which taper plan?

[[an...]]

I am in my second week of a 5 week plan to c/o from Cl to Valium.  I am confused!  I found an article of a Dr. Peart stating that it should be done faster and he also suggests that a 30 day waiting period after crossing over (he calls it the stabolizing period) before starting a taper is recommended.  His tapering method is different also.  For anyone following Dr. Ashtons 10% every week or two find it too fast?  I have read on here where people are doing 5% and not waiting so long inbetween tapers works for them. Or is that only when you get down to a low dose. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[[Be...]]

There are a lot of different plans and approaches, angelluv, and it can get confusing.  That's why we have the catch-phrase, "Listen to your body".  I know more about Prof Ashton's schedules and process so I'm more comfortable suggesting that but I'm sure Dr. Peart has his supporters, too.  I never really stuck to the 10% reduction - mostly because I was dry cutting _ but it makes sense to me that smaller cuts more frequently would be easier for your body to adjust to.  That's actually the reasoning behind the titration method.

 

Are you currently following one of Prof. Ashton's crossover schedules?

[[an...]]

Yes I am .  I am in my 2nd week of a 5 week c/o to valium from Cl.  I guess I just wanted to know if there was any value to holding for 30 days (I guess while the valium takes full effect before tapering.  Ashton has you taper right away after the c/o is completed.  I also wanted to know others experience with which types of rtapers are working to combate harsh w/d symptoms.  I tried to taper from Xanex a few months ago following my GP advise-- WAY too fast (3 weeks) and it ended me in the psych ward.  Don't want to experience anything like that again.  I know that the motto is, "The slower the better"??  I heard of one guy who tapered for two years and did ok.

[[JO...]]

Angel,

I crossed over in 12/09 to 30mgs of Valium from 1.5 mgs of Kolonpin . I held for 30 days and then began my taper. I have had a pretty stable taper so far and can tell you that having a timetable just won't work for a lot of us. You may be able to cut a bit faster at times then others and may need to hold. I have been at this for two years and am considering titrating the last 4.5mgs . You have to remind yourself that any reduction is progress in the right direction. One word of caution about cutting valium is the cuts add up and take a while to catch up. With that in mind listen to your body as others have said. Good luck with your taper.

Anton

[[ja...]]

Hi Angel im just wondring how you are doing with your c/o and what taper plan you will follow. Thinking of you

[Guest [de...]]

Angel.

 

I am converting .75K to 15V by subbing .125k for 2.5v every 4 days. I am in the middle of my 3rd substitution (.375k, 7.5v) and have felt only mild, brief w/d . I think after a person has been completely crossed over for a week, they have nearly all the old drug out of the system ( even the K), so it makes sense that if you feel good ( no w/d) one week after the c/o, it is probably safe to make your first dose cut. That is my plan anyway.

[[an...]]

Hi All, just started my third week of Ashton's c/o plan and will end up at 25 mg of V.  Not sure what to do from there.  I will probably hold for at least a week as I would love to go visit my parents while stable enough to do so!  I am unsure as to how to make the first cut.  2mg, 1mg or .50 mg, and how long to hold- 1 week, two weeks or more?  I HATE that I have to go through this.  I am slowly getting to the "acceptance" part of this unfortunate situation.  I have a lot of anger towards my GP and my Naturepath as did not talk to me about this drug and its concequences. the anger Trying to let it go as I know it will do me no good.  Jackie, we must llive close to eachother as I wanted to go to that concert so bad!  One day soon I hope to do my own blog.  Thank you all for being such good support, it is just so hard for others, even loved ones to understand what we are going through!  Anton, how much and how often are you cutting? Angelluv

[[JO...]]

Angel,

It's great you are almost completely crossed over to Valium. If I were you I would hold for 30 days before making and cut just my opinion and in my case it worked perfectly. There is no need to rush through this. once you are ready perhaps make a 1mg cut and then wait and see how you do. I know it's hard to go slow but really it can make the difference between being stable an getting slammed. I cut from 30 mgs to 20 in 2 mg cuts from 20 to 10 in 1mg cuts and now am down to .5 cuts at 5mgs but am considering titration and micro cuts down to zero. it really is a cut wait and see and move on thing. One big word of caution is with Valium's long half life rapid cuts can add up and slam you if you are not careful. Really pay close attention to your body I noticed that early in the taper five days out i would feel the cut . Now it can take up to 9 so as we get lower it can get a bit more tricky. Remember though everyone is different . Good luck

Anton

[[an...]]

Johano5, I really appreciate your help but guess I just wonder why the 30 day hold?  Guess I am afraid that this process will take so long anyway that I will develope toleance w/d.  Believe me, I am in no hurry, I want to get through this as comfortably as possible.  I wil probably start with 1 mg cuts but how long to hold, 1, 2 or 3 weeks?  How are you doing?

[[Be...]]

Hi, Angelluv. 

 

Thought I'd pop back in and see how you are doing.  It would be so much easier if there were a "right way" to do this but there are just too many variables.  You just have to gather what information you can and make your best guess about what's right for you.  I'm guessing Johano5 suggested waiting 30 days because of Valium's long half-life.  That's not to say you would be fine starting a small taper after 2 or 3 weeks.  While a 2mg drop would be below 10%, you could make your first drop just 1mg to start - below 5% - and if you do really well that way, maybe consider a 1mg cut the next time.  Unless you metabolize the Valium really fast, I think waiting at least 10 days between reductions is probably a good idea.  I used to feel a cut on the 3-5 days after a cut but was on a much shorter-acting benzo. 

[[JO...]]

Angel,

While I am no doctor I can almost guarantee you won't reach tolerance by holding for four weeks. Valium is a totally different benzo than the others . Being you had a bad experience coming off Xanax already your brain and CNS needs a stable period to adjust to the Valium. I understand your concern but really i think you will be perfectly fine. I am doing very well in my taper with the exception of this last cut which was to big. Once you hit 5mgs some people need to slow to a .25 cut or less. I am now stabilizing but because i cut to much it took me a much longer time . I am slowing the train down and going to liquid and pills and cutting no more than 10% maybe even less. The goal is to be as stable and comfortable as possible.

Anton