Day 12 of Taper - advice! New member

[[Pa...]]

I've noticed most members tolerate it well.

10 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

Hi all! Is propranolol safe to use during benzo taper? Have had some slight increased heart rate — nothing bad at all, but know that propranolol would help. 

 

[[Tr...]]

Hi @[vo...], I have used Propranolol earlier this year when I CTed my Parkinson’s medication and it helped well with preventing tachycardia/palpitations. I stopped it in June as the palpitations disappeared.

However, for me an elevated heart rate that persists is a signal, that I am reducing too much/ too fast. I had episodes of tachycardia at the beginning of my Clonazepam taper end of July and August when I was reducing 12.5% per week. I held for over a months until the episodes disappeared and continued my taper with an average rate of 6% per 2.5 - 3 weeks. 

Edited November 16, 2024 by [Tr...]

[[Li...]]

20 hours ago, [[T...] said:

Hi @[vo...], I have used Propranolol earlier this year when I CTed my Parkinson’s medication and it helped well with preventing tachycardia/palpitations. I stopped it in June as the palpitations disappeared.

However, for me an elevated heart rate that persists is a signal, that I am reducing too much/ too fast. I had episodes of tachycardia at the beginning of my Clonazepam taper end of July and August when I was reducing 12.5% per week. I held for over a months until the episodes disappeared and continued my taper with an average rate of 6% per 2.5 - 3 weeks. 

Yes same they just gave it to me the last time that I went to the doctor and I've tried it here and there as I'm lowering my dosages and it does seem to take the edge off just a tiny bit but as Trina said the rapid heartbeat is probably because we are lowering too quickly agreed

[[vo...]]

On 16/11/2024 at 13:05, [[T...] said:

Hi @[vo...], I have used Propranolol earlier this year when I CTed my Parkinson’s medication and it helped well with preventing tachycardia/palpitations. I stopped it in June as the palpitations disappeared.

However, for me an elevated heart rate that persists is a signal, that I am reducing too much/ too fast. I had episodes of tachycardia at the beginning of my Clonazepam taper end of July and August when I was reducing 12.5% per week. I held for over a months until the episodes disappeared and continued my taper with an average rate of 6% per 2.5 - 3 weeks. 

Thanks for the info! It’s definitely not persistent — it is only slightly elevated (maybe like 100bpm) for around 30 mins and only has happened about 3 times. 

[[vo...]]

Wanted to update today — Starting Week 5 of my taper, which means today was the cut from 0.75mg to 0.625mg! It’s a 16.67% reduction, which is bigger than my last reduction around ~14%. I have been handling my taper very well and I hope this cut goes smoothly. Just wanted to send an update. I’ll update in about a week if any symptoms arrive or if I’m feeling stable!

[[Tr...]]

Hi @[vo...], thanks for the update! I am glad to read that your sxs are under control. I hope that you will continue to feel stable. 

Nevertheless, please keep in mind, that usually it is recommended to cut smaller amounts or at least the same amounts as you go lower in your taper. 

Good luck and please keep us informed how it is going!

[[vo...]]

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

Hi @[vo...], thanks for the update! I am glad to read that your sxs are under control. I hope that you will continue to feel stable. 

Nevertheless, please keep in mind, that usually it is recommended to cut smaller amounts or at least the same amounts as you go lower in your taper. 

Good luck and please keep us informed how it is going!

Hi! I’m well aware, and just following my psychiatrists orders who has lots of experience with tapering patients off of benzos. I am confident my taper will continue smoothly, and if not, my doctor is prepared to let me go slower. I am going to potentially cut smaller amounts once I hit .5mg. 

[[vo...]]

hi everyone! met with my psychiatrist today and they’re recommending me to get on Buspar to help with my anxiety. has anyone had any issues with this while tapering? 

Edited November 21, 2024 by [vo...]

[[El...]]

@[vo...] I have not taken Buspar so I cannot comment on your question.  And, I don't know your intended dose or how long you would be on Buspar, but just a "head's up".  Although Buspar is not a benzo, it may require a taper when you want to discontinue usage.  Just a consideration.

[[vo...]]

11 minutes ago, [[E...] said:

@[vo...] I have not taken Buspar so I cannot comment on your question.  And, I don't know your intended dose or how long you would be on Buspar, but just a "head's up".  Although Buspar is not a benzo, it may require a taper when you want to discontinue usage.  Just a consideration.

Hi there! I would probably continue to take it after my taper. There’s no risk of dependence so I myself don’t see much harm in trying it out. 

[[vo...]]

hi all! just a small update. still doing well, feeling okay, but had my first insomnia episode last night. i would say this was my first noticeable major symptom that im not used to. i was actually able to get around 5 hours, but wasn’t able to fall asleep until 5am. my insomnia wasn’t just “inability to fall asleep”, it was more of this weird tingling feeling, weird feeling in my throat (idk how to describe), and bodily sensations that only happened when i closed my eyes. it would stop instantly when i opened my eyes. today i was able to take a nap without any issue. hope this issue doesn’t persists. i’m on 0.625 for another 8 days, and then i am cutting to 0.5mg. i believe i will hold at 0.5mg for 3 weeks due to the holidays and traveling. 

[[vo...]]

oh and also started buspar, 5mg 2x a day today. it takes a few weeks to feel any effects but hoping for something! 

[[Tr...]]

Hi @[vo...], so sorry that you have insomnia. You also mentioned before that you had palpitations and anxiety. All these sxs suggest that your taper rate is higher and faster than your body can handle. In such cases, it is advised to hold until you stabilize and make a smaller cut and hold longer next time you reduce. 

 

[[vo...]]

9 hours ago, [[T...] said:

Hi @[vo...], so sorry that you have insomnia. You also mentioned before that you had palpitations and anxiety. All these sxs suggest that your taper rate is higher and faster than your body can handle. In such cases, it is advised to hold until you stabilize and make a smaller cut and hold longer next time you reduce. 

hey! i appreciate the concern. im not expecting to be totally symptom free during my taper. my symptoms are super manageable and honestly very minimal, so i think as of right now im going at a normal rate and normal cadence. i was able to sleep 9 hours last night and fell asleep with no issues! feel super good today too. i think im stabilizing on this dose and will feel good enough to make another cut next week. 

[[Tr...]]

Let's hope for the best!

[[vo...]]

hi everyone! just chiming in here to say im making my next cut tomorrow. tomorrow is the start of week 7!

i have been at 0.625mg for 2 weeks. tomorrow i will cut another 0.125mg, down to 0.5mg. my plan has been cutting 0.125mg every 2 weeks so far.

while this is the biggest cut yet (20%), im confident i can do it. no panic attacks, only a few symptoms felt throughout my taper, and been able to work and be social throughout. 

i don’t have to cut any pills for the next 2-4 weeks (not sure how long im staying at 0.5mg yet) so that’s definitely a positive! being on just one tablet makes me feel proud of how much progress i’ve made.

ill keep updating as i go. thanks for all the support so far!

[[vo...]]

hey all!

i actually went with a 10% reduction and will hold here for a week! i cut to 0.5625mg from 0.625mg. next week i will cut from 0.5625mg to 0.5mg (11.11% reduction) pending progress and symptoms  

[[Ro...]]

14 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

hey all!

i actually went with a 10% reduction and will hold here for a week! i cut to 0.5625mg from 0.625mg. next week i will cut from 0.5625mg to 0.5mg (11.11% reduction) pending progress and symptoms  

That was likely the better decision as you're getting lower in dosage.

[[Tr...]]

31 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

hey all!

i actually went with a 10% reduction and will hold here for a week! i cut to 0.5625mg from 0.625mg. next week i will cut from 0.5625mg to 0.5mg (11.11% reduction) pending progress and symptoms  

I agree that this was likely the better decision. Additionally, IMHO it is better to wait for 2 weeks before cutting again, as Klonopin has a medium half life and the increase in sxs might surface later, 7 - 10 days after a cut. 

[[vo...]]

hi all!

last night i had a brain fart and accidentally took hydroxyzine (20mg) instead of my nightly buspar. i know hydroxyzine crosses the BBB, but not sure if taking it once will do anything. i feel fine, but just wanted to understand more about the implications. let me know if you have any information about this! thank you all!

[[vo...]]

24 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

hi all!

last night i had a brain fart and accidentally took hydroxyzine (20mg) instead of my nightly buspar. i know hydroxyzine crosses the BBB, but not sure if taking it once will do anything. i feel fine, but just wanted to understand more about the implications. let me know if you have any information about this! thank you all!

gonna tag some people for visibility, lol 

@[Co...]@[Pa...]@[Ro...] @[...] @[je...] @[El...]

 

for context, my symptoms are very minimal and my taper has been very smooth. i am cutting to 0.5mg tomorrow after 10 days on 0.5625mg. 

Edited December 10, 2024 by [vo...]

[[je...]]

I’m not familiar with hydroxyzine but I wouldn’t be too stressed about it, especially if you feel fine. Many members use it as a sleeping aid. I never reacted to any medication. 

[[Ro...]]

26 minutes ago, [[v...] said:

gonna tag some people for visibility, lol 

@[Co...]@[Pa...]@[Ro...] @[...] @[je...] @[El...]

for context, my symptoms are very minimal and my taper has been very smooth. i am cutting to 0.5mg tomorrow after 10 days on 0.5625mg. 

According to a Mayo Clinic site, adults can take up to 100 mg of hydroxyzine up to 4 times a day.  So you are way under the max.  You'll be okay.

Just FYI:  A classic sign of hydroxyzine overdose is dilated pupils.

[[vo...]]

thank you everyone!! just wanted to check haha

[[...]]

Hey @[vo...] , I am also tapering on Kpin and the 15th day of my taper. I have been taking it for 9.5 years straight daily at night 0.5mg. I also observed no major symptoms after the 10% reduction and am currently at 0.45mg. We are probably lucky in this regard.