My Story

[[co...]]

Hi Benzobuddies,

 

I'm not feeling that communicative at the moment, it's been a hard couple of weeks. I've started tapering off Lorazepam, peaked at around 5mg daily, mostly taken all together at night, as I have Cymbalta SRNI AD's to help me get through the day. I suffer from insomnia, general anxiety, bulimia, social phobia and OCD.

Right now I'm down to 2mg daily and it's freaking me out big time. I tried to switch to valium, but I have a paradox reaction to the drug, it makes me edgy, aggressive, insecure and just generally makes me feel unwell.

I was abusing lorazepam for 4 months. Prior to that I had been taking Seresta to sleep at night for a number of years (Oxamazepam - 15mg).

I've also reduced to Cymbalta now from 90mg to just 60mg in the morning at the dose at lunch started giving me jitters. To sleep, I now use Trittico, which helps with the withdrawal and helps me sleep through the night.

Feeling pretty rough at the moment, but trying to stay positive.

[[ma...]]

Hi cottonwool Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

Well done on starting your taper, you should taper one drug at a time! A slow taper can help minimize withdrawal effects.  It is generally recommended to taper no more than 5-10% every 10-14 days.  This is a guideline and it is ok to adjust this schedule for your comfort. 

 

Have you read the Ashton Manual , it is an excellent resource for information about these medications and gives a lot of information about withdrawal. Here is a link to the manual: Ashton Manual

 

We have a great community here of knowledgeable and friendly people who understand this process.  They will be willing to share their experience with you.  Feel free to ask questions, so that members can respond

 

Here are some helpful links:

 

The Ashton Manual. 

 

Withdrawal Support

 

General Taper Plans

 

Other Medications Board

 

 

Please Create a Signature.  This will allow others to see where you are in the process so they can better support you.

 

Welcome aboard

 

Magrita

 

[[Mo...]]

Hi cottonwool,

so sorry you aren't well, getting of Benzos can be ever so hard. i am sure

it will make it easier now that you have joined us.

Magrita has provided you with some good links to start off,

once you feel up to it, try to post and ask for advise.

warm welcome

and all the best,

Claudia.

 

[[co...]]

Hi Magrita and Morreweg  :hug:

 

wow - your stories are really inspiring!I already feel a sense of "not being alone" - thank you! At the moment everyone is either avoiding me or treading on eggshells around me, as they are scared to do or say something wrong - I do understand but it's kinda driving me nuts.

 

Thank you for the Tapering links! I have looked into Ashton, but only saw the tapering with converting over to diazepam, which would not work for me, as I have totally paradox reactions to the drug. I've been on 2mg for 2 days and plan to stay that way for at least 14 days. Sometimes, I have those really great days, when I feel that I can do it faster and better than everyone else and take less than my taper schedule has planned, obviously the next day I learn my lesson when the withdrawal kicks in. It just seems like forever to get off all these meds! I agree though, first the Lorazepam and then the AD's for sure.

 

I am planned to go to a Yoga Workshop tonight, I'm know it will be fine, but getting there (leaving the house ) and having all those people around and probably having to do team work is making me nervous. I thought it was a good idea at the time 

 

Will let you know how it went... it's 2 evenings in a row  - double  :-\ time to get back into real life.... but it's sooooo difficult and exhausting. 2 hours out of the house and I have no energy left in me :sleepy:

 

Love and light and most of all innerstrength to you all,

 

Cottonwool 

[[Mo...]]

Hi again c, thanks for the update.

I would join the Ativan support group.

http://www.benzobuddies.org/forum/index.php?topic=44903.0

 

good luck and take it easy.

 

 

[[co...]]

Thanks Claudia 

 

the Ativan Group is a great source of info.

 

The Yoga Workshop went well (no teaming up - thanks God!!  ) just had 1mg of Temesta  a couple of hours prior (that's the brand name here in Switzerland). but ended up bringing my taper up yesterday to 2.5. But i'm not going to worry about it too much.

 

going to check out the tapering plans too.

 

Thanks again

[[ma...]]

Thanks Claudia 

 

the Ativan Group is a great source of info.

 

The Yoga Workshop went well (no teaming up - thanks God!!  ) just had 1mg of Temesta  a couple of hours prior (that's the brand name here in Switzerland). but ended up bringing my taper up yesterday to 2.5. But i'm not going to worry about it too much.

 

going to check out the tapering plans too.

 

Thanks again

 

I am so glad the Yoga workshop went well for you, try not to updose if you can.  I understand why you did that, I was agoraphobic and social phobic  so I know what its like. 

 

Keep moving forward, it does get better

 

Magrita

[[co...]]

you guys are so awesome! thanks for your kind and supportive words magrita 

 

2nd night of workshop also survived and even stayed to chat for 5 mins.... ok, I did cheat a little and had 1mg of Lorazepam at a few hours before. But tbh, i'm finding that 2.5 - 2mg reduction super hard.

 

I'm trying to understand this principle of maxing with vodka and watering down so that I could taper off in lower doses, but it's still a mystery to me. I guess it's the benzo fog

 

Love and light and keep it up you guys!