☼ xDebbiejo

[xDebbiejo]

Thank you Alto

 

so how long shall I stay on 1mg 2 - 4 weeks?

 

Thanks

 

Debbie xx

[Karma]

Hi Debbiejo

 

This forum deals primarily with antidepressants and anti-psychotics. I tend to see benzodiazepine questions referred to benzobuddies.

 

I will tell you from my experience on xanax that a .25 mg drop of diazepam is a significant dosage drop for a benzo ... that is 20%. You may be fine with it, but prevailing guidance on benzos is to go with 10% or less decrements. On BB they tend to tell you to hold for 10-14 days.

 

Karma

[xDebbiejo]

Oooo yes sorry

 

Thank you for answering my question Karma

I'm not thinking, I forgot about BB sorry x

[Nikki]

 

I also seem to be bad tempered too when people say silly things.

 

ME TOO!!! I think we're on the same page!

 

 

Add mine name to this list

[xDebbiejo]

Consider yourself added nikki lol

 

Just an update - I have dropped 2mg of seroxat/Paxil so am now on 10 mg as I only have to fill the syringe once, I know I was taking a bit of a risk as I'm tapering off diazepam as I've not been on it for long and know it will be a long taper with seroxat. I dropped dose 5 days now and luckily been fine.

 

As I have been ok with this should I wait until I have tapered diazepam before reducing more seroxat ? I guess the answer is to wait, as I'm being to eager to come off these evil meds:(

 

Just like to thank all who has helped me get where I am as I was in a terrible state when first joining.

 

So glad I found this site

 

Wishing all relief

 

Debbie x

[Altostrata]

I would hold on both for a couple of weeks, you've made a lot of changes recently.

[xDebbiejo]

Thanks Alto x

[Skyler]

I would hold on both for a couple of weeks, you've made a lot of changes recently.

 

Seconded. Dropping on both, or too soon on the benzo, will mean you will not have a base line to compare symptoms that may emerge. Watch yourself here, it's perilous terrain. And Debbie, don't try to withdraw on both at once, you are too new at this. I was at it for 2 years and royally screwed up. Don't follow my example.

[xDebbiejo]

Hi Schuyler

 

No I'm not moving on my seroxat now until I have tapered the benzo I just got fed up with having to fill up the syringe more than once as it is only a 5ml.

 

I did feel a bit strange when first dropping the 2 mg, sweats and funny head in morning but that only lasted around 2 days.

 

When I am off the benzo I'm going to do the slowest taper ever, so as to still have some quality of life with minimal WD symptoms. I am going to follow what strawberry is doing but with seroxat as I have only been on this SSRI apart from Prozac once, before I was prescribed seroxat. Prozac gave me the jitters.

 

I'm still on 1mg of diazepam a day - I need to get on my pc and update my signature.

 

Thank you Schuyler for keeping an I on me, I guess it was a bit risky dropping on the SSRI.

 

I know I can do this if done slower than slow - don't ever want to experience what I did a few weeks ago

 

If it wasn't for the support on this site I don't know what I would have done

 

Thanks all who helped me to stabilise !!!!

 

Thank you

 

Debbie x

[xDebbiejo]

Hi all

 

Barb has started a thread, resources from the UK

 

http://survivingantidepressants.org/index.php?/topic/2403-united-kingdom-uk-mind-nhs-resources/page__pid__23941#entry23941

 

Oh my link looks longer than yours barb

 

Hope it works,

 

Debbie x

[xDebbiejo]

Oh no it shortened when I posted lol

[Skyler]

Hi Schuyler

 

No I'm not moving on my seroxat now until I have tapered the benzo I just got fed up with having to fill up the syringe more than once as it is only a 5ml.

 

I did feel a bit strange when first dropping the 2 mg, sweats and funny head in morning but that only lasted around 2 days.

 

When I am off the benzo I'm going to do the slowest taper ever, so as to still have some quality of life with minimal WD symptoms. I am going to follow what strawberry is doing but with seroxat as I have only been on this SSRI apart from Prozac once, before I was prescribed seroxat. Prozac gave me the jitters.

 

I'm still on 1mg of diazepam a day - I need to get on my pc and update my signature.

 

Thank you Schuyler for keeping an I on me, I guess it was a bit risky dropping on the SSRI.

 

I know I can do this if done slower than slow - don't ever want to experience what I did a few weeks ago

 

If it wasn't for the support on this site I don't know what I would have done

 

Thanks all who helped me to stabilise !!!!

 

Thank you

 

Debbie x

 

Debbie.. I'm struggling to track a bit because of the muscle issue I have, so hope you will bear with me. When did you drop the seroxat. and when did you take the last .25mg d cut. Did you get the liquid diazepam? Was there any uptick in symptoms whatsoever? Would you put this info in your sig line? I understand your reasons for lowering the seroxat dose, but your body does not.. please, be more cautious than you think is necessary.. that will protect you. Again, if I am being less than diplomatic, etc. please to forgive. My suggestion would be that you start to hold the d where you are, and revert to the seroxat taper if there is any indication the benzo withdrawal Sx have become more active. The last part of the benzo taper is more difficult. thanks

[xDebbiejo]

Thanks Schuyler

 

Sorry to hear you are not well I do hope you feel better soon

 

If I carry on with seroxat taper then that will mean I will be on the benzo for a good few years more as it will take me ages to WD from seroxat.

 

I was only WD from the benzo first as I've not been on it long and don't like the idea of prolonging the benzo.

 

I've been on seroxat for 16 years.

 

Do you really think I should taper the seroxat first?

[Altostrata]

I was only WD from the benzo first as I've not been on it long and don't like the idea of prolonging the benzo.

This is a very good question. You've been on the benzo only since April, to deal with Seroxat withdrawal symptoms?

 

It's a good sign you've been able to reduce the benzo so far with little discomfort. But don't go too fast! I'd still hold for a couple of weeks after the recent changes in both benzo and Seroxat.

[xDebbiejo]

Hi Alto

 

 

Hope you are well

 

Yes I only took the benzo when I stopped the seroxat and went through hellish WD - I was only taking it till I stabilised on seroxat again and was just going to stop the benzo until I was told I will need to taper

 

Debbie x

[Altostrata]

Given you've been on it such a short time, I think your plan to go off the benzo is a good one.

 

I did feel a bit strange when first dropping the 2 mg, sweats and funny head in morning but that only lasted around 2 days.

Now you're down from 5mg diazepam to 1mg diazepam, correct?

 

I would still hold to stabilize from the Seroxat drop, then carefully decrease the diazepam.

 

Do our benzo-wise folks have any suggestions for how Debbiejo should taper the benzo from here?

[xDebbiejo]

Yes Alto

 

From 5mg to 1mg

 

I was staying with the 1mg for another 2 weeks then was going to drop 0.5mg

 

I am quite eager to start my seroxat taper but I guess I need to stabilise after coming off the diazepam.

 

Thank you for your help

[Skyler]

Given you've been on it such a short time, I think your plan to go off the benzo is a good one.

 

I did feel a bit strange when first dropping the 2 mg, sweats and funny head in morning but that only lasted around 2 days.

Now you're down from 5mg diazepam to 1mg diazepam, correct?

 

I would still hold to stabilize from the Seroxat drop, then carefully decrease the diazepam.

 

Do our benzo-wise folks have any suggestions for how Debbiejo should taper the benzo from here?

 

 

Yes Alto

 

From 5mg to 1mg

 

I was staying with the 1mg for another 2 weeks then was going to drop 0.5mg

 

I am quite eager to start my seroxat taper but I guess I need to stabilise after coming off the diazepam.

 

Thank you for your help

 

Yup.. Deb, 1 to .5 is way too fast. For the last 1 mg of diazepam, it's important to go slow. Are you trying not to ask the doc for liquid diazepam? You can mix water or milk to make a suspension. You have been doing well with the cuts, but don't rock the proverbial boat.. it's not worth the month it will save you. Please be safe.

[xDebbiejo]

Thanks Schuyler

 

I don't want to ask doc for liquid, yet, anyway as I m not sure it will help as I've read it has added chemicals in and differs from the pills?

 

If you say .5 is too big of a drop then maybe I'll have to try it or make my own with milk as you suggested, thank you but how would I do this please?

 

Debbie x

[Skyler]

Thanks Schuyler

 

I don't want to ask doc for liquid, yet, anyway as I m not sure it will help as I've read it has added chemicals in and differs from the pills?

 

If you say .5 is too big of a drop then maybe I'll have to try it or make my own with milk as you suggested, thank you but how would I do this please?

 

Debbie x

 

The liquid does not differ from pills in dose, there is an alcohol that is not an issue for most people. I have used it for several months to good end. I'm not sure where you may have been reading?

 

Rhi is the best person here for info on how to mix suspension. That is not my area, as the liquid has always been fine.. but if someone does not chime in on this in the next day or two, I'll look up the info. But don't take any cuts in the meantime. Using the same size cuts you have earlier on could really put you into a bad place for the remainder.

 

~S

[xDebbiejo]

Thanks Schuyler

 

I'm not doing anything until I know what to do then

 

I think it was the alcohol content that someone had a bad reaction.

 

I'm sticking with 1mg till the 18th as it will be exactly one Calander month.

 

Thank you

 

Debbie x

[xDebbiejo]

Ooops staying on 1mg dose till 2nd July

 

Sorry got it wrong x

[Nikki]

HI Debbiejo...I am trying to read thru everyone's post to lend a hand and not just keep me focues on me.

 

What I am gathering is that you made a large drop in dose from Seroxat? And you also may a drop in your benzo.

 

Debbie believe me dropping too much too soon can be dreadful and it may not appear for a few days.

 

If you have been on the seroxat for 16 years vs. being on a benzo for few months, maybe dropping the benzo first might be better.

 

Then worry about seroxat. If you start to feel bad WD you may want to go back up on seroxat (10mgs.) and just stay there and forget about it until you are well enough after the benzo taper.

 

Easy does it.....(looks who's talking)!

 

Nikki

[Skyler]

I think it was the alcohol content that someone had a bad reaction.

Debbie x

 

Debbie, I've read a lot of posts from people who used the liquid and unless someone has serious issues meaning they have had problems with alcohol addiction, the mix is much easier. I'd suggest you take a try with the prepared liquid.. you will thank yourself. Glad to hear you are holding the 1 mg level until July, but don't take more than a .25mg cut for the next. Diazepam really does get dicey on the last lap.~S

[xDebbiejo]

Ok I best go to the docs again, I'm just so fed up with going!

 

Thank you Schuyler hope you are recovering from your fall.

 

Thanks Nikki for your advice too

Sorry to hear things are not to well at home, I can surely empathise concerning your daughter - they are such a worry

 

I do hope things will work out for you soon

 

Debbie x

[Skyler]

Ok I best go to the docs again, I'm just so fed up with going!

 

Thank you Schuyler hope you are recovering from your fall.

Debbie x

 

Glad to hear you are trying the liquid.

 

My fall..actually doing better than I thought, I'll have a better sense when I get into bed and feel the lumps.. actually trigger points that ended up in the middle of a good sized bruise. Fibro is weird, you think it's going to be a big deal, and not so much, one thinks it's a small bump.. watch out, all Hell breaks loose. A never ending head game. Thanks for asking.. it's aching quite a bit at the moment... I'm crossing my fingers.~S

 

~S

[xDebbiejo]

Hi Schuyler

 

I'm crossing my fingers for you too, for speedy relief

 

I will be getting the diazepam liquid to start on the taper from 1mg to what though? How much should I reduce ? I'm useless at maths and think I will get confused.

 

Debbie x

[Skyler]

Hi Schuyler

 

I'm crossing my fingers for you too, for speedy relief

 

I will be getting the diazepam liquid to start on the taper from 1mg to what though? How much should I reduce ? I'm useless at maths and think I will get confused.

 

Debbie x

 

... asked and answered in my previous post to you in this thread. A little resistance to cutting by only .25mgs?

The standard for one taper is .25 mg reduction every two weeks, total 8 weeks to 0 if all is well. The caution here is you are on another med, and you don't want to post withdrawal period (after 0) to complicate the taper. But give the good history you have had so far, the fact you were not on long, and the low dose you were on.. I'd go for it. Just don't try to go faster or deeper, K?

[Skyler]

PS.. when you get the script filled at the pharmacy, they should give you a 1cc oral syringe.

[xDebbiejo]

Sorry Schuyler

 

I should have looked at your previous post, before asking!

 

Love the panda ! Lol !

 

Your emoji's make me smile

 

Thank you Schuyler

 

Debbie x

[xDebbiejo]

Hi all

 

I am feeling stable and well at present, thanks to all the help received on this site.

 

When I was experiencing WD I lost around 28lb in a few weeks or so. I now find my appetite has come back 10 fold and have a craving for chocolate Is this usual?

Any idea's how to stop this craving ?

 

I expect it will calm down when I continue my taper?

 

When I was in my early 20's before AD I suffered with bulimia and had counselling for 5 years and actually got over it, I'm so surprised, thinking about it now that I wasn't put on drugs.

 

Thing is I'm concerned that my bulimia will re- appear!

I keep thinking to start my taper again with seroxat but know I shouldn't until I'm off the benzo.

 

Wishing you all healing

 

Debbie x

[Nikki]

You are talking to the Queen of Chocolate Cravings.

 

I had it long before meds and I will have it until I am 6 feet under

 

Did ssri's contribute? Some people say it did. I always had it. Some had alcohol cravings and that too comes with Paxil.

 

Your appetite may have returned simply because your body need the nourishment. That's alot of weight to lose in a short time.

 

I love English Chocolate

[Barbarannamated]

Debbiejo,

I remember the 1st meal I really tasted and appreciated after tapering Pristiq - Fresh Salmon over Fetucinni Alfredo topped with fresh diced tomatos. I was travelling and hit every BJ's Pizzeria east of Austin, Texas, and ordered the same thing. I didnt realize it was drug related. I hadnt enjoyed the taste of food for years and eating used to be my primary entertainment.

 

It did calm down.

[xDebbiejo]

Lol

 

Nikki

 

No alcohol cravings, thankfully and I don't think SSRI's contributed for cravings of choc. I guess it's like you say, my body needs nourishment after going without.

 

Barb, you are making me even more hungry now, that sounds yummy - glad it calms down lol

 

Thanks both

 

Debbie x

[Altostrata]

I limit myself to one small square of extra dark chocolate per day.

 

Good to hear you're feeling better, Debbie.

[xDebbiejo]

Thanks Alto,

 

I am feeling very well

Just need to prepare for seroxat taper as nearing the end of the benzo yay!!!

 

Still a bit sensitive to certain situations which can bring on anxiety. My mum is troubled at present, causing a lot of upset in the family, she has been on sertraline for 10 yrs and is an alcoholic, not always drinking but binges then has to detox, bit of a nightmare really.

 

My dad has a lot to put up with - he is one in a million!!!!!

 

Debbie x