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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by gadchik on April 3, 2013, at 16:10:50
In reply to Re: Klon withdrawal and sense of taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on March 31, 2013, at 8:26:10
When you began your taper of klonopin, did you reduce same amt. everyday, or reduce say twice a week,etc? I think you reduced by 1/8 of the pill?
Posted by joe schmoe on April 3, 2013, at 16:44:37
In reply to How are you doing, and...? » joe schmoe, posted by gadchik on April 3, 2013, at 16:10:50
> When you began your taper of klonopin, did you reduce same amt. everyday, or reduce say twice a week,etc? I think you reduced by 1/8 of the pill?
Doing pretty well. I have gained some weight from overeating, not sure why I am doing that, a combination of hunger plus my sense of taste has been very dulled lately which makes me eat more food trying to get some sensation of flavor. Not sure if the sense of taste thing has anything to do with the klonopin withdrawal or not. I am taking zinc in case it is due to zinc deficiency.
As far as my tapering schedule, I unofficially began it at some point in fall 2012. By that I mean I often taper up or down as circumstances dictate - if I am not feeling stressed I tend to take 1.5 mg a day, if I am under stress I go up to 2 till things get better. So at some point this fall I tapered down to 1.5, which I have often done in the past, and I don't remember when I did it. I just drop from 1 mg AM/1 mg PM to 0.5 mg AM/1 mg PM in one go. I have never noticed any withdrawal symptoms from doing this.
Then in December I began my taper: (AM/PM in mg)
Baseline .5/1.0
Dec. 8 .5/.75
Dec. 23 .5/.5
Jan. 9 .5/.25
Jan. 23 .25/.25
Feb. 6 .25/.125
Feb. 16 .125/.125
Feb. 28 .125/0
Mar. 12 0/0
Apr. 3 Today :)
Posted by gadchik on April 3, 2013, at 17:03:31
In reply to Re: How are you doing, and...? » gadchik, posted by joe schmoe on April 3, 2013, at 16:44:37
Thanks,Joe. I really want to get on with this. I know I have said how much this drug helps me, but there are many things below the surface that keep pushing up for air. Things that need addressed w/o a benzo. Its important to me,and I hope to succeed as you have.
Posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 7:03:26
In reply to Re: Klon withdrawal and sense of taste » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on March 31, 2013, at 17:55:24
Phillipa did you ever investigate zinc deficiency as a cause of sense of taste/smell.
Lots of stuff on the net about it, here's one example
http://www.how-to-boost-your-immune-system.com/natural-remedy-for-loss-of-taste-and-smell.html
Posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 18:53:18
In reply to Re: sense of taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 7:03:26
Just came across this interesting blurb:
"Zinc supports the pineal gland in the brain, which secretes melatonin, allowing for deeper and more restorative sleep to help insulin work well. Adequate zinc also helps fight sugar cravings."
Zinc also apparently is essential to sense of taste and smell.
Would be interesting if zinc deficiency explained my carb cravings, insomnia, and loss of sense of taste!
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 20:28:36
In reply to Re: sense of taste, insomnia, crab cravings, posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 18:53:18
Wrote down the type suggested liquid and will see if can find it. I was told never taste again. 9 years is a long time. But will try and see. Thanks for posting this. Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 20:41:00
In reply to Re: sense of taste, insomnia, crab cravings » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 20:28:36
> Wrote down the type suggested liquid and will see if can find it. I was told never taste again. 9 years is a long time. But will try and see. Thanks for posting this. Phillipa
I ordered some from Amazon myself today, will have it Saturday. Kind I got was "Designs for Health - Zinc Challenge" 8 oz
Apparently it can take months, or even a year, of taking zinc tablets to correct a deficiency. I am taking two 50mg tablets a day at this point.
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 22:30:36
In reply to Re: sense of taste, insomnia, crab cravings » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 20:41:00
I took l 50mg of zinc tablets I have already in cabinet. Will either see if health food store has the liquid or order same as you. A year? I didn't see this? Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 22:35:55
In reply to Re: sense of taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 7:03:26
Joe I saw New Chapters Organic Zinc Food with the Challenge & know Vitamin Shoppe sells this. I think I might skip the challenge as know what it will shows and get the New Chapters as take this brand as MVI? Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 22:47:32
In reply to Re: sense of taste » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on April 4, 2013, at 22:35:55
The main purpose of the liquid is to assess whether you are deficient or not. Not only initially, but every once in a while to see if you have sufficient zinc, so you don't take too much. People who have trouble absorbing zinc or whatever, take the liquid test once in a while to assess their zinc status. If your zinc levels are normal the liquid tastes horrible, otherwise, you can hardly taste it at all.
I have read a lot of different sources in the past couple of days.
One mentioning length of time to get back to normal zinc levels, if you are taking pills:
"How long will you have to take this supplement?
This is not an instant cure. If the zinc depletion is marginal then taking supplements for a few months may cause the symptoms to disappear. However severe zinc depletion may take a year or more before all symptoms go away."
http://www.diabetesexplained.com/zinc.html
Is this reliable? I don't know, but there seem to be a number of scientific studies regarding zinc deficiency and sense of smell/taste.
Fortunately zinc pills are cheap and easily available.
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2013, at 18:44:40
In reply to Re: sense of taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 4, 2013, at 22:47:32
Joe the poblem I see as for some with loss of taste & smell the taste buds are responsible for sweet, sour, bitter, salty. So should be able to taste the zinc in challenge? Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on April 5, 2013, at 18:52:38
In reply to Re: sense of taste » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2013, at 18:44:40
> Joe the poblem I see as for some with loss of taste & smell the taste buds are responsible for sweet, sour, bitter, salty. So should be able to taste the zinc in challenge? Phillipa
I don't understand your question.
I am not sure I understand your situation either, I thought you said you lost your sense of smell to an infection, but I am not sure why that would affect your tongue.
Can you taste anything at all?
Posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2013, at 21:09:13
In reply to Re: sense of taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 5, 2013, at 18:52:38
Joe no no taste. But the taste buds on the tongue are unrelated to loss of taste & smell hence why I can detect sour so put lemon in green tea, some use spices, I don't don't like texture, as for sweet used to be able to detect sweet better. Now it's a hint with the darkest chocolate, and sometimes carmel on ice cream. I used to eat nothing but healty foods. Thankfully eat so little haven't gained an ounce. 22.5 BMI. It's speculated that either the lymes of the medication used to treat it was the cause med being Biaxin xl. I don't feel either is true. Still looking for the answer. I refuse to give up. Virus neurons of nose is the diagnosis. Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 12:42:11
In reply to Re: sense of taste » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on April 5, 2013, at 21:09:13
Well I got my Zinc Challenge liquid from Amazon and just took the test.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/14463324/Zinc-Challenge
My response was definitely No. 2. This means "severely zinc deficient".
I will continue taking 100 mg of zinc tablets a day and test again in a few weeks.
Posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 12:59:44
In reply to Re: zinc challenge test and taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 12:42:11
I should mention I found a blurb from Dr. Oz about zinc
http://www.oprah.com/own-ask-oprahs-all-stars/Ask-Oprahs-All-Stars-Is-This-Normal_1/9
Portions I found interesting:
"There are a couple of things that cause loss of taste. One of them is zinc deficiency, and so I want you to start taking thirty milligrams zinc lozenges. I give this to all my patients who I operate on because after heart surgery a lot of people lose their sense of taste."
I had a surgery a few months ago, shortly before losing sense of taste.
"There's no treatment except for the zinc that I mentioned to you. Zinc deficiency - you need zinc to be able to turn on the taste buds so please try that and please give it six weeks it takes a while to restore those levels."
There it is from a doctor - it takes quite a while to get your taste back from taking zinc supplements, so give it a good long try.
Posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2013, at 20:55:35
In reply to Re: zinc challenge test and taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 12:42:11
Joe how could you taste any if can't taste? Phillipa
Posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 21:24:31
In reply to Re: zinc challenge test and taste » joe schmoe, posted by Phillipa on April 6, 2013, at 20:55:35
> Joe how could you taste any if can't taste? Phillipa
Like you I can taste some things. Sour I can taste, from fruit gum for example. I can taste salt if I pour it on in large amounts. Some sweetness too though I try to avoid sweets other than sugarless gum. Diet cokes on the other hand have almost no flavor at all. Cheese similarly has a slight salty taste and that's about it.
It's hard to define what's missing but most foods have no flavor, or very odd flavors. Sense of smell is fine, I can smell my neighbors cooking, or smell various other things quite well, so it seems to be a problem with my taste buds.
In any case the zinc challenge test gave me a "dry, mineral like" flavor after about five seconds, which is totally consistent with a test result of "severe zinc deficiency" so I intend to take zinc tablets daily and see what happens in a few months.
Posted by Phillipa on April 7, 2013, at 19:12:31
In reply to Re: zinc challenge test and taste » Phillipa, posted by joe schmoe on April 6, 2013, at 21:24:31
Joe honestly to see him write Alzheimers is scary as have read this also. No history in family but I greatly fear it and not tests for it. Will take the zinc tabs for now.
Please let me know how this goes for you. Never heard of a taste but problem. All searches I've ever done say if can't taste can't smell? My taste buds have faded away also. I also wonder if sadness can alter it? thoughts? Phillipa
Posted by former poster on April 11, 2013, at 0:34:09
In reply to Re: Five days since my last klonopin (after 12 years) » herpills, posted by joe schmoe on March 25, 2013, at 16:53:08
I started Valium in the 70's, Xanax in the 80's, Klonopin in the 90's. Still take to this day. I'm at about 1mg /day. I often forget to take the Klonopin and I can go 2-3 days without it with the help of the following:
Doxylamine (sleep aid found at Walmart)
Melatonin
Gotu Kola
Ashwagandha
Bacopa
Occasional glass of wine or beer.I truly believe that benzo's work so well on anxiety.. I believe the addiction is more psychological than physical. If your life situation is good, stopping benzo's can be achieved with good quality of life. I carry my Klonopin everywhere in case I get severe panic.
I hope I can help. Best of luck to you.
Posted by joe schmoe on April 11, 2013, at 7:00:44
In reply to Re: Five days since my last klonopin (after 12 years) » joe schmoe, posted by former poster on April 11, 2013, at 0:34:09
Been having cognitive difficulties. Hoping it will pass in time. Then again, I was having them before, while on the clonazepam.
Some days I feel pretty sharp, others not so much.
Posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2013, at 18:34:19
In reply to Re: Five days since my last klonopin (after 12 years) » joe schmoe, posted by former poster on April 11, 2013, at 0:34:09
Sounds like me only switch the klonopin for ativan. And I just take at night. Phillipa
Posted by former poster on April 12, 2013, at 12:19:12
In reply to Re: Five days since my last klonopin (after 12 years) » former poster, posted by Phillipa on April 11, 2013, at 18:34:19
For those who still have bad anxiety after stopping benzo's, Buspar sounds like it's worth giving a try:
http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?drug=18731&name=BUSPAR
I like this site. I truly believe I can get more accurate info here than I can from any Dr.
Posted by former poster on April 12, 2013, at 12:36:28
In reply to Re: struggling with cognitive problems, posted by joe schmoe on April 11, 2013, at 7:00:44
>>"Been having cognitive difficulties. Hoping it will pass in time. Then again, I was having them before, while on the clonazepam."<<
Bacopa will fix that. Buy it online. I use Paradise Organics (brand) 60 caps 250mg. I take only 1 capsule a day. I noticed long term memory improvement as well as short term.
They are doing a study with Bacopa on patients with benzo induced memory impairment.
Posted by joe schmoe on April 14, 2013, at 12:05:57
In reply to Re: struggling with cognitive problems » joe schmoe, posted by former poster on April 12, 2013, at 12:36:28
> >>"Been having cognitive difficulties. Hoping it will pass in time. Then again, I was having them before, while on the clonazepam."<<
>
> Bacopa will fix that. Buy it online. I use Paradise Organics (brand) 60 caps 250mg. I take only 1 capsule a day. I noticed long term memory improvement as well as short term.
>
> They are doing a study with Bacopa on patients with benzo induced memory impairment.Thanks, I had never heard of it before. I snagged some and will give it a try.
Posted by sigismund on April 14, 2013, at 18:46:34
In reply to Re: struggling with cognitive problems » joe schmoe, posted by former poster on April 12, 2013, at 12:36:28
Does it cause insomnia or lighten sleep with you?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]
Script revised: February 4, 2008
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