Posted by delna on May 4, 2005, at 16:14:56
In reply to With Phenobarb?Re: Going Off Klonopin, posted by Lizzyb on May 3, 2005, at 16:38:46
> Here's what my pdoc ordered, even though I don't agree with it-I have been on .75 xanax and .5 Klonopin for over nine years. I want to get off benzo's. After a bad bout with Seroquel, today my doc said stop all benzo's and take 30mg 2x a day of Phenobarb. Anyone out there have any information on this or used phenobarb to get off benzos? What can I expect? Any information wil be helpful.Hi
I used to take xanax (between 1-3mg) daily but I had to withdraw because I was popping it indiscriminatly during bad times so i was pretty hooked. Anyway I was put on phenobarb to withdraw (I dont remember the dose). I had to go into psych hospital for this but I couldnt bear being there so I discontinued the drug at home (using the phenobarb as directed).
In my experience:
-The xanax was stopped cold
-phenobarb was used to tide over the acute withdwawal phase (10days) starting at a higher dose on day one and titrating down to 0 by the 10th day
-phenobarb knocked me out totally. I couldnt get out of bed.When the phenobarb was removed I started experienceing terrible xanax withdrawal symptoms for at least a month. Panic, anxiety, shaking... the entire lot of symptoms possible. then they slowly became better. (over a couple of months). It was pretty disabling
I mentioned hosptal above as I wanted to add that I was also put on carbamazepine to prevent any seizures and I needed to be monitered.I had a less traumatic experience the second time I got 'addicted' (again!! how pathetic..) This time I was withdrawn from xanax over the course of 10 days without the phenobarb. My anxiety was controlled with olanzapine (I was also delusional at the time which is the reason i was popping xanax in the first place but xanax only made things worse).This was easier because the olanzapine and carbamazepine were continued even after I left hospital (for at least 2 months) so the xanax withdrawal was covered up.
with the first method, nothing was used once the phenobarb was stopped and I really suffered for a good while after that.
I hope this makes sense...i have really been babbling. Also I dont mean to scare you. this was just an honest recount of my experience.
Best of luck
D
poster:delna
thread:464665
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20050424/msgs/493740.html