Posted by kotsunega on February 18, 2007, at 18:29:39
In reply to Re: Zyprexa W/D - Add a new withdrawal side effect » kotsunega, posted by ronaldo on February 17, 2007, at 3:39:36
Sadly, my level of misplaced confidence made me think I could taper and stop over a 3 month period. I was duly humbled, however, by the power of Zyp to lure me back into its clutches.
I did absolutely fine until the last of the third week in which I was totally free of the drug. That's when the unbelievable muscle cramps materialized that kept me out of work and made my arms numb down to the elbow -- when they weren't sending excrutiating pain signals -- which was generally when I was trying to get some sleep.
My resolve weakened however, after a few nights of interrupted sleep and the feeling that some mania was creeping in, and I took a 10 mg dose of Zyp. That's half of the original dose I took for more than 6 years.
As I reported in my first post, the muscle cramps, numbness, and insomnia disappeared with the metabolizing of that single dose of Zyp. By morning, I was rested and pain free. Within a couple days, the mania had settled down again. And, since I didn't want to go through that muscle cramp business again -- and since I'd used up all my sick time at work --I have continued to take the 10 mg dose of Zyp; embarrassed as I am to have to admit defeat.
I will try this again, but not until I've got some sick time built up again. What a pain [literally] this experiment to stop Zyp use has been. I see my pdoc on Feb 28th, and I will definitely explain all that has transpired since our previous visit and my report that, at that point, all was going well with the Zyp withdrawal.
Ronaldo, I think I will follow your example of getting off of the Zyp and try to do it more slowly the next time I try. I just thought I was better than some dumb pill and there was no way it was going to own me. Ha! Boy, was I in for a surprise.
I don't know what suggestions I can offer you except that you'll just have to be strong when you finally do quit the small dose you are taking now, and be ready for some surprises...er, maybe an ambush would be a better way to put it?
You might explain what stories you've heard from others like me to your pdoc so he or she can be ready to help you, should a problem arise. My scary and unbelievably painful muscle cramps (felt like broken bones) came out of no where, but since a single dose of Zyp resolved the problem when muscle relaxants and strong pain killers that made me dopey as heck for several days would not do it, I'm guessing there's a Zyp relationship there.
What I did was share some of the other Psycho Babble posts with my pdoc, and she armed me with both Lunesta and Xanax to help me end the Zyp use. We see now, even that couldn't stop Zyp's relentless influence and nasty tricks.
Take care, and good luck getting off this drug. As they like to say these days: "get 'er done".
Keep us all posted on your journey, OK?
Kotsunega
poster:kotsunega
thread:731881
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/wdrawl/20061224/msgs/733944.html