Hi everyone. So I’m at the point where even with my horrid anxiety, I want to stop benzo use because I feel like my anxiety is still crazy and I’m a salve to these pills. Earlier this year I suffered three seizures stopping massive doses of midazolam at night as well as Xanax or klonopin during the day. Right now, I am on very low dose Valium during the day. Mostly 10mg a day. I have been using a ton of ambien to sleep. Currently I am on xyrem for sleep so no ambien but the xyrem doesn’t take away the anxiety during the day. I have been on benzos for 6 year since straight. If I stop the 10mg Val, how Long don you guys think the acute stage will last. I know I am in for suffering for awhile but in terms of the initial dangerous stage, how long will I be debilitated? Thank you everyone
Everybody is different. I will have about 2 weeks of severe anxiety followed by a month and a half of anxiety if I stop cold turkey. I am presently slowly tapering off while adding another non controlled medication and it is helping with sleep.
Wannabe, have you discussed a taper plan with your doctor? Please tell me that you are not planning on quitting “cold turkey”. If it were me, I would plan on tapering down over 2-4 months and have a plan to deal with the rebound anxiety and depression (e.g. exercise, antihistamines, antidepressants, loperamide, etc). Please keep us updated as to how you are doing!
Wannabenormal
I will add my concerns with Noels...…………cold turkey is not for every1.
Some people can only give these up cold turkey- others need the gradual withdrawal- each person's circumstances determine the means.
Pick a date - ( a relatively stress less time ) and try the cold turkey or gradual withdrawal.
To withdraw gradually:
Cut back to 5 for a month and then to 2.5 ( cut in quarter your 10 mg tab ) ; and then try zero.
Like any addictive substance- nicotine, alcohol, etc. --it takes a special effort to go cold turkey- but it may be your way.
With either method you should use mindfulness and deep breathing exercises- when the anxiety hits try the deep breathing- breath in deep-hold for 8 secs- then exhale slowly.
Do this for 3-5 minutes and only think of your breathing. You can find examples all over YouTube.
Look, with either method you may fail; but it would not be the end of the world- right? Just pick another date and try again.
Good luck...……………….Folken
(12-21-2018, 03:22 AM)Noelb98 Wrote: [ -> ]Wannabe, have you discussed a taper plan with your doctor? Please tell me that you are not planning on quitting “cold turkey”. If it were me, I would plan on tapering down over 2-4 months and have a plan to deal with the rebound anxiety and depression (e.g. exercise, antihistamines, antidepressants, loperamide, etc). Please keep us updated as to how you are doing!
My dr is an animal. Instead of helping me, he is planning on cutting me off as a patient. I need to find a good psychiatrist in the nyc area ASAP.
Wow, I hate idiot doctors that suddenly rip away meds or drop patients with no warning! I hope and pray that you can find a good psychiatrist ASAP!
The total lack of respect and empathy from so many doctors makes my blood boil. And it makes me feel so helpless. Rant over.
Just wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you and sending a prayer your way
Noel
today i only used .75mg kpin the whole day but im gonna need something for sleep. my dosages are slowly lowering. i am very conscious of lowering my doses
Great wannabe! How are you feeling otherwise? Perhaps try an antihistamine or some valerian root to help you sleep. Take care.
Noel
(12-24-2018, 02:58 PM)Noelb98 Wrote: [ -> ]Great wannabe! How are you feeling otherwise? Perhaps try an antihistamine or some valerian root to help you sleep. Take care.
Noel
Today was an extra stressful day. I had to take 1mg of kpin, so far. And thats before sleep. I am not sure what to take for sleep. I don't want to take more benzodiazepines type stuff. This sucks.
I’m sorry to hear that. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were not good for me (spouse issues). Please googles natural sleep remedies. Valerian root works well for me.