4th March 2006
Biya, you CAN do it! Many others have, and so can you! Detoxing off of benzodiazepines requires a longer process, but it is a safer process for the type of drug it is.
When you say that you are scared. I am assuming that means you have FEARS of WDs; everyone does; it is normal. You would be very abnormal if you didn't!! You have done your homework on it with THE ASHTON MANUAL so you are well informed. You will be under a doctor's care; however, absolutely insist on slow taper. If what she suggests is inconsistent with what you have read in ASHTON MANUAL and if you are comfortable then be adamant about feelings and your desire to follow a slow taper. If she is a good doctor she will support what YOU need.
When I detoxed off Xanax, I was terrified. Xanax is a short half life benzodiazepine @ 6-20 hours. Klonopin is a longer half @ 18-50 hours. The longer half life lessens risks and harshness of WDs. And, doing a slow taper from a longer half life drug won't be as bad.
Coming off of benzodiazepines, or any addictive drug where one has built tolerance, usually raises blood pressure. You can better manage your risks during taper detox by monitoring and managing your blood pressure. You might consider a home blood monitor kit or most pharmacy have a customer use machine though be aware there are disparities with them so if it seems substantially off at one, check it at another. If it seems higher than normal, or as a prevenative, you might want to add the supplement Taurine and eat Bananas (potassium); both help lower blood pressure so lessens risks. Taking a good B-Complex 100mg will help with anxiety. If blood pressure goes up quite a bit, contact your doctor and ask to be put on either Clonidine or a Diuretic (water pill) both are fast acting to bring blood pressure down. Also, do not take any anti-histamines (Benadryl, TylenolPM) as clinical studies show that anti-histamines during benzodiazepine detox increases risks.
You have been through detox before and basically know what to expect as far as symptoms go. Now, you just to need to effectively manage your risks, and you know what those are. You are smart and YOU WILL GET~R~DONE!!!!
When you say that you are scared. I am assuming that means you have FEARS of WDs; everyone does; it is normal. You would be very abnormal if you didn't!! You have done your homework on it with THE ASHTON MANUAL so you are well informed. You will be under a doctor's care; however, absolutely insist on slow taper. If what she suggests is inconsistent with what you have read in ASHTON MANUAL and if you are comfortable then be adamant about feelings and your desire to follow a slow taper. If she is a good doctor she will support what YOU need.
When I detoxed off Xanax, I was terrified. Xanax is a short half life benzodiazepine @ 6-20 hours. Klonopin is a longer half @ 18-50 hours. The longer half life lessens risks and harshness of WDs. And, doing a slow taper from a longer half life drug won't be as bad.
Coming off of benzodiazepines, or any addictive drug where one has built tolerance, usually raises blood pressure. You can better manage your risks during taper detox by monitoring and managing your blood pressure. You might consider a home blood monitor kit or most pharmacy have a customer use machine though be aware there are disparities with them so if it seems substantially off at one, check it at another. If it seems higher than normal, or as a prevenative, you might want to add the supplement Taurine and eat Bananas (potassium); both help lower blood pressure so lessens risks. Taking a good B-Complex 100mg will help with anxiety. If blood pressure goes up quite a bit, contact your doctor and ask to be put on either Clonidine or a Diuretic (water pill) both are fast acting to bring blood pressure down. Also, do not take any anti-histamines (Benadryl, TylenolPM) as clinical studies show that anti-histamines during benzodiazepine detox increases risks.
You have been through detox before and basically know what to expect as far as symptoms go. Now, you just to need to effectively manage your risks, and you know what those are. You are smart and YOU WILL GET~R~DONE!!!!