Looking to switch from Clonazepam to Diazepam

[[Buddie]]

Hi folks, I am currently on .25mg Clonazepam noon and .5 mg Clonazepam and night

I'm looking to switch to Diazepam. Does this look good?

Stage 1 (1 week): 5mg Diazepam, .5mg Clonazepam with 5mg Diazepam
Stage 2 (1 week): 5mg Diazepam, .25mg Clonazepam with 5mg Diazepam
Stage 3 (1 week): 10mg Diazepam noon, 10mg Diazepam night

[[Buddie]]

I would do two weeks with each step.

[[Buddie]]

I think I would do two also like [...] said. Keep us updated [...].

[[Buddie]]

AntiBenzo,

Are you off benzos now?

[[Buddie]]

Not quite [...].....still on approx. 1.5 mgs V. I jumped at 2.5 the last time and that ended in disaster. I am going to start shaving and filing pills soon but I know when I finally stop again, my history tells me the hell will start about day (7-10). When I jumped the last time, the worst sxs were severe unrelenting anxiety, insomnia, heart palps, and elevated heart rate. I am an ex marathoner so my resting HR is always between 50-60 BPM. After my last attempt at stopping, the rate jumped to 70-90 and pretty much stayed there until I reinstated. The panic attacks were not bad and very infrequent, but the constant anxiety was off the charts.

[[Buddie]]

Were you still functional during most your taper?

I have a family I need to support.

[[Buddie]]

I lost my job of 25 years [...] and had to go on disability  , so I suppose I was not functional. I did make 6 RTW (return to work) attempts, but they all ended in failure. I am single and have no kids however.

[[Buddie]]

Hi folks, just an update. So my dr put me on the schedule below for this week
.25 Cloazepam morning + .25 Clonazepam evening + 5mg Diazepam bedtime

I'm also taking 10mg escitalopram morning and 10mg propanolol

The goal is to switch over to Diazepam and then taper 1mg per week.

I was wondering if I should start tapering my escitalopram as well? Been only taking it for a month.

I also take Trazodone occasionally (25mg) - so its a low dose

[[Buddie]]

Your schedule looks good.

[[Buddie]]

Hi folks, just an update. So my dr put me on the schedule below for this week
.25 Cloazepam morning + .25 Clonazepam evening + 5mg Diazepam bedtime

I'm also taking 10mg escitalopram morning and 10mg propanolol

The goal is to switch over to Diazepam and then taper 1mg per week.

I was wondering if I should start tapering my escitalopram as well? Been only taking it for a month.

I also take Trazodone occasionally (25mg) - so its a low dose

Thats a tough question about tapering the Escitalopram, ordinarily I'd say don't taper more than one medication at a time but since you've only been on it for a month, I'm wondering if its reached full efficacy and you could get away with tapering off of it while beginning your crossover?  Why are you considering going off of it?