Some people in benzo withdrawal swear that holding at a dose for a few days, or even a few weeks helps then “stabilize.” That doesn’t mean they are symptom free, but rather they can better cope with their symptoms. Others have a more direct approach and grit their teeth and never hold a dose.
When I started tapering, I screamed down the first .5 mgs of my 1mg clonazapam dose in four weeks. I don’t recommend doing that. I was terribly symptomatic and quite miserable. I held at .5 for over a month. Most of my intense symptoms lessened.
Now, as I work my way down into the smaller numbers, I am once again coping with intense symptoms. I finally cried “Uncle!” I am holding my dose. I have no intention of cutting again until I am more functional.
Part of me wants to keep tapering and just grit my teeth and be done with the process.
But the truth is, the process isn’t done with me. My brain needs time to heal. I can give it time by holding.
Every one has an opinion about how to step down from benzos. I respect everyone’s path. I also respect my body and I know I have pushed it to the point where I need to back off and give it a break. I need to hold my dose and wait until I have more energy. Then I can start the slow, steady, downhill march.
Long holds can help if you understand that they won’t bring you relief from all of your symptoms, but rather they will allow your brain to catch up with your cuts. That can help reduce symptoms.
The “no pain no gain” approach may work at the gym, but in benzo withdrawal, there is enough pain without adding to it by ignoring your symptoms and pushing through when a hold in your dose could help you feel a bit better.
I am reminded over and over again, “this is not a race.” This is my life, and I intend to live with less suffering and more peace. With that in mind, I am holding at this dose until I feel better.
To your victory over benzo withdrawal!
Dr. Jenn
I held for 3 months then tried to crossover from Ativan to Valium (Failed) then held again for 6 months now I am tapering again all my symptoms went away. There is no right way or wrong way it’s whatever works for the individual.
What were your symptoms when you held? How is the taper going now? Glad to hear the hold worked for you!
I had many symptoms – muscle twitches and light spasms- shortness of breath(landed in ER) Intrusive thoughts- rapid heart beat(ER) Feeling like I was on uppers-then when I tried to cross over to Valium I got the depression from Hell and burning skin so I went back onto the Ativan and those symptoms went away. The only thing I have now is the strange breathing sensation. .40mg Ativan and holding for the rest of the month.
I got out today with only the use of a cane! I am slowly getting my strength back doing this hold. My “biting ants” are mostly gone. The boat sensation is leaving, and I am more solid in my skin. I am still a ways from “normal” but today felt as if I was moving in that direction. Everyone needs to decide what route to take, but I am going to slow down, hold and allow my brain to catch up!
Hope everyone is doing well today. We are all one day closer to healing!
How long is it wise
to hold sfter you hit tolerance? And what is wise to do if your benzo gives you severe depression? Taper faster and quit?
It’s hard to say what the best hold time is. Everyone is different. What works best for others may not be best for you. Listen to your body. That’s the best indicator of what you can tolerate. Severe depression is a very real challenge in benzo withdrawal. Dr Ashton seems to give a nod to antidepressants, however, many of us in withdrawal can’t tolerate them. They make us worse. Plus, there are a great many of us who are anti psych meds as we know they all remodel the brain. Why take another pill that could potentially harm our brain again? I’m not sure that coming off of the benzo faster is a good idea as that could open you up to other withdrawal symptoms. But having said that, I know of people who increased their taper speed because the depression was so crushing. They did get more symptoms, but they got free. Sorry that there isn’t a black and white answer for you. Everyone is different and therefore there isn’t a one size fits all solution to benzo withdrawal.