inPatient Detox thoughts/feedback on approaches

My wife is preparing for her detox from 0.5mg of clonazepam that she was prescribed for monoclonal jerks in September 1 and she's now physically addicted to it. One concern we have is whether or not the jerks that were occurring before and the reason she has prescribed the clonazepam return. We are hoping that an alternative medication could control her jerking, we are considering:

 

- CBD: We have heard a lot of great feedback on CBD to control jerking (Like Charlotte's Webb)

- Neurontin: This is the alternative my wife's neurologist suggested if my wife's jerking returns after getting off the clonapin.

 

My wife is in a bad state and wants off of Clonazepam asap, so we are considering a detox/rehap center.  there are three we are seriously considering, each has a different tapering strategy:

- Location A: 30 minutes from our home. They're suggesting a micro taper of the 0.5mg.  Over a period of 10 days in patient period they'd ween her down to 0.25mg then she'd be seen outpatient to get her off of the rest. They said the 6-10 day period is where the worst reactions will be.

- Location B: ~70 minutes away. They suggested a substitution taper over a 7-14 day inpatient visit. They would substitute the 0.5mg of clonazepam with Ativan then ween her off of that.  they would hope to have her out in 14 days, but will reassess during her stay. Location B expressed concern about the symptoms that the clonazepam was prescribed for (the monoclonal jerks) and suggested a plan be made with the neorologist to provide the substitution during the weening period.

- Location C: ~90 minutes away. They suggested a substitution taper over 10 days to valium and ween her off of the valium.

 

There is a lot here so here are the questions I'd have....

 

1. Has anyone used detox centers and if so what is your feedback on using one? My main concern is my wife's comfort and getting her the help she needs. We can of course find an addiction psychiatrist in our area as well if that is a more preferable option.

 

2. Anyone who was placed on Klonopin to stop jerking that came out of nowhere.... Did you ween off your Klonopin as soon as you realized how bad it was for you and then find a substitute, or did you substitute immediately then work on getting rid of the Klonopin?

 

3. CBD.  I've read great threads here on using CBD to help ease the taper and the jerking.  I'm wondering if anyone has used it for pre-existing jerking and if it removed the jerking?  We are a family who has kept ourselves off of medications as much as we can and try natural routes.  Because of this CBD is more preferable to us versus another big pharma medication..... especially in light of what my wife's experience has been with this clonazepam which was just handed to us by a trusted medical professional without any real discussion around how bad and addicting they could be for you.

 

 

Hi TheSunAlsoRises

 

I've moved your thread to Withdrawal Support so you can get more replies.  Here's my take on your situation. This site has been operational for more than a decade. If detox facilities were really an option most of us would be doing it. But from my experience on here, it seems consensus is it just doesn't work, unless you're okay to suffer through severe, acute withdrawal after you leave the facility. They are geared towards addiction not physical dependence and getting off other substances are completely different than the mechanisms of benzo's. I cannot comment on the alternative medications but I can comment on the methods/substitutions they are suggesting.

 

Location A: I'm not sure where the micro tapering is happening? Cutting your dose by 50% in 10 days and then doing the rest at home, does not really require paying a facility, you can do that yourself. You'll be suffering really badly when you leave detox. The long half life of Clonazepam will probably only kick in around day 15-17 so the bulk of withdrawal will happen at home. This is what happened to me both times when I had a 75% and 50% cut. I only felt the cuts 3 weeks after I made it and became progressively worse. The first 10 days were peanuts compared to day 15. I was bedridden at week 3 and could not function - vomitting, diarrhea, insomnia - there was just no escape from it day or night.

 

Location B: They have no idea what they're talking about. Substituting Clonazepam for Ativan is ludicrous. Why would you substitute a long half-life for a short acting one?! She'll be suffering from interdose withdrawal alongside normal withdrawal symptoms. Once again, 14 days is too short to cross over and finish a taper.

 

Location C: You cannot cross over to Valium in 10 days. It will feel like a cold turkey. Valium has a very long half-life and takes quite a while to build up in your system. It needs to be done gradually and in stages. The Ashton Manual gives guidelines on how to do this.

 

In short, it doesn't sound like any of these places are benzo wise. I understand your wife wants off these pills as quickly as possible. We all want that. But since she's already physically dependent it might be best to just take it slowly instead of rushing it and suffering. Our goal here at BB is to help people do this sensibly while living some kind of 'normal' life - not suffering. It took me 2 years to get off 1mg and 1 year to get off 0.4mg (granted I had Long Covid to deal with as well), but I was functional. I was able to work, attend my children's activities, do what is expected of me at home. I wasn't feeling great, but I wasn't living in benzo hell. I much rather prefer having these opportunities and being present for my family than being bedridden. Because I WAS there, and I suffered for a while and I don't wish that on anyone. Not worth it.

This was a very thoughtful and informational response.  Based on what I have read on the forums, everything you say makes a lot of sense.  I was very confused when the one treatment facility mentioned Ativan, and I continue to read how harsh a cutover from Klonopin -> Valium could be. 

 

I also get the same sense about the rehab centers the more centers that I called.  I had to take the phone because my wife isn't in the right mental state due to this medication and I had to speak to them to get a proper understanding.

 

I really appreciate your thoughtful response.

You're welcome. Thank you for advocating for your wife and doing all this research. She is very lucky to you have you. Supportive spouses are a blessing to have, I have one as well.

 

I would never consider a detox facility and I would not want my husband to place me in one either.

Hi TheSunAlsoRises,

 

first of all, bless you for being there for your wife. It's sad to see someone being harmed by Benzos. I was mentally not okay when I started a half-baked taper by an addictiondoctor. It's the Benzos that can do this. I am better now, but I am shocked what Benzos can do.

 

About the jerking: I do not know why this was caused before Benzos. When your wife comes off Benzos, or stabilizes, you may want to consider seeing a specialist on that. I had the worst jerks and akathasia in my withdrawal; but 100% Benzo related.

 

I think you may be able to help your wife much better than many a doctor. You're here, so that is an amazing first step.

 

Perhaps you are overwhelmed by everything that is happening, which I can imagine. My partner and I didn't know for a long time why I was getting seizures, zero sleep and countless symptoms. Then I found the Ashton Manual, BenzoBuddies and more and I was extremely shocked. But after shock came sense to try to comprehend this affliction and make sure I got back my sanity, my brain, my life and my soul.

 

Your wife may be too sick, but perhaps you can gather information on Benzodiazepines and how to come off them safely. Also, you can advocate for your wife, making sure she is not cut off Benzos abruptly. Perhaps you can ask loved ones to support you in this process.

 

I will try to keep an open mind as possible in terms of supplements and if you feel something is working, I will never second-guess that, but I do want to mention the central nervous system is comprised and anything that works on that must be considered with great care.

 

Detox facilities have no clue on to help people harmed by Benzos, unfortunately. They can treat us like addicts, but more concercing, they taper too rapidly which is harmful.

 

Clearly anyone saying to crossover to Ativan (Lorazepam), is "Benzo Dumb". Actually my addictiondoctor tried to do that.

 

If you need a buddy: PM me., but I am sure that anyone here will want to stand beside you in this fight.

 

I wish you both strength,

Naf1983

 

This was a very thoughtful and informational response.  Based on what I have read on the forums, everything you say makes a lot of sense.  I was very confused when the one treatment facility mentioned Ativan, and I continue to read how harsh a cutover from Klonopin -> Valium could be. 

 

I also get the same sense about the rehab centers the more centers that I called.  I had to take the phone because my wife isn't in the right mental state due to this medication and I had to speak to them to get a proper understanding.

 

I really appreciate your thoughtful response.

Initial taper attempts at home are usually successful, particularly given her low dose and short time. I wouldn't waste the money. No need imo. She can do a liquid microtaper at home. She may be having other psych issues which can also be dealt with outpatient

Just want to echo everything everyone has said above. Going inpatient can really prove to be a disaster. Also it takes just couple weeks on this stuff to be physically dependent which is mind boggling. As you prob already know, .5mg is 10mg Valium which is not a low dose as much as detox places want to say it is (my fam and I talked with over 20 during initial part of my journey). In comparison to people who are actually addicts, they are seeing high high doses of benzos >4mg Klonopin so .5mg to them is a ‘small’ dose.

I’ve had the jolts during my taper but only when I’ve been going too fast. Neuro said this can happen as a rebound effect, but to slow down if needed. Hopefully there is something else to help the jerks/jolts for her.

 

What an amazing husband you are looking into everything and being there yhru this ordeal!! This can be so so tough, but having family members/friends that are informed on what’s happening as a result of the benzo definitely helps and your wife will be so grateful.

 

Some resources - benzo info coalition that can help give tapering info (as the tapering thread on this site). Can also find Drs if your wife’s doesn’t agree to how y’all want to taper going forward.

Jenniferswanphd on YouTube- she’s a therapist in Tx going yhru this tapering off of Xanax and has so many videos that are very informative and also helpful to those of us going yhru this without being triggering. She also tries to answer questions from the individual or family members in this. Jenniferswanphd@gmail.com she’s does so much research on all of this the last couple years and talked to pretty much anyone and everyone benzo wise so she has great input.

Benzo Babes on Facebook is a good group for females since some of the stuff we have to deal with are hormones getting out of whack, so you might tell your wife if she’s looking for more support yhru this.

Jennifer Leigh benzo coach that went yhru this has a support group (a paid group session or can do individual sessions with her)- benzowithdrawalhelp.com

 

I switched to a compounded pharmacist at .16mg bc I felt the cut and weigh on scale maybe wasn’t so accurate and it’s been helpful. Pharmacy Solutions in Dallas makes the solution based on prescription written from my Dr and mails it to me in Houston overnight with ice packs. You might call them and see who they would recommend in whatever state you’re in if you want to consider liquid compound titration.

 

Wishing y’all as smooth of a taper as possible! Take care of yourself thru yhis too and had everyone that knows your wife give her grace as all of this can be hard at times. Once y’all get on a taper plan that works for her though, things hopefully will be much smoother!