withdrawal from Bromazepam

[straw]

I have been on Bromazepam 6mg twice a day for about 20 years and my specialist is trying to take me off them. He wants to get me off them by February, but I know I cannot do it as I have been tapering off since august 18 by 1/4 pill per day. I went down to 1 and 1.4 pills a day or down to 7.5 mg by October 14th, but I began to experience withdrawal symptoms. I have moved back up by 1/4 pill a day to 9.0 mg per day. I feel comfortable at this tiem, but I have to try to taper off more and I don't know if I can take the agony. My family physician doctor told me to take it as slow as I wanted to , even if it takes me until this time next year to do it. Will I get a tolerance from them if I go down at a slow rate? I have tried a taper of another 1/8 of a pill today and will continue with that until I feel comfortable enough to move further. Can someone advise me if that is too slow or not and what can they recommend for me to do? Please I just need help and some advise to get off these.

[denon]

Hi Straw - welcome to the group. Tapering is always something that depends on the individual's body, the drug they are taking, the dose and how long they have been taking it. It varies widely. You have the right idea to taper slowly. The rule of thumb is to only drop 10-20% at a time and allow your body sufficient time to adjust to the new dose before dropping again. This may mean that you will have to cut pills even smaller or crush them and estimate the dose. Since you have been on this medication for so long, your time between dropping down to a new dose may have to be longer. When you drop to a new dose, allow your body the time it needs to adjust to it. If you do experience withdrawals, see if you can work your way through them. If not, the go up a little and see if that helps and stay at that dose for a while before dropping again. At least you physician is allowing you the time to taper. Tapering can be a difficult task, but if you allow your body to adjust slowly it can be done. Good Luck!!

[noonereal]

Not to scare you but this might be very difficult so be prepared. You will need all the info you can get. If I can help direct you I will be glad to, just ask.

I took over a year to tapper off benzo's and it's no fun.
Best of luck.

[reachout]

Hello Straw

I had to look up Bromazepam as I was not familiar with it. When I read that it is a benzo, my first thought was "Take it slow, Straw!" My doctor also told me to take as long as I needed to come off of it. It is a difficult task for sure. I kept the cuts at 10% and let my body guide me when to make a cut. As I tapered from it, I spent a lot of time reseqarching breathing techniques to help me through the bouts of anxiety that come with tapering from a benzo. I also would 'talk myself through" the symptoms of withdrawal, reminding myself that each would pass.

I took months to taper... in hindsight, I should have taken a year at least. The measure should be progress, not time, in coming off. As the end of the taper nears, make the cuts minute ones. The end is the more difficult time. Let the body and brain have the time to adjust to those very small cuts.

wishing you well
reach

[straw]

Thanks guys, I have been having a very difficult time, because the specialist wants me to be off them by February. I have been on them for 20 years at 12 mg a day and there is no way I can cut that fast and lead a half decent life. I asked my regular doctor and he suggested tapering about 1/8 pill and when I get feeling okay with that then I should go another 1/8. Do you guys feel this is the right amount to taper? Thanks for your advice and I know I cannot do it without information and help from friends who have been through it. I read all the info I can get on tis and I appreciate all the help that others have given me. I am feeling comfortable at this rate and will try to taper again in about 10 or 12 days. I think that should be alright. There was one suggestion made that if I taper off too slowly I will build up a tolerance to the medication. How is that? Can someone explain that to me? I know what tolerance is but if I go any quicker than I am going I will be a total basket case. Someone please help with advise on this for me as I am doing this and I am determined to get off them.