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Trying to decide about tapering with only Clonazepam versus using Valium


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Clonazepam is one of the longer acting benzo's so most members will taper directly from it, those who cross over to Valium typically take one of the shorter acting like Ativan or Xanax.  Since making the cross to another benzo can be challenging, I feel it's best to see how you handle a direct taper first.  Some members experience depression and sedation with Valium that usually leaves when they acclimate to it however, some people end up going back to their original benzo.

 

As for dependency, all benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action as well as a similar chemical structure but this doesn't mean they have the same properties.  Differences include effect profile, potency, bioavailability, onset of action, duration of action, half-life, how they are metabolized and solubility in different solvents.  However, all benzodiazepines can cause tolerance and dependency.

 

Valium is considered to be the smoothest drug to taper from because it stays in your body longer allowing you to avoid inter-dose symptoms but there really isn't an easier softer way to rid ourselves of this drug, pretty much all of our options present challenges.

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Clonazepam is one of the longer acting benzo's so most members will taper directly from it, those who cross over to Valium typically take one of the shorter acting like Ativan or Xanax.  Since making the cross to another benzo can be challenging, I feel it's best to see how you handle a direct taper first.  Some members experience depression and sedation with Valium that usually leaves when they acclimate to it however, some people end up going back to their original benzo.

 

As for dependency, all benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action as well as a similar chemical structure but this doesn't mean they have the same properties.  Differences include effect profile, potency, bioavailability, onset of action, duration of action, half-life, how they are metabolized and solubility in different solvents.  However, all benzodiazepines can cause tolerance and dependency.

 

Valium is considered to be the smoothest drug to taper from because it stays in your body longer allowing you to avoid inter-dose symptoms but there really isn't an easier softer way to rid ourselves of this drug, pretty much all of our options present challenges.

 

I do believe I have inerdose wd, would I be better to switch to Valium and if it doesn't go well can you go back to other benzo? I get very little relief and even though I'm dosing 4 times a day I still get very anxious between doses.

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Clonazepam is one of the longer acting benzo's so most members will taper directly from it, those who cross over to Valium typically take one of the shorter acting like Ativan or Xanax.  Since making the cross to another benzo can be challenging, I feel it's best to see how you handle a direct taper first.  Some members experience depression and sedation with Valium that usually leaves when they acclimate to it however, some people end up going back to their original benzo.

 

As for dependency, all benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action as well as a similar chemical structure but this doesn't mean they have the same properties.  Differences include effect profile, potency, bioavailability, onset of action, duration of action, half-life, how they are metabolized and solubility in different solvents.  However, all benzodiazepines can cause tolerance and dependency.

 

Valium is considered to be the smoothest drug to taper from because it stays in your body longer allowing you to avoid inter-dose symptoms but there really isn't an easier softer way to rid ourselves of this drug, pretty much all of our options present challenges.

 

I do believe I have inerdose wd, would I be better to switch to Valium and if it doesn't go well can you go back to other benzo? I get very little relief and even though I'm dosing 4 times a day I still get very anxious between doses.

 

Do you have a doctor willing to prescribe it?

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Clonazepam is one of the longer acting benzo's so most members will taper directly from it, those who cross over to Valium typically take one of the shorter acting like Ativan or Xanax.  Since making the cross to another benzo can be challenging, I feel it's best to see how you handle a direct taper first.  Some members experience depression and sedation with Valium that usually leaves when they acclimate to it however, some people end up going back to their original benzo.

 

As for dependency, all benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action as well as a similar chemical structure but this doesn't mean they have the same properties.  Differences include effect profile, potency, bioavailability, onset of action, duration of action, half-life, how they are metabolized and solubility in different solvents.  However, all benzodiazepines can cause tolerance and dependency.

 

Valium is considered to be the smoothest drug to taper from because it stays in your body longer allowing you to avoid inter-dose symptoms but there really isn't an easier softer way to rid ourselves of this drug, pretty much all of our options present challenges.

 

I do believe I have inerdose wd, would I be better to switch to Valium and if it doesn't go well can you go back to other benzo? I get very little relief and even though I'm dosing 4 times a day I still get very anxious between doses.

 

Do you have a doctor willing to prescribe it?

I have some from when old doc tried direct switch

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Clonazepam is one of the longer acting benzo's so most members will taper directly from it, those who cross over to Valium typically take one of the shorter acting like Ativan or Xanax.  Since making the cross to another benzo can be challenging, I feel it's best to see how you handle a direct taper first.  Some members experience depression and sedation with Valium that usually leaves when they acclimate to it however, some people end up going back to their original benzo.

 

As for dependency, all benzodiazepines share a similar mechanism of action as well as a similar chemical structure but this doesn't mean they have the same properties.  Differences include effect profile, potency, bioavailability, onset of action, duration of action, half-life, how they are metabolized and solubility in different solvents.  However, all benzodiazepines can cause tolerance and dependency.

 

Valium is considered to be the smoothest drug to taper from because it stays in your body longer allowing you to avoid inter-dose symptoms but there really isn't an easier softer way to rid ourselves of this drug, pretty much all of our options present challenges.

 

I do believe I have inerdose wd, would I be better to switch to Valium and if it doesn't go well can you go back to other benzo? I get very little relief and even though I'm dosing 4 times a day I still get very anxious between doses.

 

Do you have a doctor willing to prescribe it?

I have some from when old doc tried direct switch

 

If you'd like to start a thread of your own here we can talk about it.  http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?board=61.0

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I have a dr. who says who specializes in benzo addiction and withdrawal, calling tomorrow for a consultation.  She recommends a Valium taper.  I really don't know what to do.

 

How did you find a benzo specialist? Are you in the states?

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