How to comfortably taper off Valium?

[B75]

I have been taking 50mgs of Valium daily for nearly the last 6-7 months. (5, 10mg tablets daily)  My doctor is having me taper off of them & had me go directly from 50mgs to 40mgs for one week, then to 30mgs for the next week.  I am having severe withdrawal symptoms & have not been able to get through to my doctor despite calling for several days now.  I did go down to the four per day, but that is where I have stopped because I still do not even feel close to being comfortable in my own skin.  Is this too fast of a taper or is it just me?

[mtgoat911]

well we cannot keep people in detox for 26 to 53 days,  long term tx usually last 3 to 6 weeks, only 1 to 2 weeks of that is in detox, 3 weeks in extreme cases, call a local detox and ask them how long it would take for them to medically detox you from benzos, this will give you an idea of what to expect from addiction specialist, you can also ask the doctor on medhelps addictions expert forum, hope it all goes well, i tried to detox myself off xanax one time, the anxiety was so bad i went into a detox facility they kept me around 7 days to detox me off xanax, alcohol and pain pills, i felt horrible!!!!!!  i needed to be in there longer but insurance did not cover extended detox  7 to 14 days is the norm, sorry i did not come back and check on this post, i have been so busy, too busy, its been a long time since i have taken any benzo but i do understand why i liked them, we do not talk about benzos that much here

[mtgoat911]

you know i was thinking, i got in trouble here at medhelp for posting taper plans, that we use in a detox facility
just wondering why some people can post tapers and some cannot??!!?

"Do not post asking for dosing information on any medication Please consult your prescribing physician  for that information. "

[avisg]

THAT  is from a doctor not made up by me or any other member and it was posted so people are aware of slowly you have to go with benzos

[GottaQuit]

Oh how I feel your pain!  I was addicted to Diazepam a few years back -- worked up up to an average of 60mg/day over course of 10 years.  I have other substance abuse issues as well, but Diazepam was the ONLY one I WAS ABLE to kick.  I went to a local facility on an OUTPATIENT basis that was affordable and confidential--took me nearly 10 months to COMFORTABLY and SAFETLY get off the stuff.  I was treated with respect and compassion by licensed professional who didn't make me feel even remotely bad about my addiction -- it was as if they respected me MORE for admitting I had problem and wanted to stop.

Here's my best advice:  Get on a COMFORTABLE step-down program and stick to it -- even if you think you can do it faster.  At first I tried to taper down by only taking it when I felt I need it or had a bit of w/drawl coming on -- I'm sure you know the feeling: lightheaded, dizzy, tingling sensations, bit of anxiety, heart palpitations, etc... But that DID NOT WORK-- I'd never have gotten off the stuff if I only listened to my body that was so conditioned and addicted to taking it "on demand".  STAY on SCHEDULE. You'll eventually condition your body to use less and less and eventually none at all.  You CAN DO IT!

GOOD LUCK and PLEASE let me know how you're doing!  I'm battling a DIFFERENT addiction now so am pretty much in the same boat -- only the addiction I have now is a bit more complicated than Diazepam -- otherwise I'd follow my own advice and knowledge!

[avisg]

yes that's is the biggest thing here its not something you can to safely in a week or two it has to be done very slowly benzo are far different then opiates.

[mtgoat911]

where do you think the taper plans i suggest come from? the only difference is i actually ask people if they have any medical problems and tell them to run any taper plan by their doc........i need to chill, its this type of double standard here at medhelp that i will never understand, its like one group has the say in everything and can break the rules they posted