[cferd]

So far I've seen three doctors that all smirked when I mentioned I was feeling wds when I tried to taper off of 3mgs a day. They just have no idea. I've read about other memebrs that have and are tapering off of benzos and their strength and dertimination is inspiring. It feels like I have tolerance wds throughout the day now that I have been taking this garbage for years. What would be the best way to start tapering off. I tried cutting it by half a mg every few days with horrible results. I was prescibed lexapro to help with the anxiety, but I can't take the side effects and the thought of just adding another pill is not the way. The last time I saw my Dr he wanted to prescribe trazadone(sp?) for sleep. Again, more pills. I don't even have a problem with sleep. Anyhow, besides needing to find another Dr, I am needing some advice on how to get this **** out of my life. Thank you.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by cferd

So far I've seen three doctors that all smirked when I mentioned I was feeling wds when I tried to taper off of 3mgs a day. They just have no idea. I've read about other memebrs that have and are tapering off of benzos and their strength and dertimination is inspiring. It feels like I have tolerance wds throughout the day now that I have been taking this garbage for years. What would be the best way to start tapering off. I tried cutting it by half a mg every few days with horrible results. I was prescibed lexapro to help with the anxiety, but I can't take the side effects and the thought of just adding another pill is not the way. The last time I saw my Dr he wanted to prescribe trazadone(sp?) for sleep. Again, more pills. I don't even have a problem with sleep. Anyhow, besides needing to find another Dr, I am needing some advice on how to get this **** out of my life. Thank you.

This has to be a very slow process with a benzo taper. I can help you but it will take time trust me. I don't agree with the lexapro either. The trazodone is not that bad IF you need help sleeping.

Would your dr cooperate by switching you over to valium?? It has a much longer half life and it's easier to do a taper with. That is what we had Pam do if you've been reading her thread. Let me know.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving then talk with the dr and see if he/she will cooperate with the valium. But don't worry. We'll get you through this I promise. You're good at following instructions and we'll make our plan based on whether your dr will cooperate. God bless.

[cferd]

At my last Dr's appnt. I had brought the ashton manual/benzo.org stuff with me and after glancing at it, my Dr called it witch craft. So I am going to find a new Dr this week. Should I be looking for an addictionologist or will a general MD do?

I've read that people are often advised to taper off of sub/opiates before tapering off of a benzo. For me, the benzo wds are happening even when I'm not tapering the ativan. I haven't felt stable on this dose for a long time and I cannot even think about increasing my dose. When I have tried to taper it has always led me back to using. I have been back on sub for two days
(6mgs a day) following the link you have provided so many people. Is it possible that switching to Valuim will smooth things out so I can complete the sub taper without the benzo wds messing with me? Thanks for taking the time to reply Robert, I truly appreciate it.

[Robert_325]

Originally Posted by cferd

At my last Dr's appnt. I had brought the ashton manual/benzo.org stuff with me and after glancing at it, my Dr called it witch craft. So I am going to find a new Dr this week. Should I be looking for an addictionologist or will a general MD do?

I've read that people are often advised to taper off of sub/opiates before tapering off of a benzo. For me, the benzo wds are happening even when I'm not tapering the ativan. I haven't felt stable on this dose for a long time and I cannot even think about increasing my dose. When I have tried to taper it has always led me back to using. I have been back on sub for two days
(6mgs a day) following the link you have provided so many people. Is it possible that switching to Valuim will smooth things out so I can complete the sub taper without the benzo wds messing with me? Thanks for taking the time to reply Robert, I truly appreciate it.

For what it's worth Dr Ashton is world-reknowned in treating benzo addiction so your dr can call it whatever he/she chooses. I personally think Dr Ashton's taper schedule is a little too slow. But that is based only on my personal success helping people with benzo tapers. I do agree with her though that using valium or even klonopin is better than ativan or xanax that have very short half lives.

If you have access to an addictionologist that would be best. They would be most likely to understand what we're trying to do. I would follow up that way and ask for an ongoing valium script to use ONLY while we are doing this taper. If you tell an addictionologist that I doubt you'll get much objection. Explain that this entire process is expected to take about four months including subs and benzos. That is realistic and not pie-in-the-sky.

If you are on 6mg of subs and only 3mg of ativan I would do the subs first. It's very hard to do them both at the same time. If you stick closely to the 25% reduction every four days you'll be off the subs in six weeks. Then we do the valium taper and that one will probably take more like another 70-90 days.

Ask Pam (tired2) about how we did this together. She will tell you this is what has worked for her and she is finally totally clean from everything just dealing with the last of the benzo w/d symptoms. They are worse than the subs so I prefer to deal with them last, but not at the same time. That is my best advice. God bless.

[cferd]

Considering my Dr wasn't even aware of benzo wds, I wasn't suprised by his ignorant comment. OK, I will find an addictionologist this week and see how it goes. I will focus on the sub taper, Monday I'll reduce my dose. I iducted by following along during truckerbob's induction to try and help lighten the load during the holiday. I'm curious, and if you don't mind me asking, does the short taper you use with sub consist of larger doses for a shorter amount of time? I know it's not put up on the forum, so no problem if you would rather not answer.

Hope you and your fiance had a great holiday. I

[Robert_325]

It consists of inducting a person the same way I always do. But then reducing the dose quicker than the normal four days once the initial week of detox is over.

There is some w/d this way but very little. It's getting off the subs asap after the initial opiate detox is over. It's hard to post as I pretty much have to go day by day and see what the individual is able to handle.

Following surgery recovery Melinda was able to do it in two weeks or maybe 17 days. I don't recommend it except for people who are not at risk for relapse as I explained in the post you read. I know you can understand that part. God bless.

[brightskies]

Hi All,
I'm new to the message board so I'm not sure I'm doing this right. I'd like to lend some perspective if I can. First of all, I've been reading these emails over the last couple of days and I'm so impressed with the support everyone gives each other. It really is a beautiful thing to see. Pam-- you kick a** and my thoughts are with you. What you're doing is so brave and so difficult. It's hard to understand the hell you're going through if you haven't been there. I've been there and I think you're a total rockstar for committing to yourself and to your life ahead.

I know it's uncomfortable. It feels like walking death, nothing feels like it could get better and you feel like you'll never feel good again. A few things that may provide some minor comfort during this yucky time:

- coconut juice: this stuff rocks. It's like a natural version of gatorade. Lots of electrolytes and potassium which may help with your energy level
- Emergen-C: Same thing-- keeps your body full of vitamins.

When you get to the other side (AND YOU WILL MY FRIEND!) you'll see just how good everything can be. I know you mentioned that you wish you never picked up your first pill. I understand that sentiment, but let me say that once you make it through, you'll be able to lend a perspective that few can. You've been to hell and back, which means that most things pale in comparison. What does this mean? It can mean a variety of things. It can mean that you have this special strength inside you where you know you've done one of the hardest things (physically, mentally, emotionally) that a person can do. After that, most things seem easier. Hopefully from this experience you'll get to see just how resilient you really are. There's a power in that and I think it's an important thing to recognize.

While my heart goes out to you because I know this is the hardest thing ever, I'm also excited for you because the place you're going to end up is great! Keep strong and you will get there!

[cferd]

It's going to take another week until I can get in to see an addictionologist, so I've decided to leave my ativan dose the same until then. I plan on dropping my 6mg sub dose tomorrow.Other than spending one extra day at that amount, so far so good. Seeing that I already have most of the ingredients from the thomas recipe, mainly the supplements, could they help with the low energy. Or is it not recommended while taking sub?