I get emails asking me what vitamins or supplements are okay to take in benzo withdrawal. Here’s my own experience and some thoughts from other people in withdrawal that I’ve talked to. Remember, “your mileage may vary.” Always do what you feel is best for your body. Remember many, many, many, doctors (even holistic, functional or naturopaths) are not educated about benzo withdrawal, so please do your due diligence. Educate yourself.
I found out early in withdrawal that I have the MTHFR gene mutation. My doctor gave me a script for Deplin, an L-methylfolate “foodceutical.” I took it and had a huge increase in symptoms. I spoke to Dr. Ben, an MTHFR expert and he said that even people not in benzo withdrawal can have some strange reactions to the supplement. I ditched the Deplin.
A well-meaning doctor tested my vitamin levels. Sure enough, I was low in vitamin D. I took the dose my doctor recommended and by day three, I was crawling out of my skin. I talked to some of my good benzo buddies, and sure enough, they had the exact same reaction to vitamin D. I ditched the D in a hot hurry.
The same well-meaning doctor urged me to take vitamin B12 to help with the full body tingles I had everyday. I told her that it was well known in the benzo community that B12 often revs up benzo withdrawal symptoms. She shook her head at me. “No, B12 can’t do that,” she said. “It helps people calm down, not rev up.” She was so convincing, I took a vitamin B12 tablet the next morning. She was wrong. I was a mess by the afternoon. I ditched the vitamin B12.
I tried sublingual GABA supplements. They seemed to increase my tingles and didn’t give me any benefits.
I tried a few forms of magnesium: powered, pills and spray on oil. Every single one revved up my symptoms to the point I was very uncomfortable. (Bliss Johns shared with me that she was only able to take magnesium after she tapered onto it, very slowly.) I gave up on the idea of taking it.
I tried fish oil, green drinks, protein drinks, fizzy vitamin c drinks, oil of oregano, L Theanine, melatonin, coQ10 and a few other supplements. Nothing helped and most things made me feel worse. Some made me feel very worse. I had a hard time believing that a vitamin could increase my body anxiety, tingles, burning, etc. But they sure did!
So what vitamins and supplements should you avoid in benzo withdrawal? The ones that rev you up! You’ll have to try for yourself to see how you react. You may want to do like Bliss did, and taper onto a vitamin or supplement slowly. As for me, I’m going to remain vitamin and supplement free, at least until my central nervous system is more healed. I’ll get my nutrients from whole, fresh foods. I’ll continue to avoid gluten, sugar, caffeine, alcohol, msg, additives, preservatives and food colorings.
If you have had a reaction to a vitamin or supplement and want to share it with our community, click on the title of this post to leave a comment. Let us know what you took and what how it either helped or hurt.
While this is not a supplement, Ihave found “Alka Seltzer Cold” is very helpful to me. I have found that tylenol does not agree with this withdrawal condition, but aspirin is okay!
Alka Seltzer Cold contains aspirin (for minor pain), Chlorphenerine (a sedative) and phenylephrine (a mild stimulant). The combination just makes me feel better often, and I think the sedative in it, helps to cancel out the stimulant. I don’t use it in the late afternoon and try not to use it after 2:00 pm.
I tried so many n nothing helped.
Didnt finish..my motor skills still..thought a detox mix from health food store n wouldnt help at all! Thinking n suggestions from friends who were all i was given from God 4 support n God was my n is n always will b my support n strength as no dr nor man wanted hear of the symp n feelns..Only healthy eating n time is healing. Had a freaky night..get confused n when this will b over..??!! A yr or 2 more or..n part was what i ate but my funds r tight again..im so hungry n mind goes n thoughts thoughts of what do i buy i can afford this time aGAin..Gluten free, little vegan, no spice, nor sugar or caffeine, bland foods. Have had lean meat; turkey ground breast, organic, no soy ( hormonal probs),corn carrots raspberries black berries n cantelope not as sweet 2 brain in this. Almond ok but now go back 2 rice milk. Not much grains but brown rice or white not so bad. Bagels n eng muffins light have been ok. Lose weight if not eat right n times/day kinda scares me. I also have a hiatal hernia.. uGh. Eat better does make a diff. Whew! Figuring n figuring..:)
The most sugar is in natural food or low sugar n salt in it..
Ive been getting the post in my promotions category in my emails so far Glad to recv them. Thats it 😉
I too can not take Vitamin D as it causes me to have insomnia worse then what it usually is.I too went through withdrawal from Zopiclone and Ativan in 2012.I was given clonazepam for 6 months to help get me off the Zopiclone. The clonazepam was gradually reduced over the 6 month period.Withdrawal was terrible.It is almost three years since I took my last clonazepam and still feel I need more time to heal. I find your website very helpful, knowing that I am not the only one going through protracted withdrawal. Thank you for everything you do to help all of us suffering from benzo withdrawal.I hope to hear from you soon.
Sorry ! I pressed submit too soon. My vitamin D level also is low. I stopped taking it but was wandering about milk fortified with vit D and how that may be affecting me.I really need to get some calcium into my body being post menopausal.I take no supplements or medications at this time.I fear all medications after what I went through.My story like yours is very long.This is my first time contacting you but have read many of your posts.Do you think we will ever be able to take supplements and medication ?
I am having such a difficult time. I need to be on all these supplements due to being very low in many of the vitamins. I keep loosing so much weight. I’m not absorbing nutrients. I weigh about 95 lbs. I am almost 2 months from being off benzo’s. Dr put me on these to help cope with a health issue I was having. He had me taking them every 4-5 hours. Biggest mistake taking those!! I am not sure if I should go back on them and try to tapper even slower? Also anyone have sun sensitivity now? I can’t be in the sun. Would an antidepressant help with any of the symptoms? Could you please privately email me back. I am a mess. And not sure what to do. Thank you and God Bless
Yes. Once we are more healed, we are able to tolerate more things.
My comment on supplements? Sure!
I finished my taper one year ago and like Jenn, I tried everything being touted as the next big deal…spent a lot of money with zero positive results…in fact some of the GABA products made me as nervous and hyper as a long tail cat in a room full of rocking chairs.
Once I came to the conclusion that no supplement was having any effect, I was kinda relieved. I came to understand my body combined with a healthy diet could do almost everything I needed.
Every once in a month or two I’d get a B12 shot….a few hours of energy was all that accomplished.
I did take a multi-vitamin every day….but that was it.
I also suffered from a slight Vitamin D deficiency…then I heard a doctor on the radio say you need about 10 minutes a day in the sunshine to get all the “D” you need…pretty simple.
When I was tapering my body couldn’t tolerate anything…not even a mild allergy pill.
Now that I’m healed up, my immune system is stronger than ever…knock on wood!
I managed to taper down from 2mg a day from december to now im at .12 milliters aday of ativan im having such the hard time i dont want to prolong this process any longer want to start tapering faster now but dont know if thats a bad idea now
I’m glad I found this article. I’ve been taking klonopin for the past 3 months intermittently at low level does. I started to feel like something wasn’t right. I was fooling myself by the 1/4 pills I was taking. I could feel myself wanting more. I finally stopped 5 days ago. I started to feel a lot of anxiety too. Yesterday I went to a new doc. He asked me if I wanted a B12 shot. I said “sure”. Big mistake. My anxiety has been through the roof. I wish I would’ve done my homework. I’m so scared to take any of the supplements he gave me.
One more thing… Does anyone know how long this anxiety will last?
It can take some time for the GABA receptors to repair from the damage the drug caused. Give it time. It will go away.
I was on klonopin for over ten years .Off
Now for 1 year 9 months and 15 days.It has really been a struggle for me and I still have good days and bad days and window periods when I feel really great .I am 69 so I walk and do several cardio classes a week.I socialize and try to make others feel good .Above all I pray a lot .And I meditate .I still have late night food cravings trying to curb that now .I was put on klonopin for sleep but after some years it didnot help .I did a very slow taper and here I am Klonopin free and blessed to be able to do it.I still donot sleep only after taking Benadryl which wipes me out all of the next day.Cutting out the 1 cup of coffee now too.I sleep when I can sometimes during the day.Things have gotten better and I know they will continue to get better.God Bless and never ever give up😊
It will continue to get better for you! Glad you are free and healing.
Hi, I have been following your forum and want to thank you for helping people going through Benzo Hell. Im just starting and I am already experiencing the hell of benzo withdrawal. I am wondering how you are doing now? I hope you are in a window and will stay in that window. There just cant be anymore waves for you to ride unless they are the ones in the pacific ocean. Thank you again for sharing your experience with us. 😊
Yes i have sun sensitivity, eyes and face from ativan haven’t been able to leave house for 19months.
I was given an Ativan band aid after suffering chronic acute panic attacks following an acupuncture procedure in late August of 2016. After just 15 .5mg of Ativan and running straight out, I went into a very acute withdrawal. I was then put on a longer acting benzodiazepine, clonazepam or Klonopin as some know it. Despite me expressing fear of dependence and addiction to them to my doctor, she said “just go into autopilot and take .5mg Klonopin twice a day.” After 9 weeks of this, I tried to decrease my dose for two weeks in a rapid taper, going to 1mg, to .5mg to .25 mg a day then cold turkey. I then discovered the Ashton Manual and began crossing over to 5mg diazepam (valium) with gradual decreases in mg. My taper has lasted about 4 weeks and I’m holding at 2.5mg at night, but I will try to skip a day if I can. At one point I went 4-5 days without anything but would always rebound hard by day 5 so I’m no longer trying cold turkey, just steady taper. Though I have not been on benzos for that long, I have had anxiety and previous GABA damage from being alcoholic for 6-7 years which I think contributes to my sensitivities and anxiety. I detoxed from booze cold turkey and struggled with the aftermath of that for months. Even though that was 3 years ago and I have no touched a drink since, I believe this has made getting off benzos quite a struggle for me because I’ve already altered my brain and any sense of panic or wd pulls me back into the throws of the hellish days of detoxing from alcohol. Not to mention, benzos act on the same receptors as alcohol. I believe some good advice I came upon is that if you’re tapering, slow and steady wins the race. Even though I have a lot of fear about how this has impacted my life and what the future will hold, this fear is just going to keep my mind and spirit in a constant state or worry and things will never get quiet enough for me to be successful if I don’t keep a hopeful and positive mindset. That being said, I try very hard not to let the worry get to me and when I catch it happening, I try to meditate and redirect my thoughts. This has been helping from what I can tell.
I did notice that magnesium did seem to affect the absorption of medications. The thing is, I was getting very weak when I had to stop taking my cal/mag/zinc and b supplements. The only supplements I take currently are Nordic Naturals omega-3 and vitamin d3 1000 iu gummies. I think sometimes supplements may have additives or fillers that can “rev up” wd symptoms too, so keep this in mind. These supps do not seem to bother me too much and seem to if anything help my body. To get vitamins, I started making a nutrient packed smoothie each day after I wake up. I use many frozen fruits, spinach, goji berries, yogurt, flax milk, and a dash of golden flax fiber. You can try the “baby aspirin” approach to vitamins; getting children’s strength in liquid form helped me. Nutritional yeast is also a good way to get b vitamins and amino acids in a way you can control, from taking just a dash to a spoonful or more when your body can handle it. If anything, getting nutrients through food has been the most tolerable way for me to get nutrients and vitamins. I eat a nice balanced dinner, getting in a protein, greens (spinach, kale, collard), and potatoes can be great too. Potatoes, spinach, broccoli are high in glutamine which is a precursor to GABA production. This in general is helpful, although it isn’t always about the amount of GABA. Benzodiazepines physically disable the pump which sends out GABA. This pump is basically paralyzed after non-use in a natural way. This is why the dependency can take such a toll on our lives and take so much time to heal.
When the body is stressed it zaps nutrients, then couple that with the absorption blockage from the benzo, this doubles down the harm and weakness one will experience, not to mention atrophy/losing muscle tone. Since I’ve gained some strength back through food, I’ve been able to exercise which has been helping. Riding my bike, push-ups, squats, barbells for arms, and walking or jogging when I can. It’s very hard for me to leave the house, but sitting inside staring at the walls will not help. Movement is a great way to process stress chemicals, and exercise in general has been proven to repair very important neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA. Meditation can be extremely helpful on the mental/psychological front as well, so it’s very worth looking into, understanding, and practicing. As time goes by and you decrease and diminish this medication from your body, you will start to gain more and more resilience and strength along the way.
I was abusing benzos for over 3 years on daily bases. I was taking alprazolam, clonazepam, midazolam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, bromazepam etc. The doses were irregular i mean one day i would take like 10 mgs of clonazepam the other I may go with only 10 mgs of diazepam. Then like 6 months ago I started tapering with diazepam and went to 5 mgs a day and than stopped cold turkey from that. Now I am not taking ANY benzodiazepines for 2 months and I feel great. I didn’t experience almost any withdrawal symptoms. I was a little more anxious and my muscles were a little stiff sometimes but it was like a walk in the park for me. Now I’m taking Gotu Kola (a herbal supplement) along with some vitamins and minerals like niacin and magnesium and vit C and I guess they work great because I feel just fine. I’ve been addicted to opiates for 5 years too and I quit them like 4 months ago and that was much more painful than the benzo “withdrawal” i had. I know everybody’s different but I just want to give some hope to those in pain from benzo withdrawal. I do really believe that you’re all going to be just fine.
Your comment shows that not everyone gets damaged by these drugs. But some of us do. Some of us get badly damaged, in fact. I’m glad you are well and not experiencing benzo withdrawal. You may want to consider never taking another benzo again because you *could* get hit with withdrawal symptoms the next time you take them. That’s been shown many times over; someone can be fine going on and off then BAM! They get hit with withdrawal. Don’t take that risk!
Hi I’ve been on lorazepam 10 plus years coming off because of memory problems anxiety paranoia mental confusing. I am grateful for that it did help when I needed it that being said I should never been on it this long… thanks for the comments I to tried many supplements only thing I found to benefit is calcium/Magnesium it helps with sleep.Diet and exercise are essential in recovery but prayer is most helpful I am one of Jehovah’s witnesses knowing God knows the body and mind better then anyone… I’m confident he will help me come off this drug. I know under God’s Kingdom rule that we will not have to deal with these problems Mathew 6:9,10. May Jehovah God help you all in your recovery…
I am an NYer, 5 weeks off of a Valium taper after taking Klonopin (3mg a day) for 2 years. The taper took 8 months. I am currently in a hellish withdrawal that is nothing short of brutal. I feel as if I’ve lost my mind and not a day goes by that I don’t think about ending my life. I made so many bad decisions while on Klonopin that I lost my marriage, my career, my friends, and so much more. The problem is I don’t remember those decisions. I do not know if I will survive this but I will say to anyone who is thinking about taking these drugs, please don’t.
Hi,Jenifer I will be two years off benzo on February 7 the 2017 with a 7 months failed tapper.I was on benzo daily basis for 9 years.My anxieties are mostly gone.I can drive.My major issue is sleep.I can sleep 7 hours.But wakeup unrefreshed.Lot of dreams.At initial stage I had night mares.Negative anxiety dreams.For last one month I didn’t have night mares or negative dreams.I have vivid dreams now that have no logical relation with my life.Badly struggling with my sleep.Any suggestion.
Hi Jennifer
I have been tapering off Clonazepam for 3 months now. I sleep okay but suffer from ruminating in mornings. I am also on Imovane to help me taper. I have been also taking a magnesium bisglycinate powder as suggested by a women’s consultant but now wondering if that is attributing to my withdrawal anxiety along with having loose stools, mood swings and depersonalization. I have also been taking calcium, D3, glucosamine and multi vitamins. Should I be not taking any supplements until off the benzo? My mind is spinning sometimes with worry, and sometimes I cannot differentiate between a mental and physical symptom. Your input is appreciated. Thanks Pam
Many of us feel that supplements and vitamins make our sx worse. Of course, everyone is different. I tried a lot of different things and they made me incredibly sick and anxious. I decided to eat healthy and juice fruits and veggies for extra nutrition. I also decided not to take anything because it was easier to not have to do the mental workout of “is this making me worse?” Since I wasn’t taking anything, I didn’t have to wonder.
I was on Xanax for 12 years and getting off it was hell. I was on 1.5mg per day and just cutting down to 1mg per day was terrible. I went to a new DR who knew exactly what to give me…baclofen & gabapentin. And I stopped xanax right away. That was, 6-8 months ago. Now, I have brain fog from the gabapentin so I was wanting to switch to Theanine to replace it.
Im happy to be off the xanax but gabapentin has its own side effects.
I have been addicted to benzos since I was 24 (I’m 38.) The ONLY two things that have actually helped me when I was in the hellish throws of withdrawal were gabapentin 600 mgs and 2 mg of colonidine.
Gabapentin can dampen some of withdrawal for some people. The concern over using it is that some people have a nasty withdrawal from it as well. It isn’t the magic wand that we all hope for to relieve us of benzo withdrawal. However, I am happy that it helped you with no long lasting problems.
I was on diazepam for 3 weeks only, most days 2.5mg, a couple of days 5mg and 1 day I took 7mg. I stopped 1 week ago and I am a mess. Of what I have read about symptoms I am going through withdrawal, could this be possible after only 3 weeks and such a low dose? How long do you think this misery will last? These meds really are the devil!! Some encouragement needed please as I feel like Im dying.
I’m 47 and I’ve been on Valium for about 15 years, 200mgs (crazy, I know) a day until last year, also Klonopin (2-4 mgs a day for 9 months) and dexamethasone for 4 years. Last year I had two non-benzo related anaphylactic shocks and had to CT klonopin, dexamethasone (which should also be tapered) and drastically cut the valium from 200mgs to 90, 70, 50 as I had no idea how to taper and my body had awful reactions to any med. I went through hell but was feeling better by Nov-mid Dec until Christmas, then I began to feel worse…I’m on 5mgs now but feel like I’m dying and I have bad reactions to the dose…my main problem is breathing, I feel like I’m choking, like I have I have no feeling inside my nose, it’s horrible, I’ve tried vitamins but they do nothing, I really don’t think I can stand this much longer…will I ever heal?
Yes, you will heal. Many people report the choking sensation. I am sorry that you are suffering from it. You will get better, in time. Make sure you are doing a slow taper and giving yourself the best nutrition that you can. Keep us posted. We are here for you.
Hi, my doctor prescribed clonazepam for a week for anxiety and sleepness. Dosage was 0.5 for first 3 days followed by half before discontinuing the usage.
After reducing the dosage I feel heart palpitations and mind chatter while sleeping. Also I wake up with heaviness in head and depressed instead of feeling fresh.
Its been a week of taking this drug now. Are these side effects and for how long are they going to last.
Would really appreciate guidance.
Thanks.
Hi, the hospital put me on 1gm of atavan over a month ago for terrible insomnia, I only took .5 for 3 or 4 weeks till I realized it was making me super anxious and that is when I read about the drug and realized what had been done to me without my realizing it. I am currently trying to taper off of it. I am at .25 and barely holding steady. I can sleep for four hours without the adavan but then at midnight my body wakes up and wants the .25.
Ironically last night, though it did not help me sleep. I just want to stop taking it but no one will help me taper off. I am not good at math and can’t figure out the reduction schedules. I have 7 or 8 pills left…no one is taking any of this very seriously and I am going through an anxiety nightmare…any guidance would be appreciated. peace.
Hi, Doc placed me on Ativan about 1 1/2 years ago. I was taking 1 mg every day in the evening. I already have a heart condition and was experiencing multiple PVC’s ( Bigemeny, Trigemeny ) which started in April. I started to eliminate certain items from my diet that could be triggers even the Lipitor. I don’t smoke, drink anything that contains caffeine, no chocolate etc.
Then last Thursday, I thought that maybe the Ativan was was the cause of the PVC’s so I stopped taking the Ativan….Cold Turkey…..Not knowing the effect this will cause!!! Well, holy hell broke loose.Insomnia, horrible nightmares, and when closing my eyes it appeared like fireworks were being displayed on my eyelids, no appetite ( great weight loss program ) , headache, stiff neck, Anxiety and sensitivity to things I would not normally be sensitive to and add to that, it made my heart issues worse. More PVC’s and a pounding chest with every beat and skip. Thought my ticker was going to explode out of my chest. I finally ended up in the ER and an overnight stay in the Hospital. When I told the ER Docs that I stopped cold turkey, they just looked at me and stated, “that’s very dangerous”.
Today is one week off of Ativan and I think and HOPE I’m over the hump. My appetite is back and I’m trying to “fatten up”, back to my regular weight. have a little bit of anxiety and sleeping is still THE major problem. Luckily I’m retired and don’t have to work. If I did, wouldn’t know how to cope.
I remain active and keep my mind busy, even though I would like to lay down and nap but I don’t. That’s for bed time. I do take benedryl in the evening and will continue this for another week or so and then to sleep without it. Still and lot of sensitivity for things that surround me, but the worst, hopefully is behind me.
Bottom dollar is If I had know this 1/12 years ago I would have NEVER taken the Ativan. I guess I’m lucky that I made it through this week.
Anyway, If I knew then what I know now, I would definitely have done a LONG taper to get away from this medication.
There should a law that requires Doctors to inform you of the potential dangers of the withdrawal from this med.
Am a vibrant age 50. Been taking xanax 1mg 3xday for approximately 27 years. Started tapering in mid-March 2017… down to only 1xday by the 1st of May. TOO FAST!
I started to get confused, heard “things” and saw “things” that were not there. Was hospitalized first for dehydration & extremely low potassium. Don’t EVER try to detox all by yourself. Just trust me on this. Only been 3 weeks today & last Friday & Saturday, I had 2 GOOD DAYS. Been very rough day, both yesterday & today. Is there any hope in sight to manage the awful panic & racing heart? And nausea & dizziness?
Forgot to mention was put on Buspar 10mg 3xday, with Vistaril to be taken as needed (25mg).
Congrats on being benzo free. In time, your CNS will sort itself out and things will calm down. Your receptors will heal and your body will be able to calm down.
Hi Jennifer,I’m using domnicum 15mg,3 tablets a day so that’s 45mg,is domnicum worse than xanax and the rest?im on my 4th year.i feel the withdrawal in less than 12hrs,so I’ve started tapering.can I taper within one month to zero?hope I’d be fine
Thanks
Can someone explain why is not recommended to take magnesium supplements, valerian and Gaba when tapering-off Ativan? I have been taking magnesium since before I started taking Ativan and Remeron. I started at 4mg Ativan + 15mg Remeron for insomnia. I had no problems of anxiety or depression before taking the meds except feeling down because of the insomnia. I have been on both meds since April 21 but started to taper down from Ativan 3 weeks into it when I read all the online stories about withdrawal. Although I started with 4mg of Ativan at the hospital, they dropped it to 3mg the next day and 3 days later to 2mg. I has given prescriptions for 2mg Ativan and 15mg Remeron since. Currently, I am down to .25mg every 2 and 3 days. My last dose was 4 days ago. The only thing I noticed was a HUGE headache after the second 2 day of not taking it for two days but only at night when trying to sleep. I should mention that for about 2 weeks now I have been taking Power to Sleep PM that has Calcium, Magnesium, Omega 3 oils, Valerian, Hops, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, Gaba, L-Theanine, and melatonin to help me sleep. I have also started to wean-off Remeron and I am down to 6mg. I am not sleeping great but I am able to get by ( I wake up so many times during the night). I think that the at lower dose of Ativan was creating the opposite effect in which it was keeping me awake instead of helping me sleep. I have seen websites that recommend not to take magnesium and valerian but I haven’t noticed anything other than taking the PTS pm 1 hour before bed really relaxes me.
I am down to a 1mg day diazepam, tapering from a 1 year history of 2mg clonazepam per day. About 3 weeks ago I stopped cold turkey after to rapid a taper and had the most horrendous withdrawals including hallucinations and had to resume again at 1.5mg deciding to slow my taper down. I am very discouraged by stories I hear of people being completely incapacitated for years after quiting. I will simply lose everything Ive worked for my whole life if I opt out of life for the next 12 months. I am working very part time at the moment and barely managing to do the basics to take care of myself. I was always very career orientated and a very fit athelete, Im am already a shadow of my former self and greatly fear whats in store for my life. Im also a little unsure what symptoms are benzo withdrawal and what are something else, Im currently experiencing extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, shortness of breath, nausea, fear of something terrible about to happen (death of loved ones), confusion etc. I would love to hear some positive feed back, How long will this hell last??
I am moving towards tapering off of Flurazepam and have been on a number of vitamins for many years – including all the B vitamins. The information above seems to address going on supplements after being in withdrawal but what about if one is already taking them?
I am very grateful to have found this site.
I changed from a Pure Encapsulations vitamin to two Garden of life products. Wiser Woman 50 + and raw calcium. My symptoms are horribly worse. I was told I can’t take calcium supplements. I thought a food based product would be better. NO!
I have been on Clonazepam, generic for Klonopin, for 4 years. I needed it as only a stepping stone at first, but it became that crutch for my panic attacks and social anxiety like many others. Ive been taking 3mg a day as my doctor ordered since 2014. Now, a very detrimental situation has occurred in which a minor charge has led me to have to do jail time in 8 days from today. So im horrified because of the time limit. My doctor and the jails doctor, both, have a speedy come off plan that consists of about 10 days. The medical staff in the jail seems almost oblivious to the side effects, to where I’ve decided to follow my main doctors advice.. which I’ve started today; frm 3mg yesterday, my usual, to 2mg for next 2-3 days, then 1mg for the remaining 5 days.
After 4 years on this benzo, I’m terrified. I’m trying to stay calm. I’m all alone here, literally, and need help. My doctor nor will any mental health in this county, will intervene until I’m out of jail or have done something to harm myself. I’m trying to come off of anything that may agitate the side effects.. coffee, multi vitamin.. any advice, please, is much appreciated. Please help.
That’s way too fast. Please educate the prison doctor on what you might be experiencing. Insist that they watch you for seizures. Please keep
Us posted on how you are doing.
I have tried many supplements in benzo withdrawal and for me vitamin D, pure fish oil (no added vitamins), melatonin for sleep and probiotics for my stomach issues have been beneficial. I have had bad reactions to supplements also. I have been really sensitive to multivitamins and amino acids. Always try supplements with small dose first and then increase the dose with small steps. If you don’t want to risk things, don’t try supplements in withdrawal, just eat healthy. There is no magic cure for benzo withdrawal. I was having low vitamin D levels and raising the level helped me.
I have tried every supplement with any hope of relief from these symptoms. I am 6 months off clonazepam which I took for 16 years at .5 mg 3 x daily. Nothing seems to help but I still hope, to no avail. as is often repeated, educate yourselves but never give up as we will all heal eventually.