Hello Windysan..Question??????

Baseball65 · 11-10-2004, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by windysan

Have your doc switch you to valium then taper off slowly. Download the Ashton Manual, print it, and give it to your doctor. Search Google:

Ashton Manual+benzo

Hello windysan!!
Are you saying that ativan,klonopin,xanax are worse than valium?
I swiped this off of another post so you'd see the Question.

Now that I'm trying to taper down/off of pills/Hydro for good,I've been writing down,every single pill I take in a little journal.I show it to my Md every Friday so we can discuss it and make adjustments.This has been a good tool,and it has actually helped me close to eliminate sleeping meds(only took 3 scattered over the last two weeks..never the same ones,never on consecutive nights)

I noticed that as soon as I stopped hydro,my xanax intake dropped to about 1.25 mgs a day,but it never varies...if I try to skip a pill,Blam...anxiety attack..and THEY stink!! I have the exact same condition as Goddessgrl..Agorophobia.I FREAK out in confined public places,large groups.Going to Costco is a big ordeal.

I got it in the .5'mgs just to keep better track...It way too easy to take too much in the larger dose increments.

Are you implying/saying that Valium is easier to kick than xanax??????

My Md is pretty cool,and would probably swap scrips,but I'm just afraid of it A. not stopping the attacks and B. making me drowsy at the dose that stops the attack...xanax doesn't make me sleepy at .5 mgs..valium does at 10mg.

opinion...suggestion???

Thanks
Baseball

Baseball65 · 11-10-2004, 12:04 PM

You answer your own posts.

Hi Windysan
I looked up that ashton Manual,and they seem to want money for it at most sites,but I got on a UK website where you can read it for free.

I WAS really mad AGAIN at my detox I went through,when reading Dr. Ashtons opinion of in-patient detox's approach to Benzo tapering/WD.I would fall under her description of the person who got addicted by prescrition.I never in my life have taken a benzo to "get high"...they were all prescribed,and only more than directed for a short time b4 detox.

They took me from 4mgs a day of xanax plus 60mgs restoril..to ZERO....
They could have killed me!!

ahhhhh..Anyways

So if I'm at 1.25mg a day of xanax,I should start my taper at 25mgs of valium/day???????

That seems like an awful lot of valium,and valium makes me reeeeeeeeally sleepy.
I'll do it.if it works.My doc is pretty progressive and internet saavy(he's actually checked out this forum!)...I know he'll give me the valium if I show him what I'm trying to do ,online.

QUESTION: did you do her deal? what were you on/how much/and how fast did you taper???
Her theories all make sense...1.25mg must be my true addicted amount,according to her theory.

Anyways...all info of your experience would be appreciated.I'd like to be completely drug free by the start of next Baseball season(5 months)

Thanxxxxxx
Baseball

windysan · 11-10-2004, 06:03 PM

Sorry about the late reply.....working in the driving rain all day. The site for the Ashton Manual can be found for printing on the **********/uk site. There is a forum in there but there are a lot of goofy hens in there squawking about being afraid of water and such(not even worth the visit). I've met several people who have done it both ways. Myself, I tried a taper for about a year and I'm just too much of a hog......I'd get dopesick then eat a pile. I did a medical detox and it went pretty smooth. I've worked with several folks who, with self-control, had good luck with a valium taper. Yes, valium will make you sleepy for the first coupla weeks of the taper then the sleepiness wears off. According to Ashton and everyone I've met that did the taper....it is the way to go. There is an equivalency chart on the Ashton Manual(don't pay for it...many free sites out there....**********/uk being one) which shows the equivalency of valium as compared to the other benzos. You need to double check but I'm pretty sure 1mg Xanax=10mgs Valium. There is a guy, Howard, who comes on here occasionally who can tell you more about his taper. He did cold turkey and a taper and there are drawbacks to both methods. I'll contact him and tell him to try and respond to you on here. There are some good folks on the **********/uk forum but most of them are really down on true addicts (most of them are the accidental variety and have chips on their shoulders b/c of it). Have your doc read the Ashton protocol....it is the only scientific benzo study that I know of. Good luck, bro.

windysan · 11-10-2004, 06:05 PM

that site is benzo *** org *** uk

Baseball65 · 11-10-2004, 07:20 PM

Thank you,
I'll have him read it(My doc)
He's such a "modern" guy.he has his Psych office with a couch,a recliner,and a flat screen Imac(lol)....never rushes an appointment,and when you bring up somrthing he doesn't know about ,he immediately hits the web to look it up.
He doesn't presume to know everything....I just wish he wassn't 200 miles away(It's a pretty drive,but my cars feelin' it!)
Really appreciate the info.
I hope Howard chimes in.

Thanks again,
Baseball