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Benzos and Progesterone

by Chris
(Florida)

Am trying to taper off of Klonopin 1mg. Pharmacist and doctor want me to take Progesterone to help with taper. Seen tons of conflicting information from cross tolerance which would make withdrawal harder to it can help reduce withdrawal symptoms. Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

Comments for Benzos and Progesterone

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Mar 23, 2014
 Increases blood serum levels by a small %
by: Liz UK

According to my doctor who put me on Cyclogest (Natural progesterone pessaries 200mg and 400 mg options) progesterone DOES increase benzodiazapine blood serum levels by a small amount.

She told me this without me arsking her her about it so I assume it's fairly common knowledge within the medical profession.

I cannot recall the exact figure but for transferring from one to another I would imagine it would help.

To come OFF I would imagine it would cause issues as once you stop taking the benzo the progesterone "may" keep the blood serum levels higher for longer despite coming off which will prolong the withdrawal symptoms OR may make a much easier withdrawal.

What you don't want to do is come off them and then a few weeks or months later THEN start progesterone as that MAY cause rebound withdrawals.

Its not a well studied subject.
Mar 24, 2014
 Benzos and Progesterone
by: Joy

Hi Chris

Such a pity that you were given Klonopin in the first place, all Benzos should be banned. The damage that they cause, makes them almost impossible to stop taking them. It is most important that you use progesterone for a month, maybe even longer before you even try to withdraw. Try and get hold of a book called The Judas Window by Felicity Bielovich, a real eye opener and well worth the read.

There are many progesterone creams on the market today, please make sure that you use one that has the correct progesterone concentration – see here. If not you will make the situation worse. Whatever you do, DO NOT take an oral progesterone as 96% gets destroyed by the gut and liver – see here.

Equally important is Vitamin D, do you know what your level is as a deficiency reduces the benefits of progesterone. It is connected to every single cell and its formation in our bodies, making it vital. This includes depression, panic attacks, insomnia. Please consider having a test done.

Hope this helps.
Mar 30, 2014
 Thanks
by: Anonymous

Thanks fort the responses. I will stay on a low dose of progesterone to get off benzo and then imagine a short taper off progesterone. Only taking 10-20mg prog every day.
Mar 30, 2014
 Benzo follow up
by: Chris

Is 20mg a day a low dose
Mar 31, 2014
 Benzo follow up
by: Joy

Hi Chris

Please do not use anything less than 100mg/3ml per day. If you are going to wean of Benzo drugs, you actually need to use more than this. If you continue to use 20mg you will create adverse symptoms, actually you will hit a brick wall!

It was a bit remiss of me not to mention this to you in my previous post, but progesterone can't do it on it's own, it needs the help of calming amino acids, more so because you are taking Benzo drugs. I do not believe that you will be able to come off this dreadful drug on a low dose of progesterone and with no supporting aminos to help you. If you need a list of these, let me know and I will post it for you.

Please read How to use Progesterone Cream I take it that you are using the correct progesterone cream and your vitmain D level is up high? If not, your will battle.
Apr 03, 2014
 Help
by: Anonymous

I am up to 40mg and have hit a brick wall. Can't sleep at all and feel despondent.

Am using taurine and glycine. Also a glutathione whey protein supplement.

Any advice is welcomed.

At that does how hard is it to wean off.
May 11, 2016
 Amino acid list
by: Anonymous

I need to wean off of 1.5 mg of clonazepam that I've been taking for 8 months for insomnia. I have been using 150mg of progesterone for almost 2 months.

Joy mentioned posting a list of calming amino acids to help in the withdraw. Are those posted somewhere?

Thank you!
May 12, 2016
 Amino Acid List
by: Joy

Please be very careful when you wean off benzos, I assume you know this? I really do think that you need to take the calming aminos mentioned on the Anxiety page together with the benzos for a while in order to give your body time to adjust before you start to wean off. Also 150mg progesterone is not enough, you could try 200mg, but you may need 400mg-600mg. 2-6 months is the required amount to use progesterone as well.

Please read these pages:

Anxiety
Benzos

I hope it goes well with you.
Apr 12, 2022
 Paradoxical reation
by: Anonymous

I am in a situation of weaning off Diazapam. I knew my symptoms were being caused by this drug when I began to become tolerant. Every anti anxiety drug and supplement that works via the GABA receptors caused a paradoxical reaction. So Pregabalin, taurine, progesterone, GABA, even Camomile tea and magnesium are all off limits to me until I am well clear of this benzo.
Nov 28, 2022
 Herbal teas for hormone balance
by: Anonymous

Would it be helpful to drink a herbal tea such as chasteberry, rasberry leaf, or something similar that helps support the balancing of hormones while tapering benzos? Really trying to find natural therapy.
Nov 29, 2022
 Herbal teas for hormone balance
by: Joy

Hi there.

If one finds anything natural that helps, then used it. Chasteberry (Vitex) has estrogenic properties which could increase estrogen levels which is not what you need. However, if it helped you then that is wonderful.

Have you considered using natural progesterone? I have been using Natpro Progesterone Cream for 17 years now, no regrets and no side effects.

Just a word on Benzos which I am sure you are aware. One needs to wean off with the help of your doctor at the same time as using a support, like progesterone. Herbal teas may not be very effective, but as mentioned, if you find that they are helping then go ahead.

Please make sure that your vitamin D3 is optimal as mentioned on this thread.

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