Hi there Doc, I wrote a couple of weeks ago...see my shrink is killing me...I have been weaning off of
Zoloft,Klonipin and
Buspar for over a month now. You suggested I start with the Klonipin and I have had a pretty easy time of it. I went from 2mg a day to current .25 mg at night now. On the
Zoloft, I have weaned from 200mg to 50mg a day. I am just taking
Buspar 1.x a day 15mg. Since I have a pretty easy time of coming off of the Klonipin, I thought the
Zoloft would be a snap....Not true...I decided to go without the
Zoloft this weekend and I tell you I have not had such bad stomach cramps and diarhea
(diarrhea) in my life...Do you think these symptoms are related to stopping the Zoloft? What is the best tapering schedule for Zoloft at this dosage (50mg a day [presently])? What symptoms can I expect as I come off of Zoloft? Hopefully, you can help me minimize the effects. I have not had any mood changes or severe anxiety thus far, but I have had the stomach cramps, low grade fever and muscle aches especially around the neck/shoulder area. Also, I have been craving sweets like mad...Thanks for your help. goldie
I am tapering off of Klonopin and making adjustments to my lamictal as I make another cut. I have researched the benzos because I suspected that after 12 year prescription history that it was making me cognitively worse and adding to or triggering depression. I went to www.benzo.org.uk and found what's called the Ashton Manual. I suggest you hit that link and start reading. It is amazing what kind of problems benzos can cause. It seems like you were taking a fairly high dose of klonopin. My assumption is that this may have been causing you major problems before. According to the hundreds of pages I've read, and additional research through google searches, it seems that benzos are one of the hardest drugs to stop taking. Professor Ashton claims, in her 30 plus years of clinical experience, that it is more difficult than heroin and it takes much, much longer in order to cut out of it completely. I suggest you focus on the Klonopin. My opinion is that you have cut it back much too fast and that you're doing yourself harm.
According to Dr. Ashton, and others in her field, benzos should be withdrawn ans slowly as possible and in very small cuts at each interval. I have done this myself, as in the past I cold turkeyed then went back on then cut a little at a time, though in much too high doses, only to have to go back to my previous clinical dose. It has been known since the early 60's that dependence to clinical doses with benzos existed and that it was very difficult to help people wean off of them. This is a very potent drug and it is extremely dangerous to cut the way you have. I would concentrate on the klonopin first, making small cuts of the others once you've successfully tapered off.
Please check the benzo website and read the Ashton Manual. I'm afraid in your well meaning attempt to reduce dependence on prescriptions that you might be doing yourself harm.
By the way, the APA published a sort of guide as far back as 1990 telling psychiatrists about the dangers of too quick a withdrawal schedule, too large per cut, and of potential for all sorts of potentially fatal consequences. They were also aware of long term dependence, also called tolerance, and the need to continue to go up on doses. The longer you're on, the less effective your old dose is, and so you need ever higher doses in order to get rid of the symptoms you originally needed the meds for. Benzos are dangerous to get off too quickly. Please see the Ashton Manual.
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Thanks for your input. You are the first person I have been in contact with that has been on Klonipin for so long. My shrink thought it was "ok" to be on the benzo indefinitely (that was her response when I expressed concern). I finally decided that it was ok for her and not me!!! I felt like you did...that it was impairing my cognitive abilities (especially memory) and making me more depressed. goldie
There is a huge body of clinical, medical and psychopharmaceutical evidence going back to the 1960's concerning benzo dependence and misprescribing. In 1998, in an effort to protect themselves legally, benzo manufacturers began adding a warning on their hand out labels that specifically states no one should take any benzos for a period longer than 4 weeks, unless so directed by their physicians. The problem has been, that there are no clear cut medical guidelines concerning long term benzo use and dependence/tolerance issues. Additionally, these are specifics generally not taught in American medicine. This leaves physicians under the impression that benzos are fairly safe, especially when used in low end therapeutic doses. When patients inquire as to safely withdrawing, they are most often tapered much too quickly, and at unsafely large cuts, leaving patients to develop rebound symptoms often misdiagnosed as a return of the orignial condition for which the benzos were prescribed in the first place. As British and European studies have shown, this is an erroneous and dangerous belief.
Currently, there are several potential class action lawsuits being prepared. Interestingly enough, there is one American medical addiction textbook published in the early 1990's that will be used as a conerstone piece of evidence in potential litigation. In it, there is clear instruction as to what to look for in long term, low dose dependence and ensuing protracted withdrawal problems. There are key characteristic symptoms that are specific to rebound and withdrawal, clearly distinguishing them from the symptoms of underlying anxiety, depression and panic symptoms for which benzos are generally prescribed. In 1990, the APA published the report from which this particular material was published.
Unfortunately for the hundreds of thousands of Americans dependent on benzos, their families, and ultimately their doctors, the pharmaceutical companies have created their own tobacco-esque problems which will lead to protracted court battles. The ruination of ignorant, yet otherwise fine and compassionate doctors' careers, and the unsatisfying validation of the suffering of so many innocent, accidental addicts, will haunt this country for years to come.
If anyone wants more information or would like resources from which to decide for themselves on how to deal with this problem, feel free to email me.
Thank You,
Martial
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