Tapper down Plan for Clonazepam - Seeking advise

[[Buddie]]

Hello All,

First of all thank you for helping me out. Just 4 days ago I realized I became dependent to Clonazepam. It only took 25 mgs taken from January until November 1st. Since the last 4 months I took 7 mg. The last two weeks I used 6 times, 5 times I took 0.5 Mg and 1 time 1 mg. 3.5 mgs total.

It was prescribed to me by my family doctor for sleep issues. I took it only when I really needed it as I was concerned about it. Something I noticed is that my sleep started to deteriorate while I was not using it. I never thought that the Clonazepam was harming me that much.

Could you please help me with a plan? I was advised by [...] to tapper down from 0.5 mg or 0.75 mg. May be I should start from 0.5 mg and see how I feel before going higher?

I am open to all your suggestions. To handle a tapper down has its nuances and I am here to learn.

Thanks to all in advance.

[[Buddie]]

Since your average use in the past two weeks was 0.5 I'd say it's probably best to stabilize at 0.5mg. You'd want to stay on this dose for a couple of weeks before you start cutting so you're stabilized first.

But in the meantime you can plan how you want to proceed with your taper.

[[Buddie]]

Thanks for providing a bit of your history, it would be helpful if you incorporated it into your signature.  This way, other members can see at a glance what you've been dealing with and they'll be able to make informed suggestions.  Here are the instructions but if you have difficulty a team member can input it for you. Add your history/signature

What size are your pills, are they .5?  Do you have a guaranteed supply from your doctor, enough to do a slow taper?

[[Buddie]]

Hello [...],

Thank you from my heart for helping me on this.

I was poisoned with Levofloxacin in January, 3 pills put me on a wheel chair for several months with multiple side effects. I was able to recover, two days ago I run 1 mile. My first time I run that much; I am so grateful for that.  And now this, a massive new challenge.

I will add my story and signature soon.

I have Clonazepam of 2 mg pills and access to more of it if needed through local MD. I already purchased and have with me the Jewelry Scale that Brighterside recommended in a post.

[[Buddie]]

Would your doctor prescribe smaller pills? It will be much easier to taper the 0.5mg pills.

[[Buddie]]

[...],

Thanks for that tip. I already asked him pills of 0.5 mg.

[[Buddie]]

[...]…..can you explain how you dry cut to get such precise measurements?

[[Buddie]]

Hello [...],

I am using a razor blade, a nail file and a jewelry scale.

The doctor recommeded to use liquid tapper. I think is better to stay in dry cut as is more precise.

Thanks

[[Buddie]]

What is the dose you've decided to stabilize on? It will really help if you can complete your signature as [...] asked.

I only filed and shaved once before I changed methods because I struggled too much. Many people would weigh 10 tablets and get the average weight of 10 tablets. Then they would calculate the percentage reduction off the average weight. You have to keep filing and weighing and filing and weighing until you're at the the desired weight. It can take quite a bit of time to get there. As you get more familiar with shaving the tablets you'll get the hang of it and it will get easier. Let us know how things are going.

[[Buddie]]

Hello BB Administrators,

First of all thanks for all your help.

I have been reading and studying everything about benzo withdraw and trying to understand what´s the best to do in my case.

So far I have understood the following:

Tapering is essential, to avoid more damage and do my best to help in my recovery. I get that cold turkey or skip doses is harmful. I will not go that way.


As I was not taken Clonazepam daily, currently I am giving my body a few days to stabilize with a daily dose. From 0.5 Mg every second day I am trying 0.35 mg daily. I feel much better. Tinnitus has been reduced and I am sleeping better at night. I am waiting for another day to see If I must start from 0.4 mg daily or higher. I am planning to do daily micro tapering. Any tip about from what dose to start will be appreciated.


All this is new to me and honestly, I am still in shock; feeling hopeless and bitter for having been so naïve and blindly trust my health to a doctor. I have rarely been sick in my life so I was not aware about how cautious we must be with our “Health Industry “as you can be easily butchered by them. It has been hard to accept that I have been severely injured twice this year.

In January I was injured by 3 pills of Levofloxacin, that antibiotic almost killed me and left me in a wheelchair for months. I have put all my energy in my recovery which is being successful thanks to many victims of fluoroquinolone antibiotics that helped me. 

However, I am coming out from a deep hole that has been so hard to climb and I am realizing now that I fell in another one which is as deep or even deeper. Since January I have been living a horror movie that never ends thanks to whom suppose to “heal” us. My losses has been enormous; my health, social network from family and friends has almost collapsed, financial losses and I still can´t work.

I only realized that I was suffering from Benzo withdraw and that I have been injured by this kind of drugs two weeks ago when I joined BB.

I am noticing that the less stress I suffer, the better I sleep ( 4 or 5 hours) and the tinnitus is lower. Vagus Nerve exercises, ride my bicycle and acceptance are helping me. 

For what I have read It seems that I kindled myself. In April and May I used most of the Clonazepam I took this year. Due my ignorance I never tapered down.

All your feedback is welcome.