sunflower29
Member
Reged: 04/13/04
Posts: 150
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I'm attempting again to lower my dose of clonazepam/klonopin, and I'm using perds minimally at this point to help ease the nightmarish withdrawal that will come if my OP deliveries don't arrive. I'm finding it easier these days to get pain pills than benzos.
Has anyone had experience replacing their benzos with pain meds? I read that pain meds do act on GABA, but not nearly so much as benzos do, which explains why my anxiety isn't through the roof at the moment.
Is there a particular brand or doseage you would recommend? I know there are so many factors involved here, such as how high benzo use was and all that, but anything anyone can throw my way would be really really helpful.
Thanks guys!
p.s. The pain pill I took is helping with my withdrawal anxiety at the moment, but making me super listless. So I'm thinking, take some coffee, a stimulant, to help with that. It's like this ongoing balancing act. I wish my brain could do it all by itself like it used to, but I wonder if those days are gone for good?
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Sunflower29, if I'm reading you correctly, your refill of Klonopin might not come through, and you'll be stopping abruptly? And you are hoping that pain meds could "replace" the benzos? I don't think it works that way.
Stopping benzos cold-turkey can be extremely dangerous, I don't want to sound alarmist, but quitting benzos cold turkey could result in a fatal seizure!
You titled you post "to help taper off Benzos", and I hope that's what you mean. Tapering is the only safe way to kick a benzo dependancy.
Hope this helps.
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parg
Journeyman
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 60
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the pain meds won't help, maybe some librium or something like that, as allready posted if you are addicted to Benzo's and have been for any amount of time stopping abruptly is extremely dangerous could cause siezures, high fever, and even death. If you are forced to stop abruptly goto the local Detox or E.R (bite the bullet), there really is no alternative the risk is too high.
Parg...
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neonsign2003
Old Hand
Reged: 12/26/02
Posts: 491
Loc: midwest
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I have been on klonopin and pain meds for a long time.although I have noticed that when I take hydro, it seems that my body/mind does not "scream as loud" for more klonopin,I would never think of going cold turkey on klonopin ( or hydro ) I would obtain klonopin as soon as you can. ( I suggest NWW if you have proper medical records)
I taper both meds at regular intervals because I have respect for the dangers both drugs will cause if abused.
Everyone builds up a tolerance ( I think ) so the only thing to do is take regular taper down vacations. my entire family are using klonopin, all for gad with panic. my brother once decided he was just going to quit. He told no one. He did have a major seizure. He was lucky he was home and not driving a car,etc. NEVER COLD TURKEY ANY DRUG. ALWAYS TAPER DOWN IF YOU FIND THAT YOU ARE BUILDING A TOLERANCE. If you have regular taper stages set up, and you follow them, you should not have a problem. just my 2 cent worth.
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sunflower29
Member
Reged: 04/13/04
Posts: 150
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I just wanted to clear up any confusion...I don't mean cold turkey-ing off benzos by any means. I mean tapering. SLOWLY TAPERING.
My question wasn't how to stop taking benzos completely, and I apologize if that was the impression in my post. I take them to treat a medical condition, and I will continue to take them, but I want to avoid having to increase my doseage, so I periodically lower it and go through some withdrawal in the process, as many people do taking a variety of medications.
I appreciate the concern, though, and for people new to benzos, it's always good to hear how NOT to stop taking them.
I don't plan to stop taking them because they're the only thing that works for me at this point. But I'd like to keep my dose as low as possible.
Edited by sunflower29 (08/21/04 12:00 PM)
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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I don't know how your financial situation is, but www.rxbetterdeals.com and www.rx1stop.com both have 90 2mg Rivitrol (clonazepam/klonipin) for $89 and being a no-records US OP they offer overnight delivery, second day, and ground. Personally, as a long-time benzo user, i'd beg borrow or pawn something for $100 if I thought it'd keep me from going into benzo w/d. Debts can be paid back but the "character building" that is benzo w/d sometimes can be too much to handle. I've never had a seizure from them thank goodness, but I know of several folks who have and all of them came very close to dying.. Good luck, I know how you feel because i've been there myself. Nothing like knowing you are almost out of meds (or worse, already out) and the mailbox keeps turning up empty...
Good luck, and don't forget the benzo-w/d-helper sites like www.benzo.org.uk or www.benzoliberty.com.
Another suggestion, one I just stumbled across so have NO idea whether it does what it claims, but at www.benzorelief.com they are claiming to have some type of OTC med combo that makes tapering/withdrawal of benzos much easier. If anyone tries this stuff out, lemmie know please!
L
ETA: I see you posted while I was composing... You still might want to look over those web links for info on what might help you keep your tolerance in check, although the sites are mostly anti-benzo. Lots of good info to be read by anyone currently taking this family of meds.
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
Edited by Listvoer (08/21/04 12:09 PM)
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parg
Journeyman
Reged: 10/07/03
Posts: 60
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farmakos has Klonipin also very cheap I believe it was a 100 for $39.US
Garp...
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sunflower29
Member
Reged: 04/13/04
Posts: 150
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I wish I could use those US OPs but unfortunately they don't deal with Canadians. (Hello inferiority complex!!) I peruse those American sites with such envy, fantasizing about UPS and FedEx men arriving at my doorstep with a year's supply of rivotril, and never again entering the doors of a Western Union, and playing the waiting/will they or won't they arrive game with the IOPs.
It's too bad because I could afford to use the American OPs, and it would be such a relief. It's scary when you're running low on these meds and hoping an IOP delivery will arrive. I know that if I'm desperate I can go see my GP and he'll prescribe some, but they always try to get me onto some antidepressent or even an anti-psychotic. The doc said "don't worry, you're not psychotic" (I actually knew that. Anxiety is a far cry from psychosis-I hope!) "but this will take the edge off." Take the edge off?! How about plunging me into a virtually lobotomized stupor for 24 hours!
Okay, okay, I'm getting all worked up now.
See, I don't like how a doctor will try and convince me an anti-psychotic is better for me than a benzo.
I'm getting totally off topic here, but yeah, those US OPs would be great if I were American too.
Hey! Anybody wanna get married?  (Sorry, I inherited a sick sense of humour.)
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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I don't know how close to the border you live, but assuming you're withing a reasonable distance, would it be possible for you to go south & open up a mailboxes, etc. type mailbox? I think they may have changed their name to the UPS store or some such thing, but there are several places out there that let you open a mailbox and unlike the US post office, they usually have a regular mailing address and will sign for packages for you. You could just order, drive down and get your meds, then go home and have your year's supply or whatever.
I could just be crazy...
L - sorry, already married to a great gal 
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
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potatoboy99
Permanent Fixture
Reged: 02/04/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Deep North (East)
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Listvoer, thanks for that link, www.benzo.org.uk is a great site for anyone who might have benzo dependancy issues, (or just for anyone who is taking benzos and is curious about what you are doing to yourself). There is a message board similar to DB, mostly threads on how to kick various benzos. The mods are incredibly helpful and responsive to anyone posting an question or having a problem.
I was having trouble getting off Xanax some years ago, and someone there "talked" me through the classic Valium taper regimen. Made it seem almost easy. After that experience with Xanax, I am extremely cautious when it comes to benzos. Sunflower29, if you don't know that site already, check it out. You may find the information you are looking for as regards a benzo "substiture".
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blissmiss
Member
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 124
Loc: Connecticut, via Illinois, Mis...
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Both of those sites have been throwing out undeliverable responses to me. One, after they already took all my personal info. What can I expect next?
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Do you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?
John Keats 1795-1821, British Poet
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Listvoer
Board Addict
Reged: 01/14/04
Posts: 389
Loc: New America
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Good question.. i've never had any problems with those sites, but i guess I'll click over and see if anything happens...
L
ETA: I'm not in the market for ordering anything at the moment, but I had no trouble looking around and doing other various things. Hmm? weird.
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Due to PM spam I rarely check mine so if you send me one, make sure to let me know...
Edited by Listvoer (08/21/04 11:53 PM)
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