Posted by klein on April 29, 2014, at 6:31:42
In reply to Who Has Successfully Withdrawn Fron Long Term Benz, posted by Phillipa on April 28, 2014, at 22:48:24
> Has anyone withdraw from prescribed doses of long term benzos use? Seems docs now believe that cognitive decline occur after years of use. Phillipa
Yeah, I've done it a few times. The last time I was stabilized on an SSRI and Klonopin; I got liquid Klonopin and lowered my dosage as fast as I could tolerate it (my marker was tinnitus, as soon as my ears started ringing I took a little clonazepam). It took me 2-3 weeks, no discomfort other than a bit of insomnia.
I was once a member of one of those anti-benzo websites; I sympathize with the people there who are struggling so much but I also wonder how many of them are suffering from re-emergence of their panic/annxiety syndrome.
I don't find the Ashton method convincing. Diazepam has a long half life, but it's only biologically active for a few hours. If you are going to take that route, you need to make sure that your body is saturated with diazepam before beginning the taper. I'm thinking that 2 weeks of Valrelease (if you can find it) should help in that regard - I'm taking it right now and it's great. Otherwise stabilize on a full dose of diazepam, taking it in divided doses for about a month before tapering. But, unless your symptoms are severe, the Ashton approach might be too conservative and may only prolong the "agony" (both physical and, more important, mental).
I'd use Klonopin or even Ativan for withdrawal, they're active for much longer than Valium.
Anyway, I agree with Jono, why withdraw? Are you experiencing cognitive problems? If so, memantine could help too.
poster:klein
thread:1064917
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140419/msgs/1064933.html