Cold turkey and anything to take for sleep ?

[[li...]]

Clonazepam/Klonopin/Rivotri 2mg, for too many years.

 

I'm weighing my options. The only advice doctors seem to be able to give me is bad advice.

 

It seems impossiblt to taper this drug directly, the details don't matter right now. While Librium or oxazepam have been offered as an alternative (diazepam not being an option) since 'all benzos act the same' (NOT!) I wonder if taking one of those drugs will not merely prolong the agony.

 

If I were to stop abruptly the thing I would worry about most is sleep. I could probably cope with the rest of the misery, but that misery and extreme insomnia would be extreme ...

 

Anyone going through C/T, or who has gone though C/T: did you take anything for sleep that actually works ? Some drug intended for sleep or something else ? I wouldn't expect antipsychotics and antidepressants to work.

[Guest [Or...]]

I cold turkeyed and only had a few days of insomnia. I don't need to take anything. I've heard melatonin is good, though.

[[ma...]]

I was cold turkeyed off klonopin and deal with insomnia thanks to it and the med I'm still having side effect of restlessness. Melatonin seems to be questionable in how it helps, from things I've read, for some people it doesn't help. But i took some last night after not sleeping for several days, it made me tired after a few hours and helped me go back to bed if I woke up. Compared to taking until 3am to go to bed and then waking up and staying up at the slightest noise.

[[ja...]]

I'm in the same boat.  I c/t'ed about 2.5 weeks ago from 8 years of Ativan use that was up to 4 mg daily for sleep.  However, I was given 200 mg of Seroquel, 100 mg of trazodone, and 500 mg depakote to sleep from a doc at a psych ward.  These meds don't work very well at all.  It's pretty much a cycle that consists of 3-4 days.  One day I'll only able to sleep for a few hours on and off.  Then, I'll be able to sleep maybe 5 hours the next few nights, but I'll have lucid dreams.  Those nights with no sleep are horrible.  I haven't found anything yet that really puts me to sleep that's over the counter. 

[[be...]]

I'm in the same boat.  I c/t'ed about 2.5 weeks ago from 8 years of Ativan use that was up to 4 mg daily for sleep.  However, I was given 200 mg of Seroquel, 100 mg of trazodone, and 500 mg depakote to sleep from a doc at a psych ward.  These meds don't work very well at all.  It's pretty much a cycle that consists of 3-4 days.  One day I'll only able to sleep for a few hours on and off.  Then, I'll be able to sleep maybe 5 hours the next few nights, but I'll have lucid dreams.  Those nights with no sleep are horrible.  I haven't found anything yet that really puts me to sleep that's over the counter.

 

You may want to talk to your doctor about reducing your dose of serequel as it can be very sedating at lower doses like 25-75 mg. A 200 mg dose would not be sedating.

[[ga...]]

That is one hell of a C/T.  You actually jumped from 4 mg. to nothing in one day after 8 years.  I was on it off and on for a few years and I did a fast taper and then a c/t.  I had a miserable time for a few weeks.  Now at 176 months I still have occasional nights were my sleep is nonexistent.  I average 4 to 5 hours of broken sleep and actually do pretty well on that.  I must be getting some rem since I do function fairly well.  All I can say is best of luck going forward.  It will be hit and miss.  Just expect that day to day and accept it.  It is one day at a time.  Good luck.

[[ja...]]

BRC,

 

I really appreciate the info!  I had no idea 200 mg would not be sedating.  I took 50 mg of Seroquel XR along with 4 mg of Ativan for the longest time and that stopped working a few months ago.  I must have been too tolerant to the Ativan

 

Garton,

 

I had about a 1 week taper that consisted of the first two days dropping to 2 mg of Ativan and then some unknown amount of librium on the third day to nothing the rest of the week during as an impatient at a psych ward.  I feel like I'm in this never-ending nightmare...life feels like it will be miserable and will continue to get worse.  It's hard to stay hopeful and do simple tasks like drive somewhere.

 

Thank you for the support!

[[ga...]]

Jade....I meant to say I have been off 17 months...sorry.  You can see from my post and many others that we do get through these horrific times and you will too.  From your photo you appear young...you have so much life to live...YOU can do this.  Yes you will have times where you will feel hopeless...like there is no answer.  They are just temporary and will improve gradually. The drugs have certainly wreaked havoc and it does take time to recover.  We are here to support you...stay strong!  Remember...one day at a time and this too shall pass.

[Guest [Mo...]]

Early off C/T not much works, but as time goes by after a month or so Hydroxine started working for me.  I also take 20mg melatonin, 1,000mg Taurine, 1200mg L-Tryptophan, Inositol, L-Theanine and drink 10 drops of peppermint essential oil with honey in warm water.  Helps me relax, and get to sleep.  I have 2 pressure points I use also.  On bridge of nose against skull, and below bend in wrist down from baby finger.

 

 

MG

[[Ne...]]

1. My best sleep aid is an audio book that I play on my tablet.  Sometimes I have to play it 3 times in a night. The droning puts me right back to sleep. I use music too.

 

2. Jin Shin Jyutsu: This acupressure style is in one of the benzo books called Recovery and Renewal by Baylissa Frederick. There is a technique to help you sleep.  Each finger represents a feeling. The thumb is Worry. The index is Fear.  The middle finger is Anger. Ring finger is sadness/grief. The little finger is Pretense.  Use one hand to hold the finger of what is giving you the most trouble. Then cradle that finger with the other hand. For instance, if you gently wrap your left thumb with your right hand it will help you go back to sleep. It doesn't matter which you use. Switch hands. You can sleep holding if you want or just hold for a few minutes. It is sort of like reflexology for the hands.  She has many other good ideas and reference books.

 

3. I have a little sound machine that can make all sorts of sounds like running creeks and white noise.  I like to sleep to the ocean waves sound. Sometimes I play both the book and ocean at the same time just to shut my brain up. There are ocean CDs too.

 

4. Do some deep breathing then say the following sentence out loud:"Unconscious mind, I now allow you to do whatever you think is necessary in order for me to feel better." 

 

 

[[Er...]]

I'm a C/T - kind of did a haphazard self taper - and have had some very good luck with a protocol from my Functional Neurologist using Apex Energetic's GABACore and GABATone.  The tough part is that they prescribed it two on (great sleep each night) and one off (not so good).  At least it's a start.  You will need to consult a naturopath, functional neurologist or acupuncturist I think. 

 

I have really bad tinnitus and it actually helps me sleep through.  On the off nights.

 

PM me if you have any other questions.

 

Love to all of you,

 

EG

[[so...]]

Magnesium 200mg tablet works well to get me to sleep, but I still wake up every morning at 4am with cortisol surges.  Melatonin makes me foggy headed the next day.  Swanson's Lactium is good for sleep too.  I've spent a fortune on supplements for sleep help.  Could have bought a car with the money I've wasted.