Diazepam, agoraphobia and the plan to taper...

I've read of tapering off when in tolerance withdrawal actually making people feel BETTER!  Of course, this is a SLOW taper, no more than 10% per four weeks.  If you feel withdrawal worsening at 10%, you can break it down to 5% every two to three weeks.  Keep notes on paper of your daily symptom pattern relative to cuts so that you can see when WD will raise up, how long it lasts before settling down and therefore allow stability for a week or so before the challenge of another cut.

I'm not tapering a benzo, but mirtazapine and Effexor, focusing on the mirt for now.  I found 10% cuts caused enough WD anxiety as to be uncomfortable, so went to 5% every two weeks, and that was very comfortable. 

Also, throw away the callendar and only cut when you are comfortable.  The idea of the slow taper is that you won't be suffering along the way, and hopefully the nervous system will have done most of the readjustment along the way such that when you finally come off you won't go into major withdrawal.

I too suffer Agoraphobia.  It was mild and occasional 6 years ago (when I was on Xanax), then 2 years ago got worse (still on Xanax) and now after a rapid taper and switch to Diazapam, I can barely leave my room.  I feel anxious before going out.  & then so guilty over disapointing friends and family. Overwhelmed when I am there, sometimes to the point of panic attacks.  I no longer believe everything that comes out of a psychiatrist's mouth.  But. . . a psychiatrist told me a few months ago to write down everything that triggered my agoraphobia from the smallest to the largest.  like from getting the mail to going to a new public place.  Then starting with the smallest, force myself to do it everyday until it no longer triggered me and move onto the next thing.  I gave up after 2 months on the same thing, so I am not sure it would work for you.  The DSM V talks about virtual reality programs helping people who can't go out.  I think exposure, even minimal is the key.  My advice is to keep trying when you feel good.  Even if it is just a few moments.   Last weekend I went to a neighborhood church flea market with my son in sunglasses and a hoodie for 20 minutes, then to the new restaurant he works at for lunch.  It was a really long line and I began to feel the vibrations of everyone talking and the music bombarding me, the room swirled and I felt exposed & threatened.  He had to walk me to the car in tears.  We had take out, watched a movie and the day was not a total disaster.  It wasn't perfect But it was something.  Anyway, my point is that you are not alone in this and keep trying, even just a little every now and then when you feel like you can take pushing yourself.  

OH, and I think I read here somewhere that Diazapam comes in liquid form so you can do a 10% taper.  I am sorry, it may have been somewhere else or another drug.  My brain doesn't retain as much as it used to.  and if I am remembering correctly the liquid may only be offered in the UK.  It does come in a 5 mg tab in the US.  I am taking it.

Hang on.  I hear it gets better.