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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by joeyd on April 13, 2004, at 12:42:34
Hey all,
Until about three months ago I've been on numerous AD's and benzo's. I was on them both for about three years (due to a rather tramatic experience). I stoped taking Zoloft about three months ago and thank god I was relatively ok. The benzo's are a different story. I have taken some sort of Benzo (xanax or klonopin in low doses (.5 to 1mg) every three or four days for three years (basically when I 'thought' I needed them.) I stopped taking them totally 21 days ago. The first week was horrable but I got through it. However, I still feel pretty bad. I have a constant feeling of extreme excess energy which makes my body extremely uncomfortable. I'm also very aggitated all the time. Is this still withdrawl?? Is this going to ever go away?? I'm still considering it withdrawl but I'm starting to really worry. I know I dont need the medicine anymore so I wish my body would just get the message!!! Any ideas??
Posted by chemist on April 14, 2004, at 0:13:30
In reply to Help getting off Benzos!!, posted by joeyd on April 13, 2004, at 12:42:34
hi there, chemist here....it is almost certainly the xanax withdrawl that is causing you discomfort...my *opinion* is to do a very, very slow taper....best, chemist
> Hey all,
>
> Until about three months ago I've been on numerous AD's and benzo's. I was on them both for about three years (due to a rather tramatic experience). I stoped taking Zoloft about three months ago and thank god I was relatively ok. The benzo's are a different story. I have taken some sort of Benzo (xanax or klonopin in low doses (.5 to 1mg) every three or four days for three years (basically when I 'thought' I needed them.) I stopped taking them totally 21 days ago. The first week was horrable but I got through it. However, I still feel pretty bad. I have a constant feeling of extreme excess energy which makes my body extremely uncomfortable. I'm also very aggitated all the time. Is this still withdrawl?? Is this going to ever go away?? I'm still considering it withdrawl but I'm starting to really worry. I know I dont need the medicine anymore so I wish my body would just get the message!!! Any ideas??
>
>
Posted by brianw68 on April 14, 2004, at 10:57:29
In reply to Help getting off Benzos!!, posted by joeyd on April 13, 2004, at 12:42:34
Hey Joey:
Yes, it does get better. I was on 2.5 mg Klonopin for about 6 months, and then I spent about 3 months tapering down. If you were taking the Xanaz or Klonopin every 3 or 4 days or so, in my mind that was already the equivalent of a taper. However, no matter how slowly you taper, doing that last step from a small amount (whatever it is) to none is always painful. If you have made it 21 days so far, be encouraged - it took me about a month after completely stopping to start feeling normal again. Hang in there!
Posted by krazybirdlady on April 14, 2004, at 13:09:56
In reply to Help getting off Benzos!!, posted by joeyd on April 13, 2004, at 12:42:34
hey joey...i, like you, only took a benzo about every 3rd night for sleep (1mg ativan). found out that even at that VERY low dose, benzos can be very hard to come off of. ended up doing a valium taper. switched to valium 10 mg (the equivilant of 1mg ativan) every 3rd nite. reduced that by 1mg every 2 weeks. yes, this is a dragged out affair but benzos do not release their grasp easily. a slow taper is the best way to go. am down to 2mg valium now (every 3rd nite)and i know that this last bit will be the most difficult, but much easier that just stopping cold. have had no withdrawl at all yet..but after 21 days you are probably over the worst. just a matter of the minute agitation which can last for weeks...
This is the end of the thread.
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