Need support and to hear from you

[Rain4Lafleur]

I am weaning myself from  over 15 years on clonazepam.  Initially was for panic attacks.  Now out of the awful situation that was exacerbating them.  I have weaned from 6 mg. (too much) to 1 mg. in a period of 2 years. I maintained actually on 2 mg. until recently and began weaning with goal to off completely.  I am tapering 0.25 mg every 14-21 days.  
Last week was awful-just a sick feeling,diarrhea,nausea, headache, sensitivity to noise, light, tactile.  I am currently on 1 mg.  
Any comments/suggestions will be welcome.  I want to continue wean, but getting to 0.75 mg is tough (I didn't expect it to be easy).  Sometimes sleep is zero to a few hours.  Using Trazodone to sleep, but is pretty much ineffective.
I am taking Viibryd for depression.  Believe it or not, I am ok.  It is the physical reaction that is so difficult.
Only my doc and husband know about this.  I cannot ask for support from family members because of history of them asking too many questions and passing judgment.  My husband is lovingly supportive, thank God.
Thanks for any help you folks can give me.

[minn66]

Rain, I am a tea drinker as well. A tea that is soothing to me in Sleepytime. I usually get the Celestial Seasons variety box, but have been known to try some of the more expensive Oriental teas if I have the money. There is nothing like a hot cup of tea with lemon and honey. Tea also helped me through my hydrocodone withdrawal.

[Gasten]

First of all, congratulations on the AMAZING progress you have made so far!  You deserve great big hugs for this alone--as LostNoMore has stated, tapering from benzos is no easy feat.  If you have made if this far, I guarantee, you will be benzo free.  Just stick with it!!!  You mentioned the Trazodone (an antidepressant, also prescribed for sleep issues) is not really working for your sleep.  Dr. Heather Ashton mentioned in her famous Manual regarding Benzo withdrawal that Elavil (a tricyclic antidepressant) or Sinequan, when taken in doses of 50 mg or less, is very effective for sleep while withdrawing from benzos.  You may want to mention this as an option to your doctor as an alternative to the Trazadone.  I am also going to send you a Personal Message.  Please look for it in your Inbox.
Best of luck to you!!!
Gasten

[Rain4Lafleur]

Thank you, minn66.  Support and prayers going your way.
My stomach is in knots; however, thanks to you and Lostnomore, I have further resolution not to reach for meds.  Maybe a cup of tea....I find a can find great pleasure in small things...
I think this forum has many brave people posting.  

[minn66]

Hi and welcome! I am going through a slow taper from Clorazepate. I have been taking it for going on 12 years and started taking them for panic attacks. You have shown incredible discipline with your taper. I definitely understand what you are going through and just wanted to offer some encouragement and support. You are definitely in the right place. I found this site back in November when I stopped taking hydrocodone cold turkey. The people here really care and relate.

Again, great job and welcome :)

[Rain4Lafleur]

Thank you for your kind words.  So many of us come from many walks of life.  Bottom line, we need to help each other whether on this forum or off the Net.
I know I wish I had never gone on this med.  I suffered with anxiety and panic for decades and never let anyone know.  My panic was I would just become quiet....only once or twice did I think I was going to die from it.  Had to pull off the road and self talk myself into "normal" (whatever that is!).
I am up for a few surgeries in the next couple of months.  I just want off of this drug.  The less I take the better it will be.
Thank you, again, for replying.  It is very meaningful to me-and makes me feel less alone.

[LostNoMore]

I think you're doing this very well. congrats on sticking with such a long and
difficult journey!!!!!!! I admire your courage and tenacity. Getting off benzos is extremely hard, as you well know. Just stay with it!!!!!!  You're almost there.
I have some benzo experience myself so I know how you feel right now.
I also know how much effort and pain has gone into this. Thank God is right!!!
GOOD FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!