Made myself a taper plan...

As said in my introduction topic, I'm currently on 3x 0.5mg Xanax Retard a day

Using the Ashton Manual I came up with this taper plan, I'll be discussing this with my Dr next wednesday and hope he will support me on this one...

Any advice / remarks are very welcome...

                morning                afternoon            evening

Starting alprazolam 0.5mg alprazolam 0.5mg alprazolam 0.5mg

Stage 1 alprazolam 0.5mg alprazolam 0.5mg alprazolam 0.5mg

(1 week) diazepam 5mg

Stage 2 alprazolam 0.5mg alprazolam 0.5mg Stop alprazolam

(1 week) diazepam 10mg

Stage 3 alprazolam 0.25mg alprazolam 0.5mg diazepam 10mg

(1 week) diazepam 5mg

Stage 4 alprazolam 0.25mg alprazolam 0.25mg diazepam 10mg

(1 week) diazepam 5mg diazepam 5mg

Stage 5 Stop alprazolam alprazolam 0.25mg diazepam 10mg

(1 week) diazepam 10mg diazepam 5mg

Stage 6 diazepam 10mg Stop alprazolam diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks) diazepam 8mg

Stage 7 diazepam 10mg diazepam 6mg diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 8 diazepam 10mg diazepam 4mg diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 9 diazepam 10mg diazepam 2mg diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 10 diazepam 10mg Stop diazepam diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 11 diazepam 8mg -- diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 12 diazepam 6mg -- diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 13 diazepam 4mg -- diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 14 diazepam 2mg -- diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 15 Stop diazepam -- diazepam 10mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 16 -- -- diazepam 9mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 17 -- -- diazepam 8mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 18 -- -- diazepam 7mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 19 -- -- diazepam 6mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 20 -- -- diazepam 5mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 21 -- -- diazepam 4mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 22 -- -- diazepam 3mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 23 -- -- diazepam 2mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 24 -- -- diazepam 1mg

(1-2 weeks)

Stage 36 -- -- Stop diazepam

I didn't check all the specifics but I think you have the right idea about how to cross over to valium. I did notice that at the beginning you are adding 5mg valium with reducing any xanax; maybe that is a typo?

Stage 1  alprazolam 0.5mg  alprazolam 0.5mg  alprazolam 0.5mg

(1 week)        diazepam 5mg

Hope your doctor gets behind your plan and supports you with the needed prescriptions.  Good job and good luck at your doctor's visit.

I didn't check all the specifics but I think you have the right idea about how to cross over to Valium. I did notice that at the beginning you are adding 5mg Valium with reducing any xanax; maybe that is a typo?

 

Hope your doctor gets behind your plan and supports you with the needed prescriptions.  Good job and good luck at your doctor's visit.

Made a typo indeed... should be 0.25mg Xanax / 5mg Diazepam

I also hope my doctor gets behind my plan, he's been very understanding until now so normally this won't be a problem. Wish me good luck anyway

I really can't wait to be benzo-free... I never thought a prescription drug can cause so much suffering! although I feel pretty much stable most of the time on my current dosage, some withdrawal symptoms kick in pretty hard from time to time! But reading the BB forum really gives me good hope for a positive ending for all this...

Hi there,

I agree with the Ashton Method and wanted to do it.  I just didn't make it exactly the same once I started.  I found I needed less during the day and more at night.  Dr. Ashton does say to tailor it to the problems you have.  If you have anxiety in the morning, that wouldn't be one you want to cut as quickly as the evening.  The Ashton Schedule is just a way to show you how to taper and c/o but it is not as strict.  I agree to go in to your doctor with that schedule but let him know that this is NOT an exact science for every person.  You might get off the benzos quicker or slower.  It is a suggestion based on a study.  Make sure he is open to giving you extra scripts if needed. 

I think you did the research and if you go in there with all of that printed out and all the confidence you will get your wish.  Good luck and keep everyone here posted. 

Good luck

Oleander