Question 1

can you tell me any suggestions on how i can taper from benzos?

Accepted Answer

About 15%/week: But must be done under supervision of a doctor who knows how to do it.  Sometimes the last 15% must be stretched out a great deal, at no more than 5% every week or even every other week. Seizures, delirium and cardiovascular stress can happen, and individuals need intensive psychological counseling to deal with anxiety/ depression as well.See an addiction professional for help(aaap.Org, asam.Org).

Question 2

been on benzos 3 years daily. tapering valium. down to 8mg. very strong anxiety, but lowest i've ever been. will i get better? valium best for taper?

Accepted Answer

You will get better: Benzodiazepine taper, especially for someone on them long-term, takes a long time - think many months.  Valium is good, and there's really no reason to change to a different benzodiazepine.  However, an alternative can be to add-in a seizure medication - Depakote/Tegretol/Gabapentin.  These meds hit the same GABA receptors that Benzos do and can allow for quicker taper off of  Valium.  Best Wishes

Question 3

is it ok to take 200mg suntheanine (l-theanine) while on .125mg of lorazepam?  tapering off benzos & having severe rebound anxiety.  thanks.

Accepted Answer

Shouldn't be problem: Another option is to use an anticonvulsant.  I have withdrawn a number of people who had really major problems getting off benzos by adding either Neurontin (gabapentin) or valproate to the regimen, tapering down and off the benzos, and then tapering the anticonvulsant.  Other option could be use a compounding pharmacy to cut the 0.125 mg into even smaller decrements and continue tapering.

Question 4

how long will it take after tapering off rivotril to reach close to 0 tolerance to benzos? i was told 2-4 weeks previously, just want to make sure.

Accepted Answer

Zero tolerance??: May be the case for a day or two, but tolerance to substances you have been dependent upon, whether alcohol, opioids or benzodiazepines, re-develops rather quickly, within a day or two, may take a week or so to get back to where it was, but if you are re-exposed, you will quickly redevelop tolerance at your previous level, or at least close to it.

Question 5

i been on benzos for 10yrs, last month, had to leave my doc, she did a taper in 1 month. shouldnt it be longer?

Accepted Answer

Case by Case: Tapering from benzodiazepines has to be done gradually and can be done effectively in a month. However, the time period for a taper depends on multiple factors such as type of bzd (short/long acting), other prescription medications on board, co-morbid medical conditions, etc. Each patient's taper has to be individualized to their clinical situation.

Question 6

i have been on benzos for many years. im currently taking .5mg of clonazepam daily. i want to start tapering of this drug. should i switch to another benzo that is easier to taper off, or just taper off of clonazepam?

Accepted Answer

: Do not change, you are in small dose, just taper Clonazepam frequency slowly as tolerated then taking it as needed then stop.

Question 7

does everyone have horrible withdrawals coming off of benzos? i have been on different benzos for 20 years. im currently on klonopin .5mg daily. im doing a water taper. started with 100ml of water. so a 3 month taper. will i be ok?

Accepted Answer

: Coupled with the fact that you're taking a low dose, doing a very slow taper off klonopin  should avoid any significant withdrawal problems. I trust your prescribing MD sanctions your going off it. I'm unsure of what schedule you'll be using,though.

Question 8

i have been on benzos for many years, and wish to taper off of them. currently taking .5mg clonazepam. but what can i do if the benzos are the only meds that help with my anxiety. tried a bunch of ssris that didnt work. please help?

Accepted Answer

: Go find a life coach or therapist that will teach you relaxation and stress management skills. If you acquire these skills, you can likely get off meds for good. While you are in training you may learn some unexpected triggers to the stress and how to master them.

Question 9

been on benzos for 20 years. never knew they were dangerous. psychiatrist prescribe them with no problem. currently on .5mg clonazepam and wanting to taper off. what are the worst long term side effects from benzos?

Accepted Answer

: Main one is addiction and some find very hard to taper off. You can do it.  Work with your Dr.

Question 10

is it safe to switch from xanax .5mg 3 times daily to klonopin  3 times daily under psychiatrist's care? i am wanting to get off benzos and he suggested this tapering method. said it would be 3 months total and i should be off the klonopin.

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines: your doctor is trying to get you off the benzodiazepines dependance, so s/he is replacing a short acting one (Xanax) with a long acting alternative (Klonopin) , hoping to taper you off , that's the psychiatrists domain, you want to keep the follow up and continue the plan, second opinion is your right, however maintaining the plan and trust is more helpful, good luck

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Doctor answers about:

Benzo tapering

A member asked:

Can you tell me any suggestions on how i can taper from benzos?

A member asked:

Been on benzos 3 years daily. tapering valium. down to 8mg. very strong anxiety, but lowest i've ever been. will i get better? valium best for taper?

A member asked:

Is it ok to take 200mg suntheanine (l-theanine) while on .125mg of lorazepam? tapering off benzos & having severe rebound anxiety. thanks.

A member asked:

How long will it take after tapering off rivotril to reach close to 0 tolerance to benzos? i was told 2-4 weeks previously, just want to make sure.

A member asked:

I been on benzos for 10yrs, last month, had to leave my doc, she did a taper in 1 month. shouldnt it be longer?

A member asked:

I have been on benzos for many years. im currently taking .5mg of clonazepam daily. i want to start tapering of this drug. should i switch to another benzo that is easier to taper off, or just taper off of clonazepam?

A member asked:

Does everyone have horrible withdrawals coming off of benzos? i have been on different benzos for 20 years. im currently on klonopin .5mg daily. im doing a water taper. started with 100ml of water. so a 3 month taper. will i be ok?

A member asked:

I have been on benzos for many years, and wish to taper off of them. currently taking .5mg clonazepam. but what can i do if the benzos are the only meds that help with my anxiety. tried a bunch of ssris that didnt work. please help?

A member asked:

Been on benzos for 20 years. never knew they were dangerous. psychiatrist prescribe them with no problem. currently on .5mg clonazepam and wanting to taper off. what are the worst long term side effects from benzos?

A member asked:

Is it safe to switch from xanax .5mg 3 times daily to klonopin 3 times daily under psychiatrist's care? i am wanting to get off benzos and he suggested this tapering method. said it would be 3 months total and i should be off the klonopin.

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