Posted , 6 users are following.
hi ive been on 5mg of diazepam for 10 weeks my doctor said to jump down to 2mg per day if i want to taper off however i started that and i feel hurrendous really confused, slurred speech, derealisation, dizzy, sickness etc has anyone had any experience?
0 likes, 10 replies
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JohnTPH1234 chelsea54783
Posted
hmmmm you really need to taper mote slowly.
id say more like 4mg then 3mg then 2.5 mg then 2 mg over 4 months.
any decent GP would agree with this
chelsea54783 JohnTPH1234
Posted
do you think one month of 4mg one month of 3mg and so on? i feel like by body has built up a tolerance to it and is needing more im trying not to give in, im very sensitive to any medication so very worried about tapering off it!
thank you
anne28866 chelsea54783
Posted
Hi Chelsea,
I am no expert having been on diazepam for 25 years, tapering at 0.5mg every fortnight, that is reducing 0.5 mg per day each 2 weeks. Now on 11mg/day from a high of 22mg, this had taken over a year and I get specialist help.
You have been on this for 10 weeks, long enough to become addicted to this drug. we are all different and GP's have very little knowledge about tapering and they should listen to you.
Not surprised you feel bad, taking half of your original dose!!! Take it slowly at your pace and insist your GP listens.
You are suffering classic withdrawal but it will get better if your body is allowed to adjust SLOWLY.
Wishing you all the best and know that you will get over thisÿ
chelsea54783 anne28866
Posted
did you feel awful as you were tapering off them? do you have any tips how to push through the with drawal effects, it makes you feel like going to bed and sleeping through it 😦 thank you for replying!
ann55375 anne28866
Posted
wondering how you are doing now. i have tried 10% reduction over last month and been more anxious, nauseous and tired and depressed. i am on no other med are you? It may be i need something else to get me through. all i know is i feel very unwell.
RubySlippers ann55375
Posted
I would suggest Benadryl. It is worth the try. I had some old hydroxyzine and that worked great for me. A doctor should give you something to help. Mine gave me Tizanidine 4 mg at night. Really helped. It was not a piece of cake believe me. At my age it was horrible, but now being off for a year and a few months I have a normal life and sleep pretty darn good. Better than when I was on the benzo. Good luck ladies. Keep us posted please. Ruby Slippers
RubySlippers chelsea54783
Posted
Hi Chelsea. I was on ativan for 20 years and it took me six months and it was not easy. Tapering down a little every week to two weeks is best according to the Ashton's Manual. I sliced and dices pills for 6 months. Won't be easy. I won't lie. But get lots of support and be prepared to lose sleep and feel awful. But once you are off these crazy pills in about 4 to 6 months you will feel amazing. Keep us posted and good luck. We wish you the best. Ruby
chelsea54783 RubySlippers
Posted
thank you so much ruby do you have any tips what to do to get through the awful side effects? sleep through it? thank you
RubySlippers chelsea54783
Posted
I took Benadryl and had some old 25 mg hydroxyzine that helped. It wasn't easy, but I never slept more than 2 -3 hours at a time even on the benzo. Now I sleep like a normal person and feel great. Just one day at a time and slowly taper. My doctor let me do it slowly. I only tapered every two weeks. but if you don't have enough pills that could be very hard. Any doctor that gives you support or any person that gives you support helps. Praise goes a long way. I will start by telling you I am inspired by people like you. This forum gave me so much help. I even told my doctor about it so she could see how many people struggle with this kind of thing. Just update every week. It will get better I promise. Lots of luck. Have a good Holiday weekend. RUBY 😃
RubySlippers
Posted
Also try cutting down a half mg every two weeks. Maybe one time it will take three weeks till you can cut again. Everyone is different. Take deep breaths and know that this will make you healthier when you are off it. I never thought I could go off it and cried quite a few times. I feel wonderful now. You will too within time. Ruby