Posted by 49er on October 28, 2007, at 16:46:02 [reposted on October 30, 2007, at 1:59:59 | original URL]
In reply to Weaning off meds, posted by DisTraught on October 28, 2007, at 15:38:07
> Hi All,
> I'm on 5mg diazepam and 40mg citalopram. I need to start weaning off my meds. How long time is realistic in order to be medfree without severe withdrawal symptoms? Thanks for any advice
>
> PennyHi Penny,
The best advice I have come across is to reduce by 10% of the current dose every 3 to 5 weeks. Unfortunately, with some meds, that is hard to do.
For example, when I had extended release drugs I wanted to reduce the dosage on, I had my psychiatrist write the prescription for the dose I wanted and then I filled it at a compound pharmacy. Unfortunately, when I tried this with the drug I want to reduce now, the pharmacist wanted more money than just by insurance co-payment. So I can't follow the 10% rule.
Fortunately, I can crush my pill and simply do trial and error miniscule cuts. Not the way I like to do it but I don't have much choice. Trying to cut the pill into even little pieces is a losing battle for me.
For support with the valium withdrawal, take a look at this google link for benzo support sites:
Ok, let me sum up everything.
1. Best option is to reduce drug by 10% and get the right dose at a compound pharmacy. But this involves betting your doctor to buy in (not a guarantee), plus finding a compound pharmacy nearby that will do it for a reasonable price.
2. If your pills can be cut evenly into eights, reduce by an 1/8 each time and wait 3 to 5 weeks between cuts. Sometimes you can go more quickly and somethings you can't.
3. If your pill is crushable, use a measuring item like the miniscule teaspoon that comes with stevia to take out a very small amount. Involves alot of trial and eror.
4. There is a spreadsheet on http://www.paxilprogress.org that will give you the timeline. But you have to register. You can send a psychbabble email to me with your email address and I can sent it to you off list.
I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any quesitons.
49er
poster:49er
thread:792294
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20070929/msgs/792295.html