Cold Turkey - Rapid Withdrawl - How to cope?

[[ca...]]

Hi Everyone!

I have been on this site for a while, but this is my first time on this site.  I am 3 months off Klonopin.  I used it as needed (really when told to use it by my doc) while getting off Remeron for 7 months.  Then after about 2 months off of it, I was told to take between 1-1.5 mg of it a night every night for 3-4 weeks to try to stabilize my sleep.  I then was told to stop cold turkey.  We found out I was dependent on that time.  So, my doc put my back on and weaned from 2 mg to .5 mgs in 1 week - way too fast again.  So, then I went from 1 mg to .125 in 5 weeks and jumped from there after not being able to stabilize from .375 on down.  I am REALLY struggling with withdrawal even though today is 3 months off for me.  Is there anything I can do at this point to make the symptoms less severe? If not, how do you cope with this?  I feel like I have messed myself up so much.

[[be...]]

I am sorry you had to go through all of that. Stopping cold turkey or too rapidly can cause some pretty severe symptoms. This is why these methods are ill advised. You have made it 90 days. That is great. I don't imagine that you would ever want to live those 90 days over again. They are behind you now. I, too, went through a horrific cold turkey withdrawal.  I started to turn a real positive corner at three months and at one year I am healed. I think what really helped me was distraction. At first I wasn't very good at it, but over time I got better and better at it. Right now time is what will heal you. I am hoping you turn a positive corner soon. As awful as your symptoms are please know they are just temporary. There will be a time when this is all behind you. In the meantime....distract, distract, distract.

[Guest [ba...]]

What sort of symptoms are you experiencing, Cactus?  BRC and I both did c/t's, and both of us are now doing pretty well.  But it was rough for several months.  Distracting yourself is an important skill to master at this point in your withdrawal.  You want to keep your mind occupied with something to help keep your mind off of the symptoms you are experiencing.  Lots of ways to do this, so it's good to find something that works well for you.  I kept working during my withdrawal which helped to keep me busy (even though I felt like butt for some months).  I believe that activity helps along with eating well and trying to be as generally healthy as possible. 

[[ca...]]

Thanks - I was asked to leave my job for a while due to all the errors I was making.  Although they will hire me back the minute I feel I am ready and can do my job.  I have not been able to do much of anything these past few months.  I haven't driven, lost my friends, have lost all kinds of weight and have been very depressed because of it.  My biggest symptom is lack of sleep, disrupted sleep, and muscle twitches/burning, and adrenaline surges at night - also vomiting was horrible although that has lessened up a lot.  I have dealt anxiety and severe depression but if I get some sleep (which has only just started last week) it is better and the nausea is better too.  I have had so many symptoms, I could go on and on... flu like symptoms, feeling hopeless, feeling worthless, having panic attacks at night, confusion at night, dizziness, extreme muscle pain, spasm, and stiffness, hot and cold flushes, numb feelings, etc etc.  It has really been intense and no one really knows what is going on with me.  I am glad to hear that things are going better for both of you.  I am praying there is hope for me too. 

[[be...]]

There will be a time when you feel better as well. All of your symptoms are classic. I now they are miserable. I am glad you are able to take off work for a while. Things will improve. They really will.

[[ca...]]

Thank you so very much again.  I actually talked briefly with a very well-known doctor for benzo withdrawal today and although he said he didn't think he could really help me at this time, he did say that he likely thinks I am struggling so much due to the way I came off the benzo and also how close it was to getting off the Remeron.  He said that all I can do at this point is to give it time.  I do appreciate the encouragement so very, very much.  You have no idea how much it means to me right now.  THANK YOU!

[[Ba...]]

Oh man. I have been through all you're talking about. I feel for you and am so sorry for what you're experiencing. I am 5 months out and getting better.

[[ca...]]

Thanks for sharing, Bailey.  It is so great to hear that you are doing better!  It gives me some hope too!  Thank you!!!

[[Ba...]]

I needed this site so much when I was going through what you're going through. I'm glad I can help.

[[ca...]]

Yes, Bailey.  I am so grateful to have found this site.  I appreciate everyone on here.  This is the first group of people I have found that understands how I am feeling.  It is also so wonderful to read when people are doing better like you. Please know that you really are helpful to me.  I really appreciate the support.

[Guest [Mo...]]

Hi Cactus, I CT'ed off 8 pills total almost at once, and I'm 6 months and a week out now.  I went through hell too, but it's getting better slowly.  The brain sx's are mostly gone, it's just tinnitus, some leg cramps and nerve pain, and weakness.  I had a bad 3 weeks, lost my dog, but am out of the wave from that trauma, and am feeling almost human again.  I think I seriously turned a corner at 5 months.  I can cook easy meals, and do light cleaning now, and even drive.  I couldn't imagine driving a month or so ago my legs were so bad.  It will get better soon, hang in there! 

 

Gentle hugs & much love, MG

[[ca...]]

Thank you so much! It provides hope that someone went through similar med withdrawals and survived and is feeling better.  The lack of sleep and panic attacks I get while sleeping suck.  I am in a pattern of getting sleep one night and not the next - which I guess I should be grateful for but the nights I get nothing are SO hard and filled with anxiety and extreme symptoms that I wonder how I can go on.  I get so depressed and just want out of this suffering.  I know drugs won't work and I get so hopeless.  Thank you for responding though.  I am praying things will improve for me soon too.  I am glad you are doing so much better!

 

[Guest [Mo...]]

Thank you so much! It provides hope that someone went through similar med withdrawals and survived and is feeling better.  The lack of sleep and panic attacks I get while sleeping suck.  I am in a pattern of getting sleep one night and not the next - which I guess I should be grateful for but the nights I get nothing are SO hard and filled with anxiety and extreme symptoms that I wonder how I can go on.  I get so depressed and just want out of this suffering.  I know drugs won't work and I get so hopeless.  Thank you for responding though.  I am praying things will improve for me soon too.  I am glad you are doing so much better!

 

 

Cactus, I kind of cheated on the anxiety and sleep, I had such high bp and anxiety, I knew I would have a heart attack.  I ended up in the ER, and asked for Clonidine, a beta blocker, I read it helps not only bp but with anxiety, sleep, and it has.  I also take Hydroxine, also known as Vistoril, it's like benadryl.  It didn't help me early out, so didn't take it probably until month 4.  I also take Flexerils for my extreme fibromyalgia and muscle cramps.  It also helps me sleep now.  I also take L-Tryptophan, Taurine & Mag Citrate, all help.  Like I said though, early out not much worked.  I went a couple months wtih 2-3 hours a nite.  Now I can sleep 7-9 hrs, but do wake up to pee a bunch.  Oh and Inositol & L-theanine made all the difference also, mopping up excess glutamate, and helping anxiety, mania, fear, and sleep 

 

I couldn't have made it through without all of the above, I was losing my mind.  I still have the looping music when I wake up, but that's about it as far as brain stuff.

 

I admire anyone that can go through this without help, I'm weak, I admit it. 

 

MG

[[ca...]]

Thank you. Nothing helps right now. I am hoping in a few months that maybe it will. I have l theanine and visteral. Along with other sleep supplements and anxiety supplements. Again, hoping that in time I could start taking them and they help.

[Guest [Mo...]]

Thank you. Nothing helps right now. I am hoping in a few months that maybe it will. I have l theanine and visteral. Along with other sleep supplements and anxiety supplements. Again, hoping that in time I could start taking them and they help.

 

 

When I first took Vistoril I thought this is total crap, they don't work, but tried a few months in and they did.  You are early out, so hang in there.  It will slowly get better so you can sleep.  You may want to consider the Inositol, JMO, I buy it bulk, that the the L-theanine helped significantly after about a week of taking them.

 

Hugs, MG