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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 3 to 27 of 27. Go back in thread:
Posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2014, at 12:12:30
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by gadchik on March 13, 2014, at 11:03:27
Try the 5mg tonight if night is when you take it. If it isn't enough you know to go up again for a while. Fantastic. P
Posted by Ronnjee on March 14, 2014, at 13:14:10
In reply to C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by gadchik on March 13, 2014, at 11:00:54
Schedule 5 on the following web page looks like it may be of interest to you.
Posted by gadchik on March 14, 2014, at 14:03:41
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by Ronnjee on March 14, 2014, at 13:14:10
Thanks, so it looks like she advocates staying put for 1-2 weeks b4 starting taper of valium. I appreciate the link!
Posted by gadchik on March 14, 2014, at 14:05:39
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 13, 2014, at 12:12:30
Thanks for ur always positive feedback P! I decided to stabilize a while longer!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 5:20:21
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 14, 2014, at 14:05:39
Hi Gad,
What does of clonazepam were you on and for how long? Have you tried to taper it before and did you suffer withdrawal?
You should probably get the 2mg diazepam tablets for tapering because it will make it more convenient.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 6:20:39
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 14, 2014, at 14:05:39
I read above you were on 0.5mg clonazepam for over 5 years. My opinion is that you'll initially be able to reduce diazepam fairly quickly, because 10mg is possibly slightly more than you need to suppress withdrawal symptoms. In the later stages, you will need to reduce very gradually over several months. The 2mg tablets will make this easier. The are scored to break them in half but you can easily cut the halves in half to make 0.5mg doses. It does not have to be precise.
Here is a suggestion, but you will of course adjust according to how you're feeling...
1. Stay on 10mg for at least another week to stabilise.
2. Reduce to 8mg and see how you do for about 3 weeks.
3. Reduce to 7mg for 4 weeks.
4. Reduce to 6mg for 4 weeks.
5. Reduce to 5mg for 4 weeks.
6. Now you're at 5mg, reduce in steps of 0.5mg every month until stopping.The is no benefit in rushing, so the above schedule is nice and gradual. The aim is to go slowly so your body barely notices the difference.
Posted by gadchik on March 20, 2014, at 10:33:08
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 6:20:39
Thanks, so much for ur suggestions. I needed to have something like this, as my pdoc has really left me in control of things. I will ask for 2mg pills when I call for my refill next week. I wonder if I should specifically ask for a certain # of pills, like now I get 60- 5mg diazepams per refill. I thought I should ask for 150- 2mg diazepams a month to = the amt I get now, just in case, and then I could have extra too. But do u think my pdoc would consider that to be too many pills a month? I certainly dont want to frustrate her. But she knows I intend to taper. Thanks!
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 12:06:36
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » ed_uk2010, posted by gadchik on March 20, 2014, at 10:33:08
Hi Gadchik,
>Thanks, so much for ur suggestions. I needed to have something like this, as my pdoc has really left me in control of things.
It's just a suggestion. You could go faster but I don't think it would serve much purpose. It's not as if there's any medical reason why you need to come off benzos in a hurry, you just want to. Am I right?
>I will ask for 2mg pills when I call for my refill next week.
Do you need to contact your doctor to amend your prescription? I must admit I only know how prescriptions work over here. Assuming you have some 5mg tabs left for the moment, I think 120 x 2mg tabs would be suitable. It doesn't seem at all unreasonable. It might sound like a lot of pills but they're the lowest strength. You could stick with the 5mg tablets for a few weeks and try 7.5mg next but I do think the 2mg tablets are more appropriate for tapering off.
Posted by gadchik on March 20, 2014, at 12:57:48
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 12:06:36
Thanks. I like all of ur suggestions and appreciate ur time. I am tapering because Im just so done with benzos. I no longer wish to be tied to one. I knew this day would come, I knew that I would choose this path.
Posted by gadchik on March 20, 2014, at 13:08:27
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 20, 2014, at 12:06:36
I meant to add that Im not opposed to psych meds. My pdoc has given me a script for Remeron 15mg, which I will take a crumb of should I need it for sleep or anything else during my taper. I do well with small amts of remeron. But don't want to take it daily. I do a lot of things for my mental health that work well for me, and I hope I will be med free most of the time. Im not opposed to using a benzo as needed, but sparingly.
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 21, 2014, at 13:34:59
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » ed_uk2010, posted by gadchik on March 20, 2014, at 12:57:48
> Thanks. I like all of ur suggestions and appreciate ur time. I am tapering because Im just so done with benzos. I no longer wish to be tied to one. I knew this day would come, I knew that I would choose this path.
Keep us up-to-date on how you're doing with your taper :)
Posted by gadchik on March 25, 2014, at 17:40:32
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 21, 2014, at 13:34:59
I got stabilized and ready to taper from 10mg valium, and when I called my pdoc, the nurse said she would not rx 2mg pills since I was already on 5mgs! I was shocked. And she told me to go down to 7.5mg, stay on that for 2 weeks, then down to 5mg and so on. Isnt this too fast? What am I gonna do, that's the whole reason I c/o to valium so I could use 2mg pills to taper.
Posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2014, at 19:54:57
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » ed_uk2010, posted by gadchik on March 25, 2014, at 17:40:32
G use a pill cutter? My pills are 10mg and split them all the time. Not equal but good enough P
Posted by gadchik on March 26, 2014, at 6:50:38
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 25, 2014, at 19:54:57
I guess I will have to P. just aggravated that I cant get 2mg pills. I called the pharmacist and she said if my dr will call in the 2mg pills and give permission for me to fill on this date, it will be allowed. Im calling my pdoc this morning about it, because I could only speak to her nurse yesterday. She wasn't in the office, but the nurse seemed to think that my pdoc wont give me 2mg. I think that's crazy when you've got someone wanting to take their time and feel comfortable...
Posted by gadchik on March 26, 2014, at 13:42:43
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 26, 2014, at 6:50:38
Good news! Just talked to pdoc and she gave me rx for 2mg pills, no problem. Her nurse is loony. My pdoc said, "No need for extra stress for you, you're doing so well" I love her!
Posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2014, at 20:00:32
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by gadchik on March 26, 2014, at 13:42:43
G I refilled my RX with name brand today. $90 didn't think that was too bad. Won't fill Lexapro in lieu of. Name brand used to just relax. Want to test for myself generic vs brand. And glad you got the 2mg pills. As the not prescribing made no sense you would think would rather fill for less. P
Posted by gadchik on March 27, 2014, at 6:13:04
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 26, 2014, at 20:00:32
P, I called a pharmacy and asked cash price for 150--2mg Valium Roche pills. They said $434!!! EEEk, I did not go with brand,no way. Im taking Actavis, which Ive done well on. B4 that, I switched from Roche Klonopin to Teva with no probs. But $90 for brand is not too much.
Posted by Phillipa on March 27, 2014, at 20:06:17
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 27, 2014, at 6:13:04
G I got 30 10mg ones. Since they have the open V in the center they are easy to split. these will last for two months. If you got 10mg you could split them. To 5mg would be perfect. 2.5 mg perfect. 2mg would be hard to do. P
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 28, 2014, at 9:29:57
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on March 27, 2014, at 6:13:04
>P, I called a pharmacy and asked cash price for 150--2mg Valium Roche pills. They said $434!!! EEEk, I did not go with brand,no way. Im taking Actavis, which Ive done well on. B4 that, I switched from Roche Klonopin to Teva with no probs. But $90 for brand is not too much.
You're doing great on the generic, don't waste your money on Valium. Actavis is a reputable manufacturer by the way. Glad you got the 2mg tablets, it will make things easier down the line.
Posted by gadchik on March 28, 2014, at 10:27:18
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 28, 2014, at 9:29:57
Thanks! Im glad Actavis brand is good. I go to a local, family owned pharmacy, and I trust that they use the "good" generics. Btw, I paid $15 for 60- 5mg diazepam pills! Gr8 price, I thought!
Posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2014, at 19:49:12
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » ed_uk2010, posted by gadchik on March 28, 2014, at 10:27:18
I've been paying $10 for generic valium. But had to do my own comparison. In a few days will be able to say if different for me or not. Oh these are also l0mg mylan. P
Posted by ed_uk2010 on March 29, 2014, at 12:19:38
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on March 28, 2014, at 19:49:12
Thing is, it's never a true comparison if you know what brand you're getting!
Posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2014, at 20:02:09
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by ed_uk2010 on March 29, 2014, at 12:19:38
If I feel different will know that I need brand name. Worth to me to pay extra. Since the generic does nothing. I will gladly pay $90 a month for the real deal. PJ
Posted by ed_uk2010 on April 1, 2014, at 15:53:21
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper? » ed_uk2010, posted by Phillipa on March 29, 2014, at 20:02:09
>If I feel different will know that I need brand name.
My point it, the belief in something is often just as important as what you're actually getting.
Posted by Phillipa on April 1, 2014, at 20:46:33
In reply to Re: C/O to Valium How Long B4 I Start Valium Taper?, posted by ed_uk2010 on April 1, 2014, at 15:53:21
Ed that is true. And so far don't notice much difference. Almost feel worse. PJ
This is the end of the thread.
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