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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gadchik on June 13, 2013, at 9:36:15
I decided last night to quickly cut 1/4 out of my clonazepam pill without too much forethought. Ive tried many times in the past to do it, and the next day feel like crap under crap. I kept the pill bottle with me last night just in case I awoke in a panic. I said a prayer to keep me strong. Today, I have no weirdness, in fact, I feel fantastic. So now I have a positive view on it and not a negative one. I will try to do this every other night for 2 weeks, then try every night. Maybe this time, I can do it! : )
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2013, at 10:12:06
In reply to Im gonna run with it!, posted by gadchik on June 13, 2013, at 9:36:15
Gadchik I definitely will follow your thread very closely as lately have had to up some of mine slightly. Best of luck. And no weirdness allowed!!! P
Posted by gadchik on June 13, 2013, at 10:21:45
In reply to Re: Im gonna run with it! » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2013, at 10:12:06
I almost decided to up mine, as you know I havent felt up to par lately. But after reading Vincent's post about becoming tolerant, it had an effect on me. I thought why not try to go lower? Just had the fleeting thought during the day yesterday, then last night,tapered on spur of the moment. Amazingly, I feel LESS anxious today than I have in awhile. Babble has been such a great resource for me. So glad I decided to join in!
Posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2013, at 20:37:26
In reply to Re: Im gonna run with it! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on June 13, 2013, at 10:21:45
I've done this many times. Before the internet was easy. Now have to fight myself to stay away from it. P
Posted by SLS on June 13, 2013, at 22:58:24
In reply to Im gonna run with it!, posted by gadchik on June 13, 2013, at 9:36:15
> I decided last night to quickly cut 1/4 out of my clonazepam pill without too much forethought. Ive tried many times in the past to do it, and the next day feel like crap under crap. I kept the pill bottle with me last night just in case I awoke in a panic. I said a prayer to keep me strong. Today, I have no weirdness, in fact, I feel fantastic. So now I have a positive view on it and not a negative one. I will try to do this every other night for 2 weeks, then try every night. Maybe this time, I can do it! : )
No advice... just good thoughts sent your way.
Good luck.
- Scott
Posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 5:36:46
In reply to Re: Im gonna run with it! » gadchik, posted by SLS on June 13, 2013, at 22:58:24
Thanks Scott. My odds are not great, given the fact that Ive done this numerous times. I wonder what the average # of attempts to taper is until a person finally goes all the way? Isnt there an average for quitting smoking?-something like they try 6-10 times before quitting? I just wonder if I even need clonazepam if Im only taking .5mg a day total? Have I been taking it just to avoid withdrawal? Believe me-WITHDRAWAL-thats a very scary, big, looming thing to me-thanks in part to the internet.
Posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 5:38:22
In reply to Re: Im gonna run with it! » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 13, 2013, at 20:37:26
Yes, the internet definately influences so many choices about meds that I make. I remembr the good ole days, when u didnt know what would happen unless you asked a face!
Posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 5:50:38
In reply to Re: Im gonna run with it! » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 5:38:22
Im not feeling as gung ho about tapering today as I was yesterday. How do I proceed? Ive got 2 choices-carry on or accept this thing-clonazepam. I make it such a huge THING. Ive got to get this straight or it's the next THING to drive me straight to crazy town...again. : (
Posted by SLS on June 14, 2013, at 6:50:16
In reply to Btw..., posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 5:50:38
Hi Gadchik .
> Im not feeling as gung ho about tapering today as I was yesterday. How do I proceed? Ive got 2 choices-carry on or accept this thing-clonazepam. I make it such a huge THING. Ive got to get this straight or it's the next THING to drive me straight to crazy town...again. : (
In my experience with clonazepam, I found that coming off the last 0.5 mg was hellish - sorry. :-(
Please give consideration to using Trileptal (oxcarbazepine) as a buffer to make withdrawal easier. Someone here tried using it not too long ago. He had success with it. I can't find the thread in the archives, though.
- Scott
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Pharmacopsychiatry. 2005 Sep;38(5):222-3. Related Articles, LinksScheme-based benzodiazepine detoxification with oxcarbazepine -- a case report.
Croissant B, Grosshans M, Klein O, Diehl A, Mann K.
We attempted to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of the antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine in benzodiazepine detoxification, by observing several cases. Detoxification followed a predefined dosage scheme. All patients detoxified with oxcarbazepine completed the withdrawal successfully, without withdrawal symptoms. The administration of oxcarbazepine according to the scheme proved to be tolerable. The dosage was sufficient. Though uncontrolled case observations must be interpreted with caution, oxcarbazepine appears to be a promising drug in inpatient benzodiazepine withdrawal. It should be examined in further randomized placebo-controlled studies including long-term follow-ups.
-------------------------------------------------------
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2008;34(5):534-40. doi: 10.1080/00952990802149021.Oxcarbazepine in rapid benzodiazepine detoxification.
Croissant B, Grosshans M, Diehl A, Mann K.
SourceDepartment of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Teaching Hospital Sigmaringen, University of Tuebingen, Sigmaringen, Germany. b.croissant@klksig.de
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:
This study aims at evaluating the tolerability and efficacy of the antiepileptic drug oxcarbazepine in benzodiazepine detoxification in ten patients.
METHODS:
In this case study of an inpatient withdrawal program, each of the ten patients was detoxified using oxcarbazepine and completed withdrawal successfully without the occurrence of withdrawal symptoms. The detoxification program followed an outlined dosage scheme with oxcarbazepine increase and benzodiazepine tapering.
RESULTS:
The rapidity of benzodiazepine detoxification using oxcarbazepine was remarkable, benzodiazepine withdrawal being completed in as little as 11 days.
CONCLUSIONS:
The results support the assumption that oxcarbazepine is a valuable drug for inpatient benzodiazepine withdrawal programs.
PMID:
18821451
[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
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Posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 12:49:50
In reply to Re: Btw... » gadchik, posted by SLS on June 14, 2013, at 6:50:16
In my experience with clonazepam, I found that coming off the last 0.5 mg was hellish - sorry. :-(
Thanks,Scott, for stating that.It acknowledges the difficulty, and helps me not to sound like such a whiny butt. I feel as if I have 2 personalities-the one that is so confident she can taper and the one who is so sure that she cannot. I never let on to my pdoc that I try to taper sometimes, so I have no access to trileptal and perhaps Ive been wrong not to bring this up with her. I will consider this,as she is here to help me, and I dont think she would yank away my benzo if I wanted to taper.
Posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2013, at 19:02:17
In reply to Re: Btw... » SLS, posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 12:49:50
Keep chipping away. Each night I slit pills of benzos and never ever are they the same size. And the next day feel no different? P
Posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 19:41:38
In reply to Re: Btw... » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2013, at 19:02:17
it will have to be chip by chip. i felt great all day, yesterday, and then bam, just felt awful twd evening-cant explain all the wierdness. i still feel terrible, and i took regular dose last night, am supposed to take less tonight. now im scared...its tough, I will pray for strength
Posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2013, at 20:40:20
In reply to Re: Btw..., posted by gadchik on June 14, 2013, at 19:41:38
That was half the dose right? Then little by little. I guess I can just get away with doing it this way. Reason being that after all these years doubt they work anymore. Maybe I'm med free and don't even know it. Also could try every other day? P
Posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 16, 2013, at 23:14:57
In reply to Re: Btw... » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 14, 2013, at 20:40:20
I know I'm late on the scene, but can i suggest that you google The Ashton Proticol, by Professor Heather Ashton, Professor Psychiatry at a major English University.
Its a method of tapering benzos that involves initialy changing over to diazepam (because of its very long half life and the avaliability of low dose tablets) then slowly tapering by 1-2mg a week, an amount so small your body cant feel it.
It is much easier than trying to taper high potency nenzos such as Ativan, Xanax or Klonopin, and would be well worth a read.
Posted by gadchik on June 18, 2013, at 18:18:38
In reply to Re: Btw..., posted by jono_in_adelaide on June 16, 2013, at 23:14:57
this is the second week i am able to only taper 1 night a week! So, i'm going to consult with my pdoc about it. it hits you much later the next day after even taking out a small amt. i just have to let my pdoc know, and see what she thinks. i already know that she wants me to stay on it until im in menopause. i do know this is awful,dont like to taper one bit. i also dont like taking a pill everynight, and lord what if i were ever to run out...hate to think of it.
Posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2013, at 21:36:07
In reply to Re: Btw..., posted by gadchik on June 18, 2013, at 18:18:38
I've thought the same what happens to those in tornados who lose all and if they are on meds what happens? Well for now stay on the klonopin. Seriously anxiety is horrible during menopause. Your doc is wise. P
Posted by gadchik on June 19, 2013, at 8:51:05
In reply to Re: Btw... » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 18, 2013, at 21:36:07
i could even end up back on zoloft. i will have anxiety for the rest of my life for sure. exercise used to always control it,now it doesnt, altho, im sure it helps
Posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2013, at 19:59:10
In reply to Re: Btw... » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on June 19, 2013, at 8:51:05
Gadchik are you saying your anxiety is now worse? If so is it the worry over eventually getting off Klonopin? P
Posted by gadchik on June 20, 2013, at 5:53:41
In reply to Re: Btw... » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on June 19, 2013, at 19:59:10
P, i do very well most of the time. its the week b4 menstrual, and when i overthink klonopin that i have anxiety issues. i liked the zoloft because it seemed to really work well with k for the mental part of the anxiety. But the weight gain was not my cup of tea and as you know, i want to take as few pills as possible. i hav thought perhaps if i could just get from .5 to .25mg of k and just stay there i would feel better about staying on it for the long haul. Thanks for asking, you are very kind : )
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