struggling with sleep disorder/anxiety

[Guest [ga...]]

Long term sufferer with anxiety that has gotten much worse since about 6 months ago and keeps me from sleeping most nights. Also suffer from restless leg syndrome. Tried several sleep aids which didn't work or worked poorly. Taking 25 mg trazodone every night. That used to be sufficient most nights. No longer is. Was taking xanax .5 mg prn but found that prn meant every night these past few weeks. Took it tonight and am wide awake at 2:30AM. Psych nurse wants me to take clonazepam and lamictal, but I have been resisting. I don't want to take these drugs. I already tried unsuccessfully to taper off the trazodone. I wonder if what I am experiencing now is the effects of that. I get panic that is unbearable in the middle of the night from this strange insomnia. When I lie down and start to relax I get a feeling of startling and am suddenly wide awake. Sometimes I am dreaming already when this happened and sometimes I am just drifting off. Tonight, I wasn't even drifting off before it started. It's like my brain is on alert against sleep. I'm so tired I can't think straight. I remember many years ago having this sort of thing very mild and transient. Since I went through menopause, everything is much worse and getting worse every week. I don't want to add another benzo. I want to get off the xanax but I have no idea how I will sleep. The lack of sleep in unbearable. I am practically housebound and socially isolated because I am barely functioning which makes me depressed.

[[ma...]]

Hello gardener Welcome to Benzobuddies

 

We are glad you found us, Sorry about the insomnia and anxiety, I know how awful both symptoms are. Are you familiar with the  Ashton Manual , it is an excellent resource for information about these medications and gives a lot of information about withdrawal/tapering.  Here is a link to the manual: Ashton Manual

 

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 own comfort.

 

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 

 

Insomnia Board

 

Anxiety

 

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