Brain zaps are constant.

[[wa...]]

Hi,

I am 73 years old and have been taking clonazepam for about 12 years, 1mg. Recently, I asked my family doctor to increase it to 2 mg, as I could not sleep. Several recent online articles have made me decide to withdraw from the drug. Older people have far more side effects than other users.

 

I made an appt with a psychiatrist who advised me to withdraw within 3 weeks. He is not correct-it takes much longer. Now it has been 2 months since trying to withdraw. Some nights .5 works fine; other nights I'm awake all night. He also prescribed Trazadone, which I'm afraid to take.

 

My next appt with psy. is today. For the last few days, the brain zaps are constant. I can't think, read, feel like I'm losing my mind. The doctor has never heard of brain zaps. I have been on .5 for 2 weeks, but occasionally take another .5 if I don't get to sleep within 2-3 hours.

 

You may think elderly people shouldn't worry about getting to sleep. What do they need to get up for? I'm active-practice tai chi, hike, am in several writing groups, and keep my 6 and 10 yr old grandchildren often.

 

Enough background. What can I do about these horrible, torturing electrical impulses that never stop? Will they finally go away? Or should I start with 2 mg again?

[[be...]]

Hi walaman  Welcome to BenzoBuddies!

 

I am so happy you found us. We have quite a few older members. I am sorry you are experiencing brain zaps. It is a fairly common symptom of withdrawal. Your doctor may be tapering you too quickly. The recommended reduction rate is 5 to 10 percent every two weeks.

 

You might like to check out The Ashton Manual it is an authoritative source on what to expect in withdrawal and recovery.  Dr. Ashton is an expert in the field.  She describes and explains withdrawal symptoms.

 

Please feel free to post to any of the dedicated boards, we have a wonderful community of people here, who will give sound advice. Members have been through all aspects of benzodiazepine use and withdrawal and are more than willing to share their experiences.

 

Withdrawal Support (during your taper)

 

 

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

 

Again Welcome! 

 

benzos-R-cruel

 

[[Fr...]]

Hi, Walaman,

 

Welcome and Happy New Year.  I once read that Omega 3 helps with brain zaps from withdrawing from Anti-depressants and benzos. Avoid caffeine and stress, if possible. Everyone needs sleep, whether they are on a specific schedule or not. But, insomnia is part of withdrawal. Sleep will come when you're healing. My first milestone was sleeping through the night. I sleep fine now.

 

Seeker (the w/d'r formerly known as NeedsRelief)

[[wa...]]

 

 

Thanks for the reply. Good to know that you are now sleeping.

[[Fr...]]

Don't go back to 2 mg because when you do, you'll have a hard time tapering back down again.  If anything, stay where you are now.  I'm sorry you're not sleeping. Definitely something you'll have to work on. Have you tried Benedryl (an antihistamine)?  As for your psychiatrist not hearing of brain zaps ... that's odd, since is a very common side-effect. I had them when withdrawing from Lexapro, though that was my only symptom of withdrawal from Lexapro and it was a few years ago.

[[wa...]]

 

 

  Thanks for the comments. It helps to know others are going through these difficult times, although I'm sorry anyone else has to do so.

Saw doc today and took him printout of definition and causes of brain zaps. Didn't seem interested. He now wants me to take Trazodone.

Anyone familiar with this drug.

 

I do take a Benadryl each night, but feel droopy and fuzzy daytime. What is wrong with these doctors? Do they just like to prescribe?

Good wishes to all of you.

[[me...]]

 

 

  Thanks for the comments. It helps to know others are going through these difficult times, although I'm sorry anyone else has to do so.

Saw doc today and took him printout of definition and causes of brain zaps. Didn't seem interested. He now wants me to take Trazodone.

Anyone familiar with this drug.

 

I do take a Benadryl each night, but feel droopy and fuzzy daytime. What is wrong with these doctors? Do they just like to prescribe?

Good wishes to all of you.

 

Hi walaman,

 

I'm also older (64), and I had brain zaps quite a bit especially during the first six months off.  Though alarming, they are harmless, and they do go away in time, on their own.  If I were in your situation, I'd be leery of taking additional prescription meds for this. 

 

[[el...]]

It took me many months to taper from .5 mg klonopin which I had been taking for 16 years.  I had brain zaps for a few months as I got lower in dose. They are gone now.  My pdoc was not much help either and tried to give me scripts for ad's.  What helped me was to go very slow with the taper. I use Benadryl or unisom for sleep.  I honestly have more sleep issues trying to get rid of valium than I did with klonopin.  I think the zaps and poor sleep can occur more with a faster taper.

 

Good luck to you -

 

Ellen

[[Fr...]]

Trazadone exited before SSRIs, but isn't old, old school antidepressant. That will also be hard to stop taking. I'd just keep tapering down from Klonipen, but slowly, and try to find something non-addictive that helps you sleep.

[[ba...]]

Hi Mrs Walaman,  have you ever tried melatonin for sleep? i found a great melatonin sleep aid i usually take a sleep aid after i wake up in the wee hours of the morning to sleep longer or if i sleep more in the daytime the melatonin that works best for me is from walgreens melatonin has vitamin b6 addd to it to prolong sleep more than melatonin by itself i had some luck with magnesium vitamin E for reducing withdreawals , along with activating & exercising i've had a history of seizures the last 10 years so those brain zaps were terrifying thinking i was going to have a convulsion . you might want to talk to a pharmacist about redcing medication doses that seems like quite a reduction when you went from 2mg to 1 . you might want to try some chamomlle tea this is a mild safe tea that helps me relax it was very helpfull in the past when i was taking xanax and i was feeling yucky and i didnt want to take my medicine dose early so does lavendar oil its a very helpfull as aroma therapy after my evening shower i dry off and i add a few drops of lavandar oil on my neck before bedtime you can also use some lavandar oil a few drops on a piece of kleenex or toilet paper i put that tissue in my purse or bedside so if i feel bad i take it out sniff on it a little it works some to relax me another tip in what helps me is i always try to stay occupied im always activating or keeping my mind occupied so i dont feel jittery or worried also if you have any spiritual faith i stronly suggest this i feel alot of comfort having a holy object with me always , like i carry a rosary ring in my pocket or purse and i have another next to my pillow so i can hold it in my hand when i fall asleep

theres some triggers in what makes me feel awefull such as if i eat or drink excess sugar or if  i smoke too much cigarettes .

i really hopethis helps you  Mrs walaman , god bless you and your family

Katie (babyangel)

[[wa...]]

I am thankful for all your messages. All are helpful. I did take 1/2 Trazadone the last two nights. No more brain zaps, but I slept 11 hours each night and felt drugged all day. This is  not going to work. So, back to 1/2 Clonazepam for a while, 1/2 tab. Babyangel, I'll try the lavender oil and Vitamin E. I do take Melatonin and will also try the Omega 3.

 

Don't take Trazadone! Evil stuff.