Posted by brynb on March 20, 2013, at 19:04:47
In reply to Benzo withdrawal, posted by ChicagoKat on March 19, 2013, at 16:02:59
> Hi all,
> I did not know this could happen. I used to be a pharmacist before I went nuts after ECT. In school we were always taught how much safer benzos are than barbs. But now, here I am, experiencing serial panic attacks two months after I stopped taking Klonopin regularly. I was tolerant to it and I had to take a high dose - at least 5mg - to have any perceptible effect. And, like an idiot, I did take more. Until I decided that it was not helping me anymore and I stopped it. I had absolutely no wiwthdrawal effects until last Thursday when what I swear was a 4-day panic attack began. It finally relented yesterday, only to strike again this morning. I've read that benzo withdrawal can manifest weeks to even months after stopping, and that the withdrawal symptoms can wax and wane for a long time.
>
> My current meds are Lexapro 20mg qam, Elavil 25mg qhs for sleep, Vistaril 50mg tid prn, Atenolol 50mg qam, Gabapentin 600mg qpm.
>
> I've given up caffeine, chocolate, and cigarettes.
>
> I just wanted to hear others' experiences if they have had them and wondered if anyone has any advice. Thanks
> KatKat,
I know you don't really feel like you get relief from benzos anymore, but I think you should add a low dose (20 mg) of Valium in the mix. It will help with withdrawals and quell the anxiety even if you don't necessarily "feel" it working.
I went through terrible benzo w/d many times (mostly off of Klonopin), had to medically detox, used the Ashton method, etc., but I'm back on Valium and it does help. Email me and hang-in there :).
-b
Live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
poster:brynb
thread:1040667
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130308/msgs/1040754.html