Comfyquilt: Hello - issues with Benzos and new med

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you for the info. Unfortunately the Valium is really causing me issues. I won’t make big cuts but will continue at 1-2% as my body is revolting since the updose, it only worked for one day. I am in a real mess and spend my days weeping. I see my doctor next week. Thank you for your help 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I'm sorry to hear you are having problems like that. 

 

I would just taper at your own pace, but don't make big cuts as you already know.

 

Take care and keep me posted.

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie of course - will never be reducing more than 10% as I have learned here. I am not doing very well and had this happen last time I tapered Valium, I did seem to get better the lower I went so I am hoping I have the same luck again. Really trying to hang on for my kids and husband but I am going downhill. I need off this higher dose but will do it at my own pace. 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

You will get there. You know how to handle this and go at your own pace.

 

Take care.

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogiethank you feels very desperate ATM but I will get there 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

Yes you will. You can do it.

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you 🥰

[Comfyquilt]

Hi @Frogie just wanted to pop in and give a quick update. Things have not been as dire and the seemingly endless weeping has abated. I am now down to 14.25 mgs of Valium. I made another cut of 0.5mgs on March 12. I have been feeling better. I will not be going faster than the 10% rule but I do feel better as the med gets lower? Does this happen for people? I have been sleeping pretty well and have been doing a lot of caregiving for my BIL who is in palliative care. I felt my cut on day 3 and then again on day 6. Will hold for the whole 14 days and then cut again. I hope you are well 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

It sounds like you are doing pretty well.

 

Yes, Valium has the tendency to cause depression so that could be letting up the lower you are going.

 

Just be careful with your tapering with the added stress with your BIL, for which I am truly sorry.

 

Keep me posted. 

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you it’s been quite devastating. He and my sister just had a baby and his colon cancer came back. I am

really trying to support my sister and love my BIL so much!! We live really close to the hospital so I go up there when she’s a needing a sleep break and just sit with him. I guess I will have to teach him how to taper off the benzos when he pulls through (they sure dish them out on the oncology floor) 

 

i am working a little part time and that helps to distract. I must say (although there are bad days) I am feeling better than when o started posting here. Will just take the taper as it comes. Slowly but surely. 
 

 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I'm glad to hear he is going to pull through. That is wonderful news.

 

You will have the experience to help him with the benzo, but have him create an account so we are able to help should he need it.

 

Congratulation's on the baby!

[OldDodgy]

@Comfyquilt

 

I think @Frogie is right.  Even relatively low doses of diazepam ( I am on 17.5), can cause indolence  and lack of sparkle at the best of times. 
 

Then you have this sadness over BIL as well. I hope you ride it out and slowly and gently come out the other side.  And that BIL can overcome. 
 

Best wishes

 

OldDodgy 

 

 

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you!! I am trying my best to hold it together. My worst symptom seems to be be these annoying internal vibrations. I just kind of feel like there is motor running in my chest. Baby is the best medicine!!! 
 

@OldDodgythank you - I often get hasty and just want off and back to myself. Must be patient and try to remember a lot of this is chemical 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I think you’re going to do fine because you’re being smart. Please take care of yourself though and I truly wish the best for your family.

[Comfyquilt]

@OldDodgy I was very concerned I was a “high” dose of Valium - but I see you mention that 17.5 is low! Is this true? Thank you 

 

@Frogie I am trying to be smart and know from my last taper that 1mg drops don’t work for me. Thank you for your well wishes. Cancer is truly awful and I see the meds my BIL is taking and am shocked. I don’t want to add any stress so I try not to mention it. But they have him on 2 benzos, and other psych meds for “pain”, plus an immense amount of opioids and methadone. So it’s hard to feel sorry for myself when I am there seeing this. It’s going to be a long road but him and I just pal around and have lots of good cry’s - our motto “we’re just doing today” 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I am very sorry to hear all of that. I'm going through about the same thing. My best friend of 54 years had cancer 5 years ago and it has come back. I went and saw her for a week and just returned. And today she is back in the hospital. I truly feel your pain. 

[OldDodgy]

@Comfyquilt

 

re Valium dose 

 

I have been on 30mg when work stressful in the past.  And many folk are on Klonazepam or Xanax at doses over 2mg a day which is about equivalent to 30mg diazepam have come off successfully. 
 

So I don’t think 15 mg is a “big” dose. Of course if someone had never been on it and took that dose they would be very sleepy.  
 

How we respond and the length of time we’ve been on it are of course relevant when coming down and safely coming off my dose will take years, but patience is the key to success.  
 

You and I have come off several psychotropic meds successfully and I am sure you will again. But choosing your timing and being supported is the key.  
 

Yours

 

OldDodgy 

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogieim So so sorry to hear. It’s truly awful watching someone go through that process. Sometimes it makes all my bellyaching seem trivial, as it’s just such an awful awful process. I hope your dear friend pulls through and starts to heal! 

[Comfyquilt]

@OldDodgythank you for the kind reply. Some days I think the Valium is making me worse and want to rip the proverbial “band aid” (don’t worry I won’t do that). I wish us both smooth tapers  

[OldDodgy]

@Frogie

 

Sorry I missed your post about your friend. I am sorry but I know it does hurt a lot. 

I went swimming today and a woman was offloading about her bereavement for 40 mins. It was very hard as of course Pam’s care by the palliative team was obscene and it all came flooding back. 
 

I think I have made a mistake with the diaz too. I forgot the lunch and night doses yesterday so only had 7.5 instead of 17.5. 
I slept ok and was a bit lost and emotional this morning but didn’t take what I had missed.

I distracted myself by cutting the grass and swimming but this afternoon had an almighty panic attack with angina and palpitations. 
I tried hypnosis mindfulness and so on but it just got worse. 
In the end I took 7.5 of diaz. and am more settled. 
It just goes to show that even with its long half life diaz cannot be missed for twenty hours!! 
 

All the best. 
OD 

 

[Comfyquilt]

@OldDodgyim So sorry you’ve been through palliative care with a loved one. It’s so so hard. My thoughts are with you!!! 

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie and @OldDodgy maybe you have some Tips for me both having been through something similar with a dear loved one. I know my CNS is taxed but I simply cannot refuse my trips to the hospital to be with my BIL. We are VERY close and he’s dreadfully embarrassed by his Illness (hard having every medical professional in the room wanting to have a look at your bum!) 

 

I was there tonight and it it was grim, it’s very stressful (I think even for people not tapering) but my sister has to be at home to put the baby to bed and to get some rest herself. I came home tonight just weeping. It’s so incredibly difficult to watch someone undergo something like this. My CNS was in a tizzy, I immediately felt WD symptoms. 
 

any tips on being supportive but still being able to taper and keep my CNS ok? Thank you both from the bottom of my heart 

[OldDodgy]

@Comfyquilt

 

Hi. 
You really are going through it and you have been extraordinarily helpful to your family. 
Remember we only have so much fuel in the tank. 

Crying with sadness and exhaustion are perfectly ok. Please just look at what you can adjust in your day to give you even 30 mins peace and nurturing if you can.

It’s just my view but there is no sin in holding your taper for a week or so. 

I had an unexpected hit yesterday after a few pieces of bad news all at once.  My brain was all over the place as you describe so well!! 
 

Wishing you peace. 
 

OD

[ChessieCat]

SA generally suggests holding during periods of additional stress.

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I'm really sorry you are going through this. It is really tough, especially when in wd and tapering. Just like @ChessieCat said, we don't suggest tapering when you are in these situations. It will weaken your CNS even further.

 

I know what you are going through though. It is very hard to see a loved one go through this. But you are holding yourself really well. Just take special care of yourself right now. Eat small meals if needed with protein like yogurt, chicken, cheese, even peanut butter and crackers. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water and getting enough rest. Your brother in law needs you to feel as best as you can so you can take care of him.

 

You could also try some meditation, or a nice hot Epson salt bath. Those are soothing.

 

Reach out to me if you just need to talk or have any other questions.

 

Take care.

[Comfyquilt]

@ChessieCat @Frogie @OldDodgy
thnak you all for the kind information! I am just going to take really good care of myself and keep on keepin on! Thanks so much 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I'm glad to hear you are going to take care of yourself. Without taking care of yourself, you are no good to your brother in law and sister.

 

You are a very good person.

 

I wish the best for you and your family.

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you for your kind words. They mean so much. I had an Epsom salt bath tonight and it was really nice. I also had some cranio sacral therapy done today which was very amazing (I recommend this to people who have frayed CNS’s) it’s so gentle and healing. I had a better day today. Sending lots of love to everyone 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

I'm so glad I could help. And I am really glad you did some self care. It goes a long way.

[Comfyquilt]

Hi @Frogiejust thought I’d pop in with a quick update. I am now down to 13.75 mgs with minimal discomfort - If anything im

feeling a little better. I was even able to go to the dentist today! Slowly but surely. I am working 3 days a week and am trying to walk everyday and do at least one productive thing.

 

This is leaps and bounds from where I was in Dec/Jan. I still feel not quite right, but it’s WD normal according to the guides on here. I am just going to keep chipping away and I’ll get there. Hope your well! 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

That sounds like a really good update. You are able to function and do the things you need to do.

 

Thanks for sharing! I wish you luck going forward 😊

[Comfyquilt]

@Frogie thank you! Slowly but surely. I am able to reduce around every 2 weeks and keep it around 5%! 

[Frogie]

@Comfyquilt

 

Sounds like a very sound plan!

[OldDodgy]

@Comfyquilt

Hi. It’s always good to see good news and progress so thanks for updating. 
 

Could you update your signature every now and then?? 
 

May I ask how your BIL is doing? You were so tired and yet seem to have weathered the storm. 
 

All the best, 

 

OldDodgy 

[LotusRising]

@Comfyquilt

 

Sounds like you're in a good place right now! 

 

How are things going with your brother in law?

[Comfyquilt]

Hi @OldDodgyand @MedRN he is MUCH better, after 13 LONG weeks he is home from the hospital. He had a stoma and is doing better pain wise. More chemo will follow  

 

I have updated my signature. Maybe @OldDodgyor @Frogie can help me with a dosing schedule, or some idea about dosing Valium? Last taper I always took it before bed and never during the day. Now I am taking 1.5mg at 10am, 2.25mg at 4pm

and 10mg at 10pm. I was planning on cutting today as I am WD stable! But then I realized I have no clue what dose to cut from, or if I should have my doses more even? I was thinking of cutting from my 4pm dose. Things have settled down a lot for me and am finding I am not desperate for the day time doses as I was in Jan/Feb. I am not sure if going to once a day is recommended? I will also ask my doctor when I see him but just wanted to ask my internet pals too  hope you are all well.