.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Katz

[[He...]]

Hold until the bumpy ride isn’t so bumpy.  Sometimes people push through and regret it.  You’ll be at the end soon enough.  I understand not wanting to taper longer than you were in.  But your brain and your plan may not agree.  Taper 10% when you feel levelled out.  Why take the risk of unnecessary suffering.  That’s benzos for you.  When I get over this, never again. 

[[al...]]

Thanks for the replies guys. I really appreciate it. I'm on day 7 of 2 mg now and will hold for a few more days and see how I am. I am actually better in the last couple of days but I may not say the same thing if I'm in the middle of adrenaline surges and super negative thinking. I have been taking a one or two panadeine if I need to as I have a debilitating muscle spasm in my right groin when I'm in a serious anxiety state. They've really helped with my fear of a sleepless, pain-filled night with my groin.  My friend said today, 'Look girl, we've done yoga, walked 6 ks, had a swim in the sea... You're doing good, you just don't feel it yet. But you will.' I will cut slower too. Go to 1.75 next. I think I'll be able to manage that. As I've said before, I don't have a liquid titration system and to calculate 10% on those tiny 2mg tabs would be too challenging. Cheers.