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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:06:18
Hi all, my pdoc gave me 60- 5mg valiums a month and Ive cut a 1/4 off my .5mg klonopin and take the 5mg valium with it. I do this for a week, then take 1/2 off the klon for a week, and so on until Im only on 5-10mg valium per day. Then Im to stabilize, and go down 1mg every week or so. I also have remeron to take if needed. It tends to calm me down in low, crumb doses.And really makes me sleep well. Im no longer taking the 12.5mg zoloft for neck pain. The pain just went away for good. Valium is weird. It def helps me taper klon, couldnt do it w/o it. But the valium doesnt make me sleep better, it just makes me feel heavy, and tired. I dont care tho, Im determined to get off of the klon and this is my best chance.
Posted by Twinleaf on February 21, 2014, at 16:20:56
In reply to 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover, posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:06:18
Just wondering - you must have a good reason for wanting to be off the klonopin,. Many people do stay on stable doses for many years, and feel it helps a lot with different forms of anxiety. Is there a real negative to it for you?
Posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:33:17
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by Twinleaf on February 21, 2014, at 16:20:56
I turned 50 in Nov, and it was just time. I do everything Im supposed to do for good mental health, you know, the hiking, the nutrition, the massages, meditation. I guard my sleep as if my life depended on it. And my life is good now, very settled, a good time to try life w/o klon. My pdoc and I decided that I will go back on it if I have too many probs w/o it. But we both agreed that I will be able to use it as needed once I get completely free of it for awhile. I hate being on a pill that I will have bad withdrawals from if I miss a dose. Im just ready for a challenge now, I guess, what do they say? Im in my "menopausal zest" right now, feeling very capable of dealing with life head on. Yet, I know I can keep klon as a distant backup, should the need arise. I also have the option of starting on an ssri later. There's so much available now for all of us. Im feeling happy and ready for this! : )And I hope I still feel this way 2 weeks from now!
Posted by joe f on February 21, 2014, at 16:48:55
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » Twinleaf, posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:33:17
what is your dose of klonopin that you are trying to get off of?
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2014, at 16:51:13
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » Twinleaf, posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:33:17
G you can do it. Just do it. Valium is easy to wean off. So mild compared to klonopin in my opinion only. P
Posted by Twinleaf on February 21, 2014, at 16:53:38
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » Twinleaf, posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 16:33:17
Sounds like the best possible reason - you feel strong and well! And, as you say, occasional use as needed is always possible. That's wonderful!
Posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 19:17:29
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover, posted by joe f on February 21, 2014, at 16:48:55
Can you believe it-only .5mg! And I only took it once a day, but for over 5yrs. and Ive tried many times, w/o valium, to taper, and it was excruciating!
Posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 19:23:16
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2014, at 16:51:13
P, its gonna be my only chance to say goodby to klon, by using valium. I was afraid to involve my pdoc in trying to taper, and kept trying to do it on my own. I dont feel great, but it's manageable with the valium. Doesnt feel soooo daunting! Thanks for the encouragement. My pdoc is so wonderful. She will support me no matter what. I can go back on klon if necessary or use it as needed, or if I choose, I can stay on the valium. I dont believe I will tho. I believe I will,in the end, use klon as needed, and not often. I'll use remeron for sleep when I need it.
Posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 19:29:39
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by Twinleaf on February 21, 2014, at 16:53:38
Thanks, Twinleaf. I am a diff person now than when I started klon. We all change and hopefully grow. At 50, I want to feel that I can try this and at least see what Im like w/o the benzo. It's all in the trying, I need to know that I can rise to a challenge. To see what Im made of, if u will. I want to know that I can face things, and thrive on my own terms.
Posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2014, at 19:58:51
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on February 21, 2014, at 19:23:16
G I have a strong feeling that you are going to end up med free. Just a hunch. P
Posted by gadchik on February 22, 2014, at 14:32:58
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on February 21, 2014, at 19:58:51
Last night was the first night that I was able to relax after taking the valium. I was too nervous the first few nights because I get that way b4 taking any new meds. So last night, the valium just really helped me sleep well, and it was a calming feeling. I am still feeling hungover during the day, but its not unbearable.
Posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2014, at 22:05:55
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover, posted by gadchik on February 22, 2014, at 14:32:58
G you find it more sedating than klonopin? I wonder why this is? P
Posted by gadchik on February 26, 2014, at 16:58:27
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on February 22, 2014, at 22:05:55
Im still at it....25mg klonopin with 5mg valium. On Friday, I will either go on 10mg valium and drop klon, or go to 1/2 of the .25mg klon and add 2 1/2mg valium. I hiked 5 mi today. Must not feel too bad, huh?!
Posted by tony p on February 26, 2014, at 19:45:12
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover, posted by gadchik on February 26, 2014, at 16:58:27
I've done the same crossover a couple of times now and am now tapering from 40 to 30 mg Valium.
One difference between Klonopin & Valium that you may or may not experience (possibly not on your low dose) is that whereas Klonopin wears off steadily, Valium has a kind of "shoulder" at about 6 hr. Many doctors do not appreciate this as the references almost always list Valium/diazepam's half-life as something like 72-100 hours. The reality is that diazepam is quite quickly converted to several other, somewhat less effective, benzodiazepines, (principally nordiazepam for the techies). It is the latter that has the long half-life.
From a practical point of view, this means Valium often needs to be taken in smaller doses more frequently than Klonopin.
Good luck! I'm right there with you.
Posted by gadchik on February 26, 2014, at 20:02:15
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover, posted by tony p on February 26, 2014, at 19:45:12
Thanks for ur input. How long do u think I should stay on klon b4 I jump completely over to Valium? That's what I'm unsure of.
Posted by tony p on March 7, 2014, at 20:23:13
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » tony p, posted by gadchik on February 26, 2014, at 20:02:15
> Thanks for ur input. How long do u think I should stay on klon b4 I jump completely over to Valium? That's what I'm unsure of.
Conservative is to take 1-2 weeks for the crossover, especially for high doses. Moderate is 4 days for each change. At low doses, I'd just do the switch in 1-2 days.
See Ashton benzo taper schedule, http://www.benzo.org.uk/manual/bzsched.htm et al.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2014, at 20:34:13
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » gadchik, posted by tony p on March 7, 2014, at 20:23:13
Personally I don't care for the Ashton method. As each person is different. A custom taper is better you will know when you can go lower and then completely off or continue a very low dose. P
Posted by tony p on March 7, 2014, at 21:26:26
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » tony p, posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2014, at 20:34:13
> Personally I don't care for the Ashton method. As each person is different. A custom taper is better you will know when you can go lower and then completely off or continue a very low dose. P
On the whole I agree -- Ashton's rep. exceeds her applicability to individuals, she just published the first really detailed scheme. I am just starting (for the 3rd time) a benzo taper, & I think the most important part of it is REGULAR appointments with my GP. to adjust as necessary.
Posted by Phillipa on March 7, 2014, at 22:21:10
In reply to Re: 2 Days in on a Klonopin to Valium Crossover » Phillipa, posted by tony p on March 7, 2014, at 21:26:26
Agree and how you tolerate it. Phillipa
This is the end of the thread.
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