worried about rapid taper

[[Buddie]]

Hello Moojoo
Reaching out as I feel furious about your situation.
I work as a nurse in Australia. As someone already mentioned our oath as health professionals is to “Do
no harm”. I believe you have a right to report this doctor.
In Australia, we have both a health ombudsman &r health professional regulatory body that members of the public can make reports against health professionals. I’m not sure what’s available in Canada.
Tapering is like walking through hell. I’m having an ok day today however have been on occasions bed ridden, not eating, barely able to sleep etc. I’ve never felt more vulnerable.
I tried tapering too quickly & suffered the consequences. I’m currently holding on 6mg Valium. Will remain here until I feel stabilised. My doc has tried to push me to continue however I’ve had to set some firm boundaries around my recovery. Thinking of you. Take care

Hi Joanne

I’m also in Australia. As you can see by my signature, I held for 13 weeks at 6.5 v, and it was the best thing I could’ve done. Once I resumed tapering at 5% from a stabile base, everything became much easier, no walk in the park, but much easier. I hope you find the same kind of relief that I did.

[[Buddie]]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Yes, starting to feel some improvement. Hopefully will be able to return to work soon. Take care

[[Buddie]]

Ive woken from sleep with my heart racing several times in the last couple months.
It slows down somewhat afterwards, but im so tired i cant actually be bothered by it.  Is all this  normal withdrawal symptoms ?
Im still holding a 3mg a day, and thinking of starting my dry , cut & hold taper this weekend, as i should have my scale soon.  Should I wait a bit longer? Ive also been under a lot of stress from the doctor too, and ready to hand my taper plan of 5% monthly to my pharmacist so he can give it to the doctor.

[[Buddie]]

Normal symptoms but miserable we know, so nothing to be alarmed about.  It sounds like it might be time to begin, it could address the pressure you’re getting from your doctor but more importantly, to start the process that will mean your freedom from this drug. 

[[Buddie]]

Well, my scale delivery is now pushed back to Feb 9. Seems either courier issues or plain stupidity.  It was supposed to be delivered feb 3. Grrrrrrr.....
I have a couple questions in regards to my present tapering....

1) When would be a good time to start tapering off of O ? Currently I take 45mg at bedtime for sleep.  Ive had no issues with them , then again I wonder if they can interfere or possibly exacerbate with my X taper?

2) I'm due to go in on Wed for my shingles vaccine and seeing ive been going through some pretty stressful episodes, yet  starting to feel somewhat better after the [...] symptoms from X, could my immune system be weak after all this?

For Q1 , I was considering the same 5% dry taper as with the X , using scale, file etc. Or should i try tapering at all off O right now? I was going to wait.

For Q2, I have been under a lot of stress for a few months and with not eating or sleeping properly,  im thinking my immune system is low, at my age.

Also, I haven't heard back from the pharmacist since I emailed him my taper plan Friday feb 3. Im giving him time to go over it, along with all my research material,  well a summary of it all. My doctors nurse had called Friday feb 3 as well stating the Dr was fine with  me being under my pharmacists guidance with the tapering plan off X, so im hoping theres no more unexpected u- turns or detours coming again.

[[Buddie]]

It looks like things aren’t conducive right now to begin your taper, I’m not hearing much confidence so maybe it would be better to wait until you get your scales, get the vaccination behind you and you hear from your pharmacist.

As far as which drug to taper first, I don’t think it makes much difference, they’re both short acting and need to go. 

As for your Q2 comment, when you begin your taper, stress, sleeping and eating properly are all going to be challenging. This is the ultimate stress test but our bodies seem up to the challenge for the most part and our ability to recover from this horrific experience is a testament to our resilience.

[[Buddie]]

Never did get my scale. Courier lost it in Montreal, Quebec. And the tracking number is still showing it sitting there , since Jan 31.

Waiting for refund from Amazon. 

New development from RAAM. Nurse Clinician did her assessment and review of my taper off my X and told me I didn't need to go off them? She assessed the dose I'm currently on , would be considered harm reduction,  in a matter of speaking.  She felt my tapering process was unnecessary for my age and because I was able to reduce 2 mg a day off the X, she seen no real reason for me to continue. She sent an email to my doctor Friday past, and sent me a copy. I have another virtual appointment tomorrow,  if she's not busy. I emailed my pharmacist and he's puzzled by it. So am I.

I told him I was seeking help with tapering proper since the doctor continues to refuse to listen to me, but I was looking at harm reduction as well. I'm not overly concerned about it,  and I know the doctor will refuse to listen to this NC. anyway, so I'm wondering if anyone here ever went this route? Did or is anyone remain on a low maintenance dose? She called it a therapeutic dose.

Seeing I'm feeling fairly decent health wise,  I did reduce a wee bit more but not enough to upset my system again. 

I swear, all I wanted to do was ask if I could get some help from a doctor or RN who would prescribe and allow me to lead my own taper. Then I got that big surprise.  Not sure if it's fate or something else.

Any words of wisdom?

[[Buddie]]

A therapeutic dose would be great if you don’t become tolerant to it and begin to experience symptoms.  What are your thoughts, do you want to wait to see if this is a possibility?  We’ll support whatever you decide.

[[Buddie]]

A therapeutic dose would be great if you don’t become tolerant to it and begin to experience symptoms.  What are your thoughts, do you want to wait to see if this is a possibility?  We’ll support whatever you decide.

Yes, a therapeutic dose would be great and not having to suffer anymore withdrawals, even better and I want to go this route. I do agree with what she said BUT Im worried this doctor of mine wont go along with this idea. I could ask  the CN tomorrow if they have a doctor who would prescribe them , maybe? At the same time Im preparing myself to move on with the taper but I am following my own plan, if I end up back to that again.

This has been a huge roller coaster ride. My gosh :[

[[Buddie]]

Even though you’ve been treated horribly by this doctor, it looks like you have a lot of people in your corner.  I don’t have any advice, I’m sorry but I if you need to connect with [...], you could send her a PM.