Lorazepam to Valium

[Guest [Do...]]

1 minute ago, [[m...] said:

@[Do...] but the longer I stay on these the harder it is going to be to get off right? I just want to be done with all of this!

@[mo...] it is part of the process, in my case i only took 3 months of daily benzos and now have been another 6 months tapering but tapering includes taking the drug aswell so i have been now 9 months taking it and i will be another 6 months at least. But is inevitalbe, you have to take it or get very sick.

It doesnt need to be harder to come off for taking it longer, people take it for 10 years or more and they are ablr to taper as the rest, the only important thing is how much dose you take.

What it matters about how long is tolerance to the drug but that is inevitable too, there are only 2 options, keep updosing to avoid tolerance or keep tapering, we are all in tolerance as we don't updose and we even drop our doses, we are in tolereance always, all the time if you don't rise your dose the body will notice but here is the good news, as we drop the dose, as we taper the effect of the drug decreases so even in tolerance you will eventually feel better, i always feel better everytime i drop my dose cause the body and the brain is thankfull i am removing this poison from it.

 

[Guest [Do...]]

1 minute ago, [[m...] said:

I was on what everyone said was a small dose for a short time. I don’t understand how I can be having such a tough time when all the experts said it would be an easier process for me. I’m scared and frustrated 

Been there done that, i only took 3 months of a low dose of lorazepam and got extremly sick when i tried to come off, it will take me 1 year to safely come off 0.5mg of lorazepam (switched to 5mg of diazepam) for only 3 months of use, it is frustrating and it makes me so angry but i try to focus in healing and tapering, i found out the hard way that raging only makes symptoms worse and i can't even afford to get angry, keping the calm helps so much.

[[mo...]]

2 minutes ago, [[D...] said:

Been there done that, i only took 3 months of a low dose of lorazepam and got extremly sick when i tried to come off, it will take me 1 year to safely come off 0.5mg of lorazepam (switched to 5mg of diazepam) for only 3 months of use, it is frustrating and it makes me so angry but i try to focus in healing and tapering, i found out the hard way that raging only makes symptoms worse and i can't even afford to get angry, keping the calm helps so much.

I’m so sorry! I can’t imagine a year for 5 mg and here I’m on 12.5. 

 

4 minutes ago, [[D...] said:

Been there done that, i only took 3 months of a low dose of lorazepam and got extremly sick when i tried to come off, it will take me 1 year to safely come off 0.5mg of lorazepam (switched to 5mg of diazepam) for only 3 months of use, it is frustrating and it makes me so angry but i try to focus in healing and tapering, i found out the hard way that raging only makes symptoms worse and i can't even afford to get angry, keping the calm helps so much.

I

[Guest [Do...]]

8 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

I’m so sorry! I can’t imagine a year for 5 mg and here I’m on 12.5. 

I

Yeah, my shrink stole a year of my life but i am doing this on my own, i live alone and i cant afford to be too sick so i just do everything in my hands to be functional and get better, i follow the rules (listen to your body) and i try to stay calm and be proactive, learn as much as i can and help others, only time will set me free so i decided how to spend my time and dont waste it.

You will get better, be confident and do as much as you can and you will be fine.

Edited August 20 by Guest

[[Pa...]]

4 hours ago, [[m...] said:

@[Do...] but the longer I stay on these the harder it is going to be to get off right? I just want to be done with all of this!

Your relatively short time on the drug is in your favor, you staying on Valium for a few weeks before you begin your taper isn't the same as taking it for decades.

[[Pa...]]

4 hours ago, [[m...] said:

I was on what everyone said was a small dose for a short time. I don’t understand how I can be having such a tough time when all the experts said it would be an easier process for me. I’m scared and frustrated 

We don't understand why some of us react so negatively to withdrawing from benzodiazepines but it appears you're one of us, I'm so sorry.   I know this is difficult to accept, especially when the 'experts' say its not possible.  I'm also sorry you were lead to believe that Valium was easier to taper from, its has its benefits certainly but its not easy.

[[mo...]]

15 minutes ago, [[P...] said:

We don't understand why some of us react so negatively to withdrawing from benzodiazepines but it appears you're one of us, I'm so sorry.   I know this is difficult to accept, especially when the 'experts' say its not possible.  I'm also sorry you were lead to believe that Valium was easier to taper from, its has its benefits certainly but its not easy.

Thanks! I’ve decided to try the 10% taper next week from the mid-day dose. I need to be myself again. We have a very strong marriage of over 30 years but this is taking a toll on him. I can see it even if he can’t. 

[[Pa...]]

6 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

Thanks! I’ve decided to try the 10% taper next week from the mid-day dose. I need to be myself again. We have a very strong marriage of over 30 years but this is taking a toll on him. I can see it even if he can’t. 

I see the first spark of who you really are underneath the fear and pain, I can see the fighter in you, I'm so glad she's arrived!  I know you're going to be okay now, you're going to kick this drug out of your life, recover and be stronger for it. 

[[mo...]]

@[or...] @[Pa...] @[Do...] I woke up this morning with lower anxiety but it is building as the morning has gone on. Ended up taking both doses of xywav and slept but know I need to get away from it to break any anxiety it is causing. Catch 22 either way I go. I’m also having those “brain zaps” like I had when I spent 18 months tapering off of Cymbalta when I would taper too much or too fast. I got really good at knowing how much to do and how often but this is a whole different animal.  I’m scared I’m becoming tolerant of the Valium dose or could it be the lorazepam still leaving my system?  It’s been 2 weeks since my last dose. I still want to do a 10% taper starting Sunday. Part of me wants to try 20% but don’t want a major setback. 

Edited August 21 by [mo...]

[[Pa...]]

Hi @[mo...], to tell you the truth, I'm hoping you can stay on your regular dose of xywav because we typically recommend only changing one medication at a time and even though yours contributes to your anxiety, it still plays a part in your life. 

I know you won't do a 20% cut, but understand it can be tempting.  The problem is, if its too big, then you face the decision of having to updose or hold for longer so you really don't gain anything but pain. 

[[mo...]]

@[Pa...] I’ve been off Xyrem and xywav for long periods of time in the past and adjusted and did ok. Sleep still was a problem but I got by. Xyrem, I was only on for 4 months before we realized the unbearable anxiety was being caused by it. The xywav I’ve been on fairly regularly for about 6 months. But, guess it makes sense to not cut both at the same time. If I do start with the 10% cut, say twice in a row and do ok, could I try 20% next cut? The depression and exhaustion from the Valium is hard to get over. 

[Guest [Do...]]

1 hour ago, [[m...] said:

I’m also having those “brain zaps” like I had when I spent 18 months tapering off of Cymbalta when I would taper too much or too fast.

Hi @[mo...] i know really well those brain zaps, i only experienced those in my SSRI withdrawal and now when my body tells me to stop tapering and i need to hold. For me is a red flag, when i get those a wave is coming. I have learnt to listen to those red flags and hold till the storm is gone, it woprks for me and waves are shorter and shorter now.

I strongly recommend to hold longer till you get rid of those but it is up to you, we all had to test ourselves before making certain decisions.

[Guest [Do...]]

5 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

The depression and exhaustion from the Valium is hard to get over.

What is your current dosage of valium? 3 times a day? how much each dose?

and your other meds?

 

[[mo...]]

3 minutes ago, [[D...] said:

What is your current dosage of valium? 3 times a day? how much each dose?

and your other meds?

@[Do...] 5 mg am, 2.5 mg early afternoon, and 5 mg at 6 pm. 
 

buspirone 3 x a day 10 mg morning then 5 mg at 2 pm and 5 mg at 8 pm.

 

Armour thyroid 120 mg morning and liothyronine 10 mcg morning. 

Progesterone suppository 100 mg twice a day and estradiol injections twice a week. The pituitary tumor causing the high prolactin has pushed my hormones way down which has thrown me into some menopause symptoms again which also plays a part in anxiety. The tumor can cause anxiety and the medication used to treat the tumor (which I haven’t started yet) can cause anxiety. So much that can cause it so trying to figure it all out is hard. 

[Guest [Do...]]

Just now, [[m...] said:

@[Do...] 5 mg am, 2.5 mg early afternoon, and 5 mg at 6 pm. 
 

buspirone 3 x a day 10 mg morning then 5 mg at 2 pm and 5 mg at 8 pm.

Armour thyroid 120 mg morning and liothyronine 10 mcg morning. 

Progesterone suppository 100 mg twice a day and estradiol injections twice a week. The pituitary tumor causing the high prolactin has pushed my hormones way down which has thrown me into some menopause symptoms again which also plays a part in anxiety. The tumor can cause anxiety and the medication used to treat the tumor (which I haven’t started yet) can cause anxiety. So much that can cause it so trying to figure it all out is hard. 

@[mo...] i dont know most of those meds so can you tell me which are psych meds besides valium?

[[mo...]]

Buspirone is the only one that is a psych med and for anxiety. Forgot to add xywav which is a CNS and for consolidated sleep with narcolepsy. 

[Guest [Do...]]

16 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

Buspirone is the only one that is a psych med and for anxiety. Forgot to add xywav which is a CNS and for consolidated sleep with narcolepsy. 

Ok so i guess the one for narcolepsy is one you can´t miss or come off.

 Buspirone is not related to benzos and it doesnt affect gaba receptors so it shouldnt be a problem for your WD but if it is for anxiety (ok i searched for it and it affects serotonin and dopamin and is itsnt supposed to be sedating) but, i only take valium and i had all those symptoms, chronic fatigue, muscle weakness, lightheadness, etc. In my case it got better as the valium dose was lower, it is hard i know, i dont know what you can do to avoid all those symptoms fast without getting maybe other worse and stronger. One thing i regret is i should have gone single dose with valium cause day time doses are devastating and the feeling of oversedation and fatige are horrible.

So you have a tumor confirmed? you got the results?

Edited August 21 by Guest
added new data

[[mo...]]

Yes. It is 8mm x 7 mm x 6mm. I see a pituitary specialist on 3 September. I’d love to taper off of the buspirone but am afraid it will cause withdrawal sunrooms as I’ve been on it since middle of February. 
 

Do you think it will be possible to, once I eliminate the middle of day dose, to go to a once a day on Valium; evening dose? So, take the whole 10 mg at 6 pm va 5 am and 5 pm? 

[Guest [Do...]]

17 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

Yes. It is 8mm x 7 mm x 6mm. I see a pituitary specialist on 3 September. I’d love to taper off of the buspirone but am afraid it will cause withdrawal sunrooms as I’ve been on it since middle of February. 
 

Do you think it will be possible to, once I eliminate the middle of day dose, to go to a once a day on Valium; evening dose? So, take the whole 10 mg at 6 pm va 5 am and 5 pm? 

@[mo...] Sorry about your tumor, it can be fully healed soon.

I wouldnt try to merge 2 doses together once you've been taking it for a while, i was suggested to do that and i am glad i didnt, imagine completely remove one dose and double the other one, it would be the same within 24 hours, same dosage a day but once your brain is used to have 5mg or whatever dose you take it would be to aggressive to make it twice and eliminate the rest, IMO is something you gotta do at the start or taper it slowly after. What i did to avoid so much sedation and fatigue was to split my morning dose in 2 and taper only from the middle one and then start tapering from the frist one and leave the night dose last but i was on 2 doses, you're in 3 so i would go for the dose you feel makes you more tired and sedated, for example if you taper your middle dose then you can go for the morning dose or even split tahe one in 2, valium is very flexible to play with that due to it's long lasting half life.

 

Edited August 21 by Guest

[[mo...]]

@[Do...]makes sense. 

[Guest [Do...]]

4 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

@[Do...]makes sense. 

@[mo...] one night i was distracted talking on the phone while mixing my dose and i forgot to remove what i should and instead took a whole dose like the ones i had before i started my taper, that led me into the longest and worst wave of symptoms i had. That's how hyper sensitive we are to medication. Only make smooth changes.

 

[[mo...]]

@[Do...] so you are doing a water taper or switched to liquid valium?

Edited August 21 by [mo...]

[[Ro...]]

38 minutes ago, [[m...] said:

Yes. It is 8mm x 7 mm x 6mm. I see a pituitary specialist on 3 September. I’d love to taper off of the buspirone but am afraid it will cause withdrawal sunrooms as I’ve been on it since middle of February. 
 

Do you think it will be possible to, once I eliminate the middle of day dose, to go to a once a day on Valium; evening dose? So, take the whole 10 mg at 6 pm va 5 am and 5 pm? 

Thought I'd throw in my 2 cents once I saw the word "buspirone."  I've taken buspirone and my experience was that it amounted to a little more than a placebo.  As far as tapering and withdrawal, it's far from a benzo experience.  To be on the safe side, I took just a couple weeks to come off it and had zero symptoms.

[[mo...]]

@[Ro...]

Thanks! I just worry about throwing another wrench in the works. I’ve seen some post that they had some pretty bad withdrawal symptoms coming off of it. Did you experience any loss of appetite while on it? I haven’t had any hunger cues or appetite since a few weeks after I started. 

[Guest [Do...]]

1 hour ago, [[m...] said:

@[Do...] so you are doing a water taper or switched to liquid valium?

@[mo...] i switched to liquid diazepam. it is availiable here from the brand. Makes it so much easier to taper.