Last bit of taper question

[[On...]]

Having a difficult time breaking such a small dose in half.  I’m already at a jump dose so I’m not going to bother with getting liquid Valium at this point.  Should I just take the whole .5 dose once at night instead of trying to break it up in two?  

[[Tr...]]

Hello @[On...], 

Congratulations for your fast and smooth taper! You are almost there! 

Valium has a long half life (up to 48 hours), but nevertheless you can play it safe at the last stage of the taper. You can buy yourself a good tablet cutter and try to cut the half tablet in two equal pieces. I recommend this tablet cutter. 

https://www.amazon.com.be/dp/B0C5R188ZW?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Good luck and let us know how you are feeling in the coming weeks and months after the end of your taper! 

Edited October 4, 2024 by [Tr...]

[[On...]]

Thanks for the reply Triny.  In less than 2 weeks I'll be off Valium completely.  I guess taking Valium once a day can be a trial run of how my body will respond to decreasing dose frequency, and since I won't be taking any doses soon at all, I guess it makes sense to try this out thanks to Valium's long half-life.  I'm terrified of jumping soon but from what everyone says it'll hopefully be uneventful.  The unknown of how my body will respond is what is so scary to me.  I also don't understand the build up of Valium in my system.  I understand simple half-life pharmacology, but I can't wrap by head around how much Valium I'd actually have in my system when jumping at .25 mg.  If anyone could help explain that I'd really appreciate it.    

[[Tr...]]

Hello @[On...], I am sharing a link to an article that can answer your question. 
https://www.palmerlakerecovery.com/valium-addiction/how-long-does-valium-stay-in-your-system/

Good luck and please let us know how you are doing after you jump!

[[Pa...]]

5 hours ago, [[O...] said:

I guess taking Valium once a day can be a trial run of how my body will respond to decreasing dose frequency, and since I won't be taking any doses soon at all, I guess it makes sense to try this out thanks to Valium's long half-life.

Excellent thinking @[On...]!  

When members finally jump, most describe increased symptom severity, we call this the acute stage.  You’ll most likely experience the same symptoms, so nothing new there, but it could be a little uncomfortable until your CNS starts to settle.  I think you’re going to do great.

[[Ma...]]

12 hours ago, [[P...] said:

Excellent thinking @[On...]!  

When members finally jump, most describe increased symptom severity, we call this the acute stage.  You’ll most likely experience the same symptoms, so nothing new there, but it could be a little uncomfortable until your CNS starts to settle.  I think you’re going to do great.

I think some do, but I think many other people feel like it’s “just another cut” if they’ve tapered slowly and jumped at a low dose (below 1mg  diazepam equivalent).  Diazepam also “self tapers” slowly because of its exceptionally long half life over the course of a few weeks.  Obviously and as always, everyone is different.  

[[On...]]

.25 today for a week then jumping.  Insomnia pretty rough but other symptoms are manageable.  Thanks again for all the support.  Does anyone know when the acute stage for Valium typically kicks in?  I know I may never experience it but I’d like to know if it happens when it might occur.  

[[Pa...]]

@[On...], when do you typically begin to feel symptoms after a reduction?  I would imagine they'll show up when the usually do and they may not be terrible, some members don't go through that stage at all. 

On 10/10/2024 at 10:38, [[O...] said:

Does anyone know when the acute stage for Valium typically kicks in?  

 

[[Ma...]]

On 10/10/2024 at 10:38, [[O...] said:

.25 today for a week then jumping.  Insomnia pretty rough but other symptoms are manageable.  Thanks again for all the support.  Does anyone know when the acute stage for Valium typically kicks in?  I know I may never experience it but I’d like to know if it happens when it might occur.  

For Valium it could be anywhere from several days to a few weeks.  Valium and its metabolites have extremely long half lives (100-200 hours) so they clear slowly.  You are on an extremely low dose so hopefully it will be a smoother transition off.  

[[On...]]

Thanks for the responses.  I haven't felt any cuts since crossing over to Valium.  It was easy for me to pinpoint cuts when taking Klonopin because I'd feel drastically worse then better after a few days of holding. I feel the same all the time on Valium.  Not my old self but not terrible either.  I actually did a urine drug screen at work (I'm a nurse) and it was negative for benzos surprisingly.  So I guess the amount of Valium is so low in my system that its not detectable in my urine.  That should mean theoretically I'm already in acute.  Fingers crossed because not feeling great but it's definitely tolerable.

[[Pa...]]

This is wonderful news  @[On...], I'm predicting an uneventful recovery period!  Hope I'm right! 

[[On...]]

Today is jump day!  When I started my taper 5 months ago I thought I’d never get here.  I have so much respect for other Buddies that have taken benzos. for years at high doses who have to go through very long tapers.  This experience has been very difficult for me and I only took benzos. for 6 months at 30 mg Valium equivalent.  I originally was prescribed benzos. for insomnia after I had an adverse reaction to a medication that caused depression, anxiety, insomnia, and a myriad of other health complications.  I was then polydrugged with tricyclic antidepressants, ssris, antipsychotics, and various other classes of medications to allow me to sleep.  Nothing helped.  Then along came Klonopin.  It was a godsend.  I could actually sleep.  Little did I know this insidious little pill would further destabilize my CNS and cause more problems than good.  By the time I realized that taking Klonopin was actually making me sicker, it was already too late.  I was dependent.  I tried 2 “tapers” recommended to me by my psychiatrist who was prescribing the Klonopin and I got wrecked!  He clearly didn’t know how to properly deprescribe benzos., and unfortunately neither did I.  I knew I was in trouble and started to do my own research.  That’s when I found Benzobuddies and realized while there was no easy way out of this mess, there was at least a way out.  Bare in mind, the stress of me being sick caused such a strain on my marriage that my wife filed for divorce.  So on top of knowing the challenge that lie ahead of me regarding getting off of benzos., I was also going through a divorce from the person I had been with for over 20 years.  And yes, we have 2 kids together.  2 amazing kids.  They’re the reason why I’m still here.  Without them, I honestly don’t think I’d be alive today.  I’m mentioning all of this not to brag.  I’m nobody special.  I just want those who are suffering with discontinuing benzos. to know that you’re not alone and that you will get through it.  You have to have something to cling to when you’re in the thick of it to give you hope.  Hope that this nightmare will eventually end.  For me, it was my kids.  Thank God for them.  I’m also not naive.  I know the war isn’t over.  I may have won the battle of tapering, but I still have to fight through the battle of withdrawal.  And I’m as ready as I can be thanks to this website and its members.  Thanks to all the Buddies who have helped me through this process.  I’m eternally grateful.  I’ll post periodically on my progress for those who are interested.  And please remember to find your reason for hope!

[Colin]

Well done, @[On...]. Congratulations on completing your taper.

If you experience some difficulties and/or blips over the following weeks or few months - this is quite common - try to not to worry about it and know that we are here to help. But with a little bit of luck, you've completed the hard part.

Please keep us informed of your progress. And when you are feeling better and ready, please add your Success Story.

[[On...]]

Thanks @[Co...] for everything, especially for starting this website.  You don’t know how many people’s lives are better because of this forum.  

[[Pa...]]

Happy jump day @[On...], I hope your recovery is smooth!  Thank you for sharing a bit more of your story, I can see you've faced some challenges but thank goodness for those kids, mine kept me safe too. 

 

[[Tr...]]

Bravo, @[On...]! Congratulations on completing your taper! I am very happy for you and I hope and pray that the following weeks will be smooth and easy!

Thank you for sharing your personal story. I am so sorry that your wife was not supportive and I am glad that your kids helped you survive! My daughter is also the reason I am still here. 

Please keep us informed of your progress. 

Edited October 17, 2024 by [Tr...]

[[On...]]

1 week progress update since jumping:  Uptick in insomnia, muscle spasms, and gi issues.  Otherwise, same and maybe even better regarding other symptoms.  Avoiding all prescription and otc meds. like the plague.  Lots of stretching and sauna bathing to help loosen muscles.  Ginger for gi issues.  Not much to do with the insomnia.  @[Th...] had a very informative discussion regarding insomnia.  I suggest reading it if you haven’t already.  Anyway, I’ll keep praying that this is acute for me and that I don’t get slammed.  Will update in another week.  Take care!

[[Tr...]]

Thank you so much for the update, @[On...]! I hope and pray that all the sxs disappear! 
 

May I ask a couple of  questions:

1/ Did you work during the week or stayed at home?

2/ Which other sxs have stayed the same and which have improved?

Take good care of yourself and please write an update in another week! 
🍀🙏❤️

Edited October 24, 2024 by [Tr...]

[[On...]]

Ask away Triny!  I've been working as it's been a good source of distraction.  Tinnitus, dp/dr, brain fog, burning skin, depression, anxiety, and headaches are the symptoms that seem to have eased up.  I've noticed more pressure and popping in my ears like when you're changing altitudes, so maybe that's an indication of my body trying to heal?  I wish I had a solution for the insomnia, although I can't really complain because at least I am getting SOME sleep.  I wake up usually every 2 hours during the night.  I'm having vivid dreams and can remember what they were after waking.  So it seems I'm the typical benzo. withdrawal insomniac in that I have REM sleep without deep sleep, evidenced by the fact that the sleep I'm getting isn't restorative.  But I'm just happy it's something.  I'm happy to answer any other questions. 

[[Tr...]]

Thank you so much for your swift reply, @[On...]!

I hope and pray that all the sxs will disappear! 

Take care! 

[[On...]]

Hey everybody.  Got hit with what I’m guessing is benzo. flu. last night.  Muscle aches, hot and cold swings, and vomiting/diarrhea all last night and this morning.  Coupled with 2 days of no sleep, it’s been rough.  Took a Zofran for the vomiting and plan to take cbd tonight if I can’t fall asleep again.  Basically I feel like a truck ran over me.  Today is day 12 since jumping.  The wild part is that as bad as I feel, I didn’t even for a second think about reinstating.  My mantra is that I’m healing and this is temporary.  Keep up the fight!

[[Ta...]]

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

Hey everybody.  Got hit with what I’m guessing is benzo. flu. last night.  Muscle aches, hot and cold swings, and vomiting/diarrhea all last night and this morning.  Coupled with 2 days of no sleep, it’s been rough.  Took a Zofran for the vomiting and plan to take cbd tonight if I can’t fall asleep again.  Basically I feel like a truck ran over me.  Today is day 12 since jumping.  The wild part is that as bad as I feel, I didn’t even for a second think about reinstating.  My mantra is that I’m healing and this is temporary.  Keep up the fight!

 

YAY!!!! 👏

[[Tr...]]

 Hi @[On...], I am so sorry that you are suffering like this! Take good care of yourself and rest as much as possible. I hope that you have taken a sick leave and that you have someone to help you this week. 

Let’s hope that you have the stomach flu and that it’s not wd. It’s stomach flu season now. I had the stomach flu last week (got it from our daughter) and am still recovering. 

Hold on and take care! 
🍀🍀🍀❤️
 

 

Edited October 28, 2024 by [Tr...]

[[Tr...]]

 Hi @[On...], I hope that you were able to sleep last night and the GI issues are subsiding!

[[On...]]

Thanks Triny.  GI issues improving.  Lots of Gatorade.  CBD allowed me to sleep.  Thank God.  I've seen different estimates but if this is acute I hope it only lasts around a month.  Guess we'll see!