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Re: HELP!!!

Posted by laima on July 20, 2006, at 11:39:34

In reply to Re: HELP!!!, posted by silvercoin on July 13, 2006, at 13:09:31

While I lack the experience to know for sure, 10 years does seem like a long time to wean off of a benzo. I saw something like that on the internet, too- but the case study involved someone who had been on very high dosages for decades. In my on-and-off experience, a couple of weeks has been enough to restore a decent and accceptable sense of normalcy. If you've been through a few days already, perhaps there is already a light at the end of the tunnel. I imagine there are many factors- like how long one is on the drugs, how much, etc. But I do now that, at least for me, on the drugs, tolerance builds up quickly. Somewhere on the informative website benzo.org they mention you can actually start withdrawal while still taking the drug! I also agree, based on my own efforts, that trying to "relax" out of a benzo withdrawal is near futile-or of modest help. It makes sense- there are dramatic, unconcious physiological events going on while the nervous system flips out and tries to re-adjust. I'd better be careful here- of course cognitive methods and such are great for anxiety- but accute withdrawal off of powerful drugs is another, much more intense and complicated matter. How does one, say, "relax" out of any waves of paranoia or hallucinations? I once deep-breathed myself, complete with calm music, right into the emergency room with hyperventilation, thinking I was about to die...But having someone patient and with a calm voice around WAS helpful.

But the benzo.org site assures its readers that whether quitting cold or tapering, things do get back to normal. I found that site to be very detailed and informative- it appears to be put together by a knowledgeable doctor.

The insert that came with my klonopin, by the way, said "worsening depression" might be a side effect for some people.

Another thing I was told is that klonopin is "stronger" than xanax-whatever that means. It is also used as an anti-convulsant, but I think xanax isn't. I guess klonopin stays in the body longer? Makes one sleepier?

Also- why an antidepressent if you are not depressed? They are not always side-effect/withdrawal free either. Seems odd. And of course, the package inserts often say something like, "might cause worsening of depression for some people".

Finally, as for sleep- when I've quit benzos, (alas to just re-start later, a cycle I can't seem to end), I noticed night one is not too bad, 3-4 seem to be the worst, night 5 gets a bit better, and then a gradual improvement begins. The lady on benzo.org reassuringly stated there somewhere something about sleep "being such a strong bodily drive that it absolutely will reinstate itself". My initial sleep off benzos always seems fragmented and full of an extraordinary amount of vivid dreams.

Best wishes and good luck.

> > I am pretty upset with my prescriptions for initially xanax and then klonopin. I have always
> > had anxiety but had a major panic attack three years ago. The doctor gave me an anti-depress. and it didn't work so he called in xanax and the bottle said take every 4-6 hours. I had so much relief and was happy. It wasn't working very well after two years and I was starting to have trouble sleeping so I went to an actual psychiatrist telling him I want to get off it. He said let's try Klonopin. I thought it was a less severe drug and he acted like it was no big deal. That worked for a little while but then I sufferred from more anxiety then I ever had and could not sleep. I told him a month ago that I wanted to get off it. I was on 2 mg. for 8 months at that point. He talked me into upping the dose the 3 mg and then things went downhill. My sleep got even more erratic and I started crying and feeling depressed which is something I have never had. I'm now getting off it but am feeling very weird. It's only been a few days but I still can't sleep and have read up on the drug to find out it's horrible! I read one sight that said it can be ten years before you stop feeling the side effects from going off it. Please, can someone tell me a positive story or am I doomed to a drug that makes my anxiety worse
> > and will I ever sleep normally again? Plus, the psych. was a jerk and said he wanted to keep me on it and add something for depression. I have never been depressed until he upped my dose from 2 to 3 mg. overnight. I told him it's the meds that made me sad all the sudden. Has this happened to anyone else?
>
>
> Drugs like this that work on GABA can cause or worsen depression in some individuals. I developed benzo dependency on a high dose of Halcion and experienced remarkably unpleasant withdrawal symptoms followed by a long lasting and severe depression with unrelenting insomnia. I did not think I would ever be able to sleep again but eventually was able to. I think the reference to a ten year withdrawal period is a wild exaggeration, but my experience is that the after effects can linger for some months. I would suggest a slow taper to minimize the severity of the withdrawal symptoms. Also, work on trying to deal with your anxiety on more of a cognitive level to minimize the usage of this class of drugs that can be rather problematic.
>
> Todd


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